Hendersonville is a charming town tucked into the Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina, where the locals are friendly, the scenery spectacular, and the list of things to do is endless. My husband and I spent three days exploring Hendersonville and the surrounding county and found it full of the best kind of surprises. Here are 13 reasons why we fell in love with the area and why you will, too.
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1. Stroll the Streets of Historic Downtown Hendersonville
The streets of downtown Hendersonville took us back in time with their 19th and early 20th-century architecture that whispered of days gone by. Many of these buildings have been repurposed and now house shops, restaurants, and services.
We strolled Main Street, which meandered instead of running in a straight line. This pleasant treelined eight-block heart of Hendersonville presented us with a host of possibilities that caused us to linger:
- Visit the historic 1905 3-story brick gold-domed courthouse housing the Henderson County Heritage Museum. Admission is free.
- People-watch at one of the restaurants with outdoor seating, or rest your feet at one of the public seating areas along the street.
- Take a selfie with one of the colorful painted bear statues on almost every Main Street corner.
She Buys Travel Tip: Parking along Main Street is metered, but the first half-hour is free. You can also find parking on a side street, or use the parking garage.
2. Immerse Yourself in Nature in DuPont State Recreational Forest
Take a 20-minute drive from downtown Hendersonville to DuPont State Recreational Forest, where an array of exciting outdoor adventures awaits:
- More than 10,000 acres of lush forest encompass hiking, biking, walking, and horseback riding trails. Many of these trails lead to stunning waterfalls.
- Most trails are suitable for mountain biking.
- Fish in one or more of the five lakes within the park, as well as all the wild trout streams, and a designated section of the Little River.
- Picnic in one of The large covered shelters, some of which have stone fireplaces to enhance the experience.
3. Jump-Start Your Heart with the Views from Jump Off Rock
Jump Off Rock is a rocky outcropping located Approximately 15 minutes from Hendersonville’s Main Street where you can:
- Drink in panoramic views of the Blue Ridge and Great Smoky Mountains.
- Capture scenes from four states — North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Tennessee — without moving from your vantage point.
- Photograph spectacular sunsets.
- Hike one or more of three short trails, varying in difficulty from easy to moderately challenging.
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4. Explore the Blue Ridge Craft Trail
The Blue Ridge Craft Trail blankets Western North Carolina with the unique quality works of talented, highly skilled crafters. Three branches of the trail run through Hendersonville, Flat Rock, and into the Blue Ridge Mountain countryside. Following one or more provides opportunities to shop for one-of-a-kind items, as well as to meet some of the artists and perhaps watch them at work in their studios.
Alas, we only had time to visit one stop on the trail, but it was an hour well spent at Art MoB Studios & Marketplace in downtown Hendersonville. The gallery carries a wide selection of one-of-a-kind creations – paintings, pottery, jewelry, and more – in a variety of mediums and prices. Many of the items are surprisingly affordable, considering the creativity and workmanship that goes into crafting them. This gallery is well worth a visit.
5. Raise a Glass or Two on the Cheers Trail
The Cheers Trail is the only craft beverage trail in North Carolina offering experiences at breweries, wineries, cideries, distillers, as well as one meadery. The trail includes well-known producers, including Sierra Nevada Brewing, one of the largest craft breweries in the United States, and Bold Rock Hard Cider, the second-largest craft cider producer in the country
All 7 vineyards comprising the Crest of the Blue Ridge region are included on The Cheers Trail. My husband and I visited two – Souther Williams Vineyard and Marked Tree Vineyard – and we sampled some excellent wines in picturesque surroundings at both.
6. Go Apple Picking on the Henderson County Orchard Trail
Henderson County is the largest apple producer in North Carolina and one of the top 20 apple producers in the United States. The Orchard Trail showcases the natural beauty of the farms that make up the 20 stops, along with the hard work and dedication of the friendly folks who grow the fruit. During harvest season, you’ll find U-pick apple orchards, roadside fruit stands, and a host of other ways to get your fiber, vitamin C, and antioxidants.
We visited Hendersonville shortly before the apple harvest began, so we didn’t do any picking. But we did have the opportunity to spend some time with Tracy Cavagnaro and her brother, Todd Kirms, who own and operate Holt Orchards. You can’t pick apples at Holt, but you can pick bouquets of several varieties of flowers. You can also stock up on baked goods, slushies, 100% apple cider, local honey, Apple Crisp Mix, apple cider, and donuts, along with unique home decor items and gifts at the farm store.
7. Lick, Scoop, and Slurp on the Hendersonville Ice Cream Trail
The Hendersonville Ice Cream Trail is comprised of 13 ice cream shops, parlors, and restaurants scattered throughout Henderson County. Some offer homemade ice cream while others serve up high-quality national brands. All are family-owned, and each has its unique offerings and back story.
My husband and I managed only five of the trail stops, and here’s why we loved every one of them, above and beyond the outstanding ice cream:
- Baabals Ice Cream Shoppe & Family Grille (#1 on the Hendersonville Ice Cream Trail) was once a tearoom, But owner, Roy Dickerson, decorated his restaurant to reflect his life, interests, and experiences. There are many ways to enjoy yourself indoors or on the breezy covered wrap-around porch, including 36 ice cream flavors.
