Tiffany’s Guidebook to Macon County & WNC
Food scene
Try the Brisket you will not be sorry, its the BEST!
Strawberry Chipotle BBQ Sauce is our favorite!
191 locals recommend
Haywood Smokehouse
79 Elysinia AveTry the Brisket you will not be sorry, its the BEST!
Strawberry Chipotle BBQ Sauce is our favorite!
Smoked Chicken Wings with Boom Boom Sauce and a Pizza is our go to, at one of our favorite places!
10 locals recommend
Jaxon's Downtown
381 Depot StSmoked Chicken Wings with Boom Boom Sauce and a Pizza is our go to, at one of our favorite places!
Root and Barrel Kitchen & Bar
77 East Main StreetGreat drinks, food, small bites, and ambiance.
Lazy Hiker Brewing Co.
188 W Main StWe love there Wesser Evil! Its dark and delicious!
Brooklyn Bagels
43 Phillips StreetBest Bagels in Macon County!!
on the Verandah
1536 Franklin RdAmazing food, drinks, and beautiful view!
Brewery located right on the Little Tennessee... try the smash burger from the food truck.
66 locals recommend
Currahee Brewing Company
100 Lakeside DrBrewery located right on the Little Tennessee... try the smash burger from the food truck.
Motor Company Grill transports you back to the 1950’s. Substitute your cola for a hand dipped shake or for dessert get a classic banana split, old fashioned soda, or chocolate chip brownie sundae.
20 locals recommend
Motor Company Grill
86 W Main StMotor Company Grill transports you back to the 1950’s. Substitute your cola for a hand dipped shake or for dessert get a classic banana split, old fashioned soda, or chocolate chip brownie sundae.
Sakura
57 Highlands RdSushi in the mountains? You better believe it. Fresh & delicious!
Julep Kitchen
500 GA-246Amazing food, beautiful space, adorable animals, and great shop.
Great Mexican, where all the locals go for great Mexican Food and Margaritas.
10 locals recommend
Las Barricas
2722 Georgia RdGreat Mexican, where all the locals go for great Mexican Food and Margaritas.
Amazing locally owned fresh bakery. Lots of delicious options.
13 locals recommend
Bent Willow Baking Co
473 E Palmer StAmazing locally owned fresh bakery. Lots of delicious options.
Franklin’s newest addition with wine and shareable appetizers.
9 locals recommend
Slanted Window Tasting Station
587 Harrison AvenueFranklin’s newest addition with wine and shareable appetizers.
Long operated & loved family style restaurant with all you can eat southern cooking.
73 locals recommend
The Dillard House Restaurant
768 Franklin StLong operated & loved family style restaurant with all you can eat southern cooking.
Jack the Dipper Ice Cream Franklin, NC
1024 Georgia RdMust get there fresh waffle cones nothing like it.
A favorite of the locals. Great breakfast!
Saturday and Sunday evenings have live entertainment.
Also local produce, cheeses, and meat market.
18 locals recommend
Yonder
151 Hillcrest AveA favorite of the locals. Great breakfast!
Saturday and Sunday evenings have live entertainment.
Also local produce, cheeses, and meat market.
Gracious Plates on Main
46 East Main StreetThe Vineyard at 37 High Holly
37 High Holly RdSightseeing
250 Rooms, on 8000 acres, with a great winery, and kids tour free. If you haven't been GO! If you have check out what's new and happening at the Estate!
1485 locals recommend
Biltmore
1 Lodge St250 Rooms, on 8000 acres, with a great winery, and kids tour free. If you haven't been GO! If you have check out what's new and happening at the Estate!
Longest running Ski Season on the east coast. 18 slopes, elevations up to 5400 feet, Cat Cage Terrain Park (for the snowboarders).
231 locals recommend
Cataloochee Ski Area
1080 Ski Lodge RdLongest running Ski Season on the east coast. 18 slopes, elevations up to 5400 feet, Cat Cage Terrain Park (for the snowboarders).
