Post Summary- Places to visit along North Carolina’s waterfall byway
This blog post is sponsored by Visit North Carolina, but all opinions are my own.
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I recently had the most epic trip to North Carolina, filled with waterfalls, rock climbing, wine tastings, and more! There are just so many stunning landscapes and delicious discoveries of North Carolina that will seriously have you contemplating making it your second home!
Let’s dive into the beauty, flavors, and memorable moments that made this trip to North Carolina truly special. So, lace up your hiking boots and prepare for an in-depth exploration of North Carolina’s beautiful waterfall scenic byway.
What is the Scenic Waterfall Byway?
Imagine you’re driving down the road, music blasting, and suddenly, you stumble upon a hidden gem – North Carolina’s Scenic Watefall Byway. Now, you might be wondering, “What on earth is a scenic waterfall byway, and why should I care?” Well, let’s talk about it!
The waterfall byway is a 98 mile road that goes along Highway 64 that starts in Rosman, NC and finishes in Murphy, NC. You’ll go through Transylvania County which is locally known as the “land of waterfalls.” If you want to complete the drive in one day, it will take you about 3.5 hours! However, you should allow more time so you can get out and enjoy the views and do some hikes.
North Carolina’s scenic waterfall byway is like Mother Nature’s own Instagram account – it’s a road that’s been handpicked for its jaw-dropping beauty filled with picturesque waterfalls.
So, whether you’re a nature enthusiast, a road trip junkie, or just looking for an excuse to escape the daily grind, North Carolina’s scenic waterfall byway is your ticket to adventure!
Best Places to Stay
The Wells in Cashiers
This is a cozy little spot: check in at The Wells in Cashiers. It’s conveniently close to some of the early items on this itinerary, making life a breeze as you kick things off your trip to North Carolina.
The Skyline Lodge
Now, for the rest of your adventure, make your home base at the Skyline Lodge. It is one of the best places to visit in NC, an absolute gem with breathtaking mountain views that’ll leave you in awe. Plus, it’s strategically located closer to the other awesome spots you’ll be exploring during your trip to North Carolina.
Day 1- Hit the trails
Hike to John Rock
You’re going to kick off this trip to North Carolina in Brevard, with a hike to John Rock – a local gem and one of the best places to visit in NC! This trail is about 4.6 miles round trip and gains you around 1,066 feet in elevation.Â
It’s a loop, but if you’re in a hurry to get to that awesome viewpoint, take a right at the fork following the AllTrails map – it’ll get you there quicker.
Quick Tip: If you’re using AllTrails app, it might not guide you to the overlook, but it is about 100 yards before the top of the trail if you take the shorter route. Just keep your eyes peeled for side paths leading you there!
New to hiking? Read Hiking for Beginners: 8 Must Know Tips
Have Lunch at Grand Olde Station Restaurant
After your morning hike, you’re gonna need to refuel, right? Well, you’ve gotta hit up the Grand Ole Station Restaurant! They’re open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m daily (they take a little break from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays).
Their menu is all about awesome soups, salads, and sandwiches. We went for the Catfish Sandwich and the Station Burger, and trust me, they were delicious!
Hike to Rainbow Falls- A Must See Spot on the Scenic Waterfall Byway
After a satisfying lunch, it’s time for some waterfall action – head over to Rainbow Falls for an epic afternoon hike! It’s a 4-mile round trip hike with a 770 ft elevation gain, so be prepared to break a sweat. The elevation gain is on the return trip, so make sure you plan accordingly.
The trail’s in great shape, but if you’re hiking in the heat, pack plenty of water because it can get pretty steamy as you descend to the falls. OutdoorNC.com has great tips to follow when connecting with nature.
When you reach your destination, you can either stop at the viewing platform or climb down to the base of the falls. If you decide to go all the way, there’s this awesome swimming spot that lots of people love to dive into. Whether you’re splashing around or just soaking in the view, it’s gonna be a blast!