- Celtic Creamery (#2 on the Hendersonville Ice Cream Trail) first beckoned us with the intoxicating aroma of freshly made waffle cones. Then came the fascinating story of how a secret Irish ice cream recipe found its way to North Carolina, and is being successfully produced on-site at this friendly ice cream parlor. Yes, there is a noticeable difference, and it’s better than good.
- Piggy’s Ice Cream (#5 on the Hendersonville Ice Cream Trail) has a southern vibe both in its food and the friendliness of its staff. Located in the same building as Harry’s Grill, the prospect of lunch and a scoop or two is a wish come true.
- Karolina Kremes (#6 on the Hendersonville Ice Cream Trail) is a kiosk located in a strip mall parking lot. Along with an impressive selection of frozen delights, you’ll find burgers, dogs, and wraps, as well as Pup Cups for your pooch. The kids will enjoy the bubble machine, sidewalk chalk, and a hopscotch course.
- The Baker’s Box (#12 on the Hendersonville Ice Cream Trail) is a lively restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating, making it dog-friendly. Along with the excellent freshly prepared food and super-creamy homemade ice cream, the cheerful décor is smile-worthy. The interior features a toy train running between two beams, and an impressive collection of more than 150 colorful assembled LEGO sets giving the restaurant a playful vibe.
8. Take the Kids to Hands On Children’s Museum
Hands On! is a cheerful, noisy children’s museum located on Main Street in Hendersonville. Although it was only my husband and me, we poked our heads in to see what was available for younger children. What we saw were children engaging in educational play and loving it.
The fun, safe Hands-On environment of the museum entices children to participate in a variety of interactive science, math, and other activities designed to educate while entertaining. Museum staff make every effort to provide a comfortable environment for children with autism.
9. Play to Your Heart’s Content at The Appalachian Pinball Museum
The Appalachian Pinball Museum offers a unique experience for pinball enthusiasts, casual gamers, and parents wishing to bond with their kids by letting them show off their gaming skills. So if it’s a rainy day when you want to have some indoor fun, or you want to try something new, here’s why this museum will be a delightful surprise:
- The Appalachian Pinball Museum has approximately 80 vintage and new games, most of which are available to play.
- You can play all day for a flat fee.
- You will receive an armband enabling you to leave and return on the same day.
- Food and beverages are available.
- It’s family-friendly.
- Most of the facility is wheelchair accessible.
10. Stop in at Mast General Store
Mast General Store is a North Carolina icon housed in the two-story 1905 Syndicate Building on Main Street in Hendersonville. This eclectic store is about as general as it gets, carrying a variety of clothing, practical outdoor gear, whimsical gifts, sometimes kitschy home decor, and brimming barrels of assorted candy.
If you’re not on a shopping mission, you’ll still enjoy browsing the merchandise. And you might even find that special something you’ve always wanted.
11. Enjoy Fantastic Food
Farm-to-table dining is a natural concept for Western North Carolina, due in large part to the bounty of fresh seasonal ingredients available year-round. We’ve enjoyed everything from fine dining to quick casual, and wouldn’t hesitate to return for seconds. Here are recommendations:
- McFarlan Bakery is an old-fashioned bakeshop that has been satisfying Hendersonville’s collective sweet tooth since 1930. Try the cinnamon buns and the crispy apple fritters.
- Postero is a fine dining restaurant housed in a former downtown bank building. Try the Crunchy Fried Green Tomatoes with homemade pimento cheese and the Key Lime Creme Brulee.
- Shine is an excellent choice for a romantic dinner for two. It is the only restaurant in Hendersonville with a rooftop bar. Try the creamy Shrimp and Grits. and the homemade ginger beer.
You can find a complete list of restaurants on the Visit Hendersonville website.
12. Discover Your Home Away from Home
Hendersonville and Henderson County offer a variety of accommodations. Whether you’re looking for a hotel, cottage, or inn, you’ll find plenty of options to fit your needs and budget.
My husband and I stayed just outside of downtown Hendersonville in a fully equipped cabin, one of several available at Brightwaters Vacation Rentals. The cabin was cozy, spotlessly clean, and had a comfortable bed and an ensuite bathroom. The wooded Brightwaters property was quiet, close to Hendersonville and most of the county’s main attractions, with some pet-friendly cabins.
An excellent bed-and-breakfast option is The Henderson, offering comfortable rooms, cheerful common areas, and a sumptuous breakfast. Character oozes out of every corner of this renovated 1921 inn. Located in the heart of downtown Hendersonville, The Henderson also has an excellent restaurant.
13. Find Reasons to Return
A three-day visit allows only enough time to scratch the surface of the number of attributes, attractions, and activities available in Hendersonville and Henderson County. Here are a few experiences we missed and plan to explore on our next visit:
- The Mineral and Lapidary Museum of Henderson County displays giant geodes, a Tyrannosaurus skull, minerals, and dinosaur eggs to fascinate visitors of all ages. Admission is free.
- The annual North Carolina Apple Festival is a four-day celebration of the state’s apple bounty. The festival takes place in Hendersonville on the last weekend in August.
- The Western North Carolina Air Museum is a family-friendly attraction located near the general aviation Hendersonville Airport. An impressive collection of restored vintage aircraft is on display, and visitors can explore and even climb into historic planes. Admission and parking are free.
She Buys Travel Tip: The closest airport is Asheville Regional Airport. Then it’s a 22-mile scenic drive along Interstate 26 to Hendersonville. The nearest large airport is Charlotte Douglas International Airport approximately 2 hours by car east of Hendersonville.
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