Apple Quest is a permanent scavenger hunt for brass apples that was created by a local Henderson County Girl Scout Troop. Apple Quest is a fun free activity for families to explore downtown year-round. Stop by the Visitor Center, 201 S. Main St, to pick-up a brochure, or find it online here.
The first steam engine puffed up the Saluda Grade to the Hendersonville Depot in 1879. The steam engine needed a “help engine” attached to the rear of the train at Melrose for additional power to push the train up the Saluda Mountain Grade, the steepest mainline standard gauge railroad in the United States. The Carolina Special ran between Charleston, South Carolina and Cincinnati, Ohio from 1911 until 1968. The restored Depot houses a HO scale railroad layout that is highly detailed and is prototypical of Hendersonville, Saluda, Asheville, and Western North Carolina. The Deport features historical artifacts, a Southern Railway caboose and a special children’s exhibit where visitors can operate a Thomas the Tank train in a scenic layout. See the 10ft x 80ft Garden “G” scale layout.
The Aquarium & Shark Lab by Team ECCO is the only public aquarium in Western North Carolina. It is recognized as the first inland aquarium in North Carolina. The Aquarium houses 20+ displays of tropical fish, eels, stingrays, sea horses, turtles, a touch tank, a 2,000-gallon shark study tank with bamboo sharks and more.
Baabals has one of the largest selections of ice cream along the Hendersonville Ice Cream Trail with 26 flavors, complemented by 40 milkshake flavors.
Sundaes, banana splits, floats and homemade desserts are also specialties at this popular ice cream spot in Fletcher.
Bearfootin’ Public Art Walk is a whimsical, playful public art display, with the much-loved Bearfootin’ bears of Downtown Hendersonville. For this ‘Bear Hunt,’ follow the map to locate each of the decorated bears along the sidewalks of Main Street from May – October, when they are auctioned off. Each year, a new set of bears line the street.
The Bearfootin’ program is supported by area businesses and individuals, and part of the proceeds of each bear benefits an area non-profit organization. The remainder of the proceeds go back into supporting the Bearfootin’ program. Bearfootin brochures are available at the Visitor Center, located at 201 South Main Street. Click here to see the 2024 Bearfootin’ brochure
Bell Park provides a 69-acre tranquil escape on the edge of the Green River Gorge in southern Henderson County.
Conserving Carolina acquired the land in 2015 and worked with Henderson County to make it a public park in 2024 with lush forests, waterfalls and wildflowers, including beautiful rhododendrons and mountain laurel.
Bell Park is named in honor of summer camp pioneers Frank and Calla Bell, and continues their legacy by creating another place for people to connect with nature.
It extends from the High Bridge near Lake Summit and follows the banks of the Green River until it reaches the 14,000-acre Green River Game Lands.
Trail Length: 1.8 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Activities: Running, walking, dog walking, peaceful time in nature
**As of 11/1/24, only part of Bill Moore Park is open due to the damage caused by Hurricane Helene.
NEW HOURS:
OPEN AREAS:
Bill Moore Community Park is recognized as one of the best family parks in Western North Carolina. Park patrons have access to miles of scenic walking trails, Cane Creek, and countless other amenities. Our park impacts the quality of life by contributing to the social, economic, health and environmental well-being of our community. Check out the trails, athletic fields, playground, and picnic area!
Biltmore is the largest privately-owned home in America situated on 8,000 acres. It was built by George Vanderbilt and was completed in 1895. Vanderbilt’s 250-room mansion is modeled after a French château. The Estate encompasses the house, landscaped gardens, walking trails, woodlands, restaurants, shops, inn, and an award-winning winery. Located 22 miles north of Hendersonville.
A family owned and operated all-season tubing park. With a mission to offer the best family friendly outdoor entertainment in the beautiful mountains of Hendersonville, NC. Tubing hill that runs out to 600ft with a 80ft vertical drop. During warm weather seasons, there is a state of the art sliding material on the hill that is just as fast as snow! During the winter, we accumulate up to 20 feet of snow for snow tubing fun! Enjoy music, snacks, donuts and coffee on site! Come out and enjoy the family friendly environment!
