25 Things to Do in Hendersonville (By a Local)

👉 Jump to: Best Things to Do | Sites & Attractions | Outdoor Attractions | Family-Friendly | Food & Drink | Seasonal

There are many fun things to do in Hendersonville, North Carolina, from popular destinations to hidden gems. 

I grew up in the area and even worked in the town’s visitor center, so I know all about Hendersonville’s best attractions.

This guide covers outdoor recreation, historic sites, family-friendly activities, and much more. Continue reading to find out why Hendersonville is one of the best places to visit in North Carolina! 

22 Best Things to Do in Hendersonville

Historic Downtown Hendersonville

Explore Hendersonville’s long and walkable Main Street, full of shops, restaurants, public art, and more.

📍 Google Maps | Website

Historic Downtown Hendersonville is arguably the town’s best gem. Its Main Street is a long drag, and every block is filled with unique local shops and restaurants. Downtown is extremely walkable and the townscape is filled with public art, landscaping, and places to sit. 

Many of the best things to do in Hendersonville are located downtown, like the Mineral & Lapidary Museum, Aquarium & Shark Lab, and Henderson County Heritage Museum. Not to mention, seasonal festivals like the NC Apple Festival and Garden Jubilee take place here.

Some of my favorite spots downtown include the Four Seasons Hospice Home Store for thrifting, McFarlan Bake Shop, and Joy of Books. 

Elijah Mountain Gem Mine

Mine for colorful gems at this family-friendly attraction inspired by Appalachian tradition.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (828) 692-6560 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 6 pm daily | Gem Mining: From $16.99-$179.99 | 👉 Get Elijah Mountain Gem Mine Tickets

Elijah Mountain Gem Mine is one of the best things to do in North Carolina for families with young children. The gem mine and crystal shop is located just outside of downtown Hendersonville. 

With admission tickets, you and your family can pan for rocks and gems in running water troughs. This attraction is a great spot for keeping your kids entertained and engaged with hands-on activities. You can shop around the gift store for more shiny gems after you pan for your treasures. 

Flat Rock Playhouse

See a play or musical performance at this historic playhouse outside of Hendersonville. 

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (828) 693-0731 | Website | Hours: Showtimes Vary | Tickets: $55-$75 

The Flat Rock Playhouse is a top-notch performing arts theater that puts on plays and musical performances. It’s a taste of Broadway right in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Seeing a show at the Flat Rock Playhouse is one of the best things to do in Hendersonville. The playhouse is located about 10 minutes from downtown Hendersonville in the Village of Flat Rock. 

It’s a historic theater that opened back in 1952. Today, it’s the designated State Theatre of North Carolina. Here, you can catch plays, musical performances, and Broadway shows all year long.

DuPont State Recreational Forest

Wander through miles of hiking trails and see waterfalls in this forested park. 

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (828) 877-6527 | Website | Hours: 5 am – 10 pm daily | Entrance: Free

Exploring DuPont State Recreational Forest is one of the best things to do in Hendersonville, especially if you’re a nature lover. 

This recreational forest contains over 10,000 acres of land just outside of Hendersonville. You’ll find endless hiking trails, waterfalls, and great picnicking spots to enjoy nature. DuPont State Forest is great for mountain bikers and horseback riders, too, as there are trails for these activities. 

Highlights of DuPont State Forest include the 3-waterfall hike (Hooker Falls, Triple Falls, and High Falls), Bridal Veil Falls, and Wintergreen Falls Trail. DuPont State Forest is loved by tourists and locals alike, so there’s sure to be something here for you. 

👉 Fun Fact: Scenes from the 2012 movie The Hunger Games were actually filmed in DuPont! Specifically, the scene where Katniss finds Peeta disguised in the dirt takes place at Triple Falls.  

Sierra Nevada Brewery

Sample craft beers and enjoy farm-to-table fare at this impressive brewing facility in Mills River. 

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (828) 681-5300 | Website | Hours: 11 am – 9 pm Sun – Thu; 11 am – 10 pm Fri & Sat 

No visit to Western North Carolina is complete without indulging in the area’s craft beer scene, and Sierra Nevada is a must-visit stop. This massive, state-of-the-art brewing facility is located outside of Hendersonville in the area of Mills River. 

I recommend ordering a flight and staying for lunch or dinner. The farm-to-table fare here is great. You can also do a brewery tour and enjoy live music on the weekends.

Sites & Attractions

Historic Village of Flat Rock

Spend some time in a small village outside of Hendersonville, home to some cool, historic attractions. 

