United States
North Carolina (NC)
North Carolina Mountains
Highlands
Things to do in Highlands
The Bascom

The Bascom, Highlands: Hours, Address, The Bascom Reviews: 4.5/5

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The Bascom

See all things to do
See all things to do
The Bascom
4.5
126
#4 of 25 things to do in Highlands
Art Galleries
10:00 - 17:00
Monday
10:00 - 17:00
Tuesday
10:00 - 17:00
Wednesday
10:00 - 17:00
Thursday
10:00 - 17:00
Friday
10:00 - 17:00
Saturday
10:00 - 17:00
Sunday
13:00 - 16:00
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About
High on a mountain plateau, The Bascom art center provides audiences of all ages with stimulating, diverse exhibitions, studio art instruction and other cultural experiences. Join us at our six-building, six-acre campus in Highlands, North Carolina. The Bascom offers you and your family and friends a community gathering-place amid art and nature, along with many program offerings. Free Admission!
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The area
Address
Best nearby
Restaurants
42 within 5 kms
Asia House
191
0.5 km€€ - €€€ • Chinese • Japanese • Sushi
Kilwin's- inside the store
Kilwins Highlands
401
0.7 km€€ - €€€ • Dessert • American
Welcome to Highlands Smokehouse!
Highlands Smokehouse
79
0.4 km€€ - €€€ • Quick Bites • American • Bar
New Paint and flooring
4118 Kitchen + Bar
97
0.6 km€€ - €€€ • American • Bar • International
Outdoor Dining
Wild Thyme Gourmet
1,204
0.7 km€€ - €€€ • American • Vegetarian Friendly • Vegan Options
The Log Cabin
261
0.5 km€€ - €€€ • Italian • American • Gluten Free Options
Our restaurant at 440 Main Street Since 1984
Ristorante Paoletti
1,224
0.9 km€€€€ • Italian • Seafood • Tuscan
Bake My Day
127
0.4 km€€ - €€€ • American • Cafe • Vegetarian Friendly
Entrance to Madison's Restaurant
Madison's
1,117
0.9 km€€€€ • American • Wine Bar • Vegetarian Friendly
El Manzanillo Mexican Restaurant # 4
57
0.4 km€ • Mexican • Vegetarian Friendly
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Attractions
17 within 5 kms
Middle Falls
Glen Falls
225
0.4 kmWaterfalls
Callasja River Gorge, Highlands, NC, USA, July, 2013 as shot from roadside pull off
Cullasaja River Gorge
127
0.5 kmGeologic Formations
Front arrival court
Highlands Playhouse
67
0.7 kmTheatres
Highlands Pool Complex
Highlands Civic Center
2
0.5 kmSports Complexes
Dry Falls
1,565
3.4 kmWaterfalls
Flaming azalea with inviting bench
Highlands Biological Station, Nature Center and Botanical Gardens
137
1.3 kmNature & Wildlife Areas
Scudders Antique Auction Gallery
3
0.7 kmAntique Shops
Highlands Gallery
Highlands Art Gallery
10
0.8 kmArt Galleries
Mountain Findings
4
0.8 kmAntique Shops
The Carolina Gallery of Fine Art
2
0.8 kmArt Galleries
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Popular mentions
4.5
126 reviews
Excellent
81
Very good
39
Average
4
Poor
0
Terrible
2
Craig A
South Carolina707 contributions
Lovely Setting and Buildings
Dec 2020
The Bascom is a multi-purpose structure(s) dedicated to the arts. There's a pottery artists work shop (it's huge), ample outdoor event space, an inside art gallery, and gift shop. There is also other space upstairs that we didn't inspect.

At present, in the covid era - not much is happening at the Bascom. But we enjoyed a stroll of the grounds after entering by crossing the extra-charming covered bridge driveway.

The building is rustic in design and is LEED certified - so the developers did this right. We look forward to returning to community events once the world opens back up.
Written 20 December 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
NewBlueEyes
Coastal South Carolina, SC122 contributions
Quick easy visit
Sep 2020
Not much to see. A few interesting pieces. Quick visit. There is a gift shop but some of the items were really pricey.
Written 8 November 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
profmom1
Douglasville, GA162 contributions
Excellent
Oct 2020 • Couples
This was a great place to visit on a rainy day. The place is quite big, so it was easy to practice social distancing. We saw 2 excellent exhibits. The gift shop has beautiful jewelry in it.
Written 10 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Karen D
Matthews, NC112 contributions
Nicely done
Dec 2019 • Couples
My husband and I visited The Bascom while staying in Highlands. The buildings themselves are beautiful, as is the covered bridge over the drive leading into the complex. So glad we stopped by.
Written 5 December 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
DNvisitors
Knoxville, TN364 contributions
Potters Barn was VG and Visitor Center has a VG Range of Quality and Some Pricier Than Others
Oct 2019
We visited the craft store and visitors center. The craft store was having a fall sale of their local “students”. They had tables set up with many different pottery items. It was a great day weather wise, although most of the sale items were inside, where they normally have the potters’ wheels going. Their visitors shop is also interesting, though the quality works they display there are much higher in price and range from great work working bowls to avant- guarde types of pieces, especially in the upstairs display studio. Admission was free for both places, so this was a very informative visit. Worth stopping when in the area.
Written 3 November 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
L taylor
38 contributions
Lovely selection of art
Jun 2019
Great wie variety of art from local people. Friendly atmosphere and relaxing to browse around. I love seeing all the local talent we have here
Written 16 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Lynanne L
Hiawassee, GA71 contributions
Artist, Crafters & Educators throughout the Year
Oct 2019 • Couples
The Bascom is several unique buildings and grounds filled with galleries of art and crafts as well as areas for classes to improve ones skills within painting and pottery, etc. The galleries are changed out to new artists and Crafters at least 25 times throughout the year and Free to all to view thanks to many donors and donations.
Written 15 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Norma B
8 contributions
Lovely Art Center
Sep 2019
Lovely exhibits thoughtfully designed in a beautiful space. Enjoyed the gift shop with local arts and crafts. Visiting the barn you can see working artists. Nice sculpture trail
Written 8 September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
cecilyjobe
Durham, NC157 contributions
Great Art & Hands On Classes
Aug 2019
We went to Highlands for my aunt's 60th birthday girls trip and wanted to set up some fun activities along the way. I found the Bascom in my research & reached out to inquiry about a hands on activity option for our group. Frank, who is in charge or ceramics, responded immediately & offered a ceramics painting class. We arrived about 30 minutes early to explore the exhibits which are really nice and interesting. We got to choose from a few vases & colors to create our personalized souvenir. There were no instructions & some examples of the colors fired would have been nice but it was very quiet and peaceful out there, we all really enjoyed the activity. We were only there for the weekend but he got our pieces fired in the kiln overnight & we had out pieces ready to take home the next day. Great service!
Written 6 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
gypsyiam
Asheville, NC609 contributions
lovely spot!
Aug 2019 • Solo
Very beautiful buildings and nice art gallery. I went when the pottery studio was open. Also a nice walk outside with art.
Written 4 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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