Best of Hot Springs
Hiking
Trail Length: 1.8 mile loop
Distance from Cabins: 5 minute drive
This popular hike follows the French Broad River until it veers up somewhat steeply to high, rocky outcrops with wonderful views of the river and the town of Hot Springs. Beautiful at sunset!
We love this hike and we have taken our young kids, but we do caution parents of children under the age of 4 or 5. This hike is steep and has dangerous fall potentials, so be prepared to be on high alert!
It takes about 45 minutes to reach the great view, depending on your hiking speed.
42 localnici recomandă
Lover's Leap Hiking Trail
138 Silvermine RdTrail Length: 1.8 mile loop
Distance from Cabins: 5 minute drive
This popular hike follows the French Broad River until it veers up somewhat steeply to high, rocky outcrops with wonderful views of the river and the town of Hot Springs. Beautiful at sunset!
We love this hike and we have taken our young kids, but we do caution parents of children under the age of 4 or 5. This hike is steep and has dangerous fall potentials, so be prepared to be on high alert!
It takes about 45 minutes to reach the great view, depending on your hiking speed.
Trail Length: 3.6 miles one way (but less than half a mile to the water and swimming!)
Distance from Cabins: 7 minute drive
Directions: Park at the Laurel River Store (use GPS) or just around the turn in the large obvious parking. Hike departs from far side of parking.
This beautiful and popular hike follows the Laurel River all the way down to where it meets the French Broad. The further you go, the better it gets! This is a very accessible hike for those who don't do much hiking but want to see Appalachia.
Just five or ten minutes down the path is a great spot for all ages to take a dip. There are some sandy beaches for those who enjoy building sand castles, and some rocky beaches for those who prefer building rock towers! The adventure continues for those who wish to hike further…all the way to the French Broad River. We have taken our kids here since about the day they were born!
Laurel River Trail
Laurel River TrailTrail Length: 3.6 miles one way (but less than half a mile to the water and swimming!)
Distance from Cabins: 7 minute drive
Directions: Park at the Laurel River Store (use GPS) or just around the turn in the large obvious parking. Hike departs from far side of parking.
This beautiful and popular hike follows the Laurel River all the way down to where it meets the French Broad. The further you go, the better it gets! This is a very accessible hike for those who don't do much hiking but want to see Appalachia.
Just five or ten minutes down the path is a great spot for all ages to take a dip. There are some sandy beaches for those who enjoy building sand castles, and some rocky beaches for those who prefer building rock towers! The adventure continues for those who wish to hike further…all the way to the French Broad River. We have taken our kids here since about the day they were born!
We LOVE this hike! From the parking lot, it's a 20 minute (ish) hike up, but we are sure you'll forget about the sweat it took to hike up once you get there, because you'll be rewarded with expansive views in all directions. It is like being on top of the world! Max Patch is especially great at sunrise or sunset. In late July, enjoy snacking on the wild blueberries you’ll find scattered along the path!
If you are up for a longer day of hiking, Max Patch is actually on the Appalachian Trail, so you can hike for days, weeks, or months...! All the way to Maine, if you please. If you plan on returning to Little Bird Cabins in the evening, reign your adventuresome self in and meander for only a few hours through high fields, ridge-line forests, and alongside mountain streams.
227 localnici recomandă
Max Patch
Max Patch RoadWe LOVE this hike! From the parking lot, it's a 20 minute (ish) hike up, but we are sure you'll forget about the sweat it took to hike up once you get there, because you'll be rewarded with expansive views in all directions. It is like being on top of the world! Max Patch is especially great at sunrise or sunset. In late July, enjoy snacking on the wild blueberries you’ll find scattered along the path!
If you are up for a longer day of hiking, Max Patch is actually on the Appalachian Trail, so you can hike for days, weeks, or months...! All the way to Maine, if you please. If you plan on returning to Little Bird Cabins in the evening, reign your adventuresome self in and meander for only a few hours through high fields, ridge-line forests, and alongside mountain streams.
Food scene
Big Pillow, named after an exciting whitewater rapid on the French Broad river, offers beer and tacos that are just as exciting as a rafting trip! No lifejacket required. The tacos are made fresh on site by Grey Eagle Taqueria but it all looks like and works as one business so we are listing them together here.
All of their tacos are great, including the two vegan selections, and their kale salad will make you dance with joy. So good! The burrito is the best bang for your buck. Every single beer is great. Try the Appalachian Fog IPA! They often host live music on Saturdays and open mic on Wednesdays. Their large outdoor dining area and spacious indoor space are great for groups, mingling, and families. Kids are welcome in all areas with supervision. We are big fans! Say hello to Chris and Amy, the owners, and their friendly staff!
