23+ Best Things to do in Hendersonville NC (2024) (2024)

Located in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Hendersonville NC is a hidden gem that's bursting with charm, adventure, and a lot of Southern hospitality. During our recent long weekend visit to Hendersonville, we experienced some of the very best things to do in Hendersonville NC, and feature them in this guide.

From its historic downtown filled with quaint shops and mouthwatering local eateries to the awe-inspiring natural beauty of the surrounding mountains, Hendersonville is more than just a pit stop—it's a destination brimming with unforgettable vacation experiences.

Hendersonville is known as "Apple Country"? With over 200 apple growers, it's home to the largest apple-producing county in North Carolina. There's nothing quite like the taste of a fresh, crisp apple straight from the orchard, especially during Hendersonville's annual North Carolina Apple Festival!

Whether you're an outdoor enthusiast seeking breathtaking hiking trails and views or a foodie looking for the next delicious meal, Hendersonville NC has you covered.

Join us as we explore the best things to do in Hendersonville NC. Trust us, once you've experienced Hendersonville NC, you'll understand why we consider it one of our Favorite NC Mountain Towns.

Disclosure:We were invited by Visit Hendersonville and our stay, meals and activities were complimentary;however, all opinions, information, and photos are our own and we were not asked in any way to influence our thoughts, comments, or the content of this article. All opinions are our own - We believe in putting our readers first.

Hendersonville is a charming, historic mountain town in North Carolina's Blue Ridge Mountains.

Hendersonville, located between Asheville and Brevard, boasts stunning views of the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains. Hendersonville NC is about 30 minutes south of Asheville on Highway 26, and only a few minutes from the South Carolina border.

With its vibrant downtown district full of galleries, shops, restaurants, museums, and entertainment venues, it's no wonder Hendersonville is so popular with visitors.

Hendersonville also has a thriving local community that offers plenty of activities for both residents and visitors alike. From exciting festivals and outdoor recreation to unique shopping finds, Hendersonville is a great destination no matter what you're looking for.

Whether your interests lie in dining, shopping, or just the surrounding mountains, you will find something special in and around Hendersonville NC.

Best Things to do in Hendersonville NC

We visited Hendersonville NC for a long weekend, right at the start of peak Apple season. We explored all the very best things to do, the best restaurants, and stayed at an amazing place just outside of Hendersonville.

Everything highlighted in this guide and the sections below are things we experienced and very much enjoyed during our visit to Hendersonville. We knew Hendersonville was an amazing and fun North Carolina Mountain town, but we now have it as one of our most favorite North Carolina Mountain towns!

Let's dive in to all the wonderful and exciting things to do in Hendersonville NC, based on our recent adventures!

Go Apple Picking

The small mountain town of Hendersonville is the Apple Capital of NC. There are many apple orchards and farms within a 20-30 minute drive from Downtown Hendersonville, where you can pick your own apples, enjoy delicious local fruit, and even buy homemade pies, jams, jellies and more!

These apple orchards often have even more things to do when visiting, like hayrides, petting zoos, apple canons, corn mazes, and pick your own pumpkins, grapes, and berries. Not to mention all the great apple products to eat and drink, including cider, hard cider, apple donuts, apple pies, and more!

We visited two of the nicest Apple Orchards in Hendersonville NC, and had so much fun. Both of these farms are beautiful, family-friendly, and offer so much to do, including u-pick apples.

Stepp's Hillcrest Orchard

Stepp's Hillcrest Orchard is a great family-friendly farm, located just 10 minutes outside of downtown Hendersonville and is one of our top picks for the best apple orchards in Hendersonville NC.

The orchard has many varieties of apples, plus grapes for u-pick as well. They also have a very popular annual corn maze, hayrides that take you through their orchards and apple cannons where you can shoot small apples from air powered guns at targets.

Love flowers? They offer u-pick for wildflowers and sunflowers as well.

Stepp's Hillcrest Orchard also offers homemade jams, jellies, salsas, baked goods, ciders and more at their store and bakery.

