CHOOSE YOUR OWN (MOUNTAIN) ADVENTURE

In Jackson County, you'll find scenic getaways for families, couples, and solo travelers alike

- LIA PICARD

My husband and I relax in very different ways.

He finds joy in death-defying activities like mountain biking, while I get a thrill from painting watercolors. Where we meet in the middle, however, is our destination of choice when it's time to unplug: Jackson County.

Located in the western part of North Carolina, the county comprises beloved resort town Cashiers and mountain towns Sylva and Dillsboro. The area features idyllic mountain drives, hiking trails, and fly-fishing balanced with seasonally driven restaurants and uniquely curated shops.

It's impossible to do it all in one trip which is why I've put together a few choose-your-own-adventure options, so you can do it differently when you come back-again and again.

A family getaway

Longing for a mountain escape in early September, my husband and I booked a cabin in Sylva and brought our four year-old with us. The cabin was more charming than its Bear Necessities moniker would suggest: A winding driveway curved up to the two-bedroom, two-bath teal home with stunning mountain views and an ideal stargazing deck. It was also a great jumping-off point, situated only 10 minutes from Sylva's picturesque downtown.

Sylva's historic courthouse-turned-library sits atop a hill overlooking downtown. For a district centered on just a couple of streets, Sylva offers plenty of restaurants, cafés, bookstores, and antique shops with the mountains always within sight.