200 Main in Highlands, North Carolina: A Hidden Gem Hotel in the Blue Ridge Mountains

200 Main: A Hidden Gem Hotel in Highlands, North Carolina (Complete Stay + Things to Do Guide)

If you’re searching for a hidden gem hotel in North Carolina tucked inside a charming mountain town, let me introduce you to 200 Main in Highlands, North Carolina — a place that feels cozy, elevated, and romantic.

Highlands is one of those rare destinations that still feels undiscovered. Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains near the North Carolina–Georgia border, this small town is surrounded by waterfalls, scenic hikes, winding mountain roads, and cool alpine air — yet remains incredibly walkable and intimate.

I visited Highlands for New Year’s, and it was truly the perfect romantic winter getaway. Think cozy dinners, quiet streets, mountain air, and fireside energy without crowds or chaos. The weather was cold but comfortable — crisp mornings, clear days, and ideal conditions for hiking and waterfall exploring.

This stay was part of a romantic New Year’s getaway, and it honestly couldn’t have been a better setting — peaceful, scenic, and quite magical.

Where Is 200 Main Located?

200 Main is located right on Main Street in downtown Highlands, North Carolina, which means:

• You can walk to amazing restaurants, coffee shops, and bars

• You’re only minutes from waterfalls and hiking trails with the car

• You get the charm of a mountain town without needing to drive everywhere

If you love staying somewhere that feels central but still serene, this location is very ideal.

First Impressions: Cozy, Mountain-Chic & Thoughtfully Designed

From the moment we checked in, 200 Main felt warm and welcoming. The front desk staff greeted us with a glass of champagne by the fireplace in the lobby, which was the perfect start to the trip.

The property’s design is also gorgeous; it blends modern mountain design with cozy details that make it feel more like a boutique lodge than a traditional hotel. The property and rooms had a lot of warm wood tones, comfortable and inviting spaces, and a relaxed but elevated vibe overall.

It’s the kind of place where you immediately slow down — which is exactly what you want in a mountain getaway (you can get the vibe of this by seeing the images below of where I spent a good amount of time on the trip- by the cozy fireplace!)

Our Room at 200 Main

Our room was spacious, quiet, and thoughtfully laid out — perfect for relaxing after full days of hiking and exploring the Highlands.

What stood out most:

• Super comfortable bed

• Cozy seating area for coffee and mornings in

• Clean, modern bathroom with heated floors

• Mountain-town charm without feeling dated

Everything felt intentional, comfortable, and easy — no over-the-top luxury, just really well done.

Why 200 Main Is a True Hidden Gem Hotel

What makes 200 Main special is how well it fits the town of Highlands itself.

This is a hotel for travelers who:

• Love nature-first destinations

• Want walkability + scenery

• Prefer quiet luxury over big resorts

• Are looking for a romantic weekend or cozy escape

Highlands is still largely under-the-radar compared to places like Asheville or Boone, and 200 Main reflects that same low-key, refined energy.

Getting to Highlands, North Carolina ✈️🚗

Getting to Highlands was easier than expected and part of the fun. We took a nonstop flight from Fort Lauderdale to Asheville (AVL) via Allegiant, rented a car at the airport, and then enjoyed a scenic 1 hour 30 minute drive into the mountains.

The drive from Asheville to Highlands is beautiful — winding roads, forest views, and waterfalls all along the way. It immediately sets the tone for a slower, more peaceful kind of trip!

Things to Do in Highlands, North Carolina 🌲💧

One of the best parts about staying at 200 Main is how easy it is to experience the best of Highlands. This is a destination made for slow mornings, cozy meals, and nature-filled afternoons.

Here are the highlights I’d recommend:

• 🥾 Sunset Rock Hike – short hike with big views overlooking downtown Highlands (walkable from 200 Main and Old Edwards Inn also has a guided hike option for this!)

• 💧 Dry Falls – iconic walk-behind waterfall you can stop at on your way into or out of town

• 💧 Glen Falls – tiered waterfall with flexible turnaround points (great hike if you do the whole thing!)

• 💧 Cullasaja Falls & Bridal Veil Falls – easy roadside waterfall stops

• 🏔️ Whiteside Mountain Overlook – dramatic cliff views just outside town

• ⛸️ Ice skating at Kelsey Hutchinson Park – charming winter activity, walkable from the hotel

• 🍽️ Downtown dining – Madison’s Restaurant for breakfast is a must! We had an amazing breakfast here and it was located at the Old Edwards Inn which is a sister property of 200 Main. Delicious food and such a cozy atmosphere!

• Amazing dinner options: Four65 Woodfire Bistro, Wild Thyme Gourmet, and The Stubborn Buddha are all great options for dinner in the Highlands!

• 🎶 Live music – Hummingbird Lounge or seasonal events around town (Ugly Dog Pub Karaoke on Friday nights is a must)

Everything feels close, relaxed, and unrushed — which makes Highlands such a special place to unwind. By the end of the trip, we kept things simple: breakfast in the room, one last stroll through town, and an easy drive back to Asheville feeling refreshed.

Final Thoughts: Is 200 Main Worth It?

I highly recommend staying at 200 Main and recommend this experience if you’re looking for:

• A hidden gem hotel in North Carolina

• A romantic mountain getaway

• A walkable small town surrounded by waterfalls and hikes

200 Main in Highlands, NC is one of those places that quietly exceeds expectations because it’s not flashy, crowded, and has the best mountain charm I’ve seen in North America!