Originally a 1950’s gas station, the Blue Ridge Beer Garden has completely reimagined this space, turning it into a modern-day filling station of a different kind. Boasting 25 beers and ciders on tap, plus an array of wine, seltzers, domestics, craft beer, and non-alcohol options, there is something for everyone’s palate and preference. The beer garden will also serve as the new home of HVL Pedal and Brews, Hendersonville’s first and only pubcycle.
**As of 11/7/24,
the National Park Service restored access to nearly 55 miles the Blue Ridge Parkway from:
The Blue Ridge Parkway follows the mountain ridges from Shenandoah National Park in Virginia to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina and Tennessee. The Parkway’s 469 toll-free miles combines natural beauty, mountain forests, wildlife, wildflowers and magnificent views. Located 15 miles north of Hendersonville, a portion of the most famous drive in America weaves through Henderson County. The closest access to the Parkway from Downtown Hendersonville is near the North Carolina Arboretum, at BRP milepost 393.6.
Managed by the National Park Service. Be sure to check out the Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center, Folk Art Center and Southern Highland Craft Guild while driving the parkway through the Asheville area.
The Blue Ridge Parkway is known for:
Popular hiking options in the area include:
Bold Rock Hard Cider is one of the top regional producers of craft cider.
Visitors to the Mills River location enjoy a variety of options and activities. Folks can head inside the two-level tasting room that features a large bar, ample seating, a company store and area for bands, or opt for the outdoor cider garden with permanent food truck and a stage for live music.
Regular events include movies on a big screen, live bands, yoga, bingo and weekly trivia.
In addition to a large selection of ciders — including seasonal and limited releases — Bold Rock serves its own lines of hard lemonade, hard tea and canned craft cocktails.
Bullington Gardens is a 12-acre, nonprofit horticultural education center offering programs, activities and workshops. The gardens and grounds include a popular fairy garden, a large dahlia garden, therapy garden, shade garden, butterfly garden, perennial borders, native woodland garden, pumpkin patch and herb garden. The grounds also include a half-mile nature trail through the wooded area of the gardens.
Experience one of Western North Carolina’s most peaceful and unforgettable places to say I do!
Cabin Ridge is a scenic, open-air wedding venue atop Sugarloaf Mountain, just 25 minutes from Hendersonville, and 45 minutes south of Asheville. Exchange vows with sweeping Western-facing views, then toast your next chapter as the sun sets and stars emerge over the Blue Ridge Mountains. With delicious, locally sourced, in-house catering, staffing, and bar packages; two comfortable dressing suites; and so many pristine places to relax and retreat, Cabin Ridge is perfect for couples seeking a spacious, nature-inspired, mountain-top wedding experience. We also welcome retreats, reunions, and heartfelt gatherings of all kinds—if it’s worth celebrating, it’s worth celebrating here!
Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site is where Carl Sandburg, American poet, historian, author, and lecturer spent the final 22 years of his long and productive life at his estate, Connemara. The home, originally built in 1838, displays the Sandburg’s furnishing as they lived at Connemara from 1945-1968, including Carl Sandburg’s collection of 12,000 books. Tour the home for a small fee, and learn about Sandburg’s life as a writer, journalist, folk singer, social activist and Pulitzer Prize-winning poet and biographer. Visit the barn and descendants of Mrs. Sandburg’s champion dairy goat herd and hike over five miles of trails. Access to trails, grounds, barns and public areas is free.
Located approximately 1.5 hours from Hendersonville is Cherokee, NC, the capital of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, one of only 3 Cherokee tribes recognized in the United States. Often mistaken as a “Cherokee Indian Reservation,” the area, also known as Qualla Boundary, was purchased by the tribe in the 1870s. The land itself is where Cherokee Indians have lived for centuries and is located on the border of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The area is still rich in its ancient customs, culture, history and traditions.
