The Road to Recovery: A Walking Tour of Hot Springs, NC, post-Helene

Hot Springs suffered a massive blow last September, and we are all still reeling from the aftershocks. This article revisits the previous Walking Tour of the businesses and offerings of Hot Springs NC, with important updates for visitors. Published June 9, 2025

Wednesday, September 25th was a normal day in Hot Springs. Vinyl Pies Pizza was closed, Big Pillow Brewing was open. The Iron Horse Station and Inn were doing business as usual, and, right next door, a new employee was training at Artisun Gallery & Cafe. Farther down the road at Pine Hall, the literary event Stories of Hot Springs was underway. Aside from the heavy rain descending in sheets and the ominous warnings coming from the news, it was business as usual for the small mountain town approaching Autumn wedding and leaf season.

Spring Creek rising outside the Spring Creek Tavern on September 26, 2024

The next day, the rains continued. A few shops closed early, but the Spring Creek Tavern held a Thankful It’s Thursday event, while town officials were busy putting sandbags around town.

“I distinctly remember walking through town with a friend on Thursday evening after dark,” says Stacey Geyer, Welcome Center manager, about the mood Thursday night. “We had the kiddos with us and went down to look at the river being up. The Tavern was definitely open. I just remember because everything felt so normal in a way, sweet and lit up and vibrant.”

The day after that, September 27, everything changed.

As we look at the receding waterline from the vantage point of more than a half year later… a time marked with parades, piles of trash, I-40 traffic choking the roads, karaoke at the lawn of Tobacco Road, an endless array of donations, and agonizing uncertainty, we are pleased to see that of the 16 businesses outlined in our previous Walking Tour through Hot Springs from August 2022, 13 have already reopened, whether in their original locations or further up the road.

A big hurrah to the many groups of volunteers and nonprofits that stepped in from Day 2 to assist in bringing everything back. Please visit the end of this article for a list of the very generous volunteer organizations that helped us arrive at this point. We could not have done it without you. I am not sure we could say, 8 months after a disaster that leveled buildings and cracked open Spring Street with an unexpected waterfall for a brief moment, that over ¾ of the severely damaged businesses could be back in business already.

This walking tour of Hot Springs, NC shows most of what we have to offer curious travelers, post- Helene. Please refer to this article to compare.

Visit the Hot Springs Resort & Spa

As you drive into town on 25/70 from Asheville, you can enjoy the vista of the French Broad River edge coming back into shape. Shortly after the bridge, turn right at the wrought iron fence to enter the Hot Springs Resort & Spa. At the end of that driveway you come to the white building where you may check in to your previously-scheduled spa soak and have a chance to purchase mementos.
Out of the 14 tubs, 4 survived the ordeal, and since then, 4 more have been constructed. The campground is only available to thru-hikers, on a first-come first- serve basis. Please call ahead to book your tub. It is suggested a week in advance.

A North Carolina Town on the Appalachian Trail

There was minimal damage to the Appalachian Trail during the hurricane. Since then, crews have cleared much of the deadwood that was blocking the path for hikers, and hiker season is unfolding as usual. This roughly 2,200 mile hiking adventure that connects Georgia to Maine, is also a draw for visitors to this beautiful outdoor paradise.

Parking

After visiting the Spa and driving across the railroad tracks, you can turn right on Andrews Ave to find parking, either at the Town of Hot Springs Public Parking or along the street.

Since Helene, there is no more parking along the main drag on Bridge Street, as had been available for years. Thankfully, RHSA funds are allowing the town parking lot to double its capacity by having it paved and striped. In the meantime, depending on construction, visitors and residents alike can still park at the public site. Visitors are asked to watch their steps due to the state of the sidewalks, and take care when walking through town.

Red Bridge

From the public parking lot, if you turn to the left, you will eventually end up at the Red Bridge. This lovely walking path connecting the Magnolia House to the other end of town suffered a misadventure, when the Hiker’s Ridge single-wide sprung loose from its perch next to the Post Office, smashed right into the bridge, splintering in a million pieces. Curious visitors can come down and see where it hit to this day.

Big Pillow Brewing

If you instead turn to the right, you get to our first official stop on the Great Tour of Hot Springs, Big Pillow Brewing. Sustaining relatively little damage compared to its neighbors up the street, “The Pillow” was one of the first businesses to open. So stop by to enjoy a wide array of brews crafted on site, sample great offerings from Grey Eagle Taqueria, and if you’re lucky you might catch a show from our homegrown talent.

