Things We Love: Hot Springs, North Carolina

As small business owners, it is sometimes hard to get away from the business and just take a few days off to relax. But we’ve arranged a belated Valentine’s getaway for ourselves. We’ll spend a night in Asheville and re-stock our booth at the Antique Tobacco Barn. I’ve been meaning to “get on the bus” for the LaZoom Comedy Tours of Asheville – it looks hilarious!

Then we’re off to our favorite spot in the woods – Hot Springs, North Carolina. We love to stay at the Iron Horse Station Inn which is actually three adjoining historic buildings right on Main Street.

The original inn was built in 1929 while today’s restaurant and tavern was originally built prior to 1890 and was formerly a haberdashery and later a movie theatre. We love the original brick exposed walls, the heart-of-pine flooring and the stamped tin ceilings throughout the cozy Inn and Tavern.

The food is very good and they always have an interesting selection of hand-crafted, local North Carolina beers on draught. I once had a super delicious Oyster Stout there that I just can’t seem to find again – maybe this time!

Our agenda is to relax! As you’ve probably guessed, Hot Springs is famous for the natural hot mineral water springs.

Since 1778, folks have been traveling to the Hot Springs just to soak in these natural mineral baths, which range from 100 to 104 degrees year-round. It was even a popular stopping point for travelers during the American Revolution. The water is pumped into your own private Jacuzzi tub in secluded open cabins with views of Spring Creek and the French Broad River.

Hot Springs is actually one of the few towns actually on the Appalachian Trail in the Blue Ridge Mountains. I recently read Cheryl Strayed’s book "Wild" and was very inspired by her memoir of walking the Pacific Coast Trail. (If you haven’t seen Reese Witherspoon’s performance in the movie version of Wild you should – it is Oscar-nominated!) It has been one of my bucket-list goals to walk at least part of the Camino de Santiago, also known as the Way of St. James, which is a medieval pilgrimage route from Paris, France to the Western coast of Spain. I think that would make a great 50th birthday trip in a few years! So perhaps we’ll also officially start training and do a little hiking on the Appalachian Trail.

There is a spot not too far from town called Max Patch, which is on the Appalachian Trail. It is a very steep hike to an elevation of 4629 feet with 360 degree views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. We last visited three years ago but I’m looking forward to climbing it again. A relaxing soak in the hot springs, gorgeous views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, and my sweetheart by my side – sounds like my kind of belated Valentine’s getaway!

If you're looking for your own getaway inspiration, you'll find some ideas in my recent post on Romantic Victorian Inns or in our other posts on historic getaway destinations from Bed & Breakfast Inns to European castles.

Or tell us all about your favorite get-away spot in the comments!

Aimee owns EuroLuxHome.com with her husband and best friend, Greg. Aimee sources amazing antique furniture, vintage lighting, & high-quality reproduction furniture to help her customers decorate their homes in a unique way. She loves her 8 (you read that right) fuzzy children and is renovating a 1920s bungalow in South Carolina. Find us on Facebook or connect with EuroLux on Google+. Or you can sign up here to receive this blog in your inbox.