Find Gratitude at Altitude in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina.
getting here
One quality that makes Hendersonville an attractive destination is its convenience, by car and air. Its central location on the East Coast means more than half of the US population lives within a 12-hour drive.
drive times to hendersonville:
ATLANTA: 3hr 15min, 190 miles
BALTIMORE: 8hr, 530 miles
BIRMINGHAM: 5hr 15min, 330 miles
CHARLESTON: 3hr 45min, 250 miles CHARLOTTE: 2hr, 100 miles
CINCINNATI: 6hr, 375 miles
COLUMBIA: 2hr 10min, 140 miles
JACKSONVILLE: 6hr 10min,
KNOXVILLE: 2hr 10min, 130
LEXINGTON (KY): 4hr 40min, 300 miles
atlantic ocean
NASHVILLE: 4hr 45min, 310 miles
ORLANDO: 8hr, 565 miles
PITTSBURGH: 8hr, 500 miles
RALEIGH: 4hr 10min, 270 miles
RICHMOND: 6hr, 400 miles
TAMPA: 9hr 10min, 620 miles
WASHINGTON D.C.: 7hr 30min, 500 miles
WILMINGTON: 5hr, 310 miles
ASHEVILLE REGIONAL AIRPORT
Asheville Regional Airport is located nine miles north of Hendersonville, just off I-26. Carriers serving the airport are Allegiant, American, Delta, jetBlue and United. Address: 61 Terminal Drive, Fletcher, NC. Website: FlyAVL.com
GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
South Carolina’s Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport also serves Western NC. It is located off I-85, approximately 40 miles from Hendersonville. Carriers serving the airport are Allegiant, American, Avelo, Breeze, Delta, Southwest and United. Address: 2000 GSP Drive, Suite 1, Greer, SC. Website: GSPairport.com
Michelle Owens
While you’re in town, be sure to stop by the Hendersonville Welcome Center at 201 South Main Street. It’s an interactive showplace of things to do in our area. The open floor plan features stations, exhibits and a touch screen trip planner for visitors to explore the county, build itineraries and text them to their phones. A social media wall shows real-time visitor experiences. The center is also the official trailhead for the Ecusta Trail.
welcome to hendersonville contents from Michelle Owens
So many camps welcome kids to these mountains each year that Hendersonville is known as the Summer Camp Capital of the South. I was one of those kids, spreading my wings in search of new adventures. found them here, along with something else – gratitude for this place and its people.
I couldn’t wait to come back each summer to connect with old friends and make new ones. To climb peaks and take in the serenity and majesty of these Blue Ridge Mountains. Now I get to experience this gratitude daily as executive director of the Henderson County Tourism Development Authority. In this job, I’m privileged to share my passion for visiting all the friendly communities of Henderson County.
I guess my unofficial title is CIO: Chief Invitation Officer. love inviting people to enjoy the same activities that drew me here: hiking through forests; sleeping in cozy cabins; picking sweet, crisp apples in autumn; enjoying great food; shopping for handmade treasures; and listening. Listening to poetry at the Carl Sandburg Home, to cool water rushing over river rocks, to my children laughing on rides at the North Carolina Apple Festival and to countless stories around the campfire.
Reading through this guide, you will notice a few themes popping up again and again: outdoor adventure, family activities, agritourism, handcrafted treasures, farm-to-table goodness, craft beverages, amazing views and one of the best main streets in America.
Of course, no visit to the North Carolina mountains is complete without trails, and we have an abundance. Hiking trails, mountain biking trails, scenic driving trails and the new Ecusta Trail a paved (and currently) six-mile route from downtown to the crossroads in Horse Shoe.
(Eventually you'll be able to travel all the way to Brevard!) Built on an old railway line, the multi-use trail is wide, flat and connects to numerous shops, eateries and breweries.
Culinary trails are a thing, too. The Hendersonville Ice Cream Trail showcases many scoop-worthy experiences. Visitors of legal age are invited to raise a toast on the Hendersonville Cheers! Trail, a collection of more than two dozen wineries, breweries, cideries and distilleries, plus a meadery.
We give a shout-out to our vineyards for earning recognition as an American Viticultural Area (AVA), a designation reserved for the top wine-producing regions in the U.S. Eight vineyards (and counting) in the Crest of the Blue Ridge AVA produce wines of distinction amidst spectacular scenery.
Our cup runneth over in Hendersonville. Sometime during your visit – as you enjoy this bounty of wonderfulness –my sincere hope is you will be touched by the same mountain gratitude that enveloped my teenage heart and never let it go. Around here, we call it Gratitude at Altitude.
Gratitude at Altitude
the path to happiness is no secret. it starts here.
They say every journey starts with a single step. And if you’re planning to explore the beauty and offerings of Western North Carolina, you might want to consider taking your first ones here.
Hendersonville is perfectly situated to be the “base camp” for all your Blue Ridge Mountain adventures. With plenty of places to stay, you’re never more than a short drive from everything the area has to offer – including apple country, the Crest of the Blue Ridge wine region and the countless forests that offer plenty of unforgettable outdoor adventures.
Need a push in the right direction? No problem. The helpful folks in our Hendersonville Welcome Center will be glad to help. They won’t just point out all of the great places to eat, drink, play and explore. They’ll put you on the path to Gratitude at Altitude — literally. The Ecusta Trail starts just outside the Welcome Center!
So stop in and say hello. Take a picture in front of our Gratitude Wall and share it with your friends and family. And then let us know when you’ll be back again.
Because as grateful as we are that you took the time to visit our special mountain town, we’re pretty sure you will be, too.
wonderful thing happens when you visit us
The more time you spend up here in the Blue Ridge Mountains –above endless rolling hills, among the clouds – the more you’ll feel it: An unmistakable sense of gratitude.
Gratitude for the inspiring views. The overwhelming sense of peace. And for everything in your life that has brought you to this place and this moment.
As a result, you’ll find yourself experiencing an almost unexpected level of appreciation for every sight, every sound, every glass of locally produced wine or craft beer, and every warm “hello” you receive from a friendly resident.
It’s what makes Hendersonville a place unlike any other.
And it’s what we proudly refer to as Gratitude at Altitude
We can’t wait for you to smell it. Taste it. Feel it. And most importantly, share it – with all the people in your life you’re grateful for.
Point Lookout Vineyards
A
in Hendersonville, North Carolina.
Hendersonville Welcome Center
Gratitude Wall at Welcome Center
Downtown Hendersonville
main street hendersonville: best of the blue ridge
The pedestrian-friendly Main Street that Hendersonville visitors enjoy today likely would have never come into existence if not for a quirky provision in 1841. At the time, Judge Mitchell King donated land from his summer estate to establish the town, but did so with a decree that Main Street be 100 feet wide. The reasoning? So that a carriage pulled by four horses could turn around in the street without backing up.
Nearly two centuries later, residents and tourists reap the benefits of that stipulation. The road’s width allowed for the 1977 redesign of Main Street into the curvilinear streetscape that now exists. Hendersonville’s downtown is a destination: spacious and roomy, filled with flowering brick planters, park benches, shade trees and wide sidewalks accommodating outdoor dining and art installations like the Bearfootin’ Art Walk.
