High Hampton Inn
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Archive for the ‘Natural Wonders’ Category

Fall into Fun at High Hampton

September 23rd, 2011 by Staff

Three great new packages, stunning fall foliage, famous waterfalls, and a giant shadow of a bear add fun to the fall season at High Hampton Inn, located on 1,400 acres in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Make the most out of your stay this autumn at High Hampton with three new money-saving packages. Take advantage of these amazing deals – Spa and Golf Package, Fall into High Hampton, and Three For Four – before the season ends.

Granite mountain with colorful fall foliage

High Hampton's Rock Mountain with fall foliage

Due to the high altitude of the inn, peak leaf season begins in mid-October and continues through the first week of November.  During this time, the forests are ablaze with rich reds, purples, oranges and golds.  The fall weather is the perfect time to hike, play golf and tennis, and explore the magic of the grounds.

During the last two weeks of October, when the sun sets behind Whiteside Mountain, its shadow creates a perfect image of a Black Bear that dances across the tops of the colorful trees. This spectacular natural phenomenon, known as the “Bear Shadow,” is not to be missed! The best places to view the bear are along U.S. Highway 64 in Cashiers, about one hour before dark. Make sure you bring your camera so you can capture an image of the famous bear!

A shadow of a bear is created when the sun sets behind Whiteside Mountain in October

Bear Shadow

Many well-known waterfalls that cascade over the rock faces of the Blue Ridge Mountains are tucked away in the area surrounding the inn. The Horsepasture River is the source for four of the waterfalls in the area: Horsepasture Falls, Whitewater Falls, Drift Falls and Rainbow Falls. Whitewater Falls, with a rocky plunge of 411 feet, is the highest waterfall east of the Rocky Mountains. U.S. Highway 64 weaves under Bridal Veil Falls and over Toxaway Falls, providing visitors a unique view of two of the falls in the area.

To get a sneak peek of the fall foliage, check out our very own Webcam– Leaf Link.

Posted in Fall Travel| Insider Tips| Natural Wonders| Staying at High Hampton | No Comments

Opening Weekend Q & A with General Manager Clifford Meads

April 22nd, 2011 by Staff

As High Hampton Inn prepares to open for its 89th season of family fun, General Manager Clifford Meads took some time out of his busy schedule to give some insight on the upcoming season and on some of his favorite things about High Hampton Inn.

General Manager Clifford Meads

1.  What is new at High Hampton Inn in 2011?

High Hampton Inn is known for being a destination that adheres to time-honored traditions.  This year we are excited to announce two new events and one new House Party that are sure to become High Hampton favorites.

For music lovers, the Coast to the Mountains Summer Concert Series on June 23, July 28, August 25, and September 22 will be the perfect way to enjoy the beauty of the mountains while listening to music from the coast.  Food lovers will enjoy the Dinner in the Dahlias series on August 30 and September 13.  Thirty guests will be seated at a long table decorated with and surround by the heirloom dahlia blooms. The experience will allow diners to intertwine the flora, food, and wine of High Hampton.  The Apple Festival on September 24 will be the perfect way to honor fall’s favorite fruit. This House Party style weekend will celebrate the apple with a variety of tasty products from area growers and producers.

We are also excited to announce the addition of the Hampton Market.  The market will feature fresh produce, meats, gourmet cheeses, prepared gourmet salads, party platters, wine, beer, rustic breads, desserts, a selection of dry goods, and gourmet deli sandwiches.

Guests staying in our lovely cottages will also notice the addition of kitchenettes the feature marble counter tops, a refrigerator and microwave.

2.  What is your favorite time of year at High Hampton?

High Hampton Inn is beautiful year-round, but my absolute favorite time is in late May – early June when all of the mountain laurel and rhododendron are blooming.  Bursts of pinks and purples dot the lush green landscape, making for quite an amazing sight.

Dogwoods bloom at the enterance of High Hampton Inn

 

3.  Where does High Hampton get its produce from?

High Hampton is known for its fresh fruits and vegetables.  We work with local farmers and markets to provide our guests with produce at the peak of perfection.  Many guests love the tomatoes that we feature on the buffet, which we purchase from a local farm stand, guaranteeing that they will always be delicious and perfectly ripe.

 

4.  Where on-property do you like to go to relax?

I love being outdoors, so when I have free time I like to take my dogs hiking on one of the many trails that surround the Inn.  It’s a great way to unwind while taking in all the stunning sights.

Posted in Natural Wonders| Q & A| Staying at High Hampton| What's New at High Hampton | 1 Comment

Take a Stroll in High Hampton’s Historic Dahlia Gardens

February 2nd, 2011 by Staff

dahlia-from-high-hampton-dahlia-garden_inga-swett High Hampton Inn’s beautiful historic Dahlia Garden comprises almost an acre of colorful blooms.  They were first planted more than 100 years ago by Caroline Halsted, a niece of General Wade Hampton, the original owner of the High Hampton property.  She was the wife of Dr. William Halsted, the internationally-acclaimed first Chief of Surgery at Johns Hopkins University and the second owner of High Hampton.  The garden displays many pure colors and variegated blossoms that bloom in late summer and early fall.  Guests of the Inn are invited to cut blooms to display in their rooms for a beautiful splash of color or to take home with them upon departure.

To take some of the High Hampton spirit home with you, plant your own dahlia garden.  The beautiful colors of the flowers will take you back to the Inn every time you see them.

 

How to Plant a Dahlia Garden:

  1. Select a planting location that receives full sun. It’s very important to wait until after the last frost to plant your bulb.
  2. Add organic compost to the soil prior to planting. The compost should be worked into the existing soil to a depth of 18 inches. Dahlias grow quickly and require excellent growing conditions to perform at their best.
  3. Dig a large planting hole that is at least twice as deep as the length of the dahlia tuber, deeper if possible and equally as wide. Add a tablespoon of super-phosphate fertilizer to the bottom of each planting hole. The fertilizer will provide the nutrients necessary to develop root growth.
  4. Place the tuber in the bottom of the hole and fill in the soil only to the top of the stem. The hole should remain partially filled with just the top of the stem sticking up until you begin to see growth.
  5. Fill in the hole gradually to cover the new growth as the tuber begins to grow. Covering the stem inch by inch as it grows causes the stem to grow strong so that it will support the flowers.
  6. Begin watering when the plants are actively growing above ground. Water deeply to encourage strong roots.

Posted in For the Kids| Natural Wonders| Staying at High Hampton | 1 Comment

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