Major attractions include:
Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park is a still-developing international outdoor destination located just 25 miles southeast of Asheville and nestled in the historic Chimney Rock Village at the foot of the Blue Ridge. It is recognized as one of the Southeast’s most iconic sites and popular travel destinations.
The Park’s 535-million-year-old monolith called Chimney Rock can be accessed via a state-of-the-art elevator or the nearly 500-step Outcroppings Trail. At the top, guests can enjoy 75-mile panoramic views of the Hickory Nut Gorge and Lake Lure. The Park features one of the highest waterfalls of its kind east of the Mississippi River, Hickory Nut Falls. Hickory Nut Gorge, one of the state’s most significant centers of biodiversity, is home to 36 rare plant species and 14 rare animal species.
A family and pet-friendly destination for travel groups, weddings and special events, the Chimney Rock section of the Park also hosts innovative educational programs for field trips, scout groups, and summer camps.
Visit chimneyrockpark.com for hours and ticket information.
Whether camping, glamping or sleeping high in a treehouse, Cold Spring Basecamp is an ideal outdoorsy retreat in the mountains of Western North Carolina.
Guests select from traditional campsites, a unique and cozy treehouse or three-sided cabins that open up to the peaceful sounds of nature.
The property features 38 forested acres with mountain bike trails, hiking trails, waterfalls, creeks and endless relaxation.
Cold Spring worked with popular local trail builder Chris “Shrimper” Khare to build two fun mountain bike trail loops. One is a flowy green loop that meanders down the hillside, and the other is a more challenging blue loop that features some flowy sections, but also drops, steep downhill sections and skinny log rides.
The basecamp is also located on a headwater trout stream that feeds the famous Green River, which provides Class I to V paddling options.
Coston Farms offers a memorable pick-your-own experience with the NC mountains as a backdrop. Delicious apples guaranteed every year!
Crab Creek Catfish Pond is a great place for people of all ages to enjoy fishing for catfish. The pond is stocked with 5 different species of catfish, so you have a great chance at catching a huge fish!
The Cradle of Forestry in America is a 6,500-acre Historic Site within the Pisgah National Forest, set aside by Congress to commemorate the beginning of forestry conservation in the United States. Outdoor activities include two guided trails, which lead back in time to seven historical buildings, including a 1915 Climax locomotive and an old sawmill.
Strive to provide the freshest, best tasting fruits and vegetables to our customers at local tailgate markets, at the farm, and to local restaurants and bakeries. As the working farm grows into the next generation, they value their customers and treat them like family, because they are. Farm, Food, Family, Community.
Dana Park offers a large playground for kids including swings, slides, and more. Enjoy the basketball courts, athletic fields, and finish up the day at the picnic area!
DuPont State Recreational Forest encompasses more than 10,000 acres that span across both Henderson and Transylvania counties. This treasured state forest is one of the region’s most popular destinations for its breathtaking waterfalls, and 80 miles of roads and trails. It is open year-round. Hooker Falls on Little River has become a popular swimming hole, dropping off a 13-foot high natural ledge before flowing into Cascade Lake. Fawn Lake is another popular place to take a dip. Neither location has a lifeguard on duty, swim at your own risk.
Many scenes from the 2012 hit movie, The Hunger Games and the 1992 film, The Last of the Mohicans were shot in DuPont State Recreational Forest. The Hunger Games were filmed entirely in North Carolina.
**Insider Tips:
DuPont State Forest is known for:
Notable trails:
Offers large playground for children including swings, slides, monkey bars and more!
Facilities include 2 tennis courts, a basketball court, playground, a covered picnic shelter (for up to 55 people), a little picnic table, benches, a rugged walking trail, soccer fields with nets, a level playing field and restrooms. The shelter has 6 tables and a charcoal grill. The rental fee is $40.00 for 4 hours.