Visitors are often surprised by the number of Main Street attractions. They can play all day at Appalachian Pinball Museum become a geology nerd at the Mineral & Lapidary Museum of Henderson County, discover rare gemstones at Pisgah Forest Gem Mine and watch shark feedings at Team ECCO Aquarium & Shark Lab
The aptly named Hands On! Children’s Museum promotes interactive learning. The museum embraces STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) and recently expanded to include the People’s Museum, a separate area for children and adults to celebrate the history and culture of people of color.
For a true Western North Carolina experience, stop by Mast General Store The two-story retailer features clothing, outdoor
gear, gift items, home decor and barrels filled with assorted candies. Mast General Store was founded near Boone and has grown to several locations, always in historic buildings. Hendersonville’s store lovingly occupies the 1905 Syndicate Building.
Main Street’s overall design and vibrant mix of shops, boutiques, restaurants, and attractions create one of the nation’s best small-town shopping and entertainment experiences.
Just a few blocks away, the revitalized Historic Seventh Avenue District is home to art galleries, shops, eateries, craft breweries and an artisan bakery. This hip area surrounds the 1902 Hendersonville Train Depot, which has roared back to life via one of the Southeast’s largest model railroads. Operated by the Apple Valley Model Railroad Club miniature trains chug from room to room, traversing a re-creation of the railroad system across Western North Carolina in the 1950s.
Pedaling for Pints in Downtown
On your next trip to Hendersonville, hop aboard the HVL Pedal & Brews pubcycle for a fun-filled cruise to downtown breweries and taprooms. The mobile pub has 10 pedaling seats, four non-pedaling seats and one conductor, who sits in the center.
An electric motor ensures riders don’t have to pedal hard.
The pubcycle’s roof allows for fun, rain or shine. Music is a must on the ride, and passersby often smile, wave and dance along. HVL Pedal & Brews is headquartered at Blue Ridge Beer Garden on South Church Street, one block off Main Street.
Parking Info
There are more than 600 paid and free on-street parking spaces downtown, along with 250 spots in the four-story parking deck. Several EV charging stations are available, too.
Scan the code for parking maps and more details.
Hendersonville's Main Street
Enjoy Our Camp Culture
summer camp experience for everyone
Hendersonville’s cool elevations and crystal-clear lakes have long provided the ideal setting for dozens of summer camps attended by boys and girls from across the U.S.
Nowadays, those campers aren’t the only ones experiencing outdoor life in these beautiful mountains. Adults and families create their own summer memories – with cozy beds, private baths and added amenities – at several elevated, camp-inspired retreats.
Whether you’re looking for a plush safari tent, well-appointed tree house, cozy cabin, mountain lake resort or a luxury farm with its own spa, Hendersonville has you covered.
Enjoy a daily itinerary hiking in national forests, exploring rushing waterfalls, riding mountain bikes and fly-fishing with your own personal guide.
Spend evenings relaxing around a firepit, making s’mores and reliving the day’s adventures.
Why should the kiddos have all the fun?
Make this your year for an adventurous, yet upscale “summer camp” escape to North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains.
STAY WHERE YOU PLAY
Cold Spring Basecamp: Choose from open-air cabins, traditional tent sites or a luxury tree house. Cold Spring is located on a historic summer camp property of 38 forested acres with hiking trails, waterfalls, trout streams and two mountain bike trails designed by a wellknown local trail builder.
Horse Shoe Farm: Take your camp experience to a higher level with luxury accommodations and gourmet meals at this relaxing 85-acre retreat adjacent to the French Broad River. Enjoy morning yoga, relax by the pool and make complimentary s'mores around the community firepit after gourmet meals at The Silo Cookhouse. And, did we mention the full-service spa?
Kanuga: A classic mountain retreat updated for modern times. Stay in the remodeled inn or opt for a cozy cottage with screened porch. Seven guesthouses are tucked in the woods, and a 30acre lake offers canoeing, kayaking and paddleboarding. There are 20 miles of hiking trails with scenic views, along with pickleball courts, climbing walls and a fitness center. Each morning, bugle music calls guests to breakfast in the dining hall.
Tuxedo Falls Luxury Camp: Fall asleep to the sounds of waterfalls in an upscale tree house or luxury safari tent. Located on property that once belonged to the adjacent Camp Glen Arden for Girls, this mountaintop glamping experience is just south of Hendersonville, yet feels far away from civilization. Enjoy breakfast in the lodge and hike a three-quarter-mile loop to five waterfalls, including Tuxedo Falls.
From
Our area offers a variety of distinct lodging options.
lakeside cabins to tucked-away tree houses, find the perfect getaway in Hendersonville.
Cabins & More
Kanuga Swimming Dock
Horse Shoe Farm
Tuxedo Falls Luxury Camp
bring out the camper in you
MEET THE HERD
Pet the famous goats at the Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site. When Sandburg’s wife, Lilian, turned over the keys to the National Park Service in 1967, the property came with her herd of champion dairy goats. Head to the pasture and barn area to meet these friendly residents, which are direct descendants of the original herd. Rangers are happy to answer questions about the goats and share the history of Mrs. Sandburg’s internationally renowned breeding techniques. For a special treat, visit in spring when the baby goats make their debut.
CLIMB AND PEDAL
Fiddlehead Farm & Forest houses an indoor climbing gym and mountain bike park. Strap into a harness, chalk your hands and pick a path to the top along 16,000 square feet of climbing terrain. Climbers of every level find something to suit their abilities. The boulder area includes 60 routes, and the kids’ climbing cove has multiple rope stations and its own boulder area that tops out to an awesome slide. Rent a mountain bike or bring your own to enjoy great terrain – and a few jumps – on outdoor trails and the under-canopy bike park.
FLY-FISH FOR TROUT
Hit the streams in search of trout with half- or full-day guided fly-fishing excursions. Unlike summer camp, fishing with a guide is the way to go — guides provide equipment and know the best places to fish and which flies the trout are biting. Some even include lunch. Choose from several services, including
Hendersonville Outfitters and WNC Fish Hunter. Hendersonville Outfitters is the exclusive guide service for private waters at Tuxedo Falls Luxury Camp. WNC Fish Hunter, in addition to fishing for trout, offers muskie fishing by boat on the French Broad River.
HIT THE DINING HALL
Campfire Grill is a camp-themed restaurant that seats diners in an upscale mess hall adorned with historic photos from local camps. But don’t expect hot dogs and sloppy joes. The menu is built around the restaurant’s wood-fired grill. Think fresh fish, steaks, grilled vegetables and over-the-top burgers. The s’mores skillet is a must for dessert. Campfire continues to expand
camp capital of the south
The first of many summer camps in Hendersonville opened in 1910.
Not long after, a regional newspaper dubbed Hendersonville “the center of camps in the South,” and it remains that way today as 18 camps host kids each summer. Two of those – Greystone (1919) and Mondamin (1922) – are among the nation’s oldest continually operating camps.
Summer camp sessions typically run one week. During that time, adolescents are exposed to the great outdoors while learning social skills and developing selfsufficiency. All this takes place in a fun, device-free environment.
Generations of kids have been instilled with valuable lessons about enjoying nature and caring for our country’s natural heritage.
