Mars Hill & Surrounding Area
You don’t have to drive 40 minutes for a great meal or a cold beer. Mars Hill has a genuinely charming little downtown with real personality. And just 20 minutes down the road, the river town of Marshall has a few gems of its own.
Smoke & Timber
Stunning mountain views and great food — this is my first dinner recommendation every single time. Thu–Sat 5–10pm. Reservations recommended.
The Original Papa Nick’s
A Mars Hill institution. Locals rave about the Greek spaghetti, garlic knots, and calzones. Cozy, unpretentious, genuinely delicious. Open Wed–Sat — plan ahead.
Mars Theatre Brewing Co.
Cold beer, good food, and live music in a beautifully renovated 1942 theater. One of the most unique spots in the area. Wed–Sat evenings, Sunday afternoons.
Taco Fiesta Mexican Kitchen
Really well-regarded Mexican food right in town. Beautiful presentation, real flavor, dog-friendly patio. A great casual option any night of the week.
Little Creek Cafe
The friendliest breakfast and lunch spot north of Asheville. A true neighborhood gem for the whole family. Mon–Thu 7am–4pm, Fri until 8pm, Sat 7am–4pm, Sun 8am–2pm.
High Ridge Bakery
Freshly baked artisan goods — sourdough, focaccia, cinnamon rolls, scones. Small family-owned shop. Wed–Thu 9am–2pm, Fri–Sat 9am–3pm.
Mad Co. Brew House
Located in Historic Downtown Marshall (a scenic 20-minute drive from Whiskey Hills), this locally owned brewery and pizza kitchen has a stunning back deck overlooking the French Broad River. Worth every minute of the drive.
Smokin’ Joe Lasher’s
Authentic Southern BBQ that’s worth the scenic drive. No frills, all flavor — a true local institution.
Hot Springs, NC
A gem of a mountain town where the Appalachian Trail crosses the French Broad River. Every restaurant here is locally owned. The food is excellent. And yes — there are actual natural hot springs. A perfect half-day adventure.
Hot Springs Resort & Spa
Natural mineral hot springs right in town — you can book individual soaking tubs drawn directly from the springs. Genuinely wonderful after a day of hiking. A completely unique experience you won’t find anywhere else in the region. 315 Bridge St, Hot Springs
Smoky Mountain Diner
One of the most beloved breakfast spots in Madison County. AT thru-hikers have fueled up here for decades. The skillets, cinnamon rolls, and blueberry cobbler are legendary. Go early — they sell out. Mon–Sat.
Vinyl Pies
A fun pizza spot with great energy and good local beers. Wed–Thu 11am–8pm, Fri–Sat until 9pm, Sun–Mon 11am–8pm. Closed Tuesdays.
Spring Creek Tavern
Sit alongside Spring Creek with a locally-crafted beer and let the sound of the water do its thing. A quintessentially Hot Springs experience. Wed–Sun.
Vaste Riviere Provisions
European-style provisions, gourmet groceries, local products, and delicious food. Thu 11am–5pm, Fri–Sat 11am–7pm, Sun brunch 10am–4pm.
Hiking for Every Energy Level
You’re in one of the most beautiful corners of the Appalachians. Whether you want a flat riverside stroll or a summit with 360° views, it’s all within reach.
Bailey Mountain Preserve
Right in Mars Hill — a 4.2-mile out-and-back to a beautiful summit with panoramic views. Well-maintained, benches along the way. A great first-day hike for most guests.
Laurel River Trail
A flat, beautiful out-and-back following the Laurel River along an old railroad bed. Minimal elevation — perfect for families, casual walkers, or anyone who just wants to be near moving water.
Spring Creek Nature Trail
A gentle trail along Spring Creek near Hot Springs. Serene and completely accessible. A lovely way to spend a quiet morning in the woods before lunch in town.
Lover’s Leap Loop
A 1.8-mile loop in Hot Springs with breathtaking views of the French Broad River. Rhododendrons line the trail in June. Short enough to do before dinner — beautiful at golden hour.
Sam’s Gap to High Rock
A hilly, shaded section of the AT north of Mars Hill ending at a dramatic overlook. Great payoff without the full commitment of Big Bald. Peaceful and low-traffic.
Craggy Pinnacle Trail
Only 1.4 miles out-and-back, but the summit views are some of the most spectacular in all of Western NC. A perfect option when you want a big payoff without a long hike.
Hickey Fork Falls Trail
A peaceful 2.4-mile out-and-back to a beautiful veiled waterfall in Shelton Laurel backcountry. Cross a one-rail bridge at the start, follow yellow blazes. You may have it entirely to yourself.
Big Bald via Appalachian Trail
A challenging 13-mile round trip to a stunning open bald with 360° views. Save this for your most ambitious day. Bring layers — the summit can be very windy. Absolutely worth it.
Waterfalls Worth Seeking
Truly close waterfalls to Mars Hill are limited — the best ones require a short drive. But Western NC has some of the most beautiful falls in the country, and none of these are more than 75 minutes away.
Hickey Fork Falls
A beautiful 30-foot veiled waterfall at the end of a peaceful trail through Shelton Laurel backcountry. One of Madison County’s best-kept secrets — serene, uncrowded, and genuinely magical.
Douglas Falls
A stunning 70-foot waterfall in Pisgah National Forest’s Big Ivy area. Easy trail following a creek through peaceful woods — a very accessible waterfall experience with a dramatic finish.
Linville Falls
One of the most photographed waterfalls in North Carolina — multiple viewpoints, easy trails, breathtaking scenery in a stunning gorge. Worth the drive for a proper waterfall day.
Brevard — Land of Waterfalls
If waterfalls are your thing, make the drive to Brevard. Looking Glass Falls, Sliding Rock, and dozens more are all within a few miles. A full, gorgeous day in Pisgah National Forest.
Asheville — A City That Earns the Drive
Asheville is one of the most vibrant, creative small cities in the South. The food scene has earned national recognition for decades. Don’t let 35 minutes stop you — plan an evening and make it count.
Cúrate
James Beard Award-winning Spanish tapas — widely considered one of the best restaurants in all of North Carolina. Make a reservation. Order a lot. You won’t regret it.
Chai Pani
James Beard Award-winning Indian street food in a lively, colorful space. The matchstick okra fries and bhel puri are legendary. One of Asheville’s most beloved restaurants.
The Market Place
An Asheville institution — James Beard-nominated and beloved for seasonal, locally sourced cooking. Dinner Tue–Sat. Reservations strongly recommended.
The Blackbird
Vibrant farm-to-table cuisine with Southern roots — creative, seasonal, outstanding. Award-winning wine list and world-class desserts. Open daily for brunch and dinner.
Bargello
Inside the beautiful Kimpton Arras hotel — Mediterranean dinner and one of the best brunches in Asheville. All bread baked in-house. Sophisticated, delicious, worth a reservation.
12 Bones Smokehouse
Obama-famous slow-smoked NC BBQ with incredible scratch-made sides. Casual, no-frills, absolutely worth it. Get there when they open — they sell out. Lunch only, Mon–Fri.
Wicked Weed Brewing
One of Asheville’s most iconic craft breweries — great beers, solid pub food, always-lively atmosphere. A perfect stop to experience Asheville’s legendary beer scene.
French Broad Chocolate Lounge
If you only do one thing in Asheville, make it this. Extraordinary artisan chocolate, desserts, and drinks on Pack Square. We have never, ever skipped it — and neither should you.
- The Biltmore Estate — America’s largest private home is a full-day experience. Book in advance, especially in fall. 1 Lodge St, Asheville.
- River Arts District — Dozens of working artists in converted industrial buildings along the French Broad River. Great for wandering and discovering something unexpected. Get directions.
- Downtown Pack Square & Lexington Ave — Just park and walk. Street musicians, beautiful architecture, great shops. Pack Square, Asheville.
- Asheville’s Brewery Scene — More craft breweries per capita than almost anywhere in the US. Highland Brewing, New Belgium, and Burial Beer are great places to start.
- Asheville Botanical Garden at UNCA — Free admission, gorgeous native plantings, genuinely peaceful. 151 WT Weaver Blvd, Asheville.
Grocery Shopping
Our strong recommendation: stock up before heading up the mountain road. Once you’re settled in at Whiskey Hills, you’ll be very glad you have everything you need.
🛒 Ingles Market — Mars Hill
Sandy’s personal favorite — a well-stocked Southern grocery chain with a great meat counter, fresh produce, bakery, deli, and pharmacy. Everything you need in one stop before heading up. Beer and wine available.
🛒 Publix — Weaverville
A larger option for a wider selection — great produce, deli, and prepared foods. A little further toward Asheville but worth it for a bigger shop. Beer and wine available.
🥃 Weaverville ABC Store — Spirits
North Carolina is a control state — spirits and liquor are only sold at ABC stores, not in grocery stores. Beer and wine are available at Ingles and Publix. For spirits, stop here on your way up. Mon–Sat 9am–9pm.
If you’re coming from Asheville, there’s also a Whole Foods and other options on the way north.
Every Season Has Its Magic
We’ve been to Whiskey Hills in every season — and honestly, they’re all wonderful in different ways.
Wildflowers, waterfalls at full flow, rhododendrons on the AT in June. Fewer crowds and cool, beautiful hiking weather.
Cool mountain temperatures while the rest of the South swelters. Perfect for hiking, river adventures, and long evenings on the deck.
Peak season — and deservedly so. The fall color in these mountains is spectacular. Book early for October; it’s the most beautiful time of year.
Ski season at Hatley Pointe (walkable!), cozy fireplace evenings, snow-covered mountain magic. Bring 4WD and chains.
A Few Practical Tips
- Stock up before heading up the mountain — Ingles in Mars Hill is your best bet. Once you’re settled in you’ll be glad everything is ready to go.
- The mountain road is real — In winter the roads can be icy. Please make sure you have a 4-wheel drive vehicle or chains in case of snow or ice. Take Wolf Ridge Road up the mountain — you’ll see it on the right before where Wolf Provisions used to be. There are two ways up the mountain and this is the less steep way. Download your GPS directions before heading up — cell coverage can be spotty on the way.
- Hatley Pointe Resort is literally walkable — In ski season, ski down and pop back in for lunch. In the off-season, Smoke & Timber still has gorgeous views and great food. Don’t miss it.
- Asheville is 35 minutes — don’t skip it — It’s a beautiful drive and a city that absolutely rewards an evening. Plan dinner, walk downtown, explore the River Arts District.
- Hot Springs is an underrated half-day — 25 minutes, a completely different vibe, excellent food, and natural hot springs to soak in. A perfect mid-week adventure.
- The deck at sunset — seriously, don’t miss it. Pour yourself something, step outside, and take in those mountain views. That’s what Whiskey Hills is all about.