Hendersonville, NC | RomanticAsheville.com (2024)

Downtown Hendersonville has the second largest downtown in western North Carolina (Asheville is the biggest), with many things to do, see and taste. Beautiful Main Street serpentines around planter boxes and lush landscaping. With more than 100 shops and 25 restaurants, it is a delight to explore the big variety of locally-owned, high-quality stores and galleries. And see their famous painted bears!

Burntshirt Vineyard is one stop on the Cheers! Trail

Hendersonville's downtown is part of the Main Street Program, the National Trust for Historic Preservation's program to revitalize the nation's central business districts through historic preservation, attention to design, thoughtful recruitment of businesses, and promotion. And it shows!

Since most businesses are along a six-block section of Main Street and its intersecting streets, it's easy to explore. Mast General Store (527 North Main) is always a favorite stop. On the other end, stop at the Visitor Center (201 South Main) for plenty of information about things to do. As of 2023, Hendersonville has a newly built Downtown Parking Deck, meters, and new regulations for Main Street and side streets.

The interesting Henderson County Heritage Museum (1 Historic Courthouse Square) is inside the Courthouse, open Wednesday-Sunday. Admission is free, so it's definitely a must-stop. Be sure to break for some sweets at the old-fashioned McFarlan Bakery, a fixture there since 1930. The Curb Farmer's Market has been going strong since 1924, with its selection of baked goods, handmade crafts, jams, etc., on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. The Hendersonville Farmers Market runs weekly on Maple Street from May through October, 8 AM to 1 PM, rain or shine.

Main Street Stops:

• Appalachian Pinball Museum (538 N. Main St.): Everyone is a kid again at Appalachian Pinball Museum, where $12 allows you to play all day. The museum features over 70 games, including pinball classics and arcade and video games. The oldest pinball machine dates to 1946. Enjoy soda, snacks, or a beer while you play.
• Mineral & Lapidary Museum (400 North Main): Another great stop is the Mineral & Lapidary Museum. See exhibits from North Carolina, replicas of world-famous diamonds, English minerals, Indian artifacts, a dinosaur egg nest, fossils, fluorescent minerals, gems, and faceted minerals. The museum's specialty is Geodes, which are sold, cracked, and/or displayed. Admission is free, and it's open Monday-Saturday.
• Hands-On Children's Museum (318 North Main): This children's museum offers an affordable, educational, and fun way to spend the day with your children, grandchildren, and students ages 1-10.
• Team ECCO Aquarium & Shark Lab (511 N. Main St.): NC's first inland aquarium is home to nearly 300 fish, invertebrates, reptiles, and salamanders. This place makes learning fun, teaching kids (and adults) about marine life and the importance of conservation. Don't miss the live shark and ray feeding daily at 1:15 PM.

Just outside of downtown Hendersonville is a famous angel. Author Thomas Wolfe’s first novel was Look Homeward, Angel. In the book, there are constant references to an angel statue carved from Italian marble. This is the angel Wolfe placed in American literature. Thomas Wolfe’s father, W.O. Wolfe, sold the statue to the Johnson family to mark the family plot in Oakdale Cemetery. The angel is holding a lily in her left hand and extending her right hand upward. Oakdale Cemetery is located on US Highway 64 West, just a short distance from downtown.

Mezzaluna Brick Oven & Tap House (226 North Main St.)

Downtown Breweries

• Southern Appalachian Brewery: Hendersonville’s first brewery specializes in making small batches of craft beer, including their German Pilsen, Belgian Blonde Ale, and Copperhead Amber Ale. (822 Locust)
• Oklawaha Brewing Company: Formerly known as Sanctuary Brewing Co., this nano-brewery and taproom is dedicated to making small-batch, high-quality artisanal ales. Features classic styles like hop-forward IPAs, fruited sours, and classic German styles. (147 First Avenue East)
• Dry Falls Brewing Co.: This industrial-chic taproom just south of downtown serves beers created by a father-son brewing team! Sample from their varied menu and check out the food truck parked out front. (425 Kanuga Road)
• Guidon Brewing: This friendly brewhouse offers a variety of beer styles, including stout, porter, pale ale, IPA, and more. Enjoy the casual atmosphere in the main bar and loft area, back deck, or check out the dart room if you feel competitive! (415 8th Ave. E.)
• Trailside Brewing Co.: This new brewery in Lennox Station is located just outside Downtown Hendersonville on the soon-to-be Ecusta Trail. This brewery brought new life to the old factory in Lennox Park. They offer a large indoor and outdoor seating area with rotating food trucks and live music. (873 Lennox Park Dr.)
• D9 Brewing: The Lake Norman-based brewery opened its Main Street taproom in Hendersonville in April. The space features an indoor-outdoor bar. The brewery is known for its sour beers and beers brewed with unexpected ingredients. In addition to D9 flagships, the Hendersonville brewery will brew and serve beers exclusive to its location. (425 N. Main St.)

In addition to a growing list of microbreweries, Henderson County is home to North Carolina’s newest wine region, Crest of the Blue Ridge. Boasting seven wineries, Crest of the Blue Ridge was recently voted as one of the top 10 wine regions in the country by USA Today. Explore the wineries and plan your next wine-centric getaway.

The Brandy Bar (504 7th Ave East) features 43 brandies from across the world and is believed to be the only bar in North Carolina to focus exclusively on brandy. Located in the Historic Seventh Avenue District, they are open Wednesday, 4-9 PM, and Thursday-Saturday, 4-10 PM.

This is Apple Country! In late summer and fall (August through early November), visit many orchards and take home a variety of apples, pumpkins, and more! Don't miss the NC Apple Festival on Labor Day weekend to kick off the apple season at many orchards! Fresh apples, pumpkins, cider, produce, baked goods, jellies, honey, and other items may be purchased at the roadside apple markets or produce stands in Henderson County. Some orchards allow you to pick your own apples. Many are located along US Highway 64 East toward Chimney Rock. Also, see our main Apple Orchard Guide.

Jump Off Rock: This drive-to scenic overlook provides a panoramic view of rolling pastures, the Blue Ridge, and the Pisgah mountain ranges. Jump Off Rock is five miles from downtown (4433 Laurel Park Hwy, Laurel Park, NC). The park is open daily, from sunrise to sunset. No admission charge. Read more.

At Historic Johnson Farm, tour the farmhouse and building from the early 1900s, located a few miles outside Hendersonville. Read more.

Downtown Hendersonville Street Festivals

• Rhythm & Brews Concert Series: Street festival occurring in Downtown Hendersonville on the third Thursday (May through September) from 5:30 to 9:30. Rhythm & Brews features two bands (5:30 & 7:30) with a beer and wine garden, food trucks, and a kids’ zone. Admission is free.
• Garden Jubilee Festival: Spectacular three-day festival held on Memorial Day weekend. It is the ideal festival for passionate gardeners searching for the perfect plants, unique lawn and garden accessories, and arts and crafts with 200 vendors. Speak with the experts at clinics and gather tips. Read more.
• NC Apple Festival: This four-day celebration on Labor Day Weekend honors the North Carolina Apple! See our Apple Festival Guide.
• July 4th: Parade and fireworks at dark.
• Art on Main: Buy from juried fine artists with paintings, clay, metal, wood, fiber, jewelry, glass, and more in September.
• Fiesta Hendersonville: Experience the best of 20 Latin American countries with their people, music, art, food, and culture. Free admission. Read more.
• Home for the Holidays: Many events from Thanksgiving through New Year's, including live performances, downtown lights, a parade, and shopping specials.

Hendersonville Lodging & Nearby Attractions