Hendersonville is a delightful Western North Carolina community nestled in a wide plateau of the Blue Ridge Mountains. At an elevation of 2,200 feet and a population of roughly 13,000, Hendersonville is the middle sister city to larger Asheville located 22 miles north, and the small town of Brevard sitting 20 miles to the west. Boasting a beautiful climate, friendly people, ample access to outdoor recreation, and a thriving arts and culture scene, this town has something for everyone.
Outdoor enthusiasts and thrill-seekers will delight in Hendersonville’s proximity to stunning natural areas like Dupont State Forest. This forest is home to towering waterfalls that have been featured in films such as The Hunger Games, and also to top-notch mountain bike trails for cyclists of all levels. For those who enjoy other forms of outdoor recreation, Hendersonville affords visitors access to excellent golf courses, horseback riding, and even zipline tours in nearby Saluda.
Hendersonville’s countryside is both beautiful and bountiful. Known as the Crest of the Blue Ridge, Hendersonville’s wine country was awarded the distinction of being named an American Viticulture Area in 2019. Here you can sip delicious varietals in an idyllic setting at vineyards such as Burntshirt, Point Lookout, Saint Paul Mountain, and many more. The countryside has more than wine to offer. Henderson County produces an incredible annual apple crop, and the fruits of this harvest can be enjoyed at numerous cideries and orchards in the Hendersonville area. Hendersonville is also home to the NC Apple Festival, featuring a variety of entertainment options and delicious apple products.
Downtown Hendersonville is the warm heart of this small city. Holding a place on the National Register of Historic Places since 1988, this area is characterized by its winding streets dotted with locally-owned shops, museums, galleries, and restaurants. Planter boxes and trees are interspersed between sculptures and benches, creating a quaint and peaceful setting to do a little shopping or grab a bite to eat. In the months of June through August, downtown is host to a free weekly concert series called Music on Main Street. And on Monday nights during the summer, residents and visitors can participate in weekly street dances featuring local bluegrass musicians and a spectrum of folk dancing.
The arts and culture scene in Hendersonville is rich, with a variety of performing and visual arts offerings occurring regularly. If theater is your artistic wheelhouse, you’ll love taking in performances at the Hendersonville Little Theater and nearby Flat Rock Playhouse. Each of these spaces stage several productions during their season. Flat Rock Playhouse is host to professional actors and Broadway-quality sets, making it no wonder why the theater has been deemed the “State Theatre of North Carolina” by many. If history is more your thing, you’ll delight in Connemara, the estate of author Carl Sandburg. At this 1830’s home site located in nearby Flat Rock, you will encounter Sandburg’s collection of books and notes. Finally, if classical music is what you’re after, the 70-piece Hendersonville Symphony Orchestra can be found performing six concerts per season at the Blue Ridge Community College Conference Center.