Elijah Mountain Gem Mine has something for the whole family! Check out their Indoor and outdoor covered flumes (perfect for gem mining in the rain), exotic bird sanctuary, goat barn, adventure activities/kids obstacle course, gift shop, and Basecamp, which offers the Guidon Brewing Outpost — a Taproom from Guidon Brewing Co — and “Post 64” food truck with indoor and outdoor seating.
Ellaberry Llama Farm is run by the Justice Family, Hendersonville natives who love llamas! Visit the farm for tours where you can learn about llamas and llama-keeping, hikes with the llamas, run the llamas through an obstacle course, and more. The farm also offers birthday parties and picnics. You can also learn about showing llamas with their herd of prize-winning llamas.
Sun up to sun down everyday during harvest season, typically June through August, it is recommended to call or check their Facebook page before going!
Etowah Park’s facilities include a shelter, picnic tables, a playground, a newly repaved walking trail, tennis courts, 4 lighted ball fields, concession stand, batting cages, playground, basketball court, a soccer field, a shuffleboard court, a little library, and a Frisbee golf course. The picnic shelter has two 7 foot tables, six 5 foot tables, electrical outlets and a water spout.
Whether you’re a scratch golfer or a weekend duffer, Fireside Golf is the place for you. With our driving range, a short game practice area, mini golf and batting cages, we have something for everyone. Come alone or bring your next birthday party or corporate outing!
Offers current movies in a bistro-style cinema that serves food, cocktails & local brews
Designated the State Theater of North Carolina, the Flat Rock Playhouse offers quality entertainment rarely found so far from Broadway.
The Playhouse’s current location, built on the rock for which the Village of Flat Rock is named, was established in 1952 by a troupe of performers known as The Vagabond Players. It was the perfect marriage of professional theater with the tourist haven of Flat Rock.
From summer theater origins, the Flat Rock Playhouse has evolved to provide top-quality productions and live musical acts annually from March through December. Guests enjoy a variety of hits each year, including comedies, American classics, musicals, farces and whodunits. The Playhouse showcases professional actors from across the country in major productions such as Mamma Mia, West Side Story, South Pacific and more.
For the latest listing of shows, click here.
Located in Hendersonville’s Blue Ridge Mall, Fox-N-Otter Adventure Escapes is a family-friendly escape room. This location offers one surprising escape option called “Wonder Cabin,” which has a compelling story and a fast-paced race against time. In 60 minutes or less, your group must work together to connect clues, solve riddles, use cyphers, discover patterns to uncover the mystery. Great for groups of 2-10 people.
Enjoy a variety of family fun activities including a corn maze, pumpkin patch, and even an apple cannon! Select pre-picked apples fresh off the trees daily from our bins or enjoy you-pick. A must try at the farm are our hot cider donuts! Also available for purchase are apple pies, cookies, hot cider, apple cider slushies, and many other apple goodies to eat.
Guidon Brewing Co. is a veteran, American, German, and family owned and operated brewery and taproom, offering authentic German style beers and Gemütlichkeit (a German word that loosely translates to “a sense of belonging”). In addition to their rotating selection of beers and liquor they often have live music, special events, and food trucks or their own kitchen, “The Chow Hall,” is open.
Now operates a 2nd tasting room, located at Elijah Mountain Gem Mine, 2120 Brevard Rd, Hendersonville, NC.
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We provide children and families with “hands on” educational exhibits and science programs that stimulate the imagination and motivate learning in a fun, safe environment. We believe that our community’s future is determined by the priority we place on our children!
Haunts of Hendo is the exclusive Haunted Walking Tour in Downtown Hendersonville. If you’re looking for a walking tour to give you Goosebumps, Haunts of Hendo has just what you’re looking for! Learn the many spooky stories that still Haunt Hendersonville to this day.
Henderson County Heritage Museum is housed in the Historic Henderson County Courthouse on Main Street. It offers public displays, artifacts, lectures, collections, archives, libraries, demonstrations, and other exhibitions relating to the history, culture and heritage of Henderson County. The museum celebrates veterans of all wars, and has an Civil War Display.