There’s a camp for most every child. Some focus on kids as young as 5, while others accept campers up to 17.
There are coed camps, girls’ camps, boys’ camps and special needs camps.
Many families add a long weekend before or after their children’s summer camp experience, creating an extended family vacation in North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains.
While the Kids are At Camp
A newer trend has parents enjoying adult-only time in Hendersonville during camp week. Instead of dropping off the kids and heading home, they take advantage of all there is to do, from shopping to outdoor adventure to wine country tours to culinary delights. And it’s nice to sleep late each morning in a relaxing cabin, hotel or bed-and-breakfast inn.
its wine program and hosts monthly wine dinners and wine tastings on Wednesdays. A portion of sales benefits Camplify, a nonprofit which nurtures children through camp opportunities.
Bloom Fly Fishing DB bar D Outfitters
Campfire Grill
DB bar D Outfitters
Camp Highlander
Camp Tekoa
Camp Kanuga
Carl Sandburg Home
Foodies Welcome
turning local goodness into standout cuisine
In Western North Carolina, good food and warm hospitality are traditions locals hold dear and graciously extend to visitors. No place shows off those Southern hallmarks better than the small town of Hendersonville. The area’s rich agricultural heritage shows up in restaurants that source directly from local farmers.
UPSCALE DOWNTOWN
Downtown Hendersonville is home to two dozen independently owned restaurants. One standout is Postero Located within the 1922 First Bank and Trust building, the restaurant has an open kitchen, big windows and an upstairs balcony. The bank vault now serves as a wine cellar. Southern staples, such as fried flounder and buttermilk mashed potatoes, share space with roasted broccolini and tuna carpaccio.
At Shine, the menu is described as new American with a French flair. Order the wings with Cajun dry rub, frog legs or oysters Rockefeller for a taste of the bayou. The Dijon-crusted lamb chops are a top choice, along with Low Country shrimp and grits. Everything is scratch made, from ketchup to cocktail mixers. Grab a seat at the rooftop bar to watch the sun set over the mountains.
SEASONAL SELECTIONS
Season’s at Highland Lake presents locally sourced meats, seafood and vegetables in an elegant dining room. The menu changes with the weather to reflect the freshest ingredients. Trout from mountain streams is a frequent favorite. For more than 20 years, Season’s
has received the Award of Excellence from Wine Spectator magazine for its diverse yet approachable wine list.
Located on The Horse Shoe Farm Silo Cookhouse invites diners to sit at long community tables where the soul is fed as well as the body. Seasonal menus rely on the bounty from surrounding gardens, forests, farms, rivers and streams.
Right around the corner from the farm is Root + Bone where James Beardnominated chefs Janine Booth and husband, Jeff McInnis, prepare elevated Southern comfort food.
CAROLINA ’QUE
Find some of the finest barbecue around at Hubba Hubba Smokehouse in the Village of Flat Rock. Smokey aromas from wood-fired pits waft through the openair restaurant as diners dig into plates of pulled pork, sliced brisket and ribs, rounded out with baked beans, collard greens and cornbread.
Just up the street, Flat Rock Wood Room specializes in barbecue and woodfired pizza. The list of smoked meats includes pork, chicken, turkey, brisket, ribs and sausage. One dish merges the restaurant’s specialties, topping pizza crust with pulled pork, barbecue sauce and mozzarella.
Find a weekend itinerary focused on where to eat when.
Shine
Hubba Hubba Smokehouse
Silo Cookhouse
ThereScoop, it is!
hendersonville ice cream trail
One of the coolest trails in the Blue Ridge Mountains churns out tasty adventure on a daily basis, with more than a dozen locations serving delicious ice cream.
MADE RIGHT HERE
Several stops make ice cream from scratch, including McConnell Farms Owners Danny and Kathryn McConnell began in 1999 by churning strawberry ice cream with an antique hit-and-miss engine. Today they carry 14 flavors at a time made with fruit from the farm.
George and Mara Nicholas of The Baker’s Box met in culinary school. George’s specialty is the savory side, while Mara’s passion is sweets. She maintains a selection of six homemade ice creams.
In addition to dozens of homemade ice creams, El Rio features paletas (popsicles) in flavors like mango, pineapple, strawberry, guava, watermelon and cantaloupe.
Look for sorbet-style delicacies at La Vida Loca. All frozen treats are homemade using a technique that blends fresh fruit and water.
DOWNTOWN DELIGHTS
In downtown Hendersonville, Celtic Creamery dishes out extra-thick Irishstyle ice cream made in-house. The owners fell in love with this style in Ballybunion, Ireland.
Earn those ice cream calories by walking to two nearby shops. Kilwin’s is easy to spot with the top-hat-wearing bear standing out front holding an ice cream cone. Across Main Street, SweetFrog offers colorful sidewalk seating to enjoy a cup of frozen yogurt alongside four-legged family members who get their own pup cups.
SUNDAES, FUNDAYS
Piggy’s is the granddaddy of Hendersonville’s ice cream scene.
Opened in 1979, Piggy’s serves 24 to 30 flavors daily. Tried-and-true flavors are supplied by Mayfield, and fancier flavors come from Blue Bell.
Baabals has a daily selection of 26 flavors, along with 40 milkshakes. Sundaes, banana splits and floats are also specialties.
At Sunny Sundaes, homemade waffle cones, chocolate waffle cones and waffle bowls hold your choice of 14 flavors of Hershey’s ice cream.
Try the Redheaded Monkey Shake at Karolina Kremes Named in honor of the previous owner, the shake includes peanut butter, banana, and chocolate ice creams and is topped with a cherry.
Dairi-O a small North Carolina chain of popular restaurants, has more than 30 flavors, including hand-scooped and soft-serve.
Whit’s Frozen Custard is made fresh daily. Kick back on the three-tier deck with a Hendersonville Gem — vanilla custard with hot fudge, hot caramel and pecans.