Jeter Mountain Farm

Jeter Mountain Farm is a great place to purchase and u-pick apples,berries, grapes, and other fruits. They offer many varieties of apples and pumpkins as well. Besides apples, they also offer u-pick for blackberries, elderberries, grapes, wildflowers, and sunflowers.

Jeter Mountain Farm is a large farm, and a hayride on a tractor is the only way to get out to the orchards and fields.

They have a large store that sells apple butter, apple cider, hard cider, and many other items, including wearables.

Be sure to check out the taproom where you can sample their award-winning hard ciders and a dedicated bakery area for their hot and fresh apple doughnuts.

Hungry? Enjoy some of the area's best BBQ at their 1813 Smokehouse while listening to some live bluegrass music.

Need to let the kids burn off some energy? There is a large indoor playground just for them! Be sure to grab an apple butter latte at the Coffeehouse to enjoy while the kids play away.

Jeter Mountain Farm is literally a full day's worth of apple and farm fun!

Find Peace and Relaxation at Kanuga - The perfect place to stay

For a relaxing getaway in Hendersonville NC and the Blue Ridge Mountains, Kanuga has over 2,000 acres surrounded by lush forests and rivers. Enjoy hiking trails, fishing spots, camping sites, and plenty of wildlife.

Enjoy a buffet meal at their dining hall overlooking the gorgeous mountain views, or spend an afternoon paddling on Lake Kanuga. Take in the incredible lake and mountain views at Fleming's Lakeside, offering snacks, beer, wine and co*cktails.

Take some time to stay and relax at the Inn, or in a cozy wooded cabin. The Inn is lakeside, providing gorgeous rooms, modern amenities, and outdoor patios for select rooms.

Feel refreshed after a stay at Kanuga and explore the many other activities and attractions that make the Blue Ridge Mountains so special!

Check Prices for Kanugaon Booking.com

Do you love ice cream? We sure do, and the Hendersonville Ice Cream Trail highlights the very best ice cream Hendersonville and Henderson County offers. The trail allows you to discover ice cream shops and parlors that feature classic favorites and unique shop offerings.

So "scoop" up the family, and travel the ice cream trail. Not only will you enjoy ice cream, you'll discover new and unexplored areas of Hendersonville, and meet some outstanding business owners and employees as well.

We explored three different shops on the trail and loved all three of them:

McConnell Farms

McConnell Farms was our favorite, offering hand made ice cream, made mainly from their own farm grown ingredients. McConnell Farms has been making ice cream for over 20 years. They began with just strawberry, and now offer many flavors, including seasonal favorites.

They make ice cream varieties using items grown right on their farm, such as strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, figs, cherries, apples, honey, ginger, peaches and more.

You'll find unique flavors like "Burnt Honey", rum raisin, lemon blueberry, lavender and more! They even have a corn ice cream, which might surprise you, but it's delicious.

We tried a sampler of 6 different varieties, including strawberry, burnt honey, fig liqueur, cream style corn, ginger lavender, and blueberry crumble - All were absolutely delicious! My favorites were the strawberry and fig liquer, Jenn's were the ginger lavender and burnt honey.

Their number one seller is Strawberry, and it's some of the very best Strawberry ice cream we've ever had. That it's made with strawberries right there from the farm makes all the difference.

You'll definitely want to visit McConnell Farms for their amazing ice cream and while you're there, grab some fresh produce from the store, and explore the farm as well. It's a beautiful family-owned farm.

Celtic Creamery

When we visited, we tried their coffee and chocolate cookie dough ice cream, but couldn't resist trying their strawberry ice cream as well. All three were amazing, and some of the most creamy ice cream we've ever had.

Besides the ice cream, Celtic Creamery has a variety of other snacks and beverages such as milkshakes, floats, sundaes, waffle cones and more.

So if you’re in the Hendersonville area, be sure to pay Celtic Creamery a visit and have an amazing ice cream experience.

Piggy's Ice Cream Parlor

Piggy's Ice Cream is a true Hendersonville institution, opening in 1979. Piggy's has been serving ice cream, thick shakes, and banana splits ever since. Harry and Sallie (aka Piggy) opened it with the help of their son's Todd, Michael and Jeff.

