Family-Friendly Activities and Perfect Lodging in Highlands, North Carolina,
Discover a variety of fun, family-friendly activities in Highlands, NC, from outdoor adventures to local attractions. Stay at Glen Falls Luxury Cabin, offering the perfect lodging with pet-friendly accommodations and easy access to hiking trails and waterfalls.
Your Guide to Fun Things to Do with Kids and Families in Highlands, NC
If you’re planning a family vacation and looking for things to do with kids in Highlands, NC, family-friendly activities in Highlands, NC, or the best places to stay in Highlands, NC, you’ve come to the right place. Whether you’re visiting for a weekend getaway or a week-long adventure, Highlands is packed with exciting mountain attractions perfect for all ages.
And when it comes to luxury mountain lodging, nothing compares to Glen Falls Luxury Cabin, your family-friendly and pet-friendly cabin in Highlands, NC, located just minutes from downtown and steps away from the Glen Falls waterfall trail. Visit glenfallscabin.com to book your mountain escape today.
For local guidance beyond the trailhead, the Highlands Chamber of Commerce publishes an up to date events calendar and business directory for downtown Highlands, and The Laurel Magazine covers the area’s dining, arts, and seasonal happenings in depth.
Top Family and Kid-Friendly Activities Near Highlands, NC
Location: 9625 Dillard Road, Scaly Mountain, NC 28775Learn More: https://highlandsaerialpark.com/
Location: 7420 Dillard Road, Scaly Mountain, NC 28775
Learn More: https://www.highlandsoutpost.com/activities/summer-tubing/
Location: 265 North Sixth Street, Highlands, NC 28741
Learn More: https://highlandsbiological.org/botanical-garden/
Location: Kelsey-Hutchinson Park, 411-499 Pine St, Highlands, NC 28741
Learn More: https://www.foundersparkhighlands.org/skate-rink.html
Location: 600 N 4th St, Highlands, NC 28741
Location: US 64, Nantahala National Forest, Highlands, NC
Location: 160 Frank Allen Road, Cashiers, NC 28717
Location: 6420 Whitewater Road, Sapphire, NC 28774
Learn More: https://whitewaterequestriancenter.com
Location: 2097 Georgia Road, Franklin, NC 28734
Location: 38 John Justice Road, Franklin, NC 28734
Location: 1024 Georgia Road, Franklin, NC 28734
Location: Main Street, Franklin, NC 28734
Location: Phillips Street, Franklin, NC 28734
Location: 9770 Highlands Rd, Franklin, NC 28741
Learn More: https://www.jacksonholegemmine.com
Location: 1251 Academy Rd, Long Creek, SC 29658
Learn More: https://wildwaterrafting.com/adventures/nantahala-river-rafting/
Location: 155 Robin Lynn Lane, Otto, NC 28763
Learn More: http://primitiveoutback.com/
Location: 127 Cherokee Trail, Sapphire, NC
Learn More: https://skisapphirevalley.com/snow-tubing-frozen-falls.html
Where to Stay: Glen Falls Luxury Cabin, Family and Pet Friendly
Your family adventure in Highlands, NC, isn’t complete without the perfect mountain lodging.
Glen Falls Luxury Cabin offers:
Spacious Accommodations for Families: Three master suites with private bathrooms and space to sleep up to 12 guests in this luxury cabin rental.
Pet-Friendly Convenience: Bring your four-legged family members along to our pet-friendly cabin, no need to leave them behind!
Perfect Location Near Hiking and Waterfalls: Just steps away from the Glen Falls trail and minutes to downtown Highlands shops and restaurants.
Modern Comfort with Rustic Charm: Fully equipped kitchen, indoor and outdoor fireplaces, and a large deck for relaxing after your mountain adventures.
Learn more and book your stay at glenfallscabin.com today.
Ready to Plan Your Family Adventure in Highlands, NC?
Whether you’re searching for things to do in Highlands, NC with kids, family-friendly attractions, or the perfect place to stay, Glen Falls Luxury Cabin puts you in the heart of it all—just minutes from the scenic Glen Falls Waterfall.
Start your unforgettable getaway today by visiting glenfallscabin.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
Highlands, NC offers activities for every age, including Highlands Aerial Park, the Highlands Biological Station, Nature Center and Botanical Gardens, ice skating in winter at Kelsey-Hutchinson Park, and swimming at the Highlands Recreation Park pool in summer. Cliffside Lake Recreation Area and the Village Green round out the outdoor options for families staying nearby.
Many are. The trails around the Nantahala National Forest and the Glen Falls waterfall trail are dog friendly, and the Highlands Biological Station’s outdoor grounds welcome leashed pets. Glen Falls Luxury Cabin itself is pet friendly, with a dog crate provided on site, making it easy to build a day around pet-friendly stops and return to a pet-friendly stay.
Most are a short drive. The Glen Falls waterfall trail is a 15 minute walk from the cabin’s front door. Dry Falls is about an 11 minute drive, Bridal Veil Falls about 11 minutes, and Whiteside Mountain about 20 minutes. Downtown Highlands, with its shops, restaurants, and Highlands Playhouse, is a 6 minute drive.
Glen Falls Luxury Cabin is a strong home base for a family trip to Highlands. It sleeps up to 12 guests across three private ensuite master suites, has a fully equipped kitchen and a large dining table, and sits minutes from the activities on this page. Kids can nap or unwind between adventures without the family losing shared space in the evening.
Highlands offers activities in every season. Summer brings swimming at the Highlands Recreation Park pool and tubing at Highlands Outpost. Winter brings ice skating at Kelsey-Hutchinson Park and snow tubing at Frozen Falls. Fall is known for foliage along the hiking trails, and spring brings wildflowers and full waterfalls throughout the Nantahala National Forest.
Yes. Ruby Cinemas and Franklin Lanes Bowling Center in Franklin offer indoor entertainment, and Fun Factory Franklin is a dedicated family fun center. The Highlands Biological Station’s Nature Center also has indoor exhibits, making it easy to build a full day of activities even when the weather doesn’t cooperate.