If you’re a softie for ice cream, find your flavorites on our tasty trail. Get the Scoop
Piggy's Ice Cream
Karolina Kremes
Whit's Frozen Custard
Creamery
Dining LISTINGS
ALYKAT SUBS & SANDWICHES
1201 Asheville Hwy. Hendersonville, NC 28791
828-697-0311
Facebook.com/ AlykatSubsSandwiches
APPLEBEE'S
1635 Four Seasons Blvd. Hendersonville, NC 28792
828-692-3006
Applebees.com
ARABELLA BREAKFAST AND BRUNCH
536 N. Main St. Hendersonville, NC 28792
828-595-2449
ArabellaBreakfast andBrunch.com
ASAKUSA JAPANESE CUISINE
144 Highlands Square Dr. Hendersonville, NC 28792
828-620-3130
Asakusa.Menu
AUCTION HOUSE
FOOD HALL
29 Fanning Bridge Rd. Fletcher, NC 28732
828-707-9216
AuctionHouseFoodHall.com
BLUE SKY CAFÉ
3987 Hendersonville Rd. Fletcher, NC 28732
828-684-1247
ILoveBlueSkyCafe.com
THE BOOK & BEE CAFE & TEA
795 Mountain Rd. Hendersonville, NC 28791
828-845-4242
TheBookandBee.com
BOONCHOO THAI EXPRESS
576 Upward Rd. Flat Rock, NC 28731
828-435-9077
BoonchooThai.com
BRANDY'S ON MAIN
111 S. Main St. Hendersonville, NC 28792
828-513-1240
BAABALS
ICE CREAM SHOPPE
25 Fletcher Commercial Dr. Fletcher, NC 28732
828-774-9110
Facebook.com/Baabals
THE BAKER'S BOX
1508 Asheville Hwy. Hendersonville, NC 28791
828-595-9983
TheBakersBox.net
BAY BREEZE SEAFOOD
1830 Asheville Hwy. Hendersonville, NC 28791
828-697-7106
BayBreezeSeafood.com
BINION'S ROADHOUSE 1565 Four Seasons Blvd. Hendersonville, NC 28792
828-693-0492
BinionsRoadhouse.com
BLUE RIDGE PIZZA COMPANY
6336 Brevard Rd. Etowah, NC 28729
828-891-5648
BLUE RUBY
2702 Greenville Hwy. Ste. D Flat Rock, NC 28731
828-666-0686
TheBlueRuby.com
DANDELION
127 Fifth Ave. W. Hendersonville, NC 28792
828-595-9365
Facebook.com/ DandelionEatery
A DAY IN THE COUNTRY
130 Sugarloaf Rd. Hendersonville, NC 28792
828-692-7914
ADITC.com/Cafe
DELUXE
222 N Main St, Hendersonville, NC 28792
828-388-9090
DeluxeHVL.com
DENNY'S
1550 Four Seasons Blvd. Hendersonville, NC 28792
BrandysOnMain.net
BROOKS TAVERN
142 Third Ave. W. Hendersonville, NC 28792
828-595-9994
BrooksTavern.com
CAMPFIRE GRILL
2770 Greenville Hwy. Flat Rock, NC 28731
828-595-9849
CampFireGrillNC.com
CHAMPA
437 N. Main St. Hendersonville, NC 28792
828-696-9800
ChampaNC.com
CLAYWOOD 317 Seventh Ave E. Hendersonville, NC 28792
828-471-7500
ClaywoodNC.com
CRACKER BARREL
OLD COUNTRY STORE
105 Commercial Blvd. Flat Rock, NC 28731
828-692-5560
CrackerBarrel.com
DAIRI-O
140 Upward Rd. East Flat Rock, NC 28726
828-388-7342
Dairio.com
EL PASO MARISCOS & TAQUERÍA
112 Sugarloaf Rd. Hendersonville, NC 28792
828-697-8630
ElPasoMexican.net
EL PASO MEXICAN RESTAURANT
807 Spartanburg Hwy. Hendersonville, NC 28792
828-698-6040
ElPasoMexican.net
EL PASO MEXICAN RESTAURANT
Best Western, 105 Sugarloaf Rd. Hendersonville, NC 28792
Hendersonville, NC 28739 (inside of Trailside Brewing Co.)
Facebook.com/AppalachianCoffee
ART & COFFEE BAR
118 Fifth Ave. E. Hendersonville, NC 28792
828-513-4008
BLACK BEAR COFFEE CO.
– DOWNTOWN
318 N. Main St. Hendersonville, NC 28792
828-692-6333
BlackBear.Coffee
BLACK BEAR COFFEE CO.
– HOOPER’S CREEK
144 Hoopers Creek Rd. Fletcher, NC 28732
828-844-2327
BlackBear.coffee
THE BUZZ
225 S. Grove St. Hendersonville, NC 28792
828-730-0790
TheBuzzHendo.com
BRIAR PATCH FIBRE CO. YARN CAFE
3630 Brevard Rd. Hendersonville, NC 28791
BriarPatchFibreCo.myshopify.com
COGNATIVE CAFÉ
3771 Brevard Rd. Hendersonville, NC 28791
828-272-1222
CognativeCafe.com
farm market trail
Sharewell Coffee Co. & Roastery
ECUSTA MARKET & CAFE
877 Lennox Park Dr, Hendersonville, NC 28739
828-595-3483
EcustaMarketAndCafe.com
INDEPENDENT BEAN ROASTERS
346 Seventh Ave. E. Hendersonville, NC 28792
IndependentRoasters.com
OLD HAYWOOD FILLING STATION
5664 Old Haywood Rd, Mills River, NC 28759
919-880-1557
OldHaywoodFillingStation.com
SHAREWELL COFFEE CO. & ROASTERY
2698C Greenville Hwy. Flat Rock, NC 28731
828-595-2085
SharewellCoffee.com
A SOUTHERN CUP FINE TEAS
1529 Greenville Hwy. Hendersonville, NC 28792
844-596-7832
ASouthernCup.com
SOUTHERN STREAMS COFFEEHOUSE
1628 Fifth Ave. W. Hendersonville, NC 28739
828-595-2273
SouthernStreamsCoffee.com
SPICE OF LIFE & VARIETY TEA
240 N. Main St. Hendersonville, NC 28792
828-692-6363
SpiceOfLifeInc.com
THE UGLY MUG
2024 Asheville Hwy. Hendersonville, NC 28791
828-693-9999
Facebook.com/TheUglyMugNC
henderson county apple orchard trail
From August through October, apple orchards buzz with activity. Henderson County leads North Carolina in apple production and consistently ranks among the top 20 counties nationally. Several orchards invite visitors to pick their own apples and enjoy activities such as wagon rides, corn mazes, pumpkin patches and apple cannons. Many orchards also serve apple cider doughnuts and other baked goods. Roadside markets or produce stands are another option for fresh apples, cider and baked goods.
Enjoy the bounty from Hendersonville’s fields and orchards with a visit to a farmers market. In addition to fresh fruits and vegetables, local producers sell eggs, baked goods, artisan cheeses, pickles, jams, jellies and honey. A farmers market trip is more than a grocery run. Meet the people who grow, pick and prepare the food, and explore the small towns and communities surrounding Hendersonville.
TWISTED APPLE 4039 Chimney Rock Rd. Hendersonville, NC 28792
828-712-1919
Facebook.com/TwistedAppleLLC
Stepp's Hillcrest Orchard
The Cheers! Trail
raise a toast to your favorite craft beverage
In Hendersonville, where craftspeople have drawn inspiration from the Blue Ridge Mountains for centuries, a new era has emerged of handmade, locally sourced products. Nowadays, breweries, cideries, wineries, distilleries and a meadery create beverages prized for their quality and originality.
The easiest way to find these treasures is via the Hendersonville Cheers! Trail connecting more than two dozen tasting rooms in this scenic region of North Carolina.
When it comes to craft beer, Hendersonville offers everything from a small farmhouse brewery (Sideways) using ingredients grown on-site, to the East Coast headquarters of Sierra Nevada a beer Taj Mahal with indoor/ outdoor dining, amphitheater, daily tours and gift shop.
Hendersonville’s Main Street area is home to Oklawaha Brewing known for small-batch ales and live music, and Boodas Brewing with an in-house restaurant. Nearby in the Historic Seventh Avenue District are side-byside breweries Southern Appalachian and Guidon Southern Appalachian pioneered brewing in Hendersonville
and is known for approachable ales varying from German pilsners to its famed Black Bear Stout.
