The Highlands-Cashiers Plateau is situated in the largest of the state’s four national forests in the southern Appalachians. There are more than 600 miles of trails that offer plenty of roadside waterfalls and easy hikes, like Bridal Veil Falls, Dry Falls, Silver Run Falls, and Whitewater Falls. For something a bit more moderate, consider trails like Glen Falls, High Falls Waterfall at Lake Glenville, Secret Falls, or Whiteside Mountain.

Located near Cashiers is one of North Carolina’s newest state parks. The 3-mile round trip hike to Rainbow Falls is a popular day hike option—or push your limits on the park’s section of the Foothills Trail, which includes a long suspension bridge and primitive campsites.

For something quirky, stop at the American Museum of the House Cat on your way from the plateau to the national park. The museum houses a private collection of more than 5,000 cat collectibles.

There’s no shortage of day hikes and scenic drives to take in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, but if you’re coming from the plateau, you’ll want to enter at the park’s Cherokee entrance. From here, drive the Newfound Gap Road, climb Clingmans Dome, or choose a moderate day hike, like Alum Cave Trail.

Another activity-filled national forest abuts the plateau to the northeast, offering even more opportunities for day hikes and waterfalls. Make stops at Looking Glass Falls, a popular, roadside waterfall; Pisgah Inn, a National Park Service concessionaire-managed lodge with a restaurant, gift shop, and lookout (open seasonally); and the Cradle of Forestry in America, a heritage site with educational programming (also open seasonally).

Grab breakfast at this no-nonsense diner in downtown Highlands. Coffee is served out of mugs donated by customers and the pastrami is smoked in-house.

From coffee to pizzas made freshly in an 800-degree wood-fire oven, this specialty grocery store is a must-stop for those needing to stock a vacation rental or campsite, or looking for a roadside pit stop.

This bustling lunch (and Sunday brunch) restaurant offers counter service in an expansive cottage in Cashiers. It’s a crowd-pleasing spot in its 43rd season and it surprises with delicious and fresh daily specials.

Don’t miss this roadside BBQ joint with the largest underground pit in the U.S. Enjoy your ribs, or other meat of choice, on the expansive deck area. Don’t miss out on the sides—they might be just as good as the smoked meats.