This boutique tearoom offers a wide variety of some of the finest quality loose leaf tea and infusions on the market, appealing to all tastes. Offers accessories and traditional English afternoon tea service that includes exquisite teas blends, light snacks and sandwiches
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.
Art on 7th is Henderson County’s premier fine art gallery. Established in 2021, the gallery represents many WNC artists and is located in the revitalized 7th Avenue District, known as The Creative Edge of Hendersonville.
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
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!
**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:
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.
Carolina Mountain Artists Guild was founded in 1998 by a group of local artists. All of the items sold here are handcrafted by members, and all of these items are juried by a committee of members. Find items in ceramics, pottery, decorative wood, furniture, folk art, gourd art, greeting cards and paper art, hand-woven baskets and brooms, jewelry, paintings, including acrylic, oil, watercolors, pencil drawings, stained glass, glass art, textile art, such as knitting, quilting and wearable art, wood, including intarsia, woodturning, furniture carvings and boxes.
Continuum is a collective space for artists, makers, and members of the greater Hendersonville community, Continuum Arts aims to marry a passion for art, arts education, and advocacy under one roof in an evolving creative space.
DB Bar D Outfitters is dedicated to promoting, preserving, and protecting our natural resources so that future generations may continue to enjoy the outdoors. Whether it’s hunting large game, fishing the pristine waters of our area, or just a weekend campout with family and friends, DB bar D can guide you on a customized outdoor experience!
Services Offered:
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:
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.
Live bluegrass & country music on weekends — check website for exact dates and times
Offers current movies in a bistro-style cinema that serves food, cocktails & local brews
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.
Ginkgo Tea Life is a tea room and events space in the downtown Hendersonville, North Carolina. Both a commons for the everyman as well as an intentional ‘listening room’ for tea. It strives to curate the ideal atmosphere for high quality tea experiences so the leaf can do what it does best: building community and fueling personal projects.
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!
Since 1924, Henderson County Curb Market is a unique farmers market requiring sellers to be residents of Henderson County. All items sold at the market must be either hand-made or locally grown. The vendors offer a variety of goods such as: crafts, baked goods, jellies, plants, flowers, toys, and produce.
Henderson County Genealogical & Historical Society has an extensive library on history and genealogy of North and South Carolina and surrounding states. Holdings include Henderson County deeds, estate records, early newspapers, early court minutes, maps, church and school histories, photographs, Bible records and family histories. Volunteers are available to assist researchers.
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.
Hendersonville Outfitters believes that what ever fish you pursue, they will set you up for success on the water. They provide gear for a multitude of locations and species so you can feel confident no matter where your fishing ventures take you. They also believe that if you love the sport of fishing Fly or Conventional, you have a welcome place here. Fishing is their life blood, and they love to see all enjoying the sport and help you on the path of success. They provide rods, reels, wading equipment, flies, lures, and even gear to go after Musky! a daunting but rewarding task. In addition to fishing, they are avid supporters of the arts. they feature an array of nature inspired art works from ceramics to prints. local artists are welcome and encouraged to seek us out, and art enthusiasts can expect beautiful works to see or purchase.
Since 1966, Hendersonville Theatre has been a hub of live entertainment, offering a wide array of theatrical performances, live music, and special events. These events are designed to cater to the diverse tastes of the residents of Hendersonville and surrounding areas, all within a warm and intimate setting.
To order tickets, call 828-692-1082 or visit HVLtheatre.org.
The Hendersonville Theatre offers handicapped seating and infrared-assisted listening devices.
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.
Join “The Pasta Lady” to learn all about making homemade pasta. 2 hour classes are offered regularly where you will learn to make different pasta styles and about the importance of ingredients: from the type of flour to the weight of the egg, the temperature of the room and the amount of time you handle the dough.
Joan brings fabric to the foreground with her work, offering paintings of fabric, with exact detail of the folds, curves and crevices found, much like the hills and valleys of a landscape, when fabric is draped across the human form. You may also find paintings available for sale from the neighboring artist studio, Kelly G Chelena, who offers abstract work in oil on canvas and watercolor on paper.
