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Trade your daily routine for rocking chairs, private lake views, and mountain mornings.
If you’ve ever dreamed of escaping to a picturesque farmhouse—without waking up at dawn to feed the chickens—Half-Mile Farm delivers all the charm with none of the chores. In Highlands, North Carolina, tucked into the mountains beside the Nantahala National Forest, this adults-only retreat centers around a beautifully restored 19th-century farmhouse where wraparound porches, rocking chairs, and lake views set the tone for a slower pace of life.
Days can be as active or as relaxed as you like, with paddleboarding, canoeing, fishing, hiking, and biking nearby, or afternoons spent by the heated pool, indulging in a spa treatment, or simply soaking in the scenery. Even the meals feel connected to the setting, with seasonal ingredients coming from the property’s own gardens and nearby farms.
How To Get There
The most direct route to it is via Asheville Regional Airport. From there, travelers can rent a car and settle into vacation mode as the Blue Ridge Mountains gradually come into view on the scenic, hour-and-a-half drive to Highlands via I-26 East. Travelers can also fly into Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport in South Carolina or Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in Georgia, both about a two-hour drive away.
Best Time To Visit
There’s really no wrong time to visit; it just depends on the kind of getaway you’re after. Warmer months are best for taking advantage of the property’s private lake, nearby hiking trails, and waterfalls, while autumn draws leaf peepers eager to experience the Blue Ridge Mountains at their most colorful. In winter, the adults-only retreat leans into its cozy side, inviting guests to curl up by the fireplace, book a spa treatment, and embrace the slower pace of mountain life.
Things To Do
Spend The Day On Apple Lake
Spend a slow morning exploring Apple Lake by canoe, kayak, or paddleboard, or cast a line for a quiet afternoon of fishing. If relaxing is more your speed, grab a glass of Chablis, settle into an Adirondack chair with a good book, and watch the sunlight dance across the lily pads.
Tee Off At Two Private Golf Courses
Sneak in a round of 18 at the private Old Edwards Club, the resort’s sister property and a championship course available exclusively to guests. Or, for a more relaxed game, head to GlenCove to play The Saddle, a private 12-hole, par-three retro walking course designed for golfers of all skill levels.
Family Game Night
If you’ve been feeling tethered to your phone lately, embrace a mini digital detox by tossing it into the resort’s playful “phone jail.” Instead, reconnect over a few rounds of classic board games like Jenga, Battleship, Scattergories, and Uno, or simply spend the evening enjoying each other’s company surrounded by the peaceful mountain scenery.
Hike The Blue Ridge Mountains
Whether you’re looking for a leisurely nature walk or a more challenging day hike, Half-Mile Farm is surrounded by some of western North Carolina’s most scenic trails. Nearby favorites include the panoramic summit of Whiteside Mountain, the cascading Glen Falls, Dry Falls, where you can walk behind the waterfall, and Bridal Veil Falls, one of the few waterfalls in the region you can drive beneath. If you’d rather explore on two wheels, ask the staff about borrowing complimentary bicycles to cruise around the Highlands or the surrounding countryside.
Relax At The Spa
Slow down with a massage, body treatment, or holistic therapies like Reiki and sound healing before unwinding in Half-Mile Farm’s mineral saltwater pool and Jacuzzi. Guests also have access to the award-winning Spa at Old Edwards, the resort’s sister property, where the menu includes luxury facials, peels, manicures, pedicures, yoga, Pilates, personal training, and guided stretching sessions.
Where To Eat
You certainly won’t go hungry at Half-Mile Farm. Between the welcome glass of sparkling wine, afternoon social hour, freshly baked cookies available throughout the day, and a complimentary two-course breakfast each morning, there’s always something to look forward to. For lunch and dinner, head to the guest-exclusive J. Henry Farmhouse Tavern, where seasonal, farm-to-table dishes range from fresh salads and hearty sandwiches to burgers and other comforting favorites.
Where To Stay
With just 34 rooms, Half-Mile Farm feels more like a private country estate than a traditional hotel. Thoughtful modern touches—like heated marble bathroom floors and oversized soaking tubs—blend seamlessly with the property’s historic character, from rich wood paneling to antique-inspired furnishings and cozy fireplaces. For the quintessential mountain escape, book one of the Superior Rooms with a real stone wood-burning fireplace and private porch. Traveling with family or friends? The eight standalone cabins sleep up to six guests, depending on the layout, and offer even more space to spread out.
Insider Tips
Check Out the Event Calendar
Before you arrive, browse Half-Mile Farm’s events calendar to see what’s happening during your stay. The property regularly hosts chef dinners, local artist showcases, wellness classes, and seasonal social events, making it easy to build your itinerary around something special.
Take Advantage of the Guest Perks
You don’t have to limit yourself to the facilities at Half-Mile Farm as a guest of the property. Check out the sister properties Old Edwards Inn & Spa and Sequoyah Lake House for award-winning European-style spas, restaurants, golf courses, private lake access and more.
Read the original article on Southern Living