A Summer Collegiate Baseball Team in the Old North State League who’s mission is to be the most exciting and family friendly entertainment option in the greater Hendersonville area, as well as to aid in the personal and athletic development of college baseball players.
Welcome to Hendo Care Farm, a community wellness resource that utilizes the natural healing benefits of animals and nature through a variety of youth and adult farm-based programs and workshops.
Hendo Care Farm offers a variety of services: Equine Assisted Learning, Summer Farm Camps, Farm Yoga, Horticultural Therapy, and even Customized Farm Tours.
The Angel K Love Project is a non-profit 501(C)3 organization whose MISSION is to help provide love and healing to kids in need of holistic models of therapy. “Kids in need” include youth ages 8-years old and up, who are in need of attending one or more farm-based wellness programs at Hendo Care Farm. They support getting kids outside more so they can have opportunities to enhance their well-being, mental health, mood, and increase their physical activity by interacting more with animals, plants and nature!
What is a Care Farm?
“Care Farming” is an international term for therapeutic use of farming practices. Hendo Car Farm loves to utilize the natural healing benefits of the great outdoors, plants and animals because they truly benefit ALL people. They are proud to be an “all inclusive” health and wellness resource for our community regardless of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, immigration status, and/or ability. They celebrate diversity and we strive to make a safe space that is more inclusive and less oppressive to all people.
Historic Downtown Hendersonville was entered into the National Register of Historic Places in March of 1988. The serpentine street features planter boxes brimming with, benches, seasonal flowers and trees. Downtown boasts a wide array of shopping, antique stores, galleries, museums, an aquarium and a variety of restaurants. Downtown offers free Wi-Fi for everyone to enjoy. Downtown hosts many activities including the NC Apple Festival held during Labor Day weekend, as well as, art shows, an antique show, car shows, and parades throughout the year. The Bearfootin’ Public Art walk features fiberglass bears painted in different themes located on the sidewalks of Main Street from May to October. For additional information call the Main Street Program.
Historic Johnson Farm is a fine example of a late 19th and early 20th-century farm & tourist retreat. The entire structure was handmade from bricks that were fired on-site from French Broad River mud. Over the years many outbuildings were constructed, including a tool shed/blacksmith shop, barn, boarding house, and a cottage. The property offers historic home tours, nature trails, picnic tables, animals, and 10 historic structures on 15 acres filled with trees in a natural setting. The Heritage Weavers and Fiber Artists have transformed the boarding house into a fiber arts center, which includes weaving, rug hooking, bobbin lace, spinning, or knitting.
Holmes Educational State Forest operates as a living classroom. The forest began as a nursery developed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s to supply landowners with white pine and yellow poplar seedlings.
Today, Holmes State Forest contains five miles of hiking trails. The popular Talking Trees Trail, an easy walking trail, features pedestals in front of a series of tree species. Visitors can push a button on the pedestal and listen to the trees “talk” about specific characteristics of that type of tree, the habitats where they are found and uses for their products.
The forest also includes an interactive museum, picnic tables, restrooms, equipment for fighting forest fires and displays depicting the ecology of a managed forest. A spacious picnic shelter (with grills) is also available. The forest is located about 8-1/2 miles from downtown Hendersonville.
In 2006, founder Pam was in a near-fatal car accident. She struggled to heal and find something to make life meaningful. Honeybee Bliss is the culmination of the quest to help Pam with her chronic pain, coupled with their love of organic gardening and passion for saving the bees. They began beekeeping and were instantly obsessed. They started their quest to collect as much information as possible to manage the honeybees organically. It was their goal to make a positive impact on the environment by helping the honeybees thrive.
Tours available: Learn about the intriguing world of honeybees in a way that few get to experience through the hands-on exploration of an active, living beehive! Your tour, led by a professional beekeeper, will include suiting up in protective gear, lighting a bee smoker, and getting up close with more than 100,000 bees. Each tour is a minimum of 2, and maximum of 6 people, providing you an intimate experience of this fascinating species.