📍 Google Maps 

Flat Rock is a village just outside of Hendersonville. The main village area is home to local businesses like Flat Rock Village Bakery, Hubba Hubba Smokehouse, Flat Rock Bistro Cinema, and others. 

I recommend making a day out of Flat Rock by touring the Carl Sandburg Home, one of the village’s most popular attractions. Then, grab some lunch or dinner and catch a performance at the Flat Rock Playhouse.

Carl Sandburg Home

Visit the home of famous poet Carl Sandburg and explore a goat farm. 

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (828) 693-4178 | Hours: 10 am – 4 pm Wed- Sun; Closed Mon & Tue | House Tours: $10, adults, Free for ages 15 and under 

The Carl Sandburg Home is a designated National Historic Site according to the National Park Service. It’s located in the Village of Flat Rock and open for tours. 

Namely, the Carl Sandburg Home is famous for being the former home of American poet Carl Sandburg. It was here that Sandburg crafted over a third of his work [Source]. 

The 30-acre property is also the site of a goat farm which Sandburg’s wife, Lilian, was passionate about. In fact, the goats at the farm are descendants of Lilian Sandburg’s original herd.  

Mineral and Lapidary Museum

Browse minerals, gems, and fossils at this small museum in downtown Hendersonville.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (828) 698-1977 | Website | Hours: 1 pm – 5 pm Mon – Fri; 11 am – 5 pm Sat; Closed Sun | Entrance: Free

The Mineral and Lapidary Museum is located in downtown Hendersonville. Although small, this museum is a cool place to visit if you’re interested in geology and fossils. The displays feature rocks and crystals native to North Carolina and the region, as well as fossils and a meteorite. 

The geodoes, in my opinion, are the best part of this museum. Beautiful, vibrant geodes are on display, but you can also purchase a geode on-site and the staff will crack it open for you. 

Henderson County Curb Market

Visit this market where you can shop for locally-made food, products, and crafts. 

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (828) 692-8012 | Website | Hours: 8 am – 2 pm Tue, Thu, Sat

Visiting the Henderson County Curb Market is the perfect way to get your farmers market fix and a taste of old-school Appalachia. The market contains vendor stalls for tons of local makers. You’ll find things like local honey, jams and jellies, eggs, cornmeal, and pickled goods. The market also sells crafts and household items like rugs, soap, and more. 

Apple Valley Model Railroad Museum

See model trains on display at this free and engaging museum. 

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (828) 890-8246 | Website | Hours: 1 pm – 3 pm Wed; 10 am – 2 pm Sat | Entrance: Free

The Apple Valley Model Railroad Museum is a small, free museum that’s perfect for train lovers and history buffs. It’s located in Hendersonville’s Seventh Avenue district within the Historic Railroad Depot. 

Inside, you’ll find tons of intricate train displays and dioramas showing what the Southern railway system was like back in the “old days.” There’s a town replica of Hendersonville, as well as other towns in Western North Carolina. 

Henderson County Heritage Museum

Learn the history of Hendersonville at this small heritage museum.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (828) 694-1619 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 5 pm Wed – Sat; 1 – 5 pm Sun; Closed Mon & Tue | Entrance: Free

The Henderson County Heritage Museum is a small history museum located inside the old Henderson County courthouse. This downtown museum features displays and memorabilia from throughout Hendersonville’s history. 

Exhibits highlight events and eras like the Civil War, the local railroad boom between 1911 and 1968, and things like summer camps and Appalachian traditions. 

Here’s a little-known fact about the Heritage Museum: there’s actually a time capsule hidden right outside! Ask a local staff member about it.  

Outdoor Attractions

Jump Off Rock

Enjoy scenic views of the Blue Ridge Mountain range from this accessible lookout point. 

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (828) 693-4840 | Entrance: Free

Jump Off Rock is Hendersonville’s best scenic overlook. From here, you can see expansive views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. On a clear day, you might even be able to see three states: North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia. 

Jump Off Rock is located only 15 minutes from downtown Hendersonville past the Laurel Park neighborhood. You’ll pass cute, craftsman-style homes along the meandering road to the mountain summit. Park your car once you reach the top and walk right over to the scenic overview. 

This is an awesome spot for a sunset picnic and snapping mountain photos. Jump Off Rock is also a good choice for older folks and individuals with accessibility concerns. 

Chimney Rock State Park

This state park near Lake Lure is home to a 500-year-old monolith, hiking trails, and more. 

