The Highlands Food & Wine Festival Is an Awesome Autumn Road Trip
The Highlands Food & Wine Festival may be the perfect road trip for you this fall.
Are you looking for a fun road trip to see the autumn colors? Do you consider yourself a fan of food and wine?
We’ll take a look at this fun festival so you can decide if you should start packing up the RV.
Let’s go!
About the Highlands Food & Wine Festival
The Highlands Food & Wine Festival is an annual celebration that spans four days. Here you can taste some of the best dishes from award-winning chefs and enjoy the sounds of nationally acclaimed musical acts throughout the long weekend.
The festival takes place in Highlands, North Carolina, a small mountain town with much to offer. Visitors will certainly fall in love with the town’s charm and inviting atmosphere. With outdoor activities, workshops, and an incredible culinary scene, you’re sure to make the Highlands Food & Wine Festival an annual tradition.
How to Get to the Highlands Food & Wine Festival
If you’re not within driving distance of Highlands, four airports lie within a few hours. The most convenient is Asheville Regional Airport, which is only an hour and a half drive from the festival. However, you can also fly into Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, or Charlotte Douglas International Airport.
What to Do at the Highlands Food & Wine Festival
The Highlands Festival provides a tremendous amount of activities. Whether you’re looking to experience nature, learn about arts and culture, or listen to world-class musicians, you’ll find it all. If none of that tickles your fancy, there’s always shopping and dining.
The “Main Event” features Amos Lee, and participants will enjoy an oyster roast, delicious treats from esteemed chefs, and craft cocktails and wines. This is the festival’s highlight and not an event that you’ll want to miss if you’re attending.
Why Highlands Is a Great Autumn Destination
If you’ve never witnessed the changing of the seasons and the brilliant colors autumn leaves can provide, Highlands in the fall is surely for you. The changing leaves are a signal of the season and provide incredible views.
The crisp autumn breeze and cooler temperatures offer ideal weather for the large outdoor Highlands Food & Wine Festival. With a combination of exciting outdoor activities, the town is a perfect autumn destination for all ages.
Pro Tip: Looking for a scenic road trip while you’re in North Carolina? We put together The Ultimate Blue Ridge Parkway Road Trip Guide.
Best Hikes In Highlands
You’re doing yourself a disservice if you visit North Carolina and don’t go for a hike. Luckily, we have a couple of options for you to consider.
Whiteside Mountain National Recreation Trail
This 1.9-mile loop is incredibly popular and provides opportunities to enjoy wildflowers and bird watching. You’ll likely find many others hiking and enjoying nature. It’s open year-round and is a great place for you and a leashed dog to get some fresh air.
This trail is family-friendly but earns its moderate rating with a 511-foot elevation gain.
Glen Falls Trail
Another popular dog-friendly hiking trail near Highlands is Glen Falls Trail. Hikers can take on this almost 2.5-mile moderate out and back trail and enjoy views of multiple waterfalls. This hike has a moderate rating and 554 feet of elevation gain, but stairs and switchbacks make it doable for all.
If you’re a fan of hiking and waterfalls, this is the perfect adventure for you!
Pro Tip: Once the waterfalls on Glen Falls Trail wet your appetite for adventure, check out these 7 Amazing Waterfalls in North Carolina.
Best Camping in Highlands
If you’re looking for a place to camp while visiting the Highlands Food & Wine Festival, we have a couple of great options. Let’s take a look.
Highlands Hidden Creek RV Resort
Located at an altitude of 4,118 feet and only four blocks from downtown, this luxury campground has three RV sites. Two additional sites feature vintage Airstreams that guests can rent as well. Sites provide cable TV, Wi-Fi, and full hookups.
All lie within easy walking distance of downtown. At $150 per night, with a three-night minimum, this is the perfect place to disconnect in a secluded and private setting.
Van Hook Glade Campground
At Van Hook Glade Campground, you’ll find 18 standard campsites for tent or small RV camping. There’s access to hot showers and flush toilets, as well as picnic tables, tent pads, and fire rings. The campground also has an outdoor recreation area where guests can swim, hike, and fish. The campground is even dog-friendly, so feel free to bring your pet with you.
You’ll have easy access to the city of Highlands and Bridal Veil Falls, Bartram Trail, Bascom Center for Visual Arts, and Cradle of Forestry Heritage Site. There’s so much to see and do while staying at this beautiful campground.
Is a Road Trip to the Highlands Food & Wine Festival Worth It?
If you enjoy celebrating the changing of the season by drinking wine and tasting delicious food, this is the perfect place to do it. You’ll soak up award-winning music and a rich array of foods.
If you find yourself looking for an excuse for a road trip to North Carolina in early November, the Highlands Food & Wine Festival is a must. Have you ever been to a food and wine festival?
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