Never disappoints, see where the movie Fugitive was filmed along with the bus wreck.
306 locals recommend
Great Smoky Mountains Railroad
18 Fry StNever disappoints, see where the movie Fugitive was filmed along with the bus wreck.
If you have seen it before, go see it again, it changes with rain, and with seasons.
229 locals recommend
Dry Falls
U.S. 64If you have seen it before, go see it again, it changes with rain, and with seasons.
Standing Indian is home to many trails and some beautiful waterfalls, the neighbor to this one is Mooney Falls
6 locals recommend
Big Laurel Falls
National Forest RoadStanding Indian is home to many trails and some beautiful waterfalls, the neighbor to this one is Mooney Falls
The hike is pleasant and for all skill levels, the views are amazing. Don't forget your camera!
24 locals recommend
Pickens Nose Trailhead
Ball Creek RoadThe hike is pleasant and for all skill levels, the views are amazing. Don't forget your camera!
Don't miss Macon County's Hidden Gem and Southern Livings Top 5 Small Town Getaways. Great shopping, walking and hiking, and restaurants!
228 locals recommend
Highlands
Don't miss Macon County's Hidden Gem and Southern Livings Top 5 Small Town Getaways. Great shopping, walking and hiking, and restaurants!
Great place to plan outdoor adventures in the mountains!
446 locals recommend
Nantahala Outdoor Center
13077 U.S. Highway 19Great place to plan outdoor adventures in the mountains!
Gold City Gem Mine
9410 Sylva RdMacon County is known as the Gem capital of the World.
Great place, beautiful views and some of the best local horseback riding available!
29 locals recommend
Chunky Gal Stables
1306 Hot House RdGreat place, beautiful views and some of the best local horseback riding available!
Wayah Bald
4419 Wayah Bald RdAMAZING VIEWS!
Tube and Kayak rentals for a trip down the Little Tennessee. Fun for the whole family.
7 locals recommend
Great Smokey Mountain Fish Camp & Safaris
81 Bennett RdTube and Kayak rentals for a trip down the Little Tennessee. Fun for the whole family.
Changes every season, summer has Pickin on the Square. See what's happening downtown, shop, stroll, get a hot cup of coffee.
7 locals recommend
Main Street Gazebo station
28 E Main StChanges every season, summer has Pickin on the Square. See what's happening downtown, shop, stroll, get a hot cup of coffee.
Mill Creek Country Club
341 Country Club DrBeautiful Local Golf Course!
Wonderful and gorgeous vineyard with good wine and amazing views.
148 locals recommend
Crane Creek Vineyards
1040 Crane Creek RdWonderful and gorgeous vineyard with good wine and amazing views.
Great trail along the river. Stop at the park let the kids play on the playground or take a stroll thru the butterfly garden.
36 locals recommend
Little Tennessee River Greenway
573 E Main StGreat trail along the river. Stop at the park let the kids play on the playground or take a stroll thru the butterfly garden.
Amazing views from one of the highest points in Macon County. With great hiking for all levels.
9 locals recommend
Standing Indian Mountain Peak
Amazing views from one of the highest points in Macon County. With great hiking for all levels.
Chatuge Lake
Great place to spend the day, rent a boat, or walk the dam!
Smoky Mountain Visitor Center
4437 Georgia RdStop in your way into town. They have lots of pamphlets and materials.
Kids Activities
Highlands Aerial Park
9625 Dillard RdZiplining or try the Giant Mountain Swing
Zen Tubing
1648 Brevard RdFun for the whole family!
With a new alpine coaster and summer activities the Highlands Outpost is all Seasons of fun!
73 locals recommend
Scaly Mountain Outdoor Center
7420 Dillard RdWith a new alpine coaster and summer activities the Highlands Outpost is all Seasons of fun!
Rainy day go over to the factory, play some games, ride the rides or jump in the trampoline zone. After grab an ice cream!
39 locals recommend
The Factory Franklin
1024 Georgia RdRainy day go over to the factory, play some games, ride the rides or jump in the trampoline zone. After grab an ice cream!