35 localnici recomandă
Big Pillow Brewing
25 Andrews Avenue NorthBig Pillow, named after an exciting whitewater rapid on the French Broad river, offers beer and tacos that are just as exciting as a rafting trip! No lifejacket required. The tacos are made fresh on site by Grey Eagle Taqueria but it all looks like and works as one business so we are listing them together here.
All of their tacos are great, including the two vegan selections, and their kale salad will make you dance with joy. So good! The burrito is the best bang for your buck. Every single beer is great. Try the Appalachian Fog IPA! They often host live music on Saturdays and open mic on Wednesdays. Their large outdoor dining area and spacious indoor space are great for groups, mingling, and families. Kids are welcome in all areas with supervision. We are big fans! Say hello to Chris and Amy, the owners, and their friendly staff!
The Iron Horse is a favorite for affordable and delicious lunches. Their menu is similar to the Tavern, but some would argue the food is a bit better, and the experience is fancier. We recommend the salmon filet and some nice wine. Also, don’t miss out on their sweet potato fries which are undeniably their most delicious side dish!
61 localnici recomandă
Iron Horse Station
24 Andrews Ave SThe Iron Horse is a favorite for affordable and delicious lunches. Their menu is similar to the Tavern, but some would argue the food is a bit better, and the experience is fancier. We recommend the salmon filet and some nice wine. Also, don’t miss out on their sweet potato fries which are undeniably their most delicious side dish!
The Tavern is a favorite of locals and visitors alike. It has extensive outdoor seating that is overlooking Spring Creek as well as having indoor seating for cooler weather. They serve burgers, fish and chips, pizzas, craft beer, and jalepeno poppers (my personal favorite!).
Spring Road
Spring RoadThe Tavern is a favorite of locals and visitors alike. It has extensive outdoor seating that is overlooking Spring Creek as well as having indoor seating for cooler weather. They serve burgers, fish and chips, pizzas, craft beer, and jalepeno poppers (my personal favorite!).
The Diner is amazingly affordable with friendly wait staff and decent food. It serves up all of the southern classics, and also has vegetarian selections for those who don’t eat meat. It is the only place to buy coffee before 10am in Hot Springs, which is also a reason to go there ☺. No alcohol is served here.
27 localnici recomandă
Smoky Mountain Diner
70 Lance AveThe Diner is amazingly affordable with friendly wait staff and decent food. It serves up all of the southern classics, and also has vegetarian selections for those who don’t eat meat. It is the only place to buy coffee before 10am in Hot Springs, which is also a reason to go there ☺. No alcohol is served here.
The ArtiSun Gallery serves locally roasted coffee and a selection of pastries. After a day of rafting or hiking, it is also enticing for its locally made ice cream (deeeeelicious!) and fresh blended smoothies. In winter, my favorite is their Golden Milk turmeric drink. In summer try the iced chai!
Enjoy any of these treats while browsing arts and crafts from artisans in the Hot Springs area. The owners, Phillip and Pascha, are incredible forces in Hot Springs, always bringing out the best in people. Be sure to say hi to them and their amazing staff!
29 localnici recomandă
Artisun Gallery and Cafe
16 Andrews Ave SThe ArtiSun Gallery serves locally roasted coffee and a selection of pastries. After a day of rafting or hiking, it is also enticing for its locally made ice cream (deeeeelicious!) and fresh blended smoothies. In winter, my favorite is their Golden Milk turmeric drink. In summer try the iced chai!
Enjoy any of these treats while browsing arts and crafts from artisans in the Hot Springs area. The owners, Phillip and Pascha, are incredible forces in Hot Springs, always bringing out the best in people. Be sure to say hi to them and their amazing staff!
Whitewater Rafting
Highly recommended! We have come to know the owners and some of the staff of this company personally and we always choose Blue Heron Whitewater when we take a rafting trip with friends and family. They are located 20 minutes from Little Bird Cabins.
70 localnici recomandă
Blue Heron Whitewater
35 Little Pine RdHighly recommended! We have come to know the owners and some of the staff of this company personally and we always choose Blue Heron Whitewater when we take a rafting trip with friends and family. They are located 20 minutes from Little Bird Cabins.
Conveniently located about one minute (yes, really!) from Little Bird Cabins, Hot Springs Rafting Company is a family-owned guiding company. Also worth noting is that you can rent rafts and tubes from them to take on your own adventures!
40 localnici recomandă
Hot Springs Rafting Co.
81 Bridge StConveniently located about one minute (yes, really!) from Little Bird Cabins, Hot Springs Rafting Company is a family-owned guiding company. Also worth noting is that you can rent rafts and tubes from them to take on your own adventures!