Today, Harry, Sallie, and Todd have passed on, but Michael and Jeff continue to serve ice cream at Piggy's. In 1993, they added on a restaurant, and to honor their father, named it Harry's. The restaurant and ice cream parlor combined are Harry & Piggy's.

What makes the restaurant truly unique is the decor. See, Piggy was a collector, and the ice cream parlor and restaurant are full of memorabilia from signs to toys, armor, statues, super heros, and more. You name it, and you'll probably find it. The collectibles truly add to the character and history of this family business.

We didn't try a banana split, but we did get some ice cream, and really enjoyed it while admiring all the various items on display throughout the restaurant. The food over in the restaurant smelled great as well.

Be sure to stop by Piggy and Harry's while traveling along the ice cream trail. See what unique items you can find while enjoying some great ice cream.

See the incredible views at Jump Off Rock

A visit to Jump off Rock has been on our bucket list for a while now, and we finally made it.

Jump Off Rock is a rocky outcropping overlooking the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains, and it's also one of the most popular places for tourists to take pictures in Hendersonville NC.

The views from Jump Off Rock are simply amazing. You can see for miles and miles in almost every direction.

The view at Jump off Rock is very easy to access, and is literally just a few hundred feet from the main parking area, and a mostly flat walk. This makes Jump off Rock easily accessible for many, with a nice overlook that provides breathtaking views, and incredible sunsets.

This is definitely a spot you'll want to drive to when visiting Hendersonville. The views are amazing, and it's great spot to get some photos during your visit.

Enjoy great food at a Hendersonville Restaurant

After a long day of exploring Hendersonville NC, why not enjoy some great food at one of the local restaurants in Hendersonville?

There are lots of wonderful options for dining out that will fit everyone’s taste. Whether you’re looking for an upscale dining experience, a cozy Italian bistro or a trendy sushi spot, there are plenty of delicious meals to be had in Hendersonville.

We had the pleasure of trying out some of the very best restaurants in Hendersonville NC. Here are just a few of the ones we would recommend:

• Postero - Upscale restaurant located in an old bank building in downtown. They serve classic American food with a "dash of modern-day flavor". Our top pick and one of the best restaurants we've eaten at anywhere.
• Shine - Also in downtown Hendersonville and another of our of top picks. Shine serves an array of items from Italian to American. They have a seasonal menu, an even a rooftop bar that we really enjoyed.
• Mezzaluna - In downtown Hendersonville as well, Mezzaluna specializes in brick oven pizza and local craft beers. They also offer several Italian dishes as well. Excellent place for pizza and a beer.
• Flat Rock Wood Room - Definitely the most unique restaurant we've eaten at in Hendersonville and delicious as well. In an old home close to downtown, they offer specialty sandwiches, wood-fired pizza, and BBQ. We're really surprised they aren't more well known, the food is amazing.

Historic downtown Hendersonville NC, is a popular spot for visitors and tourists and for good reason. The downtown area is full of great shops, cafes, bars, and restaurants to visit. We found ourselves visiting downtown a lot, taking in all the sights, stores, and bears.

Yes, bears. See, downtown Hendersonville is full of various bear statues painted with all kinds of colors and decorations. They are pretty popular too, as we saw many people posing with them and taking photos.

In downtown, you'll find many shops, like general stories, clothing stores, boutiques, music stores, and even a cigar shop. You'll also find many cafes, restaurants, pubs and bars as well.

Downtown Hendersonville is very vibrant and delivers plenty to see and do. When visiting, you'll want to plan to spend some time there just to experience it.

Important Note - Parking during the day on Main Street is now by meter only. To avoid paying for meter parking, you can park on Church Street, or use the newly built parking garage, which is less expensive.

Grab a beer and hang out at Oklawaha Brewing Company

We love discovering hidden gems that offer more than just your average experience. One such place is Oklawaha Brewing Company, located in the heart of historic downtown Hendersonville, North Carolina.

Walking into Oklawaha Brewing Company, you're immediately greeted by an atmosphere that's both welcoming and vibrant. The interior design is a tasteful blend of modern and rustic, with wooden accents and industrial touches that pay homage to the building's historic roots. The taproom has a relaxed and super casual vibe, filled with the sounds of live music, people talking and having a good time.

