Author Thomas Wolfe’s first novel was Look Homeward, Angel. In the book there are constant references to an angel statue carved from Italian marble. This is the angel Wolfe placed in American literature. Thomas Wolfe’s father, W.O. Wolfe, sold the statue to the Johnson family to mark the family plot in Oakdale Cemetery. Oakdale Cemetery is located on Hwy. 64 W., just a short distance from downtown. A wrought iron fence protects the statue, and there is a historical marker located on Highway 64 West.
Appalachian Ridge Artisan Cidery features artisan hard cider, fresh ciders, apple brandy and apple products. The tasting room is housed in a rustic, restored barn, situated in the middle of a 29-acre apple orchard. The scenic back deck overlooks the orchard.
Apple Quest is a permanent scavenger hunt created by Henderson County Girl Scout Troop 1886. Apple Quest is a fun free activity for families to explore downtown year-round. Stop by the Visitor Center, 201 S. Main St, to pick-up a brochure.
The first steam engine puffed up the Saluda Grade to the Hendersonville Depot in 1879. The steam engine needed a “help engine” attached to the rear of the train at Melrose for additional power to push the train up the Saluda Mountain Grade, the steepest main-line standard gauge railroad in the United States. The Carolina Special ran between Charleston, South Carolina and Cincinnati, Ohio from 1911 until 1968. The restored Depot houses a HO scale railroad layout that is highly detailed and is prototypical of Hendersonville, Saluda, Asheville, and Western North Carolina. The Deport features historical artifacts, a Southern Railway cabooser and a special children’s exhibit where they can operate a Thomas the Tank train in a scenic layout. See the 10ft x 80 ft Garden “G” scale layout.
The Aquarium & Shark Lab by Team ECCO is the only public aquarium in Western North Carolina. It is recognized as the first inland aquarium in North Carolina.
The Aquarium houses 20+ displays of tropical fish, eels, stingrays, sea horses, turtles, a touch tank, a 2,000-gallon shark study tank with bamboo sharks and more!
Check web site for hours, they vary by season
Admission charged
Educational opportunities for schools are available
The ArtScape Banners are works of art decorating the light posts of the Downtown area. The artwork is selected annually through a jury process and then reproduced on banners. Artscape banners can be found on Hendersonville’s Main Street, Seventh Avenue and side streets. The public art display offers a creative and unique twist on an outdoor gallery experience. Stop by the Visitor Center at 201 South Main Street to pick up an Artscape brochure or find it online here.
Bearfootin’ Public Art Walk is a whimsical, playful public art display, with the much-loved Bearfootin’ bears of Downtown Hendersonville. For this ‘Bear Hunt,’ follow the map to locate each of the decorated bears along the sidewalks of Main Street from May – October, when they are auctioned off. Each year, a new set of bears line the street.
The Bearfootin’ program is supported by area businesses and individuals, and part of the proceeds of each bear benefits an area non-profit organization. The remainder of the proceeds go back into supporting the Bearfootin’ program. Bearfootin brochures are available at the Visitor Center, located at 201 South Main Street. Click to download the 2020 Bearfootin’ brochure.
Biltmore is the largest privately owned home in America situated on 8,000 acres. It was built by George Vanderbilt and was completed in 1895. Vanderbilt’s 250-room mansion is modeled after a French château. The Estate encompasses the house, landscaped gardens, walking trails, woodlands, restaurants, shops, inn, and an award-winning winery. Located 22 miles north of Hendersonville.
Reservations required to tour the house.
Reservations may be made online.
Check web site for hours.
Admission charged.
Outdoor Adventure Center – hiking, biking carriage rides, horse back riding, fly-fishing, river floats, sporting clays and more. Call for details and reservations.
Blue Ghost Brewing Company is located near the Asheville Airport. It offers a variety of craft beers such as: IPA, a pale ale, a blonde and a stout. The Brewery is family friendly and is well stocked with games and toys for youngsters. Blue Ghost also serves soft drinks and regularly has live music.
The best of traditional and contemporary craft is easy to find along the Blue Ridge Craft Trails in Henderson County.
Three distinct trails guide visitors through the towns of Hendersonville and Flat Rock, and into the Blue Ridge Mountain countryside, showcasing nationally-renowned artists in their studios and galleries.
The Blue Ridge National Heritage Area debuted the trails earlier this year and has partnered with Henderson County Tourism to celebrate these trails all year long. To find a brochure with maps, trails and more information, stop by the Visitor Center or find it online here.
The craft sites on the Henderson County trail allow visitors to follow entire trails, or pick and choose from among various artists. Along the way, Hendersonville’s pedestrian-friendly downtown, numerous outdoor activities and abundance of craft beverages on the Cheers! Trail add to the experience.
