14 Best Things To Do In Hot Springs, North Carolina

1. Gallery 339 Hot Springs

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

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Gallery 339 is an art gallery in Hot Springs that features the works of Terry Thirion and other artists from the region. Fine collections of paintings, sculptures, and prints are showcased in the gallery as well as a free library of art-related books and magazines. It is also an educational space that hosts lectures, discussions, and art sessions.

Rediscover your artistic prowess and sign up for classes in several mediums like oils, pastels, and acrylics while working with portrait, landscape, abstract, and collage imagery subjects. Private or group coaching sessions on personal art direction are also available. Art enthusiasts and collectors, the gallery welcomes you to view and purchase unique art pieces.

Gallery 339 Hot Springs

Address: 339 NW US 25-70 Hwy, Hot Springs, NC 28743

Website: Gallery 339 Hot Springs

Opening hours: Thu - Sat: 12pm - 4pm (closed from Sun - Wed)

2. Big Pillow Brewing

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After your fun in the sun, order a glass of good beer at Big Pillow Brewing, the first craft brewery in Hot Springs, North Carolina. It provides top-notch beer and food in a welcoming atmosphere, tucked in the area of Andrews Avenue. Its beer selections include IPAs, porter, Kolsch, lager, pilsner, kettle sour, and more. The brewery, which was named after a rapid on the French Broad River, also serves gluten-free cider, hard kombucha, mimosas, sparkling rose, and wine. Its food partner, Grey Eagle Taqueria serves delectable food on site.

Aside from the indoor bar, the brewery has an outdoor beer garden and performing stage where local and up-and-coming artists perform for the crowd. Check out its website for the schedule of performances.

Big Pillow Brewing

Address: 25 Andrews Ave N, Hot Springs, NC 28743

Website: Big Pillow Brewing

Opening hours: Tue - Thu: 12pm - 8pm; Fri - Sat: 12pm - 9pm; Sun: 12pm - 8pm (closed on Mon)

3. Llamas of Hot Springs

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Come befriend the Llamas of Hot Springs. It is an eco-tour agency that provides guided llama trekking tours, animal-assisted therapy, and educational experiences. The hikes are an immersive exploration of the Appalachian backcountry through farm visits and even overnight trips with the llamas—domesticated animals that are members of the camelid family.

With many evidence-based benefits, animal-assisted therapies are also offered by the agency. Its founder, David Wynn, a licensed clinician and certified Wilderness First Responder (WFR) is a strong advocate and practitioner of the therapeutic process. Llamas of Hot Springs continues to provide education about llamas and their cultural heritage through hands-on educational experiences and programs.

Llamas of Hot Springs

Address: 65 Berry Wills Rd, Hot Springs, NC, 28743

Website: Llamas of Hot Springs

4. Trust General Store & Café

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Trust General Store and Cafe is your friendly neighborhood store that is open seven days a week for your fuel, coffee, convenience item, local merchant product, and to-go food needs. Nestled in the unspoiled, rugged mountain ranges and pristine streams of Hot Springs, the store and cafe provide Southern hospitality in a relaxing atmosphere. Visit its cafe for freshly made lunch and dinner options.

It was established in 1986 as Trust General Store and Spring Creek Cafe but had to close in the late 1990s. Then in 2008, the property was reopened as Trust General Store & Cafe. Today, the friendly-service charm of Trust still serves the Spring Creek community and tourists that visit for the world-class hiking, rafting, kayaking, and hot spring spots.

Trust General Store & Café

Address: 14535 NC-209, Hot Springs, NC 28743

Website: Trust General Store & Café

Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 8am - 6pm; Sun: 10am - 5pm

5. Max Patch

A great surprising adventure awaits you on Max Patch that people can stumble on. People can walk to the top of the mountain and in a grassy field with no trees and a clear 360 degree view of mountains. It is located right on the Appalachian Trail.

In this Hot Springs, NC, attraction, people can take a trail straight up to the top which is daunting for the non-experienced hiker or head to the left at the trailhead for a longer less strenuous trail. It is worth it to walk in this place. Here, people can just sit and enjoy the view while eating their snack or meals.

Max Patch

Address: Hot Springs, NC

6. Iron Horse Station

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Iron Horse Station is located in an Appalachian Trail town. This place is nice, clean, friendly and the food here is good, with affordable prices and it’s vegetarian friendly. The station is a great place for a good meal whether people are just passing through in a car or on the trail. The best place found on a trip from Michigan through to Gatlinburg and over to Hot Springs. They serve soup and salad. They also serve cubans, burger, and fish that are perfectly prepared. Their desserts are also good for people to try.