Have Dinner at Vescovo
After an epic day of hiking and soaking in those stunning views, make your way to Vescovo for dinner. But there’s catch – they’re open on a tight schedule, just Tuesday to Saturday, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., and they’re reservation only. So, plan ahead, my friend!
The chefs at Vescovo like to keep things fresh with ever-changing menus, and they always have some incredible options. On our visit, we had scallops and a mouthwatering chicken dish. Plus, their drinks? Seriously good! It’s the perfect way to cap off the first day of your trip to North Carolina!
Day 2- Adventure in the mountains
Grab Breakfast at Morning Social
Prepare for a delightful morning dining experience at a local breakfast restaurant that excels in crafting exceptional breakfast bowls, plates, and sandwiches. This charming establishment offers a diverse breakfast menu that caters to every palate.
I definitely recommend the pancakes or the Bacon Egg and Cheese burrito. I also suggest grabbing something to bring on the next stop for this trip to North Carolina!
Go Rock Climbing with Pisgah Climbing School
This is hands down one of the best things to do in NC. I had an absolute blast with Pisgah Climbing School, and it was my first time trying outdoor rock climbing!
The guides (our guy, Christian, was awesome) are super cool and really know how to make sure you’re having a great time and feel safe.
We climbed along Looking Glass Mountain in Brevard, NC, and omg, the views were incredible! You gotta hike about a mile to get to the climbing spot, but once you’re there, it’s like a rock climber’s paradise with so many different paths to explore. You could seriously climb all day if you wanted!
Oh, and if you decide to take on “the Ledge” path, be sure to snap a bunch of pics from the overlook – it’s totally worth it. And for the seasoned climbers, there are several routes that’ll take you all the way to the mountain’s summit!
They offer climbing options for all types not matter your skill level (including newbies like me). The pricing ranges from $100 to $350 for a full day of climbing depending on how many people are in your group.
Looking for more to do in North Carolina? Check out 11 Fun Things to Do in Wilmington, NC
Have Lunch at The Square Root
The Square Root is one of the best places to visit in Brevard, NC, for food. It’s an amazing American Cuisine restaurant, and have a wide range of options to cater to many different taste pallets.Â
We chose the special they were having that day, which was the Thai Chicken Salad, and Justin had the Pimento Cheese Burger with the sweet potato chips. And those sweet potato chips were fire (make sure you order those)!
Explore Downtown Brevard
Take a stroll around downtown Brevard after lunch. It’s a cute and small town, and they have lots of local shops and restaurants to explore.Â
I recommend going to Wine Down on Main, and especially on a Wednesday if possible. They have half off wine bottles on Wednesdays, and I mean, who can pass up a good deal on wine?
Eat Dinner at Four65 Woodfire Bistro & Bar
For dinner, you’ve gotta check out Four65 Woodfire Bistro & Bar in downtown Highlands. Their pizza and salad are seriously on another level, plus they’ve got some awesome wine and beer choices!
Justin and I tried the salad and pizza, and let me tell you, it’s easily in my top 5 best pizza experiences ever (and that’s saying a lot considering I’ve been to Italy)!
Day 3- Great food and hiking trails
Hike to Pickens Nose
On the next day of this trip to North Carolina, you will start off with the ultimate morning pick-me-up: an irresistible mountain hike. Pickens Nose is a hike that’s only 1.6 miles round trip, and the views you’ll find are unmatched!
A fair warning before hitting the road, be ready for a bit of a rough ride on your way to the trailhead. Some parts of the road are like an off-road adventure all on their own. If you’ve got a high-clearance vehicle, bring it along – it’s gonna make life a whole lot easier.
Once you hit the trail, it’s basically uphill all the way to the viewpoint, and you’ll be climbing about 295 feet in elevation gain. But don’t worry; the view waiting for you at the top is 100% worth it.
Need to know: When you reach the summit, you’ll notice a few paths branching off from the main trail. Skip the first one you see; it’s not the money shot. The second path is where the Instagram-worthy shots are and you’ll find the rock out cropping that looks like Pickens Nose. It’ll have your friends saying, “Where is this? I need to go ASAP!”
