9 days in North Carolina Mountains Itinerary

Highlands is an incorporated town in Macon County in the U.S. Kick off your visit on the 3rd (Sat): admire the sheer force of Glen Falls, then take your sightseeing to a higher altitude at Sunset Rock and Ravenel Park, and then take in the awesome beauty at Whiteside Mountain. Here are some ideas for day two: admire the majestic nature at Gorges State Park, take in the dramatic scenery at Whitewater Falls, and then look for all kinds of wild species at Highlands Biological Station, Nature Center and Botanical Gardens.

To see photos, ratings, reviews, and tourist information, read Highlands day trip site.

Miami to Highlands is an approximately 6-hour combination of flight and car. You can also drive; or do a combination of bus and car. Traveling from Miami in October, you will find days in Highlands are a bit cooler (70°F), and nights are colder (44°F). Finish your sightseeing early on the 4th (Sun) to allow enough time to drive to Cherokee.

The center of Cherokee culture in the eastern part of the country, the town named after this Native American tribe serves as a base camp for hiking in the Great Smoky Mountains.

On the 5th (Mon), see the interesting displays at Smoky Mountain Trains Museum, then admire the sheer force of Soco Falls, and then take in the awesome beauty at Waterrock Knob.

To see traveler tips, more things to do, photos, and tourist information, you can read our Cherokee sightseeing planner.

Getting from Highlands to Cherokee by car takes about 1.5 hours. In October, daily temperatures in Cherokee can reach 70°F, while at night they dip to 44°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 5th (Mon) early enough to drive to Blowing Rock.

Blowing Rock is a town in Watauga and Caldwell counties in the U.S. Step out of the city life by going to Linville Falls and Vx3 Trail Rides. You'll explore the less-touristy side of things at The Greenway Trail and Souvenir Shirts. Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Blowing Rock: Linville Gorge (in Linville Falls), Stone Mountain State Park (in Roaring Gap) and Mount Jefferson State Park (in Jefferson). Next up on the itinerary: contemplate the long history of Flat Top Manor, admire the majestic nature at Julian Price Memorial Park, and go deep underground at Foggy Mountain Gem Mine.

To see more things to do, reviews, photos, and more tourist information, use the Blowing Rock holiday planner.

Drive from Cherokee to Blowing Rock in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of car and bus; or do a combination of taxi and bus. When traveling from Cherokee in October, plan for a bit cooler days in Blowing Rock, with highs around 64°F, while nights are about the same with lows around 43°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 8th (Thu) early enough to drive to Hendersonville.

Hendersonville is a city in Henderson County, North Carolina United States. Step out of the city life by going to Pearson's Falls and Glen and Cradle of Forestry. Step off the beaten path and head to Miller's Land of Waterfall Tours and Stepp's Hillcrest Orchard. Step out of Hendersonville with an excursion to Headwaters Outfitters Outdoor Adventures in Rosman--about 46 minutes away. It doesn't end there: relax in the rural setting at Justus Orchard and do a tasting at Saint Paul Mountain Vineyards.

To find traveler tips, photos, maps, and tourist information, read Hendersonville travel planner.

Getting from Blowing Rock to Hendersonville by car takes about 2.5 hours. Other options: fly; or do a combination of bus and taxi. When traveling from Blowing Rock in October, plan for a bit warmer days in Hendersonville, with highs around 70°F, while nights are about the same with lows around 47°F. Cap off your sightseeing on the 11th (Sun) early enough to travel back home.