Things to Do in Hendersonville, NC

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Just over the border into North Carolina is the mountaintop town of Hendersonville, NC. There are lots of things to enjoy, but the thing Hendersonville, North Carolina is most famous for is their apple orchards! If you are planning a trip to Hendersonville, we’ve got all the info you’ll need to enjoy a day trip or weekend getaway any time of year.

This article includes:
Apple Orchards & Pumpkin Patches in Hendersonville, NC
Breweries and Wineries in Hendersonville, NC
Free and Low-Cost Fun for Families in Hendersonville, NC
Unique Experiences in Hendersonville, NC
Places to Eat in Hendersonville, NC
Where to Stay in Hendersonville, NC

Apple Cider Donut Tour

One of the first signs that cooler weather is on the horizon is people flocking north to Hendersonville and neighboring Flat Rock, to enjoy everything apple! Freshly picked apples, apple cider, apple cider donuts, and my favorite, frozen apple cider. We’ve been to most of them, and you can learn all about each orchard and what it has to offer, below. 

Apple Orchards 

For More info – Check out our Guide to U-Pick Apple Orchards Near Greenville & Spartanburg

If you are a fan of those apple cider donuts that the orchards sell, have we got a tour for you! Kidding Around’s Apple Cider Doughnut Tour takes you to eight of the orchards in Hendersonville where you can snack on one of these fall-time delicacies. 

Hendersonville NC

The Nix Pumpkin Patch

The huge pumpkin-shaped silo of this farm is hard to miss! You can grab pumpkins of all shapes and sizes here, as well as an apple cider slushie! There are tons of photo opportunities to be had, so bring that camera along!

Hendersonville Vineyards and Breweries

Hendersonville also offers visitors a great selection of stops to enjoy locally produced wine, beer, and more. You can explore them with the passport program offered by the Hendersonville Visitors Information Center.

The Cheers! Trail Passport may be purchased for $10 at the Visitor Center. Visit at least 12 venues and get your passport stamped to redeem it for your choice of several trail souvenirs. Choose from a set of 4 stone coasters, a wine stopper, a stainless steel wine glass, or a bar key. 

Choose from a selection of 17 different tasting experiences along the trail. 

The Trail includes nine breweries: 

 As well as six Vineyards: 

Two hard cideries, and one meadery 

The Passport is available at the Visitor Center at 201 South  Main Street, online, and at the participating vendor locations. 

Free and Low-Cost Fun in Hendersonville

Apple Valley Model RR Club
Check out this totally FREE model train museum with indoor and outdoor model train displays. They are open on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Bearfootin’ Bear Hunt
May through October, custom decorated bear statues line the street. In October they get auctioned off to benefit the downtown area and local non-profits. A copy of the 2021 Bearfootin’ bear guide can be downloaded to bring with you on your hunt. 

Carl Sandburg Home
Located in Flat Rock, this poet’s home is open to the public and free to visit. It is not only a historic site but also a working goat farm. 
If you are heading to the Carl Sandburg Home, you should sign up for the Kids In Parks incentive program! It’s free and allows kids to earn prizes for spending time outdoors. 

Carl Sandburg Home

Bullington Gardens & Fairy Trail
These free-to-visit gardens include a popular fairy-themed garden that is open seasonally.

Team Ecco Aquarium
This aquarium is home to aquatic life as well as reptiles. Plan your trip to be there for the Shark and Sting Ray feedings. Admission is under $10 per person. 

Mineral And Lapidary Museum
Admission is free, which is awesome because craking open your own geode is something everyone should get to do, and the free entry makes it more affordable. 

Jackson Park: Inclusive Playground

The new inclusive playground at Jackson Park is open, and it is truly a place where all kids can play together!

Jackson Park playground

The Park at Flat Rock
A beautiful park with restrooms, a playground hiking trails, and more. 

Playground equipment at the Park at Flat Rock

Jump Off Rock

A beautiful view, short hiking trails, and a great place for a picnic.

Path to the overlook at Jump Off Rock

Western North Carolina Air Museum

See historic aircraft for free at this former hanger converted to a museum. There are opportunities to climb into aircraft and learn how they fly. Everything is free, and donations are accepted.

WNC Air Museum planes

Check out this local mom’s recommendations of where to eat and how they spend a day in Flat Rock, NC

Unique Experiences 

Appalachian Pinball Museum
Visitors to the museum can play all day for just $12 per person. 

Kanuga Bike Park
This mountain bike park has everything you need to enjoy a unique family outdoor adventure. 

Hands On! Children’s Museum
A “hands-on” children’s museum targeted at children ages 10 and under. 

Moonshine Mountain
If you’re looking for some wintertime fun, Moonshine Mountain has it. Tubing and other fun winter activities will keep your family entertained.

Moonshine Mountain

Where to Dine

Appalachian Coffee Company
Freshly roasted coffee beans make delicious caffeinated drinks at this cafe. They have outdoor seating and delicious baked goods too. 

HenDough
Go to where all the magic began, the original HenDough location! Did you know, that the nickname for Hendersonville is “Hendo”?  

McFarlan Bakery
Recommended by readers this nearly centuries-old bakery consistently wins local “best of” awards. 

Black Bear Coffee Shop
This great coffee shop offers coffee lovers and diners tons of options. They feature locally made baked goods, plus super fresh salads, soup, sandwiches, breakfast meals, and more. Of course, they also offer a wide array of coffee beverages and teas.

Salad at black bear coffee
Salad and soup from Black Bear Coffee

Where to Stay Near Hendersonville, NC

There are some super cute places to stay near Hendersonville, NC!

This map contains Stay22 affiliate links. Kidding Around earns when you book through these links.

Looking for more places to spend the day with your family? Here’s our list of Day Trip Towns, just a short drive from the Upstate.

About the Author
How does Kidding Around® bring readers high-quality and up-to-date content month after month and season after season? We have a dedicated team of writers and editors who regularly update our fabulous content to keep it current and relevant for our readers. This team combs lists of events, heads out into the community to experience new Upstate offerings, and communicates with local businesses. Many of our updated articles and event lists, like this one, reflect the contributions and hard work of multiple Kidding Around® team members.

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2 years ago

Consider adding this FREE ADMISSION, great museum! http://www.westernnorthcarolinaairmuseum.com/