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (828) 625-9611 | Website | Hours: 8:30 am – 5:30 pm daily | Entrance: $17 adults, $8 for ages 5-15, Free for ages 4 and under

Chimney Rock State Park is a popular nature attraction just 30 minutes from Hendersonville in Lake Lure. It’s often done as a day trip from Asheville, but it’s actually closer to Hendersonville.

The entire family can enjoy a day trip to Chimney Rock. The main attraction is Chimney Rock itself—a 500 million-year-old monolithic rock formation that you can actually visit the top of. From there, you’ll be greeted with spectacular, sweeping views of the Blue Ridge Mountain landscape, as well as Lake Lure. 

You can also hit up hiking trails and visit a nature center at Chimney Rock State Park. Hickory Nut Falls is an especially popular waterfall hike. 

Holmes Educational State Forest

Explore this park where families can enjoy learning about the natural environment. 

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (828) 692-0100 | Website | Hours: 9 am – 5 pm Tue-Fri; 11 am – 6 pm Sat-Sun | Entrance: Free 

Holmes Educational State Forest is a family-friendly park located along Crab Creek outside of Hendersonville. This is a great place for you and your family to learn more about the natural environment in Western North Carolina. 

Enjoy picnic tables and take a stroll on one of the five main trails. Each one is well-marked with educational exhibits and displays along the way. The easy, half-mile Talking Tree Trail is one of the most popular trails and features “talking trees.” 

Family-Friendly Things to Do

Take a Day Trip to Brevard

Drive 30 minutes to visit another charming mountain town, known for its waterfalls and white squirrels. 

📍 Google Maps 

A hop, skip, and jump from Hendersonville is the charming town of Brevard. Here, you’ll find plenty of fun things to do like shopping and dining, the world’s coolest toy store, spotting white squirrels (yes, really!), and chasing the over 250 waterfalls in the county. Families, outdoor enthusiasts, and retirees will love this place. 

Families, be sure to check out O.P. Taylor’s Bookstore, Rocky’s Grill & Soda Shop, Dolly’s Dairy Bar, and Sliding Rock. Outdoor enthusiasts will find endless recreation in Pisgah Forest, including waterfalls to admire and trails to traverse. Be sure to also check out the local pottery and music scene. There’s a lot of talent in this tiny town!

Bearfootin’ Art Walk

Young or old, everyone can enjoy the colorful, creative bears that line Downtown Hendersonville.

📍 Google Maps | Website | Entrance: Free 

Anyone who visits Downtown Hendersonville will immediately spot some friendly, but not-so-human faces lining the main drag. Those are the local bears!

Officially known as the Bearfootin’ Public Art Walk, this public art display has been a longstanding tradition in Hendersonville. Each bear statue is created by a local artist, and every spring, new bears are put on display. 

My favorite part is the creativity that goes into each one. Some bears look classic (like the one above) while others are colorful and whimsical. Stop by the downtown visitor center to get a brochure with a map of all the bears. 

Aquarium & Shark Lab

Visit this small downtown aquarium where you can witness feedings and partake in touch-tank experiences. 

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (828) 692-8386 | Website | Hours: 1 pm – 4 pm Wed – Sat; Closed Sun – Tue | Entrance: $7.50, adults, $5.25, children ages 1-4 

The Aquarium & Shark Lab in downtown Hendersonville is a small, but unique family-friendly attraction. It’s especially great if you have kids interested in animals and aquatic life. 

You can attend a tour if you visit between Wednesday and Saturday, and see a shark and ray feeding at 1:30 pm. There are also turtles, fish, and other reptiles at this aquarium. 

Historic Johnson Farm

Explore this historic farm and former tourist retreat from the 19th and 20th centuries.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (828) 891-6585 | Website | Hours: 8 am – 4 pm Mon – Fri; Closed Sat & Sun | Entrance: $10, adults, $8, students 

Historic Johnson Farm is a local farm and heritage attraction with a rich history. It used to be a tobacco farm during the 19th century, as well as a tourist retreat during the 20th century. Today, the home and farm are preserved and open to the public. 

This is a popular site for local school field trips and is a great place to come as a family. You can tour the old farmhouse and attend local heritage events like weaving and fiber classes, sheep shearing, and learning how to make soap. 

Appalachian Pinball Museum

Step back in time at this old-school pinball arcade located in downtown Hendersonville. 

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (828) 702-9277 | Website | Hours: Vary, Closed Wed | Entrance: All Day Entrance for Flat Fee 

The Appalachian Pinball Museum is an old-school pinball arcade in downtown Hendersonville. You can purchase an all-day pass and spend a day playing away. The pinball machines are cool and vintage, and visiting here is a fun way to step back in time. Kids will love the arcade fun and adults will enjoy the nostalgia factor. 