Horseback Riding
Sandy Bottom Trail Rides offers horseback riding about 20 minutes from the cabin. They have no age or weight limit, so this is a great family activity! Even if one among you is pregnant, elderly, or just generally distrustful of the equine race as a whole, fear not! They have an ATV that you can ride in. A few of their rides combine with gem mining at the Little Pine garnet mine. We have taken our family here and had a GREAT experience! Professional but down-to-earth.
90 localnici recomandă
Sandy Bottom Trail Rides
1459 Caney Fork RdSandy Bottom Trail Rides offers horseback riding about 20 minutes from the cabin. They have no age or weight limit, so this is a great family activity! Even if one among you is pregnant, elderly, or just generally distrustful of the equine race as a whole, fear not! They have an ATV that you can ride in. A few of their rides combine with gem mining at the Little Pine garnet mine. We have taken our family here and had a GREAT experience! Professional but down-to-earth.
Saddle up and hit the trail on this 550 acre farm/forest. Conveniently located about 20 minutes from Little Bird Cabins, Smoky Mountain Trail Rides offers the same great selection of rides as Sandy Bottom (above). We have heard equally good things about both businesses from family members and friends. Smoky Mountain is also a bison farm, and certainly the only place that we know of in the area to raise these beautiful creatures!
24 localnici recomandă
Smoky Mountain Trail Rides
1959 Walnut Creek RdSaddle up and hit the trail on this 550 acre farm/forest. Conveniently located about 20 minutes from Little Bird Cabins, Smoky Mountain Trail Rides offers the same great selection of rides as Sandy Bottom (above). We have heard equally good things about both businesses from family members and friends. Smoky Mountain is also a bison farm, and certainly the only place that we know of in the area to raise these beautiful creatures!
Ziplining
Navitat offers Zip Line Tours out of Barnardsville, NC which is 20 minutes North of Asheville in the direction of Hot Springs. This is not indoor zip lining! You will be soaring through the Appalachian forest. Last we checked, participants must weigh a minimum of 70 pounds to participate, so feed the smaller kids a hefty breakfast before departing! While you are in the Barnardsville area, we definitely recommend that you cruise over to the Big Ivy and Douglas Falls hiking trails. They are stunning! Zip lining also can be easily combined with a half-day visit to Asheville.
279 localnici recomandă
Navitat Canopy Adventures
242 Poverty Branch RdNavitat offers Zip Line Tours out of Barnardsville, NC which is 20 minutes North of Asheville in the direction of Hot Springs. This is not indoor zip lining! You will be soaring through the Appalachian forest. Last we checked, participants must weigh a minimum of 70 pounds to participate, so feed the smaller kids a hefty breakfast before departing! While you are in the Barnardsville area, we definitely recommend that you cruise over to the Big Ivy and Douglas Falls hiking trails. They are stunning! Zip lining also can be easily combined with a half-day visit to Asheville.
Local Groceries
The coolest gas station you’ve ever been to! They open at 7, serve GOOD hot coffee, and have arts and crafts and locally made food and beer to buy as well as the normal gas station items like chips. SaraJo, the owner, is a very cool lady and longtime Hot Springs resident. Say hi to her and her staff!
12 localnici recomandă
Sara Jo's Station
39 US-25The coolest gas station you’ve ever been to! They open at 7, serve GOOD hot coffee, and have arts and crafts and locally made food and beer to buy as well as the normal gas station items like chips. SaraJo, the owner, is a very cool lady and longtime Hot Springs resident. Say hi to her and her staff!
If you have arrived in Hot Springs empty handed, the Hillbilly will be your best place to stock up on the basics. They stock milk, beer, potatoes, onions, tomatoes, cheese, eggs, cereal, pasta. They also have ready-to-eat sandwiches and delicious locally made deserts for grab-and-go dining.
18 localnici recomandă
Hillbilly Market
43 US-25If you have arrived in Hot Springs empty handed, the Hillbilly will be your best place to stock up on the basics. They stock milk, beer, potatoes, onions, tomatoes, cheese, eggs, cereal, pasta. They also have ready-to-eat sandwiches and delicious locally made deserts for grab-and-go dining.
Outdoor Gear Shop and Dry Goods
This shop is a great outdoor gear shop and also offers foods such as dry goods, popcorn, energy bars, cereals, and more. Here is where to buy your organic half in half in town☺
27 localnici recomandă
Bluff Mountain Outfitters
152 Bridge StThis shop is a great outdoor gear shop and also offers foods such as dry goods, popcorn, energy bars, cereals, and more. Here is where to buy your organic half in half in town☺