Iron Horse Station

Look across Bridge Street and you can see the building that houses the Iron Horse Station restaurant and inn, and the old Artisun. This site has not come back yet, but progress is well underway. In fact, work on rebuilding the old Artisun site and stabilizing the inn began on May 27th, which is great news for everyone who has over the years enjoyed lodging across the railroad tracks and savouring the extensive menu centered around Southern comfort cuisine.  We will visit the new Artisun location later on in this tour.

Vinyl Pies Pizza

The lone, proud business outstanding on that blighted main drag on Bridge Street, Vinyl Pies Pizza is open to serve us pizzas and brew. Kindly step over the cracked pavement and enter the old bank (where you still find an ATM) to enjoy one of their ‘Greatest Hits’ pizzas, such as Good Vibration, Buffalo Soldier, or Start Me Up, in 2 album sizes. For dining in or take away, Vinyl Pies is the place to go.

Vaste Riviere Provisions

Vaste Riviere Provisions is nestled between Vinyl Pies and the original location for Bluff Mountain Outfitters. They are renovating, and have opened an Outpost that we will visit later on in this tour!

Gentry Hardware

Gentry Hardware is next, after crossing Spring Creek bridge. This hardware store lived through the other epic Hot Springs flood in 1977, and just like back then, the family who’s run this trademark Hot Springs hardware store is diligently at work putting it all back. They are a couple months out from being open.

Hazelwood House, Hot Springs Public Library & Vaste Riviere Outpost

Turn left onto Spring Street and if you walk down past Hazelwood House cottage on your right you will encounter the new locations of the Hot Springs Public Library and Vaste Riviere Outpost. Hazelwood House is a gift shop open Fridays and Saturdays that offers nice country touch mementos, crafts, and gifts.

The library is located in the basement of Chestnut Hall, a deconsecrated church that serves as an events space. A mysterious stone hallway out of a Harry Potter movie leads to a tiny door on the left that leads to the main room which contains many resources for locals and visitors alike, one computer workstation, internet access, and, of course, books, all available to residents and visitors.

Vaste Riviere Outpost is the post-flood incarnation of Vaste Riviere Provisions. Situated in Pine Hall, this stately wood-paneled hall is open now both to local entertainment such as Contra Dance on 3rd Fridays and assorted workshops, and to a reduced but equally complete menu of in-dining as well as gourmet grocery items than they did at the original VR location next to Vinyl Pies. VR Outpost is the only place in town currently offering Sunday brunch.

Even though the original Vaste Riviere Provisions/Bugs and Brews on Bridge Street has not yet reopened, they are planning to reopen downtown and keep the new VR Outpost alive as its own entity. Look out for this development unfolding in the next few months.

Hot Springs Welcome Center

To get back on the tour of Hot Springs post-Helene, you walk back down towards Bridge Street and turn left. Your next stop down is the Hot Springs Welcome Center, the pretty green building with the quilt block and the peace pole. This building sustained minimal flood damage and has been fully operational since February. Stop by for free Wi-Fi, comfy chairs and couches, bathrooms, to play on the historic piano that survived the disaster, and to find information on amenities, lodging, and tourist attractions in Madison County from the helpful staff on site.

Bluff Mountain Outfitters

The wooden structure past the Welcome Center is the new Bluff Mountain Outfitters location. Occupying the building that once served as the town library, Bluff Mountain Outfitters is fully operational, with a wide range of retail offerings to AT thru-hikers and outdoors enthusiasts. Bluff is a great place to find a kooky gift or Hot Springs souvenir, as it has been since the 90’s an iconic Hot Springs establishment.

Tobacco Road Burley & Brew

Further along Bridge Street you will pass by the closed Alpine Court Motel, and then arrive at Tobacco Road Burley and Brew, which suffered no flood damage. Here you will find a wide variety of wine and beer, in varied price ranges. As well, a wide array of edibles and other legal cannabis products are available, as well as tobacco products of every kind. Stop by and maybe you’ll get to meet WayCo, the resident bantam rooster, and Hannibal, the sweet but dour Rottweiler who guards the precious merchandise.

Sara Jo’s Station, Smoky Mountain Diner, and Hillbilly Market

The corner of town containing our town gas station, diner, sandwich shop, and Dollar Store survived intact, and did not cease operations for long. This is the group of businesses found at the intersection where 25/70 branches off towards Hwy 209, then continues towards Newport TN and beyond.

Sara Jo’s Station has been purveying gas, snacks, ‘adult beverages’, groceries, and other sundries since COVID, and was busy providing rationed gas just moments after the hurricane when everyone else had run out. Come to fuel your car, your belly, and your spirit with local banter.