Three breweries – Dry Falls, Trailside and Guidon Brewing Outpost – are on the Ecusta greenway trail. Rural Mills River might just be the biggest little beer town in America with Appalachian Mountain, Burning Blush, Mills River Brewing and the aforementioned Sierra Nevada
Henderson County grows the most apples in North Carolina, which hard cideries turn into various styles of the historic drink. Appalachian Ridge makes European-style dry and off-dry ciders in a converted 1940s barn. Bold Rock is a national craft cider leader, offering multiple seasonal selections at a state-of-the-art tasting room.
The heritage of our mountains is found at M&T Distilling, which pours 100-proof moonshine made from locally grown corn. Two Trees Distilling employs a unique, eco-friendly process to produce traditional whiskies.
Toast the grandest views on the Cheers!
Trail at 3,000 feet elevation with a glass of mead or wine at World’s Edge Meadery at Point Lookout Vineyards
Sierra Nevada
Appalachian Ridge Artisan Cidery
Southern Appalachian Brewery
M&T Distilling
The free Hendersonville Cheers! Trail digital passport lets you learn about each trail stop and earn cool swag during your visit.
More,
Swag
Crest of the Blue Ridge a taste of bordeaux in the blue ridge
The Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina and the hillsides of Europe are separated by thousands of miles. But spend a few days in Hendersonville — visiting wineries, sipping tasty reds and crisp whites, and admiring rolling vineyards — and you might think you’re on the other side of the Atlantic.
Hendersonville’s Crest of the Blue Ridge American Viticultural Area received federal designation in 2019. The same conditions that make the area a prime location for growing apples — warm days and cool nights paired with the right soil composition and humidity — also work well for growing grapes. Earning AVA status puts the Crest of the Blue Ridge in the same category as other wine regions, such as Sonoma, Napa Valley and the Finger Lakes.
As Western North Carolina’s premier wine country, Crest of the Blue Ridge is home to eight wineries (and counting). Hendersonville’s vineyards produce wines of distinction from European vinifera and French-American hybrid grapes, including Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Riesling and Vidal Blanc. One of the newest wineries, Souther Williams Vineyard (2022), reaches even deeper into the European continent with varieties such as Blaufränkisch, Grüner Veltliner and Saperavi.
Saint Paul Mountain Vineyards (2012) and Burntshirt Vineyards (2013) pioneered winemaking in the area, proving that award-winning vintages can be made here in the lower elevations of the Blue Ridge.
Wishing to replicate the terroir and vineyard experience of Bordeaux, France, the Little family scoured the East Coast for the perfect location for Stone Ashe Vineyards which opened in 2022. They found steep slopes and ideal soil conditions on a ridge at 2,700 feet in elevation just outside Hendersonville, where they planted vines cloned from legacy vines in France.
“The idea was to take clones that had grown for a thousand years in Bordeaux and put them in a similar climate here,”
Stone Ashe founder Craig Little said. “We want to educate people on North Carolina wines, showing we can grow quality grapes here for remarkable wine that’s on par with other regions.”
Point Lookout Vineyards
Saint Paul Mountain Vineyards
Stone Ashe Vineyards
Burntshirt Vineyards
Main Attractions head to hendersonville to enjoy these attractions
Peer into four states from a mountaintop park. Hike a trail with three spectacular waterfalls. Show off your pinball prowess – or Ms. Pac-Man maneuvers. Visit a gem mine that has a petting zoo and craft brewery outpost. Learn the history of Hendersonville at a unique minigolf course. Watch trains chug along one of the largest model railroads in the Southeast. This is a destination with much to see and do.
JUMP OFF ROCK
On a clear day, four states are visible from this mountaintop park. It’s less than 15 minutes from Main Street in Hendersonville and only requires a short walk from the parking area. One of the grandest views in Western North Carolina, and great for watching sunsets, too.
DUPONT FOREST WATERFALLS
Park at the Hooker Falls access area to enjoy a three-mile hike to a trio of scenic waterfalls. Highlights include a swimming area below Hooker Falls and great views of Triple Falls, featured in two Hollywood films. On up the trail is High Falls, known for its footbridge above the falls.
APPALACHIAN PINBALL MUSEUM
Step into yesteryear at a museum where it’s definitely OK to touch the exhibits. Appalachian Pinball Museum is home to more than 80 vintage pinball machines, classic video games and arcade shooting machines. Play all the machines for one flat fee, and visit the snack bar for munchies, sodas and cold beer.
ELIJAH MOUNTAIN GEM MINE
addition to indoor and covered mining, Elijah Mountain has a goat farm and peacock habitat on-site. There’s a creek for kids to play in and a local brewery outpost for parents.
LAURA CORN MINI GOLF COURSE
The type of attraction only found in small-town America. For years, Laura Corn managed this city-owned minigolf course, and after her retirement, it was renamed in her honor. Completely rebuilt in 2023 in Edwards Park, the 18hole course includes challenging holes and a waterfall, and is ADA-accessible. Multiple features throughout the layout showcase local tourist attractions and points of interest.
APPLE VALLEY MODEL RAILROAD
The Apple Valley Model Railroad Club saved Hendersonville’s historic train depot in 1992. Since that time, the club has filled it with one of the largest model railroad layouts in the Southeast. Just like their heroes who, bit by bit, laid tracks from the Atlantic to the Pacific, club members continually added more and more track until they had a replica of the entire railway system in the NC mountains.
JONES ALL-INCLUSIVE PLAYGROUND
The Donnie Jones All-Inclusive Playground at Jackson Park is an amazing place for all kids to play. It’s colorful and fun, with lots of accessible equipment and activities on smooth, level, rubberized ground. Kids can climb, spin, swing, slide and roll. A middle section features musical instrument stations and a ground-level merry-goround. Open daily with free parking.
Pan for gemstones and crack open a geode at one of the more interesting gem mines in the NC mountains. In
Triple Falls
Appalachian Pinball Museum
Apple Valley Model Railroad
retail therapy
The joy of the hunt
Fashionistas, art enthusiasts, thrifters and antique hunters love perusing Hendersonville’s honey holes. These one-of-a-kind shops and boutiques sell original works, repurposed relics and timeless treasures. Shopaholics know there’s never enough time to visit them all, so we suggest using geography as a guide. Each area offers its own distinct flair, plus coffee shops for refueling.
MAIN STREET
Galleries, clothing boutiques, homegoods stores and specialty shops are plentiful along both sides of Main Street’s bustling eight-block stretch. The iconic Mast General Store carries clothing and accessories for getting outdoors, as well as gifts and frivolities, such as barrels of old-fashioned candy. Head over to the Historic Seventh Avenue District, known as “downtown’s creative edge,” and visit the top-notch gallery Art on 7th
FLAT ROCK
This friendly village, known as “little Charleston of the mountains,” has offered shopping for visitors since the 1800s. Melinda Lawton, owner of Sweet Magnolia Gallery got her start in the film industry before her jewelry business took off when Carrie Underwood wore her designs on “American Idol.” Another popular spot is Feather Your Nest a consignment treasure trove of home decor, artwork, furniture and accessories. The Gallery at Flat Rock exhibits highquality works of art in a beautiful setting across the side street from Flat Rock’s famed Little Rainbow Row where no visit is complete without stopping in The Wrinkled Egg gift shop.