Or, order apiary products online including honey, beeswax products, lip balm, and more!
Jackson Park is the largest municipal-owned park in Western North Carolina, covering 220 acres. Managed by Henderson County Parks & Recreation. Popular for birding, basketball courts, an accessible playground, athletic fields, disc golf, mountain biking skills park, walking paths and many picnic areas.
Jeter Mountain Farm is a 400 acre farm has been a family farm since 1967 and opened for U-pick apples in 2020. They offer U-Pick for a large selection of apple varieties, as well as peaches, blueberries, raspberries, elderberries, grapes, flowers & pumpkins. On the farm, you will also find a permanent food truck on-site, the 1813 Smokehouse, which serves a traditional BBQ menu with southern sides; The Jeter Mountain Orchard Coffee House, which serves locally roasted beans and a carefully crafted cup of coffee to enjoy while on the farm; a hard cider tasting room at the Cider Barn that serves six hard ciders on tap, including a special Jeter Mountain Farm original blend, available only at the Jeter Mountain Farm Taproom; as well as a kids play area, wagon rides, live music, and a market that sells apple cider donuts, apple butters, garden salsas, hand made candles, and much more. Offers wedding packages.
Just 15 minutes from downtown Hendersonville, Jump Off Rock provides one of the grandest panoramic views in Western North Carolina.
The rock is the centerpiece of a small, well-maintained mountaintop park. From the parking area, visitors follow a relatively short, flat path through the park to the rock, which is perched on a west-facing ridge with sweeping views of the Blue Ridge and Great Smoky mountains.
On a clear day, four states are visible – North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Tennessee. It’s also a popular spot to watch gorgeous sunsets.
Throughout the year, Jump Off Rock is utilized for concerts, weddings, group yoga and family picnics.
There are three hiking trials at Jump Off Rock, varying in length and difficulty. The trails dip down and circumnavigate the rock. The Blue Trail is rated as an easy trail and takes about eight minutes. The Yellow Trail is rated moderate and takes around 15 minutes. The Red Trail is the most difficult and the longest.
For a diagram and more information about the trails, see the sign at the edge of the parking area.
The park is open daily, sunrise to sunset. No admission charge. Pets are welcome on a leash, and there is a foot-pump spigot to get water for the pups.
The Justus family has been growing apples for over 100 years, we love what we do and invite you to visit our apple orchard in the beautiful mountains of Western North Carolina. Enjoy a day in the country with your family, picking apples from our dwarf-size apple trees, bring your lunch and enjoy eating it at our new picnic area while you take in the beautiful views surrounding our apple orchard.
Kate’s and Pete’s Park, located next to the Fletcher Library, is a quaint park feature a playground, paved walking trail, small picnic shelter, and green open space. Kate’s and Pete’s Park is a popular stop for citizens after a trip to the Fletcher Library.
Lake Julian Park is a family recreational facility located on the banks of 300-acre Lake Julian in Arden, off of Long Shoals Road. Lake Julian Park offers fishing, picnic areas, disc golf, outdoor games, a playground, paddleboats, special event venue rentals, and water access along a picturesque 300-acre public lake.
A 25,000 sq. ft. indoor sports and family entertainment facility that has, trampoline courts, dodge ball, basketball, an arcade, a climbing wall, foam pits, a ninja course, toddler time and much more!
Linda’s greenhouses offer annuals, perennials, trees, shrubs, hanging baskets, herbs, seasonal vegetables, jams, jellies and garden art. In the fall, they also offer pre-picked apples and pumpkins.
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Marked Tree Vineyard, located at an elevation of 2,300 feet on the Eastern Continental Divide, offers stunning, panoramic views, from its tasting room, which has both indoor and outdoor seating. Choose from 10 wine varieties that are made with European vinifera and French-American hybrid grapes, including Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Grüner Veltliner, Chardonel and Vidal Blanc, all of which were selected because of how well they grow in the rocky, sandy, loam soil found on the property.