Turn right after exiting Sara Jo’s and walk past Dollar General to find good old fashioned grits, pancakes, wraps, and hearty country fare at the Smoky Mountain Diner. Its privileged location has allowed it to serve food to locals, volunteers, and disaster adventurists throughout the disaster.

The Hillbilly Market provides groceries, produce, and hearty sandwiches and sits to the right of Sara Jo’s Station. This small family-owned market with a hometown feel is a good last place to find a hamburger or a bag of apples before trekking up 25/70 to continue our Hot Springs journey. And though the hike up the road seems formidable, it is well worth the trip.

Artisun Gallery

If you keep going up 25/70, meandering up the hill, you get to witness a spectacular aerial view of the town while about to approach the new location of Artisun Gallery and Cafe. Located across the street from the Elementary School, Artisun Emporium continues to delight the community and visitors alike with espresso beverages, ice cream from the best ice cream purveyor in the world (according to the owners), and a nicely curated collection of artifacts, souvenirs, jewelry, and original art for your viewing and purchasing pleasure.

Gallery339

Next door to Artisun you can find Terry Thirion’s studio and art space, Gallery339. This small art gallery with a big city feel showcases fine art from renowned artists in the area, in a variety of mediums and genres. Open Thursday through Saturday from noon to 4, Terry also welcomes curious art lovers who might stop by on off hours when she’s around to show her studio. If you see a car in the parking lot, just knock.

Gallery 339 offers handmade soaps, pottery, abstract art, wood crafts, tasteful lady’s garments, and fine art prints and originals. Since the hurricane, classes and workshops have been on hold, but stay tuned for workshops on such subjects as alla prima oil painting techniques come Autumn or Winter.

Hot Springs Rafting Co.

When you make your way back down 25/70, past the Lion’s Club, Hot Springs Medical Center, and some commercial buildings, you eventually run into a stately white Victorian house with a loud red neon sign that reads Hot Springs Rafting Co. Here is the last leg of our journey through what’s open in Hot Springs.

Hot Springs Rafting is alive and well on the French Broad river this season. If the door is open, just walk in to book your trip, or call the number out front if no one is available on site. After Memorial Day, you should see Rodney and everyone on the Hot Springs Rafting Co. crew milling about waiting to get enough adventurers for a river run. If not, folks interested in a journey down the French Broad river are invited to contact Rodney at the phone number posted to set something up.

Outdoor Arts Market

On any given weekend, right on the lawn of the Hot Springs Rafting Co., you may see a collection of EZ Up tents shielding jewelers, woodworkers, farmers, and vendors of wondrous things from the hot summer sun. Hot Springs is happy to welcome the artisans who have been setting up, in different spots, for many seasons. Since time immemorial. Since the days of rock paintings on Paint Rock. No hurricane or fire storm can deter them, the valiant Tent City Artisans.

Spring Creek Tavern

Keep going. Past the post office, across Spring Street, you arrive at our penultimate destination on the tour, Spring Creek Tavern. Sadly, at this time this Hot Springs staple is just one good electrical and basement refurbishing job away from reopening. Also look out for, in future Hot Springs visits, a steel-frame deck, where great musical shows will happen. This new steel deck is half of their dining room and has enclosure panels that allow it to be utilized in bad weather and year round. The deck is actually a big part of the rebuild so that they can reopen, since this signature part of the architecture was washed away in the flood.

Hunt & Gather Wild Food

A food truck offering vegetarian and meat-lover’s fare showed up sometime after the hurricane, and is here to stay. Offering such delicacies as Wild Boar Skewers and Wild Mushroom stir fry, this wild game and foraging eating establishment serves expertly prepared food Tuesday through Sunday from noon to 8. Please stop by here and chill at the tables on the deck near the Spring Creek Hotel.

This, then, is the final stop on the Hot Springs tour. As can be seen, plenty of work remains to be completed, but even eight months after the disaster there are still plenty of compelling reasons to come to Hot Springs.

So come on by! See the sights. Come celebrate with us! We would love visitors to experience the overall determination of the community and business owners to move forward. Also, there are still volunteer opportunities and opportunities to donate if visitors want to help. Please visit https://hotspringsrecovery.org/ and https://rebuildhotsprings.org/ for more information.

Find updated information about openings and business hours on our Hot Springs, NC General Information and Business Hours page.

Article by Alicia Araya, May 2025

A big hug and debt of gratitude to these volunteer groups: