Cashiers: Worth the winding drive
The Village Green.
I recently spent the day frolicking around Cashiers alongside Ashlie Mitchell-Lanning, executive director of The Village Green, and Thomas Taulbee with the Cashiers Area Chamber of Commerce.
The quaint atmosphere, friendly people and proximity to beautiful outdoor amenities makes it the perfect destination for a day trip, weekend getaway or an even more extensive vacation.
We began our time together eating lunch at Cornucopia, a staple in the village of Cashiers. The restaurant has been a favorite with visitors and locals since 1979, and not only is the food delicious, but the ambiance is warm and energetic. I ordered a house-made black bean burger on sourdough bread, and it was incredible. Cornucopia is by no means the only restaurant in town. There are a slew of bistros, diners, coffee shops, high-end restaurants, pizza places and other establishments.
Ashlie and Thomas then took me on a tour de Cashiers. We stopped into several places, including two relatively new businesses, Native Prime Provisions and Crossroads Custard & Cold Brew. No matter where we went, everyone had a smile on their face and knew one another. While Cashiers is known as a vacation town, the locals are what make the village special year-round.
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Our next stop was Hotel Cashiers, which is a beautiful boutique inn. While the grounds have been in existence for decades, the site was recently renovated to offer a more upscale vibe and modern amenities. In 2020, Hotel Cashiers was awarded the Village Heritage Award, presented by the historical society. This accolade recognizes older buildings that have been adapted for use as an active business and that contribute to the vitality of the community.
Along with delicious food, luxury mountain lodging and friendly people, Cashiers is known worldwide for its trout fishing and waterfalls. Brookings is a fly-fishing outfitter that has become a destination for anglers to experience what WNC fly fishing is all about. In terms of waterfalls, Cashiers is a haven of cascades with some of the more well-known being Cullasaja Falls, Glen Fall, Dry Falls and Bridal Veil Falls. Gorges State Park and the Panthertown Valley backcountry area are two highly popular attractions.
We finished the day at The Village Green, which is another lively hotspot for both locals and visitors. This popular gathering place boasts 13.2 acres of land located within the heart of Cashier’s downtown district with programming and events for every season.
If you live close enough, Cashiers is a great option for a day trip. It’s also a perfect destination for a romantic getaway, or a girls weekend or a guys. There is plenty to do for folks of all ages.
Cashiers is sometimes perceived as a high-end locale but for me, it felt very accessible. This stunning, historic village displays kindness, integrity and high-quality products and services. Whether you’ve been before or it’s your first time venturing to Cashiers, there is plenty to enjoy for everyone.
