Play Local

Local Things to Do

Welcome to our community.  We love sharing our love of nature, art, music, and entertainment with you.

How about a Romantic Dinner for Two delivered to your cabin, with full service and clean-up?

Treat yourselves to a Massage in your cabin.  We are fortunate to have several local licensed massage therapists available.

Here is a great resource for all kinds of things to do in Madison County.

If you enjoy movement classes such as yoga, dance, and Tai Chi, visit Magictown Studios in Marshall, NC .   Marshall is a wonderful little town to visit and explore.  It is about an hour's drive from us.

Your cabin comes with an outsides grill and stocked kitchen, and we have several wonderful restaurants in our area, just 13 miles away.

Hiking in Our Area

​There are many, many things to do at Dancing Sun Cabins and our surrounding area.

We sit between Max Patch and Garenflo Gap just off the Appalachian Trail.

There is an easy hike from your cabin door up a beautiful mountain creek to several waterfalls on Fall Branch. This is a great hike to "wander and ponder" or just sit by the creek. There are many salamanders and native fish in this creek.  There are  two labyrinths on the property for your to enjoy. 

Waterfall at Dancing Sun Cabins

For a day hike, there are several loops illustrated in the hand drawn map below. These take 2-3 hours each depending on how fast you hike. We would rate these as moderately difficult. Each loop takes you to a bald which offers great views of the mountains.  There are hand drawn and printed maps in each cabin to help you find your way.

There are hand drawn maps of some trails that we created to incorporate loops using the Appalachian Trail. This map will be in your concierge book in your cabin.
You can drive to Max Patch which is a well known Bald that offers 360 degree views of the ridge. There are endless hikes that you can take.
There are many possibilities and Rebecca and Tom are happy to advise you on your trail choices to help you pick the perfect hike.

Max Patch is one of our favorite places to hike

Max Patch is one of our favorite places to hike.

Rising Flour Bakery

Hot Springs Hand Made Market

If you are hear during the warmer months, there is a wonderful market in Hot Springs.  There are occasional markets in the winter.   There are lots of delicious items and great handmade items

Restaurants in Hot Springs

From casual to fine dining, Hot Springs has it all!

Iron Horse Station

Iron Horse Station

Casual fare and drinks in a lovely historic downtown Hot Springs location. Open for lunch and dinner 7 days a week with a tavern, coffeehouse, local artisans, wines, antiques, large screen TV, and FREE Wi-fi. This is a Tom and Rebecca Favorite!

Off of Main Street in Hot Springs
Phone: 828-622-0022
Website

Smoky Mountain Diner

Smokey Mountain Diner

Family Diner with breakfast, lunch, and early dinner. Food is excellent. This is a favorite for locals and hikers. Another favorite of Tom and Rebecca. Open year round, but get there early as they close at 7PM. They have the best biscuits in town!

Hwy 209, Hot Springs
Phone: 828-622-7571
Website

Fishing

Fishing

Vaste Riviere Provision Company

This gourmet restaurant is located on Bridge Street in Hot Springs on the " main drag."
It has a wonderful atmosphere.  They serve food as well as offer a small gourmet grocery with wine and beer selections.

They also provide fishing supplies and fly fishing guide services.

Phone: 828-777-9379

Spring Creek Tavern

Spring Creek Tavern

Great wood fired pizza. Tavern on the Creek. Salads and sandwiches that are reasonable priced.

Main Street in Hot Springs
Phone:828-622-0187
Website

Bluff Mountain Outfitters

Bluff Mountain Outfitters

Website

Located in downtown Hot Springs, the is a great resource for all who love the outdoors.   The store is filled with maps, hiking supplies, fun toys, great bumper stickers, trail food and natural foods and teas.  The folks who work in the there are very helpful and can help to answer any hiking or river trekking questions you might have.

French Broad Adventures

Website

For outdoor adventures of all kinds, ziplining, rafting, or canyoneering, check out French Broad Adventures.   They are located between Hot Springs and Marshall on Hwy 25/70.  They are about a  45 minute drive from us.  Our guests who have visitedwith them have left good reviews.

Picture compliment of Hot Springs Rafting Company

Hot Springs Rafting Company

Website

Locally owned and operated, this rafting company provides guided and unguided trips from downtown Hot Springs.   These folks know the river and can help you plan the perfect trip. This is the closest rafting company to our cabins, only 13 miles away.

Sandy Bottom Trail Rides
Trail Riding is a great way to spend the day

Sandy Bottom Trail Rides

Website

There is nothing like seeing the beautiful mountain meadows from the back of a horse. We have taken rides with this company and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. They have several ride packages. We loved the ride to the ruby mine where you get to collect your own gemstones.

Azule, a place for the arts

Azule

Website
Azule is a non-profit artist's retreat center that is about 15 minutes from our place. Rebecca used to sit on the board, so if you are interested in a tour or a visit, please talk with her. It is a unique architectural art project that has been in creation for over 40 years. It is made primarily with recycled materials.

Biltmore Estate

Biltmore Estate

Website
About an hour drive through the beautiful blue ridge mountains, is the incredibly elegant mansion of the Vanderbilt family. Visitors come from all over the world to view this incredible estate.  The mansion and the grounds are very impressive. 

Great Smoky Mountain National Park

Great Smoky Mountain National Park

Website

This park straddles the ridges of the NC and Tenn Border. It offers endless drives and hiking.  Our favorite place to visit is Big Creek.  If you want a driving adventure, you can access it by traveling dirt roads from our area, over the ridge.  It has one of our favorite swimming holes, midnight hole.

Cataloochee Wildlife Area

Website
Cataloochee is one of our favorite places and offers a beautiful drive through the mountains and the Great Smoky Mountains. Surrounded by peaks of up to 6000 feet, this pristine valley offers one a chance to visit a town just as it was in the 1930's. There is also an incredible herd of Elk. We have seen Elk up close and personal and also bear in this beautiful setting. You can drive through this park but you can also hike to different areas of the old town that are not accessible by road.

Cataloochee ski area

Cataloochee Ski Area

Website
If you want to hit the slopes or try out some tubing, this ski area is located about an hour's drive from us. Of course, if you want to sled or tube, we have great hills right here. We have extra sleds if you want to use them. Rebecca love's to ride her sled all the way from her house to the cabins. It's about 1/2 mile.

Great Smoky Mountain Railroad

Great Smoky Mountain Railroad

Website
Ride a train through the mountains as in days of old. This railway is located in Bryson City. It is a bit of a drive, but worth it. The drive is beautiful and takes you across the mountains. It is a good day trip. You can even combine your train ride with a rafting trip. You ride the train up and raft down. It's lots of fun.