Food & Drink

HenDough Chicken & Doughnuts

Dine at this cute, small-town brunch spot with Southern staples and tasty doughnuts. 

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (828) 595-2885 | Website | Hours: 7:30 am – 3 pm daily 

HenDough Chicken & Doughnuts is one of my favorite places to eat in Hendersonville. This cute and charming brunch spot is just outside of the main downtown area. It’s perfect for grabbing breakfast, lunch, or a sweet treat to-go. 

As its name suggests, HenDough serves up fried chicken plates and tasty doughnuts. Everything on the menu centers around Southern and North Carolina cuisine. 

I always go for the classic chicken tenders with mac n’ cheese and collard greens on the side, plus a crème brûlée doughnut. However, the doughnut breakfast sandwich and the hot chicken biscuit are popular, too. 

Point Lookout Vineyards

Sip local wine while enjoying scenic mountain views at this hilltop vineyard. 

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (828) 808-8923 | Website | Hours: 12 – 6 pm Sun – Thu; 12 – 8 pm Fri – Sat

Point Lookout Vineyards is one of many vineyards and wineries located in Henderson County. It’s located about half an hour from downtown. 

This hillside vineyard features a tasting room at the top of its hill, where you can indulge in a refreshing glass of wine and enjoy scenic mountain views. Point Lookout produces a variety of red and white wines but it is best known for its mead, which is a wine made from honey. 

Other popular Hendersonville wineries include Burntshirt Vineyards and Paul Mountain Vineyards.

Mike’s On Main

Step back in time in this old school soda shop that serves up casual classics like BLTs and malt milkshakes. 

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (828) 698-1616 | Website | Hours: 8 am – 5 pm Mon-Thu & Sat; 8 am – 6 pm Fri; 8 am – 3 pm Sun

There’s something fun about hitting up an old school soda shop. It’s nostalgic, no-frills, and the food always hits just right. Mike’s On Main is Hendersonville’s soda shop. 

It’s one of my go-to spots when I’m in town for a tasty and affordable lunch with a side of childhood charm. They serve up things like BLTs, pimento cheese sandwiches, milkshakes, malts, and banana splits. 

The place used to be a pharmacy that first opened in 1890. When you walk inside today, memorabilia still sits on shelves and covers the walls, reminding you of bygone days.

Seasonal Things to Do

Garden Jubilee

Attend this large gardening festival with plant and craft vendors, an annual tradition at the end of May. 

Garden Jubilee is another one of Hendersonville’s top annual events. This festival takes place downtown every year around the end of May, usually coinciding with Memorial Day weekend. 

Gardening and plant lovers won’t want to miss this festival. It’s one of the largest and most popular gardening shows in Western North Carolina. Festival vendors include local and regional nurseries, as well as crafters who make garden-themed objects like birdhouses, pottery, and gardening tools. 

Apple Picking

Go apple picking at local apple orchards and indulge in sweet treats in Hendersonville’s countryside. 

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (828) 974-1232 | Website | Hours: Seasonal hours vary | Entrance: Apple buckets vary

Apple picking is one of the best things to do in Hendersonville if you visit North Carolina between August and October. Henderson County is actually the biggest apple-producing area in the state, and there are tons of local apple orchards to choose from. 

Justus Orchard (linked above) is one of my favorite apple orchards, as it’s easy to reach from downtown Hendersonville. There are tons of other orchards, though, like Jeter Mountain Farm, Grandad’s Apples, and Sky Top Orchard. 

All of these orchards offer u-pick-apples and sweet treats, too, like apple cider donuts and cider. Visiting an apple orchard is such a fun local experience and a great way to make memories with friends and family. Visit during the NC Apple Festival for more apple fun. 

North Carolina Apple Festival

This downtown festival occurs on Labor Day Weekend, just in time for apple season. 

Phone: (828) 697-4557 | Website 

The North Carolina Apple Festival is an event that takes place in downtown Hendersonville each Labor Day weekend. Local apple orchards and vendors fill up Main Street with tons of fun, kid-friendly activities and tasty apple treats.

The Apple Festival crowds the town but it’s a great way to snag some fresh, local apples if you can’t make it out to the orchards for apple picking. There are musical performances and rides to enjoy in addition to all the apple-themed pomp and circumstance. 

***

I hope you enjoyed learning about the best things to do in Hendersonville, NC! This Western North Carolina town truly has so much to offer. Before you take off on your trip, be sure to read my North Carolina Packing List!