A guide to places to stay, eat and explore with your dog in Highlands.
Spend any amount of time on Main Street and you will notice that plenty of visitors bring their dogs to Highlands. They join morning walks through downtown, wait outside shops and settle beneath tables on restaurant patios.
That carries beyond Main Street. Several hotels welcome dogs, the town has its own dog park, and leashed dogs are welcome in a number of outdoor spaces around Highlands.
With a little planning, it is easy to spend the day in Highlands with your dog along. Here are some of the places around town that welcome dogs.
Dog Parks
Highlands Dog Park is located within Highlands Recreation Park just off Foreman Road. The fenced park includes a separate area for small, older or more reserved dogs, along with water and covered space. It is open from dawn to dusk.
Guests staying at The Park on Main also have access to Mr. Pickles Dog Park, a private off-leash area reserved for hotel guests.
Pet-Friendly Places to Stay
Several Highlands hotels offer pet-friendly stays, with policies ranging from fully dog-friendly properties to a smaller number of designated rooms.
The Park on Main has built dogs into the experience from the start. The hotel offers dog-friendly suites with beds, bowls and other in-room amenities, along with access to Mr. Pickles Dog Park.
That focus extends beyond the dogs staying with guests. The hotel also partners with local animal shelters, including the Cashiers-Highlands Humane Society and Appalachian Animal Rescue Center, to foster adoptable dogs on property.
A foster dog stays at the hotel, spends time with staff and guests, and meets people outside of the shelter environment while waiting for adoption. The program gives each dog added exposure to potential adopters and brings the work of local shelters directly into the hotel.
At The Park on Main, some of the dogs checking in are still waiting to find the people who will take them home.
Highlander Mountain House welcomes dogs in its Bunkhouse, giving guests another option close to the heart of town.
200 Main has a limited number of dog-friendly rooms, while Skyline Lodge also offers designated accommodations for guests traveling with dogs.
Trailborn Highlands welcomes dogs in select rooms, and The Inn at Mill Creek offers select pet-friendly suites within walking distance of Main Street.
Because pet-friendly rooms are often limited, it is worth checking availability when you make your reservation. Each property has its own policies, so the hotel can also give you the most current details before your stay.
Outdoor Dining
Outdoor dining is common around Highlands during the warmer months, and several restaurant patios welcome dogs.
Blue Bike Café has outdoor seating for breakfast and lunch. Highlands Smokehouse also has outdoor tables along Franklin Road.
Near Main Street, The Ugly Dog Public House has patio seating, while Wild Thyme Gourmet offers seasonal outdoor seating downtown.
Patio season in Highlands depends as much on the weather as the calendar. A quick call ahead can confirm whether there is a spot for you and your dog.
Outside with Your Dog
For visitors who want to spend more of the day outside, Highlands has options close to town as well as trails throughout the surrounding mountains.
The Highlands Biological Station is one of the easiest places to start. Its trails are close to downtown and leashed dogs are welcome. Pets should remain out of the lake and streams.
Some outdoor areas have their own guidelines for dogs. Checking ahead makes it easier to plan a good outing for both of you.
Dogs on Main Street
Downtown Highlands is compact enough to explore on foot, which is one reason dogs are such a common sight along Main Street and the surrounding blocks.
Dogs are a familiar sight along Main Street, and many shops are happy to welcome them in. Since each business has its own policy, it is always worth asking at the door. In warmer weather, you will often spot water bowls set out along the sidewalk, too.
Pet Supplies and Veterinary Care
Highlands Mountain Paws, located on Main Street, carries dog treats, toys, leashes and other pet supplies.
If veterinary care is needed during a visit, Animal Wellness Hospital of Highlands is located on Dillard Road.
Before You Go
Highlands is easy to enjoy with a dog, especially with a few simple things in mind. Keep them leashed unless you are in a designated off-leash area, carry water when heading out for a longer walk and clean up after them along the way.
The Plateau is home to plenty of wildlife, so keeping dogs nearby helps make the experience better for everyone sharing the trail.
For maps, trail recommendations or help planning the rest of your day, stop by the Highlands Welcome Center at 108 Main Street. Your dog can come in with you.
Part of the ease of Highlands is that your dog does not have to miss much. A walk through town, a quiet patio, a trail through the woods. With a little planning, there is plenty here for both of you to enjoy.