Macon County Recreation Park Pavilion
365 Allman DriveMacon County Rec Pool. Open Daily/Seasonally
WNC Nature Center
75 Gashes Creek RdGreat Nature Center Zoo in Asheville!
Neighborhoods
Take a walk down the quaint Main Street of Downtown Clayton, great shops & restaurants. Must TRY Farmhouse Donuts.
133 locals recommend
Clayton
Take a walk down the quaint Main Street of Downtown Clayton, great shops & restaurants. Must TRY Farmhouse Donuts.
Tours
Nature hikes, art events, basic birding, and Little Tennessee river excursions by kayak.
(828) 371-8439
Alarka Expeditions
51 Cowee School DriveNature hikes, art events, basic birding, and Little Tennessee river excursions by kayak.
(828) 371-8439
Carolina Outfitters White Water Rafting
715 US-19White Water Rafting available for ages 7+
Western NC Fly Fishing Guide
Fly Fishing Guide
Combine nature and craft beer in one convenient full-day excursion during this private trip to four waterfalls and five breweries in North Carolina
8 locals recommend
Carolina Bound Adventures
35 Slope StCombine nature and craft beer in one convenient full-day excursion during this private trip to four waterfalls and five breweries in North Carolina
Macon County Bucket List
Sheffield Mine
385 Sheffield Farms RdFranklin is the Gem Capital. Sheffield in Cowee, known for their rubies.
Pickens Nose Trailhead
Ball Creek RoadDon't miss it. If possible walk down, walk behind and enjoy the beauty!
229 locals recommend
Dry Falls
U.S. 64Don't miss it. If possible walk down, walk behind and enjoy the beauty!
The Lookout Tower sits at 5,342ft in elevation. One of the best free things to do in Franklin, North Carolina, the hike to Wayah Bald offers panorama views and a great place to picnic on sunny days.
86 locals recommend
Wayah Bald
4419 Wayah Bald RdThe Lookout Tower sits at 5,342ft in elevation. One of the best free things to do in Franklin, North Carolina, the hike to Wayah Bald offers panorama views and a great place to picnic on sunny days.
International Gem Society’s Number 4 Pick in the Top Places to Mine in the United States!
14 locals recommend
Cherokee Ruby And Sapphire Mine
41 Cherokee Mine RdInternational Gem Society’s Number 4 Pick in the Top Places to Mine in the United States!
Starting in Highlands, chase the Cullasaja River northwest with stops at Bridal Veil Falls, Dry Falls, and Cullasaja Falls. Have lunch at Cliffside Lake Recreation Area, then continue on through Franklin to Wayah Bald and Bartram Trail.
65 locals recommend
Nantahala National Forest
Starting in Highlands, chase the Cullasaja River northwest with stops at Bridal Veil Falls, Dry Falls, and Cullasaja Falls. Have lunch at Cliffside Lake Recreation Area, then continue on through Franklin to Wayah Bald and Bartram Trail.
Nikwasi (Cherokee Town), which means star, and pronounced as Noquisi by the Cherokee Indians. And what you’ll find here is the Nikwasi Mound that’s a man-made landfill and dates back at least 1,000 years. The Nikwasi Mound also serves as an important cultural landmark.
Nikwasi Mound
524 East Main StreetNikwasi (Cherokee Town), which means star, and pronounced as Noquisi by the Cherokee Indians. And what you’ll find here is the Nikwasi Mound that’s a man-made landfill and dates back at least 1,000 years. The Nikwasi Mound also serves as an important cultural landmark.
Fun for ALL AGES
The 9-hole, par 36 course is 2,933 yards in length and allows you to golf with the beautiful mountains of Western North Carolina as your back drop. Open year-round, the golf course does not require a membership
7 locals recommend
Franklin Golf Course
1st Fairway DriveThe 9-hole, par 36 course is 2,933 yards in length and allows you to golf with the beautiful mountains of Western North Carolina as your back drop. Open year-round, the golf course does not require a membership