They offer a wide variety of beers, from classic lagers and ales to innovative seasonal brews and food is avilable as well.

Don't miss out on their live music nights. The brewery is known for being one of the top spots for live music in Henderson County. We really enjoying our flights of beer, and listening to the excellent live band that was playing. It's a great place to just hang out and have a good time.

Go Gem Mining at Elijah Mountain Gem Mine

Elijah Mountain Gem Mine in Hendersonville NC is full of family-fun! You can mine for gems, explore their enormous store full of rocks, crystals and minerals, play on the large outdoor play area, and pet the goats and other animals.

At Elijah Mountain, you can be a prospector for the day. Equipped with a bucket of dirt from the mine, you'll sift through the soil in search of precious gems.

But this isn't just any dirt — it's loaded with a variety of gems like quartz, amethyst, garnet, fossils, and more! Whether you're an experienced rockhound or a novice gem hunter, there's something for everyone. We even found a geode in ours, which we got to crack open.!

When you're finished mining, it's fun to explore the store full of jewelry, minerals, rocks, and more. Some of them are huge! We really enjoyed browsing around and seeing all the beautiful gems and crystals of all different sizes and colors.

Head down to the play area and petting zoo and let the kids enjoy the animals and playground equipment. You'll find chickens, goats, and even a peaco*ck! There are bridges, balance beams and other equipment for the kids to explore.

We've been to several Gem Mines in the Blue Ridge Mountains over the years, and Elijah Mountain is one of our favorites!

The Appalachian Pinball Museum in the heart of downtown Hendersonville is a must-visit for both pinball fans, casual gamers and those just wanting a retro gaming experience. This wonderful and unique museum houses a large collection of vintage pinball and arcade video games.

One of the unique features of the museum is its impressive collection of pop culture items that decorate the entire museum.

Visitors can experience more than 80 different vintage games. The games range from super old-school pinball machines to classic video arcade games, offering a nostalgic trip down memory lane for older visitors and a new exciting experience for younger ones.

They have one of the larger selections of arcade games, including some pretty rare ones like Dragon's Lair, Dig Dug, Qbert and more!

We had a blast playing the old school pinball games, and reliving our teenage years in the 80s while playing Galaga, Pacman, Donkey Kong, and more.

Whether you're a pinball wizard or a first-time player, a visit to this museum promises a fantastic time for all and definitely needs to be on your short list when visiting Hendersonville NC!

Learn about aquatic wildlife and sharks at Team ECCO

Located in the bustling heart of Main Street in Hendersonville NC, the Team ECCO Aquarium & Shark Lab is a captivating and enriching experience that you will not want to miss.

Team ECCO is the only public aquarium in Western North Carolina and offers a fascinating visual and hands on learning experience for visitors of all ages.

The aquarium is a grass-roots effort, started by a local teacher in her kitchen at home, and has grown from there.

Today, Team ECCO and Shark Lab boasts more than 20 unique displays that feature a vibrant array of tropical fish, eels, stingrays, sea horses, and turtles. The center piece of the aquarium is its 2,000-gallon shark study tank that sits in the center of the aqarium and houses small sharks and rays.

With over 275 saltwater fish and invertebrates, the aquarium provides an immersive experience of life beneath the waves. This is both a super fun and educational experience for the whole family.

One of the highlights of Team ECCO is its interactive touch tank. This hands-on exhibit allows visitors to get up close and personal with the diverse marine creatures, like starfish, urchins, and more.

Team ECCO's vibrant and interactive exhibits, coupled with its educational focus, make it a must-visit destination in Hendersonville NC. We had an amazing time interacting with the staff, watching the turtles, fish and of course the rays and sharks.

We left with an even deeper appreciation for the wonders of the ocean world, and the people that work at the museum to help educate others.

Explore Western NC Aviation History at WNC Air Museum

Located only 2.5 miles from downtown Hendersonville NC, the WNC Air Museum stands as a testament to our nation's rich flying heritage. The museum is also the vey first air museum in the state North Carolina, well known for its "First in Flight" legacy.