Below are links to each Blue Ridge Crafts Trail page on the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area website. Each page also contains a handy tool for creating customized itineraries:
Wandering Flat Rock – known as the “little Charleston of the mountains,” the village of Flat Rock has inspired artists for decades, including Pulitzer Prize winning poet Carl Sandburg.
The Heart of Hendersonville – enjoy the graceful ambiance of sidewalk shops, restaurants, and galleries sitting side-by-side, doors flung open in good weather.
Renowned craft curator Anna Fariello worked to identify the best of the best for the Blue Ridge Craft Trails. The artists are excited to be part of this new initiative that encourages visitors to discover a wide variety of arts and crafts.
(One important note: Be sure to review the info about each studio before visiting – a few studios are by appointment only. Links and details about each gallery and studio are at the bottom of this page.)
A treasure trove of craftspeople is the backbone of the Blue Ridge Craft Trails. Visiting these artisans is the perfect complement to your Hendersonville vacations, which may also include anything from visiting wineries, breweries and cideries on the Cheers! Trail to enjoying scenic tours and hikes and so much more! Find information on lodging in Henderson County, including cabins, cottages and vacation rentals by heading here.
Here’s the full list of artists/galleries featured on each Craft Trail:
Flat Rock
Gallery at Flat Rock – A noted gallery of contemporary art and crafts curated from regionally and nationally acclaimed artists working in all mediums.
Firefly Craft Gallery – A gallery of all-American craft, from hand-blown glass, pottery, ceramics, wood artwork and woodcarving to wearable fiber art, fine furniture and stained glass.
Melinda Lawton’s Sweet Magnolia Gallery – Timeless jewelry fashions made by Lawton, a designer for film and television for almost 30 years.By appointment only.
Heart of Hendersonville
Art MoB Studios and Marketplace – A gallery with 4,000 square feet of fine art and fine craft, including five working artist studios.
Art on 4th – Owner Heidi Mayfield has created a place where art, art classes, music and creative energies come together.
Woodlands Gallery – Resembling the curated home of a private collector, this gallery is committed to regionally made, high-quality, nature-inspired art.
A Walk in the Woods – This gallery gives the sense of being in a forest, with tree bark and moss lining the walls, alongside a wide range of eclectic works, many of them wearable.
Carolina Mountain Artist Guild – This non-profit gallery sells handcrafted items and is operated by local, juried artists, so there is always an artist on duty while the shop is open.
Henderson County Outskirts
Meghan Bernard Pottery – Meghan creates wheel-thrown porcelain that is carved and inlaid with colorful, whimsical scenes depicting plants and animals seen in her gardens and neighborhood. By appointment only.
Lorraine Cathey Fiberworks – Lorraine uses needle felting and wet felting to create colorful felted landscapes of natural scenes that are reminiscent of rich paintings. By appointment only.
Dian Magie Pottery – Dian crafts pottery using a sgrafitto method to create decorative images of the many native plants on her property. By appointment only.
Leftwich Pottery – Potter and author Rodney Leftwich creates a wide selection of high-fired durable folk and art pottery inspired by wildlife, waterfalls, farms and mountain folk. By appointment only.
The Blue Ridge Parkway follows the mountain ridges from Shenandoah National Park in Virginia to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina and Tennessee. The Parkway’s 469 toll-free miles combines natural beauty, mountain forests, wildlife, wildflowers and magnificent views. Located 15 miles north of Hendersonville.
Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center features an award-winning film, “The Blue Ridge Parkway—America’s Favorite Journey,” the exhibits highlight nature and the cultural heritage of the area, offers information services, and a gift shop. Located at Parkway milepost 384, about one mile south of the US 70 intersection (or one mile north of the US 74-A intersection).
The small town of Brevard offers more than 250 scenic waterfalls. Brevard is located between Pisgah National Forest and Gorges State Park, making this area popular for outdoor enthusiasts. One of the most popular waterfalls to access is the 60-foot Looking Glass Falls in Pisgah National Forest, located along side of Highway 276.
Transylvania county is home to a rare white squirrel population, that is said to be descended from an escaped carnival animal in 1949. They share a similar coloration with small dark patches on their heads and shoulders, but are otherwise white. The animals are not albino, which are totally free of pigmentation, the squirrels are considered an offshoot of the Eastern Gray Squirrel.
Brevard Music Center provides intensive study for high school, college, and pre-professional musicians, ages 14 and older, and offers a full range of concerts and operas with renowned artists. Located 18 miles west of Hendersonville.
Bullington Gardens is a 12-acre, nonprofit horticultural education center offering programs, activities and workshops.The gardens and grounds include a therapy garden, shade garden, butterfly garden, perennial borders, native woodland garden, pumpkin patch and herb garden. The grounds also include a half-mile nature trail through the wooded area of the gardens.
Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site is where Carl Sandburg, American poet, historian, author, and lecturer spent the final 22 years of his long and productive life at his estate, Connemara. The home, originally built in 1838, displays the Sandburg’s furnishing as they lived at Connemara from 1945-1968, including Carl Sandburg’s collection of 12,000 books. Tour the home for a small fee, and learn about Sandburg’s life as a writer, journalist, folk singer, social activist and Pulitzer Prize-winning poet and biographer. Visit the barn and descendants of Mrs. Sandburg’s champion dairy goat herd and hike over five miles of trails. Access to trails, grounds, barns and public areas is free.
Open year-round. closed Thanksgiving, Christmas & New Year’s Day
Home of the Eastern Band of the Cherokee, Cherokee Indian Reservation in Cherokee, North Carolina, where Cherokee Indians have lived for centuries, is located on the border of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The 56,000 acre Reservation is still linked to ancient customs, culture, history, and traditions. Witness the history of the Cherokee at the outdoor drama, “Unto These Hills,” the Museum of the Cherokee Indian, and the Oconaluftee Indian Village. Harrah’s Cherokee Casino offers non-stop entertainment.
Flume Mining on the banks of the Rocky Broad River in historic Chimney Rock Village. Two locations to choose from, both located on Main Street in Chimney Rock. Open year-round, 7 days per week.
The Cradle of Forestry in America is a 6,500-acre Historic Site within the Pisgah National Forest, set aside by Congress to commemorate the beginning of forestry conservation in the United States. Outdoor activities include two guided trails, which lead back in time to seven historical buildings, including a 1915 Climax locomotive and an old sawmill.
Reservations or Fees
Nature Trails
Dog Parks
Fishing
Hiking
Picnic Area
You can call the Cradle of Forestry during their normal business hours at 828-877-3130, or when they are closed, please call the Pisgah Ranger Station at 828-877-3265.
Henderson County is home to North Carolina’s newest wine county, located in the lower elevations of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Three wineries produce classic wines from European vinifera grapes and French-American hybrid grapes, as well as sweeter wines crafted from grapes native to North Carolina. Go to the Crest of the Blue Ridge web site for more information and links to each vineyard.
D9 Brewing Company has invested in the scientific exploration of the natural world to produce the highest quality and unquestionably original, crafted ales.
D9 Brewing is quickly becoming the leading producer of mixed wild fermented beer in the southeastern United States.
Dry Falls Brewing Company’s taproom serves beers that are brewed in house, which include a variety of traditional craft beer styles. Open 7 days per week. Often has a food truck on-site. The brewery is pet friendly. Regularly has live music and special events.
DuPont State Recreational Forest encompasses 10,268 acres in Henderson and Transylvania counties that include waterfalls and 80 miles of roads and trails wandering through mountainous terrain. Open to the public for hiking, mountain biking, swimming, and horseback riding. Fishing is allowed with a valid NC fishing license. Hunting is by special permit only. Many scenes from the 2012 hit movie, The Hunger Games and the 1992 film, The Last of the Mohicans were shot in DuPont State Recreational Forest. The Hunger Games were filmed entirely in North Carolina. Download the Hunger Games film locations.
Hooker Falls on Little River has become a popular swimming hole, dropping off a 13-foot high natural ledge before flowing into Cascade Lake.
The Flat Rock Playhouse has presented hundreds of productions for over eighty years. The Playhouse offers quality entertainment rarely found so far from Broadway. The Vagabond Players perform a variety of hits each year from comedy, American classics, musicals, farces and whodunits. The Playhouse features professional actors from across the country in major productions such as Mamma Mia, West Side Story, South Pacific and more. The Playhouse is open mid-April through mid-October, plus a holiday production, presenting matinees and evening performances Wednesday through Sunday.
The Folk Art Center showcases the finest in traditional and contemporary crafts of the Southern Appalachians. The Folk Art Center is open daily except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. Located on the Blue Ridge Parkway at Milepost #382.
Offers hiking and horseback riding trails, bird walks, nature center, pond with boardwalk and picnic area. 320-acre nature preserve. Equestrian events, concerts and more throughout the year. Free and open to the public.
Grandfather Mountain is one of the most environmentally significant mountains in the world. It features wildlife environmental habitats, interpretive nature museum, hiking trails and picnic areas. For over 100 years Grandfather Mountain has been a wildlife sanctuary and nature preserve, with an elevation 5,964 feet. Open all year.