The brewery started in a small strip mall location in Arden, NC where Joey brewed and PJ saw to the taproom and distribution. After a few years the Brewery was ready for expansion and found a beautiful piece of land in the town the company was named after and construction commenced on a new 8,600 sq ft brewing facility and taproom. Mills River Brewing Co. features Big Creek amber ale, Middle Fork Mosaic IPA and Laurel Creek ESB, that honor the local trails and natural landmarks.
The Mineral & Lapidary Museum features the natural beauty of minerals, gems, fossils and artifacts found in North Carolina, in the United States and around the world. Displays include North Carolina minerals, dinosaur egg cluster, English minerals, fluorescent minerals, geodes, petrified wood & large logs, coral, artfully crafted jewelry, gem stones, Cullinan Diamond replicas and a Henderson County Meteorite, on loan from the Smithsonian, are featured displays. Gift shop is open daily. Geode cracking. Free admission!
With over 500 feet of snowy, steep fun and excitement, people of all ages will have a blast. Bring your family and friends and get ready to make memories that will last. We’ll see you in the snow!
North Carolina Arboretum is a member of the University of North Carolina System and spans 434 acres. The Arboretum offers curated gardens, horticultural exhibits, education center, hiking, biking, indoor exhibits, educational events and nature trails are a few of the attractions available to the public. Located 15 miles north of Hendersonville.
North River Farms is a locally owned and operated family business. The 1,400-acre farm strives to produce the highest quality products. Groups can enjoy a riverside picnic, a farm shed party, or outdoor games of Laser Tag and GellyBall! U-Pick produce is also available in season, and includes Squash, Cucumbers, Zucchini, Green Beans, Tomatoes, Strawberries, Celery & Bell Peppers.
This small, family-owned farm offers U-pick strawberries, blueberries and blackberries, located just a few minutes outside of Downtown Hendersonville. Take a family photo in front of their barn with beautiful barn quilt or their restored, antique 1963 Allis Chalmers tractor.
The Oklawaha Greenway stretches 3.25 miles, connecting Jackson Park, Patton Park, Berkeley Park, Sullivan Park & William H. King Memorial Park. It is a relatively flat paved trail and is handicap accessible. The Greenway is a 10-foot-wide asphalt path for cyclists and pedestrians. Mileage signs have been installed every quarter of a mile along the trail to help trail users know how far they have traveled and how much farther it is to their destination. Benches, water fountains, and three bicycle FixIt Stations are available along the trail. Blue light phones have been installed along the greenway using grant money from the state Department of Transportation.
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We are home to the longest indoor sluice in North Carolina! We have plenty of room to spread you out. Come spend a great day of mining with us out of the heat. While in town, check out our gift shop. We carry bear collectibles, t-shirts, jewelry, bibles, journals and more!!
**Please note: Parts of Pisgah National Forest’s Pisgah Ranger District (the section closest to Hendersonville) have reopened, as of October 18th, after the damage caused by Hurricane Helene. There is still much work to be done, and some trails have not yet been touched. Please hike or bike at your own risk, and use extreme caution.**
The Pisgah National Forest’s more than 500,000 acres stretch across the eastern edge of Western North Carolina’s mountains. The closest section to Hendersonville is the Pisgah Ranger District, which includes attractions such as Looking Glass Falls, Sliding Rock, The Cradle of Forestry and the North Mills River Recreational Area.
Enjoy the Following Activities while you visit Pisgah National Forest:
Popular hiking options include:
Pressley Farms is a small, family farm located in the beautiful Western North Carolina mountains. Come out to pick your own berries, enjoy a strawberry lemonade slushie and take a wagon ride.
A 10-acre park in Laurel Park with almost a mile of walking paths, fitness stations, a catch-and-release fishing pond, picnic area with charcoal grill, and more.