Upon arriving, the museum is located in a humble old white hanger, but don't let the simple exterior and residential location fool you. Inside awaits exhibits that make the past and present of aviation come to life.

The WNC Air Museum is home to an impressive collection of restored vintage aircraft, each with their own unique story to tell. From classic biplanes to iconic warbirds, the museum's exhibits offer a nostalgic trip down aviation memory lane.

We spent time touring the museum with the museum's curator, Al Denn. All told us all about the history of the museum, and the story behind each of the aircraft that you can see while visiting. The stories were as interesting as the aircraft themselves.

What sets the WNC Air Museum apart is its commitment to making history accessible to all. Admission and parking are free, and group tours are welcomed, making it a wonderful destination for families and field trips. Interactive exhibits allow visitors to explore and even climb into historic planes, offering a truly immersive experience.

Whether you're a history buff, an aviation enthusiast, or simply looking for a unique and memorable experience, the WNC Air Museum, is a fun, educational, and lesser known attraction in Hendersonville NC.

Enjoy incredible views and excellent wine at Stone Ashe Vineyards

Just a short drive from downtown Hendersonville NC, Stone Ashe Vineyards is a mountain top vineyards that offers outstanding wine and incredible views.

As we drove up the steep drive to the main vineyard building, we were in awe of the location and the nearly 360 degree views of both the grapevines and the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains.

We were greeted by rows of meticulously cultivated vines cloned from Bordeaux, a testament to the vineyard's commitment to delivering an authentic taste of this world-renowned wine region.

The gorgeous state-of-the-art tasting room definitely catches your eye and is perched on a top of a mountain at an elevation of 2,700 feet.

The heart and soul of Stone Ashe Vineyards, however, lie in its wonderful selection of natural estate-grown wines. The focus is on flavor and whether you're a seasoned connoisseur or a casual wine enthusiast, the vineyard's knowledgeable staff will guide you through their diverse range of wines they offer.

The tasting room building offers both indoor and outdoor seating, both having excellent views of the distant mountains. We sat inside with Heath Little, son of the owners Craig and Tina Little.

The passion Heath has for creating excellent wines that trace their lineage back to France was clearly evident. We did tastings of both their white and red wines and they were incredible.

Heath spent a great deal of time with us explaining the history of their wines, and how each one was developed and why. After our wine tasting, we were able to explore the winery grounds, and see the mountainside vineyard up close.

If you enjoy excellent wine and are looking for the perfect getaway that combines the allure of fine wines with the charm of mountain living, Stone Ashe Vineyards is perfect spot.

Go Hiking

If you enjoy hiking like we do, the Hendersonville area has lots of great options for you, from short and easy to strenuous. Hikes are available to historic areas, incredible scenic views, and gorgeous waterfalls.

Here are just a few of the best hiking trails near Hendersonville NC:

Jump Off Rock Hiking Trails

In addition to the incredible scenic Jump Off Rock, there are also three hiking trails you can explore as well, all very short, but with different levels of difficulty:

1. Blue Trail - .1 miles and easy
2. Yellow Trail - .25 miles and moderate
3. Red Trail - .25 miles and moderate

The trails are shaded, and offer lots of rocks to explore and climb over. The yellow and red trails due have some very steep by short sections. All three trails can be hiked and explore in less than an hour.

Dupont State Forest Hiking Trails

Dupont State Forest is a large state park located just outside of Brevard NC, and near Hendersonville NC. The park has numerous hiking trails and some excellent waterfalls. Triple Falls was featured in the movie The Hunger Games.

The most popular trails is the Dupont State Forest Waterfalls trail, which takes you to 4 different waterfalls, and alongside a beautiful lake.

Chimney Rock State Park Hiking Trails

One of our most favorite locations in the Blue Ridge Mountains is Chimney Rock State Park. Jenn and I have been visiting Chimney Rock since the early 90s before we were married.

The park provides incredible scenic views, amazing hiking trails, and access to one of the tallest waterfalls on the east coast.

Bearwallow Mountain Trail

For a short hike (2-miles round-trip), Bearwallow Mountain delivers exceptional scenery! At 4,232 feet above sea level, with a grassy bald at its summit, the mountain features a nearly 360° view that includes Mt. Mitchell and Mt. Pisgah.

Its stunning vistas offer a panoramic view of Hickory Nut Gorge, downtown Hendersonville, and the South Carolina highlands. A historic fire lookout tower occupies the summit, as do grazing cattle who call the mountaintop home.

The trail to the summit is approximately one mile each way. You can also follow a gravel road back to the parking area for a loop hike.

Bearwallowis a great place to go for ashort dayhike and well worth the trip and hike for the incredible long distance views.

The trailhead is located off Bearwallow Mountain Road about 30 minutes from downtown Hendersonville.

Discover Waterfalls

Hendersonville NC is surrounded by some of the most beautiful waterfalls in Western North Carolina. Many are just a short drive away, and well worth the trip to see.

Here are just a few of the best waterfalls near Hendersonville NC:

• Triple Falls is in the heart of Dupont State Forest, and named because of the three-tiered cascade. This popular spot offers an impressive sight with plenty of hiking trails around. The trail to Triple Falls is moderate, making it accessible for most visitors.
• Hooker Falls is also in Dupont State Forest, and is an easy hike to that leads to this wide waterfall that cascades into a large pool. The pool is a popular swimming hole in the summer. It's a great place to have a picnic or enjoy the tranquility of nature.
• Looking Glass Falls (pictured above) is easily accessible and stunningly beautiful. This is a must-visit waterfall that is literally roadside and requires no hiking. However, there is a staircase leading down to the base of the falls if you want to get a closer look.
• Sliding Rock is a very popular waterfall and a natural water slide. It's a great place to cool off on a hot day! There is a small admission fee and they have lifeguards on duty.

Where to stay in Hendersonville NC

There are many options for lodging in Hendersonville NC. Whether you’re looking for a cozy bed-and-breakfast, a luxury hotel, or an RV park, or a cozy cabin, you'll find something to fit your needs.

Our Top Pick: Kanuga

During our most recent visit, we stayed at Kanuga, which has traditionally been an Episcopal church retreat, but in recent years has opened up to the public.

Kanuga not only offers a really nice inn to stay but, but offers a complimentary breakfast buffet and rooms with balconies. The Inn is lakeside to Lake Kanuaga, and offers gorgeous views of the lake and surrounding mountains.

But Kanuga is much more than just an inn. They have over 1,400 acres offering those who stay with them:

• Mountain Biking
• Hiking
• Kayaking and Canoeing
• a sand beach with life guards
• Tennis and Basketball courts
• Playground
• Fleming's Lakeside, offering drinks and snacks
• Gift shop and store
• Special Events
• and much more!

What we loved about Kanuga was how quiet it was. Kanuga is a peaceful mountain retreat intended for those trying to get away and enjoy nature. A spiritual retreat, for whatever that means to you personally.

Check Prices for Kanugaon Booking.com

The grounds are simply gorgeous and very well maintained, with lots of walking trails, places to sit and relax, rocking chairs, views of the lake, and more.

For us it met relaxing, walking the trails, sitting by the lake in the morning as the sun came up, and listening to nature.

Kanuga is a beautiful place, and one we're so glad we discovered. We look forward to staying with them again.

Check Prices for Kanugaon Booking.com

See more Lodging Options in Hendersonville

Final Thoughts on Things to do in Hendersonville NC

Hendersonville NC is full of so many things to see and do, we just touched on a few of them. The downtown area is full of unique shops, restaurants and galleries to explore. There are plenty of outdoor activities such as fishing, hiking, boating and camping nearby. And let's not forget about the local flavors! Whether you're savoring a glass of award-winning wine at Stone Ashe Vineyards or indulging in farm-to-table delicacies at one of the local eateries, your taste buds are in for a treat!

Hendersonville is more than just a getaway. A visit to Hendersonville NC is an opportunity to step back from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, enjoy nature, eat some wonderful food, and explore everything that this small mountain town offers.

Whether you're planning a weekend escape or a longer vacation, add Hendersonville NC to your travel bucket list. We really enjoyed our visit to what is now one of our favorite mountain towns, and we know you'll have a great time as well!