Discover
Hendersonville
The City of Four Seasons + Heart of Apple Country
Find Your Home in Hendersonville
New York might be the Big Apple, but Hendersonville grows a mighty apple harvest. Henderson County produces more apples than any other county in North Carolina and ranks among the top 20 apple-growing counties in the nation. Hendersonville hosts the annual NC Apple Festival every Labor Day weekend during the peak of apple harvest season—a tradition that started in 1948. For the greatest concentration of orchards, check out “Apple Alley”—a 6-mile stretch between Hendersonville and Bat Cave featuring over 14 orchards with fresh produce, sweet treats (think apple cider doughnuts, slushies, and ice cream sandwiches), and fun-filled family activities.
For outdoor adventure, head 15 minutes south to The Gorge Zipline or Green River Adventures (downtown Saluda location), to enjoy ziplining, tubing, kayaking, and white water rafting, 15 minutes west to reach Jump Off Rock (prized for accessible panoramic views), or 14 miles southwest to enjoy hiking within the DuPont State Recreation Forest—known for its epic waterfalls and film locations for the first
Hunger Games (Bridal Veil Falls + Triple Falls) and
The Last of the Mohicans
(Hooker Falls + High Falls).
Curious explorers should check out Elijah Mountain Gem Mine, just five minutes from town, to hunt for rubies, sapphires, emeralds, and quartz, plus enjoy a petting zoo and gem shop. History and literature buffs will enjoy the Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site in nearby Flat Rock and Thomas Wolfe’s Angel at Oakdale Cemetery, immortalized in his autobiographical first novel,
Look Homeward, Angel. After exploring these spots, visit The Book & Bee, an English-style Cafe and Tea Room, or Black Bear Coffee Co, for a caffeine fix.
Hendersonville also offers unique attractions like the WNC Air Museum, Appalachian Pinball Museum, Apple Valley Model Railroad Museum, and Team E.C.C.O. Aquarium & Shark Lab—the first inland public aquarium in NC. Nearby Flat Rock features the Flat Rock Playhouse, "Little Charleston in the Mountains" historic district of 19th-century estates, and a 66-acre park with trails, a pollinator garden, and a playground complete with a kids’ climbing wall.
Local dining and drinking highlights include Postero, Umi Sushi, Mike’s On Main, Haus Heidelberg, Boodas Brewing, Trailside Brewing, and Dry Falls Brewing Co. For wine lovers, Hendersonville’s vineyards include Burntshirt, Saint Paul Mountain, Stone Ashe, Point Lookout, and Marked Tree. For spooky vibes and spirits, check out Edgar's—a themed cocktail bar and pub known for its gothic décor inspired by the master of macabre, Edgar Allan Poe. As you can see, Hendersonville truly has a little bit of everything, making it a terrific place to call home!