Iron Horse Station

Address: 24 Andrews Ave S, Hot Springs, NC 28743, USA

Website: Iron Horse Station

7. Hot Springs Rafting Co

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Hot Springs Rafting Co is a place where you can experience one of the thrilling activities in Hot Springs. They will give a tour guide to every person or family so that they can learn and enjoy the river experience. They have whitewater rafting river tubing for the adventurous people.

Hot Springs Rafting Co

Address: 22 US-25, Hot Springs, NC 28743, USA

Website: Hot Springs Rafting Co

8. Hot Springs North Carolina Welcome Center

Hot Springs North Carolina Welcome Center is a great place to go get some information in the area. There is a quiet, nice and beautiful place to stand by. They also have WiFi that is open 24/7 with no password.

Hot Springs North Carolina Welcome Center

Address: 106 Bridge St, Hot Springs, NC 28743, United States

Website: Hot Springs North Carolina Welcome Center

9. Lovers Leap Loop Trail

Lovers Leap Loop Trail is a perfect length for younger kids, it is also great for teenagers and adults. If you love to hike Lovers Leap Loop Trail is the best choice. People will follow the French Broad River and then start up the mountain via several switchbacks. It’s steep there but with hiking shoes and trekking poles, you won’t have a problem hiking. There is a river there from the top that is really awesome as well.

Lovers Leap Loop Trail

Address: Hot Springs, NC 28743

10. Creek Ridge Camping

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Creek Ridge Camping is a campsite for campers. It’s quite a hike to the creek side campsites, but well worth it. People will experience this camping like no other. The sounds of the creek in the campsite lull people to sleep at night. Their camp store has many items to offer like ice, firewood and other essentials. It is very quiet there, so people are recommended to bring a radio for music if they don’t want their trip to be so quiet.

Creek Ridge Camping

Address: 660 Henderson Dr, Hot Springs, NC 28743, USA

Website: Creek Ridge Camping

11. Smoky Mountain Diner

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Smoky Mountain Diner serves vegan and veggie burger options. They also have staffs that are super friendly and are willing to answer your question about their ingredients. They really have great southern diner food. The diner is clean and has plenty of tables and the food is good and very affordable. They have the best burgers a person could ever eat!

Smoky Mountain Diner

Address: 70 Lance Ave, Hot Springs, NC 28743, USA

Contact: +1 828 6227571

12. Artisun Gallery and Marketplace

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Artisun Gallery and Marketplace is a great place for people to get a latte and ice cream after a morning at the Hot Springs Spa. They serve a hot latte and chai tea iced drink that are very tasty. It is also a place to buy different items like souvenirs and wedding gifts; people will surely find some beautiful and unique items there. The gallery is really a fun environment to go to. The people in Artisun are amazingly talented. The place always has new delicious treats daily like quiche, pumpkin muffins, homemade bagels, the small town famous zuma cookies and much more. The gallery offers raw chocolate (good even for diabetics), pastas and more. If ever you are in Hot Springs I recommend you drop by the gallery, buy some things and explore the place.

Artisun Gallery and Marketplace

Address: 16 Andrews Ave S, Hot Springs, NC 28743, USA

Website: Artisun Gallery and Marketplace

13. Laurel River Trail

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Laurel River Trail is located in Marshall, USA. The Trail has plenty of parking lots and is clear to follow, even if it’s narrow. It’s a beautiful stretch along the Laurel River, and the further you go, the deeper the swimming holes. It is a family and dog friendly environment. There is a store right beside the trail parking where people can buy snacks, coffee and “The Hop Ice Cream”.

Laurel River Trail

Address: Marshall, NC 28753, USA

14. Appalachian Oasis

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Appalachian Oasis is a hot spring in North Carolina. People can relax in these hot springs and bask in the serenity. It is nice to soak in this spring for your tired body and bones.

Appalachian Oasis

Address: Hot Springs, NC 28743

Hot Springs, NC: to go or not to go?

Now, you are maybe asking yourself or anyone around you: to go? Or not to go? Well, it is all up to you! However, I would really recommend this place to you if you are looking for mesmerizing scenery. Don’t let it pass, let it happen!