5 Fun things to do in Hendersonville, North Carolina
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Hendersonville, the 2nd largest city in Western North Carolina, is a great base location for exploring the natural wonders of the mesmerizing Blue Ridge mountain region. The quaint city is centrally located to many notable attractions including the Blue Ridge Parkway, beautiful national forests, and over 200 waterfalls. Add in a growing foodie scene and a long lineup of festivals, and there is always something interesting to do. Main Street is a great place to shop and dine local before or after hitting the trails. Being residents of neighboring Asheville, Mike and I have planned many daytrips here. It’s a bit more low-key, so a nice break if you are tired of the touristy scene.
Because of its’ diverse climate (the city has been nicknamed “The City of Four Seasons”), there are plenty of unique things to do no matter the season. From beautiful summer drives & overlooks along the Parkway and woodsy hikes in the Pisgah National Forest, to apple picking in the fall (Hendersonville is “The Apple Capital”), to winter snowshoeing and skiing in the mountains, there’s plenty of fun to be had no matter where your personal interests lie.
In this guide, I will cover a few of my favorite local attractions, as well as a few hikes and waterfalls within close proximity. And don’t forget, you can always take a quick half hour drive over to Asheville to enjoy the top rated foodie and eclectic art scene.
1. Explore historic Main Street
Hendersonville is home to one of the nicer Main Streets in the WNC region. I like visiting every once in a while to escape the Asheville tourist congestion. It’s much quieter and a bit more old-school. I especially love visiting over the holiday season to see the pretty lights. There is also a entire month long lineup of events including an old-fashioned Christmas parade.
One of the architectural highlights is the restored County Courthouse which takes center stage. Historical significance aside, the downtown offers a number of interesting local shops and restaurants. The vibe is relaxed and the restaurants typically don’t see a big wait like the Asheville foodie establishments.
Annual events include: a seasonal farmers market (May-Oct), the Labor Day Weekend Apple Festival, and the Bearfootin’ Art walk (May-Oct) which features more than 2 dozen artistic bears lining Main Street.
My favorite shops & restaurants
Black Bear Coffee: This is an adorable local coffeehouse serving Counter Culture coffee, delicious NY bagels, and pastries in an attractive bear themed dining space. We stop here anytime we are in town.
Mountain Deli: Great local cafe serving fresh deli sandwiches, soups, and sides. Relaxing and casual setting.
Village Green Antiques: One of many great places to shop for antiques. Huge selection, reasonably priced. I love coming here to hunt down old antiques – I’ve added a lot of nice pieces to my collection.
Appalachian Pinball: Fun retro pinball arcade that is affordably priced. Fun for anyone who grew up in the heyday long before cell phones!
Joy of Books: Great selection of used and specialty books.
Mast General Store: Old-fashioned shop featuring nostalgic gifts, local food items, an old time candy bar, and outdoor apparel. There is one of these in Asheville too, but I prefer the relaxed vibe here.
2. Enjoy the mesmerizing mountain scenery at Jump Off Rock
I would consider a quick drive to this scenic overlook a must-do while you are in the area. Unlike the busy Blue Ridge Parkway, this one is located a bit off-the-beaten path, and thus, does not see much tourist traffic. If you have lived in this area long enough, this is a benefit.
The curvy drive up the mountain is beautiful in and of itself. Views from the 3000 foot summit are dazzling, especially at sunrise and sunset. Also, there are a few nice short trails to enjoy if you would like to get in an easy workout.
As for the name, legend goes that 300 years ago an Indian women jumped to her death after hearing of her lover’s death. Today, on moonlit nights, some visitors claim to see her ghost jumping off the cliff.
3. Hike a gorgeous trail
The beautiful Pisgah and Dupont State Forest are both within an easy daytrip of the city. Both of these spacious forests provide endless opportunities for outdoor exploration. Whether you feel like biking, hiking, or birdwatching, there are hundreds of miles of trails to seek out. Seeing a beautiful waterfall or 2 should definitely top your list.
Transylvania County in particular, is home to over 200 incredible waterfalls. Many of these require little effort to see, while some are conveniently located right off the road. I have checked dozens out since moving to the area. Check out a few of my favorites to add to your list!
Triple Falls: 3 gorgeous waterfalls accessed via a moderate 2 mile out-and-back hike in the Dupont State Forest. Attention movie buffs: Scenes from The Hunger Games filmed here!
Wintergreen Falls: An underrated beauty in the Dupont State Forest accessed via an easy 1 mile out-and-back hike. This one’s rustic setting/beautiful surrounding greenery really make it stand out.
Looking Glass Falls: 60 foot tall roadside beauty which requires no hiking. It’s busy most of the year.
And, a little underappreciated gem I don’t hear many people talk about is the Bearwallow Mountain trail. This is a short, steep trail with a really rewarding meadow view at the top.
There are too many waterfalls to list, so I will refer you to my WNC waterfall guide for more details.
4. Go the retro at the Appalachian Pinball Museum
For just 15 bucks, you can enjoy unlimited pinball and arcade machines at The Appalachian Pinball Museum, the sister company of the Asheville Pinball Museum. As a bonus, this location is less crowded and admission is cheaper. I also love the dark setting – it’s a great place to escape the summer sun for a while.
This place really is hours of fun for anyone who loves pinball/old school gaming. The decor/ambiance is very retro – I feel as if I have jumped back to the 80’s which is a good thing in my book. I see so many of my favorite games from the old days.
So leave the phone at home for a few hours in exchange for some old-fashioned gaming fun. Snacks as well as domestic and local brews available while you play. This is one of my favorite ways to spend a rainy or snowy day here.
5. Pick fruit & enjoy fall treats at a local orchard
We learned on a recent tour that over 50 varieties of apples are grown in the state. Henderson County is known to be “The Apple Capital” as more than 60-70% of the state’s apples are grown here. Apple season starts in mid-August and usually ends in late October.
There are many great U-pick farms located just a quick drive out of the city. Most of these also offer seasonal fall food and activities this time of the year. Autumn is a great time to enjoy the mild temps, enjoy seasonal treats, get in a little fresh air, take a hayride, and pick out Halloween pumpkins.
Grandad’s Apples and Sky Top are 2 of my favorites. Both offer delicious homemade cider and donuts, as well as a country market specializing in local goods. You can read more about my experience at Sky Top which I consider the best in the region.