Great Smoky Mountain National Park covers seven counties in North Carolina, with the northern fringe of the Smokies in Tennessee. The 520,000-acre park is one of the largest wilderness areas in the Eastern United States, covering more than 88 square miles. The park contains some of the highest peaks in the East, with elevations in excess of 6,000 feet. Activities include hiking, horseback riding, campgrounds, nature trails, trout fishing and several visitor centers.
Guidon Brewing Co. is an American/German ex-military family-owned brewery and taproom, offering beer and Gemütlichkeit. Often has live music and special events, and has a permanent food truck on-site. Open Tuesday – Sunday.
Hands On! Children’s Museum is a children’s museum located on Main Street in Hendersonville – it’s the place where LEARNING comes into PLAY. Hands On! provides educational exhibits that stimulate the imagination and motivate learning. It is an affordable, educational and fun way to spend the day with your children, grandchildren, and students ages 1 – 10. Hands On! is open Tuesday – Saturday from 10:00am – 5:00pm. Admission charged.
Harrah’s Cherokee Casino is owned by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and operated by Caesars Entertainment Corporation. Harrah’s Cherokee Casino is the only casino in the state of North Carolina. The Casino features non-stop casino action including: traditional games in video format, live table games like Blackjack, Roulette & Craps, live entertainment and restaurants.
Henderson County Genealogical & Historical Society has an extensive library on history and genealogy of North and South Carolina and surrounding states. Holdings include Henderson County deeds, estate records, early newspapers, early court minutes, maps, church and school histories, photographs, Bible records and family histories. Volunteers are available to assist researchers.
Henderson County Heritage Museum is housed in the Historic Henderson County Courthouse on Main Street.
It offers public displays, artifacts, lectures, collections, archives, libraries, demonstrations, a replica of a turn of the century county store and other similar exhibitions relating to the history, culture, heritage of Henderson County.
The museum celebrates veterans of all wars, and has an Civil War Display.
Open Wednesday-Saturday from 10:00am – 5:00pm & Sunday from 1:00 – 5:00pm
The Henderson County Public Library system is among the top mid-size county libraries in North Carolina. There are 6 branch libraries located throughout Henderson County.
The Library offers a wonderful selection of reading materials, story time, events, classes and programs.
Computer use is available free for library card holders (patrons must have their library card number). Guests may purchase a computer use pass.
The Kaplan Auditorium is located in the Main Library on Washington Street.
The Hendersonville Community Theatre, Inc. is a non-profit, non-professional, volunteer based organization of theater-lovers, was formed in 1966. The theater was known as the Hendersonville Little Theatre for more than 50 years. The season runs from May through early-November and special events during the off-season. Tickets are available for a single show or season tickets.
Historic Downtown Hendersonville was entered into the National Register of Historic Places in March of 1988. The serpentine street features planter boxes brimming with, benches, seasonal flowers and trees. Downtown boasts a wide array of shopping, antique stores, galleries, museums, an aquarium and a variety of restaurants. Downtown offers free Wi-Fi for everyone to enjoy. Downtown hosts many activities including the NC Apple Festival held during Labor Day weekend, as well as, art shows, an antique show, car shows, and parades throughout the year. For additional information call the Main Street Program.
The Cultural Center of Historic Flat Rock is a museum and cultural center located in the “Old Flat Rock Post Office” building, operated by Historic Flat Rock, Inc. The Center houses Flat Rock artifacts and original furniture from the post office as well as antique furniture manufactured in Flat Rock. It is operated by Historic Flat Rock, Inc.
Open on Saturdays from 11 am – 3 pm, May – September
Call to schedule an appointment on other days
Closed October – April
Meeting space for lectures, book groups and discussions
Historic Henderson County Courthouse (1905) was designed by Richard Sharp Smith, the “resident architect” of Biltmore House. The focal point of the Courthouse is atop of the copper dome, a 6-foot statue of “Lady Justice.” The statue is the Greek goddess Themis (“The Greek Goddess of Divine Justice and Law”) who is without a blindfold, holding a sword in her right hand and scales in her left. It is believed to be only one of only three in the United States without a blindfold, statues of Themis/Justice are blindfolded to typify that Justice should be impartial. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Historic Johnson Farm is a fine example of a late 19th and early 20th-century farm & tourist retreat. The entire structure was handmade from bricks that were fired on-site from French Broad River mud. Over the years many outbuildings were constructed, including a tool shed/blacksmith shop, barn, boarding house, and a cottage. The property offers historic home tours, nature trails, picnic tables, animals, and 10 historic structures on 15 acres filled with trees in a natural setting. Guided tours of the historic house are available Monday-Friday, call for times.
The Heritage Weavers and Fiber Artists have transformed the boarding house into a fiber arts center, which includes weaving, rug hooking, bobbin lace, spinning, or knitting.
