Oh North Carolina, you were so good to us the first time around that we just had to venture back to your beautiful rolling mountains. This time– we got down on the farm. Not just any ole’ farm though, this farm is very special, the cream of the crop, the farm of all farms! We simply could not turn down a chance to revisit the sweet Carolinas for a little R&R.

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W H E R E  T O  S T A Y

– Half Mile Farm –

Life on the farm might just be the life for us after our stay withHalf Mile Farm. We all know you’ve heard of The Old Edwards Inn - Half Mile Farmis there sister property located just a few miles away. We fell in love immediately upon arrival. The whole property is out of a picture book that transcends you into a story of your own. The landscape, the fresh-open air, the cozy cabins, all such a dream. Your options are a stay in one of the cabins (which we chose) or a courtyard room (both equally beautiful - just preference). Our favorite part about the cabin was the clawfoot tub. If bath time isn’t a part of your daily routine - then you need to get your priorities in order. We were there a total of just over 48 hours and took five LUXURIOUS baths. If we didn’t have other things on our docket, you would catch us soaking up every minute in that tub. It’s just that GOOD.

Aside from the instagrammable scenery surrounding us, Half Mile Farm has all the savory and sweet items you need to keep you nourished throughout the entire trip! Wake up to a farm-fresh breakfast each morning with food straight from their garden and ease into the evening with a complimentary hors d'oeuvres reception! We loved sitting on the lawn and watching the sun go down.

DID WE FORGET TO MENTION they have freshly baked cookies 24/7! Yup, all day, everyday. We’re not talking chips o’ hoy either, honey. These cookies are always warm, always fresh, and were practically calling out our names every time we walked into the main house.

W H A T  T O  E A T

Madison’s Restaurant

Us southern belle’s know good southern hospitality when we see it and let us tell you that Madison’s is a five-star player in our book. We have never received better service in all of our dining adventures -EVER. Madison’sis Old Edward’s Inn most distinguished restaurant, and is an easy shuttle or drive from Half Mile Farm. I feel like I should have known that though- having been through the Hospitality program and Florida State, many of the students in the program intern for the summer at Old Edwards. Coincidentally the sommelier graduated the same year I did! (Never know who you’ll run into – GO NOLES!).

Take a peak at our pictures from dinner below - everything was so intricate and unique. The perfect blend of Southern & New American, but not too heavy.

And just when you are ready to call it quits, a shuttle can bring you back to Half Mile Farmor you can whoop it up at the Hummingbird Lounge located upstairs. They are known for their hand-crafted cocktails and live music.

Chef’s in the House

If night one wasn’t enough, night two is where Half Mile Farm hosts a dinner series highlighting the South’s most acclaimed Chef’s visit for a very personal and unique dining experience. The weekend of our visit Chef Kevin Johnson, of The Grocery, was the spotlight Chef. He served us a wonderful lamb curry dish and tasted wines from Napa Valley’s own Alycia Mondaviherself! If you visit Half Mile Farm, you must buy tickets to one of the Chef’s dinners or any special event they put on. The attention to detail is top notch.

D O W N T O W N

DO NOT miss a visit to Highlands downtown. Ma and Pa shops at every corner, antiques, and so many good eats you will be you questioning whether you want a beach house or a mountain house for future retirement. Two of our favorite spots include breakfast items and sweets, go figure, but we would never do you wrong!

Mountain Fresh Grocery & Wine Market

In need of a good home-grown breakfast and snacks for the road trip home? A visit to Mountain Fresh Grocery will serve you well. The French Toast is quite literally the size of our heads – A WIN. Their fresh, made in-house, potato chips go swimmingly with their delicious (but fattening) bacon cheddar or onion dip! We had to hold back from buying a case of those bad boys because there is no limit when it comes to those salty addicting crunchy thangs.

SweetTreats Ice Cream & Deli

Salty then sweet right?, In true HG fashion we had to answer that craving, and luckily The Highlands blessed us with SweetTreats. You know how much you loved soft-serve ice cream as a kid? Well, SweetTreats is the adult version of that oh-so good soft serve. They mix your desired topics into a machine over and over again until it is mixed to perfection. No chunks allowed! Our choice was fudge, cookie dough, and brownies –nostalgia never tasted so good. SweetTreats is a MUST.