I visited one of the only rainforests in the US. Here are 9 things that surprised me about the experience.

After a somewhat stressful year, my fiancé, Bryan, and I thought it was high time to leave bustling Boston for a mountain getaway, and Highlands, North Carolina, fit the bill. At an elevation of 4,118 feet, this quaint town certainly lived up to its name.

Highlands has a year-round population of around 3,200, but that number swells to about 20,000 in the summer as tourists flock there to breathe in the fresh mountain air, soak up lush greenery, hike the rock cliffs, and explore the waterfalls.

Here are some of the surprises from my visit to Highlands in June 2022, from its unique climate to its endless natural wonders.

If you assumed rainforests only exist in the far-off jungles of the Congo and the Amazon like I did, you may be just as surprised as I was to learn that Highlands is one of the few temperate rainforests in North America.

When I was packing for my trip, I peeked at the forecast and saw it predicted rainfall every single day during my stay. It didn't completely surprise me considering Highlands has an average annual rainfall of around 80 inches.

Luckily, we only experienced one passing shower during the three days we were there.

Highlands is an 80-minute drive from the closest airport in Asheville. To get to our accommodations at Skyline Lodge, we had to take US Route 64 — the longest-numbered route in North Carolina. 

This winding, two-lane road has more twists and turns than any route I've ever taken. This journey probably isn't ideal for anyone who gets carsick easily.

As soon as I got over the road's endless curves, I was amazed by the spectacular outlooks along the way. 

Bryan had to make a concerted effort to keep his eyes on the road while driving because the expansive views of tree-covered cliffs and the hazy Blue Ridge Mountains were too stunning to ignore. 

I wondered how many car accidents must happen along this route, where it's so easy for drivers to get distracted by the surrounding natural beauty.

There are nine major waterfalls within 10 miles of Highlands, and each has its own special flare. 

For example, Glen Falls, a series of three waterfalls, features sharp, spectacular drops down the side of a mountain. Bridal Veil Falls, which you can see in all its glory right off US Route 64, spills ribbons of water over a 120-foot ledge. 

My personal favorite was Dry Falls, a 75-foot waterfall that you can actually walk behind without getting wet. Water gushes over a cliff to create a picture-perfect overflow into the rocky riverbed below, and there are multiple observation decks to snap pictures or just admire the falls from various angles.

When we were driving along Route 64, we stopped to stretch our legs. To our delight, we spotted the Cullasaja River, which is dotted with deep pools, glassy runs, and gentle waterfalls. It's also a local hotspot for fly fishing and catching mountain trout. 

Even though it looked serene, we were advised to wade with caution, especially during high-water times. 

Visitors should be extremely careful around Cullasaja River's waterfalls during high-water times, as the current can be more powerful than it looks.

Since Highlands is about 1,000 miles south of Boston, I expected it to have much hotter weather during our summertime trip. But due to Highland's high elevation, the town has surprisingly cool summers. 

During our trip in late June, temperatures hovered in the upper 60s and low 70s — slightly cooler than Boston, even though it's much farther north. 

July tends to be the hottest month in Highlands, but even then it's one of the cooler places in North Carolina. On the plus side, these are ideal temperatures for hiking and enjoying nature. 

Highlands may not be a huge city, but the area has several Wine Spectator Award-winning restaurants. 

We found a little something for every palate and occasion — including quaint, casual cafes, laid-back barbecue joints, and upscale farm-to-table dining establishments.

It's not just the craving-inducing menus that stood out, but also the unique settings and ambiance. For example, Wolfgang's Restaurant and Wine Bistro — which specializes in New Orleans-style Cajun seafood with a dash of German flair — is set in a historic 19th-century home.

While staying at Skyline Lodge, we made a point to stop by the on-site Oak Steakhouse, which is renowned for its long wine list, fine cuts of Certified Angus Beef, and locally sourced produce.

After taking one bite of our filets, which had perfectly crispy crusts, we both agreed they were the best steaks we'd ever had. The sweeping mountain views didn't hurt either.

I'll be the first to admit that I'm not much of a hiker. But after multiple people urged us to see Sunset Rock, we knew we had to make the trek. After the 25-minute hike on the continuously uphill trail, we understood the hype. 

A massive natural granite amphitheater provides front-row seats to an amazing view overlooking all of the Highlands. We came in the late afternoon, but the site is a prime location to watch the sunset.

Bostonians aren't exactly known for being the most friendly population. So, I'll admit I was caught off guard by the warm, welcoming people we met in Highlands. 

It seemed like all the locals we met were eager to help make our stay special, whether that meant offering restaurant suggestions, holding the door for us on the way into a shop, or offering to take a photo when they saw us struggling to snap a selfie.