Entire district is included in the National Register of Historic Places Flat Rock, NC 28731
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Historic Village of Flat Rock began when affluent Charlestonians, Europeans and prominent plantation owners of the South’s low country built large summer estates in the English manner. The families of South Carolina’s Low Country came to Flat Rock to escape the sweltering heat and the epidemic of yellow fever and malaria. South Carolina’s Low Country gentry affectionately called Flat Rock The Little Charleston of the Mountains. The entire district of Flat Rock is included in the National Register of Historic Places. Historic Flat Rock is home to several attractions such as: The Flat Rock Playhouse, State Theatre of NC; the Carl Sandburg Home NHS; and St. John in the Wilderness Episcopal Church as well as many unique specialty shops, restaurants, and enterprises. The buildings along Greenville Highway are painted in lively pastel colors, very similar to the famous Rainbow Row in downtown Charleston. Many of Flat Rock’s attractions may be found along Greenville Highway (Hwy. 225), approximately 3 miles from Downtown Hendersonville.
Holmes Educational State Forest offers a series of well-marked trails, firefighting equipment, accented by exhibits and displays depicting ecology of a managed forest. Picnic sites with tables and a spacious picnic shelter (with grills) are also available. Located about 8 1/2 miles from downtown Hendersonville.
HVL Pedal & Brews is a 14-person pedal powered (electric motor assisted) vehicle that accommodates 10 Peddlers and 4 Non-Peddlers, as well as your conductor, who navigates downtown Hendersonville with a healthy dose of humor, style and entertainment.
Tour options include tours between the downtown breweries, non-alcoholic history tours, and private bookings.
Offers 23 varieties of apples available in their U-Pick orchards in addition to peaches, blueberries, pumpkins and Christmas Trees.
Features apple cider donuts, play area, apple butters, garden salsas, hand made soaps and wagon rides.
Flat Rock Cider Co. Taproom at Jeter Mountain Farms – serves six hard ciders on tap, including a special Jeter Mountain Farm original blend, available only at the Jeter Mountain Farm Taproom.
Receive a free souvenir pint glass when you participate in a hard cider tasting or purchase a 6-pack to enjoy at home.
Open Seasonally, July-October (Check JeterMountain.com for exact open dates).
Jump Off Rock is a scenic overlook, which provides a panoramic view of rolling pastures, the Blue Ridge and Pisgah mountain ranges. Jump Off Rock also holds an Indian legend that has been passed down for many, many years. Over 300 years ago a young Cherokee Indian maiden received word that her young Indian Chief had been killed in battle, so she climbed to the edge of the rock and jumped off. Indian legend has it that on moonlit nights you can see the ghost of the maiden on Jump Off Rock. Jump Off is located about 5 miles from downtown at the end of Laurel Park Hwy. The park is open daily, sunrise to sunset. No admission charge.
There are three hiking trials at Jump Off Rock, varying in length and difficulty. Blue Trail – easy trail, takes about 8 minutes, Yellow Trail – moderate trail, takes around 15 minutes & Red Trail – is the most difficult and the longest. See the sign at the entrance to the walkway leading to Jump Off Rock.
The Lake Lure 27 miles of shoreline was selected by National Geographic as one of the Ten Most Spectacular man-made lakes in the World. The lake offers a marina, boat rentals & tours and a sandy beach. Located 14 miles east of Hendersonville
The Flowering Bridge was established when the 1925 Rocky Broad bridge on US 64/US 74-A/NC Hwy 9 was closed to traffic in 2011, after a new one was constructed. It is a flowering pedestrian bridge that crosses the Rocky Broad River with walkways at both ends of the bridge. The Town of Lake Lure took over the bridge to preserve this historic landmark. The scenery from the bridge is a breathtaking view of Chimney Rock and the Blue Ridge Mountains surrounding the Hickory Nut Gorge area.
Lake Powhatan offers a sandy beach, swimming, fishing, hiking, mountain biking, picnic area, campground, trails, and educational programs. Lake Powhatan is located just minutes from Asheville.
Lakeview Putt and Play featues18 holes of challenging mini golf overlooking Lake Julian with cutting edge Virtual Reality booths offering over 30 games or experiences.
A 25,000 sq. ft. indoor sports and family entertainment facility that has, trampoline courts, dodge ball, basketball, an arcade, a climbing wall, foam pits, a ninja course, toddler time and much more!
Liquid Logic makes and sells performance kayaks for all types of paddlers. Guided tours of the Fletcher, NC factory are available for free on the third Thursday of each month at 2pm, but reservations are required.
located on the corner of 4th and Main Street Hendersonville, NC
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The McClintock Chime Clock is located on the Old State Trust Co. building, now the Henderson County Genealogical & Historical Society, located on the corner of Main Street and 4th Avenue East. This distinctive landmark was made by the O.B. McClintock Co. of Minneapolis, dating back to 1927. The clock has been restored several times over the years, most recently in 1993 and again in 2013. The clock’s original chimes were tubes that were removed and replaced by an electronic quartz mechanism to provide a Westminster chime to strike on the hour.
The Mineral & Lapidary Museum features the natural beauty of minerals, gems, fossils and artifacts found in North Carolina, in the United States and around the world. Displays include North Carolina minerals, dinosaur egg cluster, English minerals, fluorescent minerals, geodes, petrified wood & large logs, coral, artfully crafted jewelry, gem stones, Cullinan Diamond replicas and a Henderson County Meteorite, on loan from the Smithsonian, are featured displays. Gift shop is open daily. Geode cracking. Free admission!
Open Monday-Friday 1pm-5pm and Saturday 10am-5pm (Winter Hours: open Wednesday – Saturday).
Admission is free.
Located on the lower level of the Henderson County Genealogical & Historical Society building.
Mount Mitchell State Park is the highest point East of the Mississippi at 6,684 feet offering breathtaking views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Northeast of Asheville off Blue Ridge Parkway on NC 128
North Carolina Arboretum is a member of the University of North Carolina System and spans 434 acres. The Arboretum offers curated gardens, horticultural exhibits, education center, hiking, biking, indoor exhibits, educational events and nature trails are a few of the attractions available to the public. Located 15 miles north of Hendersonville.
Oklawaha Brewing Company, formerly known as Sanctuary Brewing Co., is a nano brewery and taproom dedicated to making small batch, high quality artisanal ales. The Brewery features classic styles like hop-forward IPAs, fruited sours and classic German styles. Friendly leashed pets are welcome. Regularly has live music, trivia nights and much more.
The Oklawaha Greenway stretches 3.25 miles, connecting Jackson Park, Patton Park, Berkley Park, Sullivan Park & William H. King Memorial Park. It is a relatively flat paved trail and is handicap accessible. The Greenway is a 10-foot-wide asphalt path for cyclists and pedestrians. Mileage signs have been installed every quarter of a mile along the trail to help trail users know how far they have traveled and how much farther it is to their destination. Benches, water fountains, and three bicycle FixIt Stations are available along the trail. Blue light phones have been installed along the greenway using grant money from the state Department of Transportation.
Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education is located in Pisgah National Forest. The Center’s indoor and outdoor attractions include: aquariums, hands-on exhibits, garden display, special programs, viewing and feeding of the hatchery trout. Free admission.
Open year-round: December – March: Open Monday – Friday 8 am – 4:45 pm April – November: Open Monday – Saturday 8 am – 4:45 pm
The Pisgah National Forest’s 501,691 acres stretches across the eastern edge of Western North Carolina’s mountains. he closest section to Hendersonville is the Pisgah Ranger District, which includes attractions such as Looking Glass Falls, Sliding Rock, Pisgah Forest State Fish Hatchery, Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education, The Cradle of Forestry and the North Mills River Recreational Area.
Point Lookout Vineyards is situated at 3,000-feet above sea level, with a panoramic views of mountains, vineyards and farmland. The ten wines offered include six reds and four whites. The reds are Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Rosé, Petit Verdot, Cliffield (a red blend), and Javine, a coffee and chocolate infused red that is a nod to the owner’s Jackson’s Java coffee shops in Charlotte. Plus, enjoy their great selection of mead!
The tasting room includes Jackson’s espresso and coffee paired with food items. The facility includes a 4,000-square-foot open-air pavilion that serves as both a tasting room and event space. Point Lookout has been nationally recognized for their award winning wines.
Open 7 days per week. Regularly has live music, special events and food trucks.
Polk County (Saluda, Tryon and Columbus) quiet back roads offer a unique glimpse of life – scenic overlooks, crafts and antique shopping, nature adventures, equestrian events and pure relaxation.
A 10-acre park in Laurel Park with almost a mile of walking paths, fitness stations, a catch-and-release fishing pond, picnic area with charcoal grill, and more.
Nature Trails
Fishing (catch-and-release for children under age 12)
The Riveter Climbing Gym boasts over 16,000 sq ft of climbing terrain.
The dedicated kids climbing cove offers 2 massive geometrix climbing routes, 11 rope stations, and a boulder area that tops out to the world’s coolest slide.
State-of-the-art hangboard and pulley systems to support recreation and competitive fitness.
Covered area with terrain for all types of bikes and skill levels.
The outdoor riding area offers a wide range features of a hillside.
Bike rentals are available. See pricing for more information.
Saint Paul Mountain Vineyard is located on 10 acres, with panoramic views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The Vineyard grows 14 varieties of wine-grapes. The winery’s tasting room serves Reisling blends, red Cabernets and Chardonnays, each with dry and semi-sweet versions.
Open 7 days per week. Regularly has live music and special events.
Saluda’s 1903 train station houses a heritage museum highlighting the vital role of the railroad in this mountain town’s history.
Exhibits include a diorama of the famous Saluda Grade – the steepest mainline standard gauge railroad grade in the United States – and a diorama depicting Saluda’s various railroading eras.
Sideways Brewery offers an ever-changing menu of small batch artisan ales using seasonal specialty ingredients that are grown on the farm. The tasting room offers no taps, instead pouring directly from our bottles for guided tastings and real ale by the glass or purchase bottles to be enjoyed on the property or taken home. They also hand craft hard jun kombucha and serve locally made soda and wines. Guests may walk the farm to see beer ingredients growing, view farm animals grazing or pick their own flowers.
Open Friday, Saturday & Sunday.
A beautiful setting for marriage proposals, elopements, intimate weddings or private farm-to-table dinners and events.
Amenities:
Beer tastings
Outdoor seating
Food trucks on site Friday-Sunday – check website or social media for details
Sierra Nevada Brewing Company has set the standard for artisan brewers worldwide as a winner of numerous awards for a wide variety of beers and ales, including the legendary Pale Ale. Sierra Nevada’s east coast brewing, bottling and distribution operation in Mills River is located 10 miles from downtown Hendersonville, south of Asheville. The Taproom offers 20 beers on tap. The restaurant serves farm-to-table dishes that are mainly supplied locally. Located in Henderson County on approximately 90 acres along the French Broad River.
Free, guided tours of the brewery are offered 7days a week, reservations must be booked online (tours fill up quickly)
Self-guided tours are also available (no reservations required)
Taproom and Restaurant – open 7 days a week
Regularly has live music
Sierra Nevada is temporarily closed to the public, due to Covid-19. Curb-side to-go orders are available.
Sky Zone is fun for the whole family, with open trampolines, foam pits, climbing walls, jousting, dodgeball, a ninja warrior course, pace for birthday parties, trampoline workout classes, special family and glow in the dark nights, and a toddler zone for the littles.
Southern Appalachian Brewery is a local micro brewery located, one block from downtown Hendersonville. The tasting room is family and dog friendly serving beer, wine, soda and bottled water for non-drinkers and the under 21′s. They offer craft brewed ales including: Copperhead Amber, Black Bear Stout, and an IPA s well as a variety of seasonal, barrel-aged, and Belgian inspired wild and sour ales. The brewery hosts nightly live music, monthly art shows, special events and often has a food truck on-site.
St. John in the Wilderness Episcopal Church is listed on the National Register of Historic Sites. St. John in the Wilderness was built as a private chapel in 1833, on the grounds of Charles and Susan Barings’ home, Mountain Lodge. The church was deeded to the Episcopal Diocese of Western North Carolina in 1936. Many well-known members of southern aristocracy have family plots in the churchyard; those names include: Christopher Memminger, first secretary of the Confederate treasury; Rev. John Drayton, developer of the world-famous Magnolia Gardens of Charleston; members of the families of three signers of the Declaration of Independence; Major General Edward P. King, Jr., of the United States Army who led the defense of the Bataan Peninsula in the Battle of Bataan against the Japanese invasion of the Philippines in World War II.
Stone Ashe Vineyard is Hendersonville’s newest winery.
A state-of-the-art 2,000-square-foot tasting room rests on a bluff overlooking a pond surrounded by vineyards.
Stone Ashe’s goal is to use the terroir of Henderson County’s Crest of the Blue Ridge American Viticultural Area to produce wines for the world stage using classic grape varietals such as Merlot.
Escape to the Blue Ridge Mountains this summer and enjoy live music in the cool evening air. Every year, starting in May and running through September, Hendersonville is home to five different concert series offering a variety of music for most every taste.
Rock and roll and beach music are the focus of the Friday evening Music on Main series, which takes place from 7-9 p.m. at the Hendersonville Visitors Center on South Main Street. Bring a lawn chair and listen to the best dance bands in Western North Carolina. Bring a chair, admission if free. For more info, click for a Music On Main schedule.
Weekends start early in Hendersonville with the Thursday night Rhythm & Brews series, held the third Thursday of each month from May through September. Enjoy opening acts, great headliner bands and plenty of local craft beer, wine and cider during this popular Main Street festival from 5-9 p.m. Click for additional Rhythm & Brews information.
Mondays are fun days in Hendersonville all summer long. Each Monday evening in June from 7-9pm, the Monday Night Live! series features acts ranging from Americana to swing to classic country and rock & soul. Bring a chair, admission if free. Click for a schedule:Monday Night Live!
After a break for the Fourth of July, Monday fun continues with the return of one the longest-running street dance series in the country The Hendersonville Street Dances have been a tradition for over 100 years in downtown Hendersonville. Enjoy the sounds of fiddles and banjos as people of all ages journey to downtown Hendersonville to enjoy mountain heritage music and dancing on Monday evening from July – August from 7-9pm. Bring a chair, admission if free. Click for Street Dance schedule.
And if all that isn’t enough, the Music by the Lakeseries is held on the campus of Blue Ridge Community College one Sunday evening a month from May through August.
The Center for Art & Entertainment offers interactive dinner murder mysteries, touring shows, repertory theatre, tribute music series, storytelling events, classes, and more. The Center is also home of The Artful Cup coffee shop and the Hendersonville location of Malaprop Books. The Artful Cup and Malaprop Books are open Tuesday – Sunday.
Check their website for info on hours, shows, showtimes, classes, etc.
The Learning Center at PARI is located at a former NASA facility. The 200-acre historic campus includes hiking trails, hands-on space and earth science exhibit galleries, scenic mountain views and 2-hour private campus tours. It showcases a collection of gems, minerals, rare meteorites and samples from Mars and the Moon. Located about an hour west of downtown Hendersonville.
Reservations are required for any size group, but this is great for larger groups. Call for for public hours and to make a reservation 828-862-5554.
The Trolley Company offers guided tours of Historic Hendersonville, Wine Tours, and special events.
Call for dates & times. Holiday tours are offered from late November through December, and shuttles are offered on weekends to/from the NC Arboretum’s Winter Lights show.
The Thomas Wolfe Memorial State Historic Site is the childhood home of author, Thomas Wolfe. Wolfe immortalized his childhood home in his epic autobiographical novel, Look Homeward, Angel. This historic site is devoted to interpreting the life, literature and times of Thomas Wolfe through the use of his mother’s boardinghouse and Look Homeward, Angel. Located 25 miles north of Hendersonville in downtown Asheville.
Hendersonville’s Oakdale Cemetery is the location of the statue that Thomas Wolfe made famous in his epic autobiographical novel, Look Homeward Angel.
Open Tuesday – Saturday. House tours are offered daily at half past each hour for a small fee. Group tours available by reservation.
Axe throwing is similar to a combination of darts and bowling. It is an indoor recreational range set up like a bowling alley with a bullseye target at the end of the lane. The lanes are divided by steel fencing with rubberized floors. Great fun for groups.
Walk-ins are welcome but reservations are suggested and maybe made online
For ages 13+, but anyone under age 18 must be accompanied by a parent/legal guardian
The Tryon International Equestrian Center is a 1,400-acre destination equestrian lifestyle destination, hosting international-level equestrian competitions across numerous classes. The venue provides outstanding facilities for hunter/jumper, dressage, and eventing competitions. Located 30 miles from Hendersonville. The 2018 edition of the FEI World Equestrian Games™ will be held in Mill Spring, NC, over thirteen days from September 11-23rd, 2018 at Tryon International Equestrian Center.
The purpose of this veterans museum is to honor the men and women from North and South Carolina, and North Georgia who served in all branches of the armed forces. On display, the museum has artifacts, uniforms, weaponry, original newspapers, personal letters, etc. from WWI to current times. There are both permanent and temporary displays on exhibit.
Western North Carolina Agricultural Center offers several exhibit halls featuring equestrian shows, dog shows, rodeos, car shows, just to name a few. The Ag Center is home to the Mountain State Fair, a ten day celebration of mountain living featuring exhibits, animals, a midway and food. Located 11 miles from downtown Hendersonville.
The Western North Carolina Nature Center is comprised of 42 acres of plants and animals native to the region. Open 7 days per week, year-round with indoor and outdoor exhibits, and many educational and events throughout the year. Located approximately 25 miles north of Hendersonville.
Zebulon Baird Vance Birthplace is a State Historic Site. It preserves the pioneer farmstead where Vance, a Civil War officer, North Carolina Governor (1862-1865 and again 1877-1879), and United States Senator was born and raised. The Vance Birthplace is open for self-guided tours and is furnished with items from the period from 1790 to 1840. The farmstead is located approximately 35-miles north of Hendersonville in Weaverville, NC. Reservations are requested for group tours.
Open Tuesday – Saturday, closed most major holidays. Admission is free.
(One important note: Be sure to review the info about each studio before visiting – a few studios are by appointment only. Links and details about each gallery and studio are at the bottom of this page.)
Henderson County Outskirts