Grab Lunch at Gracious Plates on Main
Nestled in downtown Franklin, this restaurant has made a name for itself with its flavorful small plates and sandwiches.
For our appetizers, we enjoyed the bruschetta and tempura shrimp, and the flavors were nothing short of exceptional. As tempting as the small plate menu was, we decided to save getting second dishes for future visits.
Moving on to the main course, I opted for the chicken and veggie cheesesteak, while Justin couldn’t resist getting the prime rib sandwich, a special feature for the day. Needless to say, our plates were wiped clean.
After this meal, I recommend taking some time to explore downtown Franklin. Its old fashion shops offer a perfect post-dining experience.
Hike to Cullasaja Falls and Take a Dip
Time to get your swim gear on and head over to Cullasaja Falls! There are only a handful of spots for parking, and they’re squeezed alongside that twisty-turny road. But no worries, your GPS should steer you right to the parking spots.
Now, this isn’t your average hike, I like to call an “adventurous trail.” Translation: it’s a short hike, but it’s steep, and the trail can get a bit slippery. So, make sure you’ve got on your trusty hiking shoes, and take it easy on the way down.
Once you finally make it to the base of the falls, you’re in for a treat! You’ll find some cool spots to have a blast in the water.
Stop by Bridal Veil Falls
This waterfall is a complete 180 from the previous one regarding difficulty. Bridal Veil Falls is a drive-up waterfall right off the highway.Â
However, don’t be surprised if the waterfall takes a raincheck (literally) and decides to play hide and seek. Depending on recent rainfall the water flow may be low or non existent.
Have Dinner at the Oak Steakhouse
After a jam-packed day of adventure, head to the Skyline Lodge, freshen up, and make your way to the Oak Steakhouse for a dinner that’s nothing short of amazing. Now, planning ahead is a must because their reservation list fills up faster than you can say “steak.” And those bar seats? Always in high demand!
The food, however, is out of this world! From the mouthwatering appetizers to the show-stopping main course (and I’m sure the desserts are heavenly too, but we were way too stuffed for that).
I went for the lobster risotto, while Justin indulged in a perfectly cooked filet mignon. And let’s not forget those appetizers – oyster Rockefeller and a grilled zucchini that was practically a taste explosion!
Day 4- Relax on the water
Go Kayaking/Paddle Boarding on Lake Chatuge
For your final day of adventure, what could be better than going to Lake Chatuge, snagging a paddleboard or kayak rental, and hitting the water for a day on the water?
There’s a company called Chatuge Paddle that’s got you covered with rentals; you can rent paddleboards and kayaks for just a few hours or go all out for the whole day. Plus, they’ve got multiple spots to launch from! Pricing starts at $25 for a 2 hour rental and goes up to $60 for the full day.
Our pick was the Jackrabbit Boating Access location, and it was a blast. Not only are the views out of this world, but to the right side of the dock, there’s a cute little island just waiting for you to hop off and explore or kick back and chill for a bit.
Have Lunch at Mariolino’s Italian Restaurant
Now, if your stomach’s rumbling after all that water fun, I’ve got the perfect lunch recommendation for you, and it’s right down the street from this put-in spot. Head over to Mariolino’s Italian Restaurant, and get ready for some mouthwatering goodness!
These folks know their Italian cuisine inside and out. From scrumptious pasta to heavenly calzones, and yes, don’t forget about those sweet, sweet cannolis – they’ve got you covered. It’s the perfect way to refuel for your next adventure!
Grab a Glass of Wine at Nottely River Vineyard
To cap off this epic adventure-packed trip, swing by Nottley River Vineyard and treat yourself to a well-deserved glass of wine. It’s the cherry on top of your journey!
During our visit, we had the pleasure of meeting the owners, who were the absolute sweetest couple. They told us about how they started the vineyard, and the wine-making process, and shared countless stories from their remarkable lives. It’s not just wine; it’s a full-on experience.
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