HORSE SHOE
An enclave of cottage shops named Horse Shoe Gap Village has emerged in this rural area west of Hendersonville. It is anchored by The Little Corner Shop (antiques, home goods); Smitten Smiths Gallery (jewelry crafted from metals); and Stone Haus Crafts which specializes in blacksmithing and leatherworking. Another popular stop in the village is Briar Patch Fibre Co
Activities LISTINGS
history
GUIDED HISTORY WALKS
Hendersonville, NC 28739
828-545-3179
MaryJoPadgett.com
HAUNTS OF HENDO
Hendersonville, NC 28792
HauntsofHendo.com
Treasured Finds from Yesteryear
Vintage shopping is definitely having a moment. Find your yesteryear treasures at a trio of top-notch antiques stores. The largest is Needful Things, where comfortable shoes are a must. It features roughly 200 vendor displays across two huge showroom floors. Furniture and home goods are the focus at The Marketplace on Locust home to 12 vendors who carefully curate their collections and often participate in open houses on-site. Vintage blends with artsy at The Garage on 25 in Fletcher, an artisan community of more than 80 local makers, creators, up-cyclers, vintage lovers and pickers, plus a cozy coffee shop.
ST. JOHN IN THE WILDERNESS
1895 Greenville Hwy. Flat Rock, NC 28731
828-693-9783
StJohnFlatRock.org
WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA AIR MUSEUM
1340 E. Gilbert St. Hendersonville, NC 28793
828-698-2482 WNCAirMuseum.com
WOLFE'S ANGEL STATUE
Oakdale Cemetery
U.S. Hwy. 64 W. Hendersonville, NC 28739
HENDERSON COUNTY GENEALOGICAL & HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Hendersonville’s prime location in the Blue Ridge Mountains puts visitors close to several of the top attractions in Western North Carolina. Take an afternoon, or a full day, to meander scenic byways and explore all this beautiful region has to offer.
Biltmore Estate (35 minutes):
One of the largest and most famous houses in America is this mansion built in the late 1800s by George and Edith Vanderbilt. It’s a popular attraction yearround, especially during tulip blossom season in spring and at Christmastime. Embark on a self-guided tour of the French Renaissance chateau with 35 bedrooms, 43 bathrooms, 65 fireplaces and an indoor pool. Explore the grounds and gardens and take part in wine tastings at the estate’s winery.
Chimney Rock (45 minutes):
Rising high from the Hickory Nut Gorge, Chimney Rock is the centerpiece of Chimney Rock State Park. Take a 26-story elevator ride inside the monolith to an observation deck at the summit, or climb hundreds of steps to reach the top. In addition to breathtaking views, the
biodiverse park features a variety of hiking trails and one of the tallest waterfalls on the East Coast.
The Gorge Zipline (20 minutes):
Start at the rim of the Green River Gorge and plunge through 18,000 acres of protected wilderness on one of the steepest and fastest zipline canopy tours in the U.S. This unique adventure includes 11 ziplines, multiple platforms and a sky bridge.
Sliding Rock (40 minutes):
A water slide created by Mother Nature in the Pisgah National Forest. Nearly 11,000 gallons of water per minute send visitors sliding 60 feet down the rock into an eightfoot-deep pool. Lifeguards are on duty from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Open seven days a week, weather permitting.
Tryon International Equestrian Center (30 minutes):
This world-class equestrian facility hosts events throughout the year at 13 allweather competition rings and an indoor complex, and many of the competitions are free of charge. The center also has shops, restaurants and recreational facilities.
The Stable Spa
Jeter Mountain Farm
Sliding Rock
Biltmore Estate
The Gorge Zipline
Chimney Rock State Park
Western North Carolina Air Museum
Arts Take Center Stage
Arts
galleries
THE ART PLACE
2021 Asheville Hwy. Hendersonville, NC 28792
828-490-5639
ArtLeagueHVL.org
ART MOB STUDIOS & MARKETPLACE
124 Fourth Ave. E. Hendersonville, NC 28792
828-693-4545
ArtMobStudios.com
ART ON 7TH
330 Seventh Ave. E. Hendersonville, NC 28792
828-595-9232
Arton7th.com
CAROLINA MOUNTAIN ARTISTS GUILD
444 N. Main St. Hendersonville, NC 28792
828-696-0707
CarolinaMountainArtists.com
CONTINUUM
147 First Ave. E., Ste. C Hendersonville, NC 28792
828-435-3300
ContinuumArtNC.com
EMPORIUM ON MAIN
424 N Main St, Hendersonville, NC 28792
828-696-5340
TheEmporiumOnMain.com
THE GALLERY AT FLAT ROCK
2702-A Greenville Hwy. Flat Rock, NC 28731
828-698-7000 GalleryFlatRock.com
JOAN LESIKIN GALLERY
415 N. Wall St. Hendersonville, NC 28792
828-384-6579
Lesikin.com
NARNIA STUDIOS
408 N. Main St. Hendersonville, NC 28792 828-697-6393
NarniaStudios.com
SILVER FOX GALLERY
508 N. Main St. Hendersonville, NC 28792 828-698-0601
Main St., Side Streets, and Seventh Ave. Hendersonville, NC 28792 828-233-3216
HendersonvilleNC.gov/ events/bearfootin-art-walk
MCCLINTOCK
CHIME CLOCK Located on the corner of 4th and Main St. Hendersonville, NC 28792
Keep an eye out for the beautiful bear statues, which are part of downtown Hendersonville’s Bearfootin' Public Art Walk. Each spring, a new set of bears is created and revealed before being auctioned off in the fall. The proceeds benefit area nonprofits. This free, fun activity is a great way to explore downtown Hendersonville. Scan this QR Code for detailed information on each bear, along with its location.
Art on 7th
annual events
Cider, Wine & Dine Weekend
Sip wine and cider, savor delicious food pairings and explore the Blue Ridge Mountain countryside during Hendersonville’s Cider, Wine & Dine Weekend. Held annually on a Friday, Saturday and Sunday in spring (usually the first weekend in May), the celebration welcomes people to vineyards and orchards where artisan craft beverages are produced in this thriving agricultural region. The event takes place as grapevines begin to bud and apple trees burst with green leaves — both signifying hope for a prosperous fall harvest. A variety of events take place throughout the weekend, including specialty tastings, dinners, tours, property hikes and lots of live music. The weekend highlights the eight wineries of the Crest of the Blue Ridge AVA, a federally designated wine region, and several area cideries that produce hard cider using fresh apples from local orchards. Events are both free and ticketed.
SUMMER CONCERTS
Hendersonville loves live music. Check out these fun, free concerts that take place downtown throughout the summer.
Garden Jubilee
Garden enthusiasts converge in downtown Hendersonville on Memorial Day weekend for Garden Jubilee. Held Saturday and Sunday, the event is one of the largest gardening shows in the Southeast. The twoday celebration of all things green fills Main Street with plants, yard tools and outdoor accessories. Approximately 150 vendors set up along seven blocks of Main Street. Local and regional nurseries sell thousands of plants, including annuals, perennials, vegetable and fruit plants, herbs, and unusual varieties.
