Experience the finest among North Carolina Vacation Rentals in Highlands NC at The Lakehouse on Lake Glenville in Cashiers

America’s largest home, the Biltmore Estate, in Asheville was the vision of George W. Vanderbilt, who first opened the Biltmore House as his special holiday gift to family and friends on Christmas Eve 1895. Designed by Richard Morris Hunt, America’s largest home is a 250-room French Renaissance chateau, exhibiting the Vanderbilt family’s original collection of furnishings, art and antiques. Biltmore Estate encompasses more than 8,000 acres including renowned gardens designed by Fredrick Law Olmsted. Today, the home features some of the nation’s most elaborate decorations with dozens of Christmas trees, 100′s of wreaths, 1,000′s of poinsettias and miles of evergreen garland. During Christmas at Biltmore, it is open for both daytime and candlelight evening visits. After touring the Estate, enjoy a relaxing evening at the Lakehouse at Katie Camp.

11/23 – 1/02. Opens daily at 8:30 am. Tickets start at $50.

Catch the holiday spirit by strolling through the competition display of more than 200 incredible gingerbread houses from all over the country at the Grove Park Inn in Asheville, just a short drive from the Lakehouse at Katie Camp. The annual National Gingerbread Competition and display is a really remarkable exhibition of culinary skill and imagination – a sure way to be swept up in the holiday spirit. The displays are open to the public Mondays – Thursdays and are free. Guided tours are $10 for adults and $5 for ages 12 and younger.

The 10th Annual Foothills Highland Games are at Jackson Park in Hendersonville, just a short drive from the Lakehouse at Katie Camp. Sponsored by the Scottish Clans of the South, the games feature dancers, sheep herding demonstrations, athletic competition, children’s events, music, bagpipes and food.

11/06. 9:00 am – 4:30 pm. Tickets $10.

In the spirit of a mountain tradition, spend a morning or afternoon with the family at a Jackson County Christmas tree farm. Choose your own family Christmas tree, and take it home on top of your car.

Tom Sawyer Tree Farm is located just across Lake Glenville from the Lakehouse at Katie Camp. The tree cutting excursion includes a ride in a horse-drawn carriage and an elf village where, once children cross a bridge into the village, they don an elf cape. Tom and Vicki Sawyer’s tree farm is open rain, shine or snow. Hours are from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm beginning the Saturday before Thanksgiving. They are closed on Thanksgiving Day.

Planning a trip to to the Great Smoky Mountains? Located in the North Carolina mountains and right in the midst of the Great Smoky Mountains near Cashiers, within a few miles of each other, are the smallest Post Office in the United States (1903-53) and the highest waterfall east of the Mississippi River, Whitewater Falls.

Built by Thomas Grimshawe, stamp collectors and enthusiasts from around the world wrote at the Post Office to get their letters postmarked with the Grimshawe’s postmark. The building still stands today and is easy to reach from our luxury mountain lake lodge.

Whitewater Falls plunges 411 feet, in two distinct steps. It’s an easy walk on the paved trail for an excellent view of this big, impressive waterfall. Located in Jackson County, it is designated a North Carolina Natural Heritage Area. A favorite spot for a western North Carolina day trip, the falls are less than an hour’s drive from our Lakehouse.