Solomon and I just returned from a relaxing weekend in the mountains, and I’m sharing everything we did and saw while away! We knew ahead of this weekend that most of the towns in North Carolina we were interested in visiting would still be dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. Since we just wanted a chill fall getaway to unwind, we figured it would also be a good excuse to give our business to an affected town. We settled on Hot Springs because we found a beautiful cabin available for the weekend, and the owner was encouraging visitors to support the handful of local businesses that have reopened.
Some towns throughout western NC have been completely devastated and are shut down for the foreseeable future. However, many have begun welcoming visitors and are eager for the tourism and financial support. Also, portions of North Carolina’s wilderness areas, like Pisgah National Forest, remain closed.
Do your research before traveling to western NC to avoid unintentionally putting strain on already struggling communities. Tourism is a major revenue source for some towns, but it’s essential to remember the local residents and organizations are just trying to make ends meet one day at a time. Be a conscious and responsible traveler—give your business to the places that need it the most!
Day 1: Hot Springs
Breakfast at Smokey Mountain Diner
We kicked off Saturday with breakfast at Smoky Mountain Diner. Everyone working at this casual, homey spot was warm and welcoming. They made sure to let us know they had cinnamon rolls available (Saturdays only), so of course we had to order one.
Let me tell you, this was the best cinnamon roll of my life! It was soft with a slightly crispy exterior, full of cinnamon spice, and covered in an irresistible icing. We enjoyed it so much, we ordered a second one. I ordered a breakfast plate with eggs, sausage, hashbrowns, a biscuit, and gravy, and it was all scrumptious.
Hot Tub Time
Photo credit: Hot Springs Treehouse Cabins, NC.
Our stay at the Treehouse Cabins was cozy and relaxing. Cabin #2 had a stunning mountain view and everything we needed for a comfortable getaway. The best part was the hot tub overlooking the town of Hot Springs. It was chilly and overcast after breakfast—perfect weather to soak for a bit.
Hiking Along the Laurel River Trail
After watching a Harry Potter movie and playing some solitaire at the cabin, it was time to enjoy the crisp fall weather. We set off on the Laurel River Trail, an easy path that meanders along the river. Walking beside the water was scenic and peaceful—we stopped a few times to sit on the rocks and watch for fish swimming around. The entire trail is a little over seven miles roundtrip, but we headed back early, hiking around four miles total.
Stocking Up at Tobacco Road Burley & Brew
Tobacco Road is the local beer and wine store in Hot Springs. We swung by to grab an assortment of hard ciders and were surprised to see a rooster hanging out inside! (It actually wasn’t our first of the trip—earlier, a group of five or six roosters cruised by hunting for bugs while we were enjoying the hot tub.) Tobacco Road had an impressive selection, and we chit-chatted with some friendly locals on our way out. There was live music and a bonfire just outside, and it was cool to see the community united and in high spirits.
Dinner from Tin Can Pizzeria
Tin Can Pizzeria, an Asheville-based eatery, was serving slices from a food truck down the road. They have a fundraiser to continue their mission to provide complementary meals to towns like Hot Springs affected by the hurricane—I highly recommend donating! The pizza was really tasty, especially the sourdough crust.
Day 2: Asheville
Sauna House
Photo credit: Sauna House.
On our way home on Sunday, we swung by Asheville to see some friends. They suggested we visit Sauna House since the resort in Hot Springs was temporarily closed. Sauna House was a totally new experience for me, and I loved it. We started with 10-15 minutes in the sauna before rinsing off and taking a cold plunge. I’ve swam in cold water before, but that plunge was next level!
After what felt like an hour (but was probably only a minute), we moved to the heated seating area to let our body temperatures self-regulate and return to normal before repeating the process twice more (minus the cold plunge on the last round). While going from the steaming hot sauna to the icy pool was a shock to the system, it felt mentally and physically amazing afterward. I definitely have a newfound respect for those who do daily cold plunges.
Brunch at Mother
After about two hours at Sauna House, we headed next door to grab food at Mother. This eatery has a small but delicious menu of cafe classics like quiche, grilled cheese, and soup. I had the daily special—a twist on an old-fashioned tuna melt—and it was to die for. The highlight, aside from the tasty tuna filling, was the bread: two thick slabs of perfectly toasted sourdough that I’m still dreaming of.
Coffee for the Road from Farewell
Since Mother was only serving cold brew coffee, we walked up the street to Farewell. Everyone got pumpkin spice lattes (which were divine—heavy on the spices without tasting sickly sweet or artificial), and I tried an ube latte. I’ve never had ube-flavored anything, so I had no idea what to expect. It had an earthy, slightly nutty taste that I enjoyed, though the group was 50/50 on liking it. Armed with our coffees and refreshed after the Sauna House visit, we hit the road for home!
As sad as it is to see so much destruction from Hurricane Helene, I’m amazed by western NC’s resilience and know the affected towns will return even stronger than before.
Wandering the Gap 