Open Year-Round
Ride Rock Creek was founded and designed by professional downhill racer, Neko Mulally. Open in 2022, this elite 300-acre property was custom-built specifically for downhill mountain biking, including a shuttle to the top of the mountain. Home to the 2023 and 2024 Gravity Mountain Bike National Championship, hosted by USA Cycling, Ride Rock Creek has quickly become a highly sought-out bike park.
Sideways Brewery offers an ever-changing menu of small-batch artisan ales and handcrafted hard jun kombucha using seasonal specialty ingredients that are grown on the farm. The tasting room pours directly from bottles for guided tastings — you won’t find taps here! Beer is sold by the glass or bottle. Guests may walk the farm to see beer ingredients growing, view farm animals grazing, or pick their own flowers. Sideways Farm & Brewery makes a beautiful setting for marriage proposals, elopements, intimate weddings, or private farm-to-table dinners and events.
Sierra Nevada Brewing Company has set the standard for artisan brewers worldwide as a winner of numerous awards for a wide variety of beers and ales, including the legendary Pale Ale. Their east coast brewing, bottling and distribution location is in Mills River, set on 200 wooded acres and located just 10 miles from downtown Hendersonville, south of Asheville. The Taproom offers 20+ beers on tap. The restaurant serves farm-to-table dishes that are mainly sourced locally.
A small business locally owned and operated. Their name is a true reflection of what they offer and what they believe is a perfect combination for indulgence! Makes anything from Boba Teas to their scratch made cookies baked fresh daily. Strive to use high quality ingredients so that everyone leaves the shop satisfied- and full!
We strive to make each person’s visit memorable. Every year, we add new attractions or improvements for your enjoyment. We enjoy passing along our knowledge and appreciation for nature and agriculture to others. We love inviting school-aged children and school groups to learn how apples grow. There is nothing quite like fall on the mountain with all the scents of the season and sounds of the farm. Take time to enjoy it. We do. Thank you for making us part of your family memories for generations.
Southern Appalachian Brewery is a local micro brewery located, one block from downtown Hendersonville. The tasting room is family and dog friendly serving beer, wine, soda and bottled water for non-drinkers and the under 21′s. They offer craft brewed ales including: Copperhead Amber, Black Bear Stout, and an IPA s well as a variety of seasonal, barrel-aged, and Belgian inspired wild and sour ales.
Stepp’s Hillcrest Orchard is a family owned and operated, 100-acre farm that offers over 20 varieties of U-pick and pre-picked apples, U-pick flowers, U-pick pumpkins, U-pick grapes, baked goods, and lots of family friendly activities. Open annually from August through October.
Farm Offerings Include:
Sullivan Park has1 8-acres that include a playground , covered basket ballcourts, community garden and access to the Oklawaha Greenway. Public restrooms, open seasonally.
Sycamore Cycles offers bikes for all ages out of 2 locations, Hendersonville & Pisgah Forest. Check them out for bike, gear and biking apparel purchases, repairs, technical assistance, route and trail suggestions, and more. They also offer many regular group rides/meet-ups, including mountain biking, gravel rides and road biking, available to all skill levels — primarily in DuPont State Forest and Pisgah National Forest, though also at other locations in the immediate region. Check out their Facebook page for more info on group rides!
We are the Largest Bowling Center in Western North Carolina. We can accommodate Groups to 192.
Known as America’s steepest and fastest zipline canopy tour, offers a thrilling tree-based aerial adventure in Saluda, NC. Begin your experience perched on the rim of the Green River Gorge and plunge into untouched wilderness. Descend an unprecedented 1,100 vertical feet in elevation zipping from tree-top to tree-top on 11 ziplines, traversing a sky-bridge, and descending 3 huge rappels, all through stunning old growth forest, overlooking 18,000 acres of protected green river game lands.
Don’t be fooled by the name. 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.
Tuxedo Park covers an area of 6.14 acres.
Open Year Round