Music on Main features pop, oldies, rock and contemporary music on Friday evenings. Expect to hear classic favorites that make you want to get up and dance. This family-friendly event often happens in conjunction with food trucks and classic car shows.
Street Dances take to Main Street as they have for more than 100 years. Held on select Saturday nights, the lively events began in 1918, at the end of World War I, when the town welcomed home local soldiers by celebrating in the streets with impromptu music and dancing. The tradition is still alive and well. Local bands and clogging teams show off the sounds of Appalachia.
North Carolina Apple Festival
Every Labor Day weekend for approximately 80 years, the North Carolina Apple Festival has filled Main Street with merriment to celebrate the Hendersonville apple harvest. Hendersonville leads the state in apple production and consistently ranks within the top 20 producers nationwide. Beginning Friday and continuing through Labor Day, festivities include a street fair, live music, a parade, a kids’ carnival, pancake breakfasts, a recipe contest, apple taste tests, foot races, aircraft rides, and a gem and mineral show.
North Carolina Mountain State Fair
Rhythm & Brews brings together live music; a variety of food trucks; and locally made beer, wine and cider on the third Thursday of each month from May through September. Entertainers include established acts as well as up-and-coming artists from around the nation playing an assortment of genres.
In mid-September, the North Carolina Mountain State Fair runs for 10 days at the Western North Carolina Agricultural Center. It celebrates the hallmarks of Blue Ridge Mountain heritage, including agriculture, music, and arts and crafts. More than 4,000 animals — dairy and
beef cattle, horses, sheep, pigs, goats, chickens, rabbits and llamas — strut their stuff for blue ribbons. Enjoy live demonstrations of molasses making, blacksmithing, pottery turning and basket weaving. The centerpiece of the fair is a midway with more than 40 carnival rides and games, festival food, and live entertainment nightly on the Heritage Stage.
Art on Main
Hendersonville’s Main Street creates an ideal backdrop for more than 100 artists to display and sell their works the last weekend of September. Art on Main is a juried event that attracts artists from throughout the Southeast and is regarded as one of the finest outdoor art shows in the region. A variety of media are represented, including oil and acrylic painting, clay, metal, wood, fiber, photography and jewelry.
Home for the Holidays
With nearly two months of festive events, Home for the Holidays promises to make your days merry and bright. Events begin in mid-November, and the season ramps up the day after Thanksgiving with the downtown tree lighting and Santa’s arrival. A walk down Main Street feels like stepping into a Hallmark movie. A tall tree stands aglow on the historic courthouse square, twinkling lights run up and down the serpentine sidewalks, and shopkeepers display elaborate window decor. Other signature events include an original musical variety show at Flat Rock Playhouse, Christmas at Connemara at Carl Sandburg’s former estate, downtown carriage rides, and a holiday tour of inns.
Hendersonville Honeycrisps Baseball
Named after the area’s favorite crop, the Hendersonville Honeycrisps are a summer collegiate baseball team playing in The Old North State League at historic Berkeley Park — former home of the Berkeley Spinners, a post-WWII textile mill team. Division Champions in 2022 and 2023, the Honeycrisps not only play talented baseball, but also create a familyfriendly atmosphere with food trucks, bark at the park nights and Crisper the mascot.
Cider, Wine & Dine Weekend
Home for the Holidays
Garden Jubilee
North Carolina Apple Festival
North Carolina Mountain State Fair
Rhythm & Brews
Accommodations
fall inn love with hendersonville
Hendersonville’s bed-and-breakfast inns offer the elegance, history and romanticism for which the South is famous. Choose from options in town or spread about the surrounding countryside.
For those preferring a short walk to Main Street’s dining and shopping, there are three choices. The 1898 Waverly Inn and Charleston Inn sit side-by-side on North Main, two blocks from the central business district. These stately Victorians with wraparound porches were built in the late 1800s for flatlanders to escape summer’s heat. Updated with modern amenities, both retain their original charm.
One block west of Main Street is The Henderson, an early 1900s hotel-turned-inn with 17 cozy guest rooms and an award-winning restaurant, Harvey’s.
The Elizabeth Leigh Inn is another Victorian, perched above Fifth Avenue in a wellmaintained neighborhood. The inn features four elegant suites, each with king bed, private bath and fireplace.
High above Hendersonville, at nearly 3,000 feet elevation, sits Echo Mountain Inn, a gracious stone structure dating to 1896. It has spacious guest rooms and suites, a swimming pool and a verandah with long-range views.
In the Mills River countryside, the Bed & Breakfast on Tiffany Hill is a newer, purpose-built inn known for casual, relaxed elegance and a daily three-course “breakfast at Tiffany’s.” It was the first bed-and-breakfast to earn a spot in the Southern Living Hotel Collection.
Pinebrook Manor is a romantic, white-column inn on a manicured five-acre estate in Flat Rock. Four luxury “bedchambers” are named for British poets, such as Lord Tennyson. Not far from Flat Rock, the restored Kanuga Inn offers 61 guest rooms in a tranquil setting overlooking a 30-acre lake.
When planning your visit to Hendersonville and the surrounding area, we recommend the trip planning services of Juniper. They offer crafted itineraries to save time, help you discover local gems, and allow you to be more present.
The Horse Shoe Farm
The Henderson Kanuga
KEY = Pet Friendly
Skylaranna Hotel & Resort
Tuxedo Falls Luxury Camp
Outdoor Adventure
Adventure awaits around every corner and along each trail in these Blue Ridge Mountains. Spend a day at one of three world-class mountain bike parks. Explore trails and waterfalls at two state parks. Launch a kayak in the French Broad River or Green River. Pedal the smooth, flat pavement of the Ecusta Trail – NC’s newest rail trail. Or watch a sunset at Jump Off Rock. Outdoor lovers find many ways to enjoy their days in Hendersonville.
With miles of trails and some of Western North Carolina’s most beautiful views, Hendersonville is a paradise for hikers and bikers. Beginners enjoy smooth greenways and short loop hikes, while hardcore enthusiasts have an opportunity to conquer challenging terrain. Whether hitting the trail on foot or on wheels, expect unforgettable adventures around every curve.
Bell Park: Opened in 2024, Bell Park includes 1.8 miles of trails winding through 70 acres of forest perched on the edge of the Green River Gorge. The trails welcome walkers, hikers and runners. An observation deck with a bench overlooks a rushing waterfall.
Bearwallow Mountain: A moderate hiking trail takes you one mile to the mountain’s summit, where you’ll find breathtaking 360-degree views of Hendersonville, Mt. Pisgah, Mt. Mitchell and Hickory Nut Gorge. For more adventure, connect with the fivemile Wildcat Rock Trail and three stunning waterfalls, or return to Bearwallow parking area and explore Trombatore Trail for spectacular views of Hickory Nut Gorge and Bearwallow Mountain.
DuPont State Recreational Forest:
Encompassing more than 10,000 acres and 84 trails, this forest has something for hikers, bikers and horseback riders. Waterfalls are the star here. If some of them look familiar, they set the scene as the backdrop for “The Hunger Games.”
