Nearby Attractions

In Franklin on Route 28 North. Not fancy, but very good food and great prices! Fresh pies daily. Local flavor. We go often. Closed Sundays.

In downtown Franklin at the corner of Main St. and Depot St. (connected to the Hot Spot gas station—no kidding!) serves fabulous food. It’s run by an award-winning chef who’s quite a personality! The menu is unexpectedly outstanding and the atmosphere is, well . . . just off beat enough to be charming and loads of fun. You’ve got to try it! Closed two days per week—you need to check which days.

In Dillard, GA just off Route 441. Family style, all you can eat. The food is outstanding. A little more pricey, but a must! Great view. Petting farm. Horseback riding.

In Highlands, NC there are several excellent and very expensive restaurants. “Fine Dining” is available there. We suggest lunch or dinner at Wild Thyme or the Old Edward’s Inn—a while back experienced a 3-year remodeling and now is very expensive. Reservations are typically required in advance. Our favorite for very special dinner occasions is On the Verandah—take along big bucks!

When you drive up to Highlands on Route 106 (it’s a classy little town with lots of shops—where the wealthy hang out; also, re: elevation it’s the highest incorporated city east of the Missisippi—about 4,100 feet) if you want to take a short easy hike, stop at Glen Falls.  Hike about half a mile or so to the actual falls.  There are trails that will get you there.  Also, after walking around Highlands, or lunching there, drive back to our house the long way via Franklin on Route 64—it’s a beautiful drive.  Drive past Bridal Veil Falls (the name’s a lot fancier than the experience); then drive a little further, park your car, and walk down (actually under) Dry Falls—lots of fun; and along the way, if you have time, visit Cliffside Lake—loads of hiking trails, picnic areas, and a little lake area where the kids can swim.

For white water rafting there are lots of choices.  The best first-time option is the Nantahala Outdoor Center.  It’s where we always go with friends.  Take the 3-hour excursion down the river.  It’s about an hour drive to the Center.  Call in advance to make reservations.  Brochures with directions, etc. should be in the baskets at the house.

There are a number of lakes you could visit—the closest that we frequent most often is Lake Burton in Clayton, GA.  Take 441 South to Clayton, then go west on Route 76 to the lake.  There’s a small, but nice sandy beach area with picnic tables—an ideal swimming place for the kids.  Also, you can rent pontoons, fishing boats, waverunners, wave runners, and/or fully-equipped skiing boats at Anchorage Marina or LaPrade’s Marina on the lake. Our favorite is LaPrade’s Marina. Call in advance about renting the boats.

Antiquing is everywhere.  If you want to do some general shopping, be sure to visit The Whistle Stop Mall (NC’s largest antique mall!) just North of Franklin.  It’s where we’ve bought a lot of our antiques.  The place is huge with an unbelievable selection of stuff to sift through. However, if you want to do more serious antiquing, then visit Butler Galleries in Clayton, GA on your way to Lake Burton—Valerie loves their selections (much more classy and higher end than The Whistle Stop Mall).  Of course Highlands, NC features dozens of high-end antique places.

There’s a nice outdoor community park in Franklin (entrance is across from McDonald’s) complete with public swimming pool (including a kiddy pool), tennis courts, ball diamonds, picnic areas, playground equipment, lots of open flat spaces, etc.  There’s also a family “Fun Factory” up on the hill behind the park that your younger kids will likely love!

For beginning golfers, the Franklin public golf course is great.  Only nine holes—usually not too many people.  Beautiful setting, though sometimes the greens are not in very good shape.  Otherwise there are plenty of terrific courses nearby.

“Unto These Hills” outdoor drama in Cherokee is really worth seeing (June – late August).  It’s an entertaining and educational presentation that will help you understand the area better.  We’ve gone several times over the years and have never been disappointed.

The wonders of Great Smoky National Park are obvious!  The delightful possibilities are limitless in the park.  Of course, the Appalachian Trail goes right through the Park.

The Biltmore Mansion in Asheville is a terrific day trip!  It’s worth the drive and the money (it’s not cheap to get in).  The house, the gardens, the restaurant, the vineyards—it’s a five-star experience.  A nice shop—one of Valerie’s favorites (nearby the entrance to the Biltmore Estate) is New Morning Gallery.  Address:  7 Boston Way, Asheville, NC 28803.  828/274-2831.  Open Mon – Sat, 10-6 and Sunday 12-5.

For grocery shopping that’s most convenient, we go to the new Ingles store on 441 in Franklin—it’s a huge beautiful store with lots of selections including Starbucks! There’s also a 24-hour Super Walmart Center on the 441 Franklin bypass. Both Ingles and a Super Walmart Center are in nearby Clayton, GA as well. We do all of the above depending on where we’re heading or coming from. Lots of options to choose from!