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 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!
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.
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:
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.
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.
Silver Fox Gallery carries works in various mediums from more than 100 local artists, making it easy to personalize your space, a great way to remember your visit to Hendersonville or a wonderful gift to give a friend. The store also sells furniture and offers interior design services. Open Monday – Saturday.
The Smitten Smiths Gallery is a collective of female jewelry makers who craft their distinctive, wearable pieces from fine metals, and precious and semiprecious gemstones. Located in charming Horse Shoe Gap Village, an historic “village” of tiny buildings turned artisan shops, the gallery offers a wide selection of jewelry at reasonable rates and also offers small, individual jewelry making classes, where all materials are included and you are guaranteed to leave the class with a wearable piece of art that you have created! Registration is required for classes.
St. John in the Wilderness Episcopal Church is listed on the National Register of Historic Sites. St. John in the Wilderness was built as a private chapel in 1833, on the grounds of Charles and Susan Barings’ home, Mountain Lodge. The church was deeded to the Episcopal Diocese of Western North Carolina in 1936. Many well-known members of southern aristocracy have family plots in the churchyard; those names include: Christopher Memminger, first secretary of the Confederate treasury; Rev. John Drayton, developer of the world-famous Magnolia Gardens of Charleston; members of the families of three signers of the Declaration of Independence; Major General Edward P. King, Jr., of the United States Army who led the defense of the Bataan Peninsula in the Battle of Bataan against the Japanese invasion of the Philippines in World War II.
We are the Largest Bowling Center in Western North Carolina. We can accommodate Groups to 192.
Home to the Art League of Henderson County, The Art Place offers a rotating gallery, special events, classes and workshops
An English-style café and tea room featuring literary decor, menu, and events. The menu includes sandwiches, salads, soups, a variety of tea, scones, sweets, fruit and more.
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.
The Old Home Place features a large dance floor, live entertainment in a family atmosphere with no alcohol or smoking. The bands play country or bluegrass music for a toe-tapping fun evening.
Find ultimate relaxation at the Stable Spa at The Horse Shoe Farm, where they use the energy of the land, the richness of indigenous products, the warmth of their stables, and skilled licensed therapists and practitioners to create a sanctuary that will speak to your soul. Open 6 days per week, offering services to people staying on or off property. Services include massages, warm stones, dry brushing, foot baths, transformative therapies, such as cranial sacral, intuitive energy, tarot card reading and hypnosis, and wellness classes, including yoga and guided meditation.
Axe throwing is similar to a combination of darts and bowling. It is an indoor recreational range set up like a bowling alley with a bullseye target at the end of the lane. The lanes are divided by steel fencing with rubberized floors. Great fun for groups.
North Carolina’s first air museum is dedicated to preserving and promoting the flying heritage of the Western North Carolina. It features an impressive collection of restored, replica and vintage airplanes, models, engines, and flying memorabilia, including a few new planes in the collection. The museum is housed in two large hangers, where you will find passionate volunteer pilots that are eager to show you around. You will also find a great Museum Gift Shop with a number of gifts, replicas, toys and books — something for the aviation enthusiast at every age!
WNC Fish Hunter is a boutique guiding service specializing in tailored fishing guide experiences in the waters around Pisgah Forest, guided by local native, Stratton Hunter, who is focused on helping clients to catch wily Trout, the elusive Muskie, and hard fighting Smallmouth Bass. Whether you’re new to fishing or a seasoned pro, WNC Fish Hunter will tailor a plan specifically for you! Fly fishing or conventional tackle, all is welcome! Backcountry and jet boat options available.
Woodlands Attire + Art is curated to maintain a warm, inviting, and cohesive aesthetic, with vignettes within the shop to help you visualize how you may display artwork in your own home. Woodlands’ owners strive to find and sell artwork that fits every budget, which include paintings, pottery, baskets, candles, clothing, glass, home décor, glass, leather, wall art, woodwork, furniture, clothing, footwear and accessories.