If Highlands has been on your radar, this is your sign to go — and 200 Main is the perfect place to stay.

Best Place to See the Northern Lights in North America: Fairbanks, Alaska’s Borealis Basecamp

Chasing the Northern Lights in Fairbanks, Alaska: My Magical Stay at Borealis Basecamp ❄️🌌

If seeing the Northern Lights is on your bucket list (and let’s be honest, it should be!), there’s no better place in North America to witness this natural phenomenon than in Fairbanks, Alaska. I recently stayed at Borealis Basecamp, one of the most unique stays in Alaska — and it was incredible.

From glass-domed igloos to aurora alarms that wake you up when the lights are out, this trip was straight out of a winter wonderland. Here’s everything you need to know about why Fairbanks is one of the best places in the world to see the Northern Lights, and why Borealis Basecamp is the place to experience it.

**Photos below taken by Jake (a photographer at Borealis Basecamp)

🌠 Why Fairbanks, Alaska Is the Best Place to See the Northern Lights

Fairbanks, Alaska sits perfectly under the Auroral Oval, a ring-shaped zone around the magnetic poles where auroras are most active. That means your chances of seeing the Northern Lights here are seriously high when you visit during the peak months.

📍 Location location location:

• Located just 150 miles south of the Arctic Circle, Fairbanks is one of the most reliable viewing spots in the world to see the Northern Lights

• You can often see the lights 200+ nights per year between late August and mid-April.

• The area’s dry, clear nights make for excellent visibility and conditions

  
  See below for my best Northern Lights photos I took on my Iphone 15 when visiting Borealis Basecamp for 4 nights!

💡 Best time to visit:

• Plan your trip between September–April, with March often being peak viewing season for clear skies and long nights. We visited in October and we saw the lights 3 nights in a row!

• Winter months (December–February) are extra magical if you want that snow-globe scenery.

🏔️ review of our stay at Borealis Basecamp:

Borealis Basecamp, just 25 miles from downtown Fairbanks, was one of the most unforgettable experiences of my life.

Imagine falling asleep in a cozy cube with floor-to-ceiling windows— and waking up to the aurora dancing in front of your bed!

✨ What makes Borealis Basecamp special:

• 🛏️ Glass-domed igloos and cubes for front-row aurora viewing from bed. We stayed in a cube, which was also amazing since we had floor to ceiling windows to see the aurora. See below for some photos of our cube:

• 🔔 Aurora alarm that notifies you when the lights appear (no need to stay up all night!) I will say though some nights we woke up 3+ times and the adreniline of that was so much fun!

• ❄️ Winter wonderland setting — surrounded by silent snow-covered forests, I’ve actually never heard anything more quiet than being out in the forest around basecamp

• 🍽️ On-site restaurant called Latitude 65 that had cozy, delicious meals. We had breakfast every morning here and also dinner, and the food was incredible! Andy our server for breakfast was the absolute best!

• 🔥 Sauna sessions which was the perfect way to warm up after a day in the snow.

BEST Things to Do at Borealis Basecamp

Beyond chasing the lights, there’s so much to do here that captures the spirit of Alaskan winter adventure:

🐕 Dog Sledding: Glide through snowy trails led by friendly Alaskan huskies. Pro tip- dress warm!!

🏎️ UTV Tour: Cruise through the snow on a winter UTV adventure for epic views. Our guide Conrad was great and we had a lot of fun on this adventure!

🔥 S’mores by the Fire: Had S’mores at least 3 times a day which was amazing and something we rarely get to do living in Los Angeles. Having smores at 3 am watching the Northern Lights above us was also a moment I will never forget!

✨Sunset Tour: Borealis Basecamp Adventures takes you up the mountain to the most beautiful Sunset spot overlooking a valley. We had smores, hot cocoa, wine, and it was such a lovely time.

📸 Aurora Photography: Bring your tripod and camera — the skies here are unreal for night photography.

• Shoutout to Evan and Jake, the on-site photographers during our stay, who taught us the correct settings to take the best photos of the lights. Highly recommend booking an aurora portrait session with them at Basecamp as well!

🌌 Tips for Seeing the Northern Lights

Want to boost your chances of catching the aurora? Here’s what worked for us:

✨ Tips & Tricks:

• Check the aurora forecast on apps like “Aurora” or “My Aurora Forecast.” Please note though this is not always accurate and the best way is to just keep checking outside yourself.

• Stay multiple nights — the lights are unpredictable, so 3+ nights gives you better odds!

• Dress warm! Layers are everything. Think thermal base, fleece mid-layer, snow pants, and a heavy coat.

• Use the aurora alarm (the best invention ever). Trust me, you’ll thank yourself when it goes off at 2 a.m. and the sky is glowing green and pink. Make sure to get outside as soon as it goes off!

• Avoid light pollution — Borealis Basecamp is perfectly dark for the best viewing conditions.

• Fly into Alaska late at night— we flew in at 12:30 am and saw the lights on the plane

❄️ Final Thoughts

Seeing the Northern Lights in Fairbanks was one of the most magical experiences of my life. From the moment Borealis Basecamp’s aurora alarm woke me up and I watched the sky ripple with color, to the cozy nights roasting s’mores and dog sledding through the snow — this trip was pure winter magic.

If you’ve ever dreamed of seeing the Northern Lights, Borealis Basecamp is the place to do it. Between the cozy cubes, unforgettable activities, and the unreal Alaskan skies, this is one bucket-list destination you’ll never forget! 🌌✨