Weevil Outdoor Guided Rides: Explore DuPont State Recreational Forest or Pisgah National Forest with knowledgeable guides who match your bike ride to your skill level. Group and individual rides typically last about four hours and require bringing your own equipment and supplies.
Oklawaha Greenway: This 3.25-mile paved trail along Mud Creek links five public parks. The 10-foot-wide path is accessible to visitors with physical limitations. Benches, water fountains and bike repair stations are available along the way. Birders particularly enjoy this stretch for its variety of feathered friends.
Ride Kanuga: Mountain bikers looking for a challenge will find it on this course designed by riders, for riders. Eight downhill trails of varying difficulty are available by reservation. The on-site adventure center offers bike rentals and craft beers.
Ride Rock Creek: Founded and designed by professional downhill racer Neko Mulally, Ride Rock Creek is an elite downhill mountain bike park sitting on 300 acres. The park played host to the 2023 and 2024 Gravity Mountain Bike National Championships.
When you hit our trails, be sure to tread lightly and #LeaveNoTrace Leave No Trace
DuPont State Recreational Forest
Oklawaha Greenway
Bearwallow Mountain Trail
Introducing the Ecusta Trail
The Ecusta Trail is a game changer for outdoor enthusiasts in Western North Carolina. Given the Cherokee name for rippling waters, the six-mile paved route follows the old railway line from downtown Hendersonville to the crossroads in Horse Shoe. The multiuse trail is wide, flat and connects to several shops, eateries, breweries and coffee cafes. Outside the city limits, the landscape changes to pine forests, bamboo groves, pasture land and the rippling waters of Shaw Creek, with the peak of Mount Pisgah visible in the distance.
ecusta experiences: 10 stops along the trail
The Welcome Center: Located on South Main in Hendersonville, it’s the official Henderson County trailhead. Fill water bottles, use the restrooms, get trail tips and check the social media wall for real-time visitor posts.
Dry Falls Brewing: Where the trail crosses Kanuga Road, this friendly brewery is a locals’ favorite for its indoor/outdoor seating, food trucks and approachable ales.
Trailside Brewing: At Lennox Station, this brewery had the foresight to open just steps from the trail. Its outdoor beer garden is a trail favorite, along with indoor tasting room and coffee shop.
Ecusta Market & Cafe: Next door to Trailside Brewing, enjoy farm-to-table food at the cafe and shop the market for the freshest locally sourced produce and other items.
Southern Streams CoffeeHouse: As the trail moves into Laurel Park, make a pit stop on the outdoor deck for organic, fair trade coffee and espresso, plus breakfast and lunch items, and pastries.
Elijah Mtn. Gem Mine: Don’t let the name fool you, it’s more than a gem mine. There’s a peacock habitat, goat barn, sprawling shop featuring crystals and other stones, and the Guidon Brewing Outpost
Horse Shoe Gap Village Two-tenths of a mile up Allstar Lane is a walkabout collection of cottage shops.
Handmade jewelry, handblown glass, vintage wares and Briar Patch Fibre Co are among the finds.
Cognative Café: Across U.S. Highway 64 in Horse Shoe, Cognative Mountain Bike apparel has a cafe selling coffee, espresso, baked goods, gourmet toast, salads and beer, and mountain bike apparel, too.
Packa’s Place: Family-friendly outdoor beer garden with food trucks, live music and chill vibes. Also, a working farm with grazing beefalo adjacent to the beer garden.
The Crossroads: Enjoy Southern comfort food and rock music at the trail’s western terminus. The stone structure features a rock ’n’ roll bar with outdoor deck and Root + Bone, an award-winning eatery.
Packa's Place
The Ecusta Trail
Agritourism Grows Here
Farming traditions in Hendersonville go deep, spanning decades and generations. Local growers invite visitors to take part in the experience by opening their fields for U-pick opportunities, corn mazes and pumpkin patches. Others serve baked goods, ice cream, beers and ciders right on the farm. These suggestions are just a sampling of the agricultural activities visitors can enjoy in Hendersonville.
Deep Woods Mushrooms Farm: What started as a way to give unique Christmas gifts turned into a full-time business for Greg Carter. He’s now been cultivating and foraging mushrooms for 20 years, and he conducts farm tours, workshops and wild mushroom hunts. See his elaborate fungi-growing setup and learn how to inoculate logs. Summer brings a bounty of wild mushrooms to the forests of Western North Carolina. Go on a walk to learn where to look and which mushrooms are best for culinary purposes.
Ellaberry Llama Farm: How could a Blue Ridge Mountain hike get any better? Add a llama. Ellaberry Llama Farm leads mountain hikes with its herd of prizewinning llamas. The farm also opens for tours, where visitors learn more about the animals, interact with them and take llama-included selfies. These llamas are well traveled. Catch them on Main Street throughout the holiday season posing for photos by Santa’s sleigh.
McConnell Farms: Third-generation farmer Danny McConnell grows and sells a wide variety of fruits and vegetables year-round at his farm market. The farm welcomes groups with a covered pavilion for picnics. In 1999, he began making and selling strawberry ice cream. He now rotates through dozens of flavors, from the expected chocolate and vanilla to such creative combinations as blackberry chocolate chip, lemon blueberry and fig mascarpone. The farm is one of 13 stops on the Hendersonville Ice Cream Trail (learn more on page 15). In September, the farm hosts Fig Fest with two days of fig-focused activities and treats.
The Nix Pumpkin Patch: While the Nix family specializes in pumpkins, this farm grows and sells a cornucopia of
fruits and produce throughout the year. In the spring, customers eagerly await freshly picked strawberries and strawberries-and-cream doughnuts. The pumpkin-picking season kicks off in early September. The newly renovated farm store churns out fresh apple cider, apple-cider and pumpkin doughnuts, apple and peach hand pies, and boiled peanuts. The market also stocks dairy products, eggs, hanging baskets and other plants.
Jeter Mountain Farm: When this farming family relocated from Florida to the Blue Ridge Mountains, their expertise was commercially grown tomatoes. So that’s what they grew. But they slowly converted their tomato fields to apple orchards and then added peaches, blueberries, blackberries, elderberries, grapes, flowers and pumpkins. Board a tractor-pulled wagon that unloads at each U-pick field. Readypicked items are available in the farm market, which also houses a coffee shop, cidery pressing fresh cider and hard cider, doughnut-making operation, and covered playground. The 1813 Smokehouse serves pulled pork smoked for 20 hours.
Sideways Farm & Brewery: The Sideways brewing approach represents the fleeting seasonality of farm life.
Every few weeks, the brewery crafts a couple of small-batch artisan ales using seasonal ingredients. Sideways beers come in 750-milliliter bottles, similar to wine, which are ideal for sharing. The unfiltered, unpasteurized beers are conditioned with wildflower honey from hives on the farm. The brewery regularly hosts food trucks and live music, and a monthly makers market with local artists.
Jeter Mountain Farm
Deep Woods Mushrooms
Sideways Farm & Brewery
Ellaberry Llama Farm
McConnell Farms
Hendersonville Welcome Center 201 S. Main St.
NC 28792
828-693-9708
Come Home for the Holidays
Each year our Home for the Holidays celebration unwraps a collection of yuletide events from mid-November through New Year’s. Make plans now to frolic and play the Hendersonville way.
