itinerary Events & Things To Do | Welcome To Hendersonville, NC

The Almost Camper — 3-Day Itinerary

For the Almost Camper: You enjoy time outdoors and may have fond memories of childhood summer camp, but you aren’t packing a sleeping bag this week! You’re ready to reminisce and relax, while adding in a few outdoor activities.

Engage all your senses

This itinerary offers up a blend of outdoor escapades, re-living childhood favorites, breathtaking views and some darn good food. Whether you’re a nature enthusiast, a foodie, or simply looking for a good time, this weekend-long schedule has something for everyone. So, buckle up and let’s hit the road!

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Friday: Ease into the weekend

Hendersonville has a lot of great vacation rental homes, and one of our favorites is Carolina Wildwoods, because this lovely, clean space can accommodate up to 12 people, the shared space has both a foosball and an air hockey table, the kitchen is stocked with everything you could possibly need, has a great outdoor space with a firepit, and even a few hiking backpacks are provided. They have lots of games and kid’s items too, for those traveling with children.

people crossing the street in front of a big coc-a-cola mural painted on a brick building

Once you check in, head to nearby Sierra Nevada, the east coast headquarters for their brewing operation, where they offer brewery tours, a great restaurant, live music, and grounds and gardens to explore. Be sure to register in advance for your tour, they tend to fill quickly, especially in the summertime. Tours go deep into the story of Sierra Nevada and explain why they chose the mountains of Western NC for their east coast set up. For dinner, you can either sit down inside for small plates, snacks and pizzas, or head outside to their back porch, where they offer a smaller selection of sandwiches and snacks.

Saturday: Scenic Drive and Local Favorites

Kickstart your day with a delicious breakfast at Fletcher Village Bakery, fueling up for a day of fun ahead. Then, hop in the car and head to the Blue Ridge Parkway, where stunning vistas and historic landmarks await.

The closest entrance to the famous 469-mile scenic route is at the North Carolina Arboretum, located just south of Asheville. As you wind your way westward, marvel at the 10 hand-built tunnels crafted by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s. Make sure to stop at the Pisgah Inn for panoramic views and photo ops aplenty.

Exit the Parkway onto Route 276 and descend into Pisgah National Forest. Don’t miss the majestic Looking Glass Falls, a roadside waterfall that’s sure to take your breath away. As you journey back towards Hendersonville, you may want to make pit stops at a local coffee shop or art stores, but you must stop at Packa’s Place for a unique farm experience complete with beer, live music, and food trucks – and a herd of beefalo in a nearby pasture.

After lunch, immerse yourself in the beauty of nature at Bullington Gardens, a public garden known for its dahlias and fairy trail. Though it is close to town, these 13 acres feel far from anything.

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Quench your thirst with a wine tasting at Souther Williams Winery, a bicentennial farm that has been in the same family for more than 200 years, and offers some truly spectacular wine.

End your day on a high note with a scrumptious dinner at The Silo Cookhouse, a farm-to-table restaurant located at the Horse Shoe Farm, a place that can unironically be called magical, and is one of the best places to see a cozy sunset. Be sure to ask about s’mores by the fire pit after dinner.

Sunday: Riverside Relaxation and Downtown Delights

Start your morning off right with coffee and light breakfast at Cognative Brewhouse, gearing up for another day of excitement (pun intended, as they sell mountain biking gear here too). Then, head to Lazy Otter Outfitters for a leisurely paddle trip along the tranquil waters of the French Broad River, one of the oldest rivers in the world. Choose from a 4-mile or 7-mile paddle, and you’ll be picked up after your float.

You’ll work up an appetite on the river, so refuel with a delicious lunch at Arabella before exploring downtown Hendersonville. Relive your childhood memories at the Appalachian Pinball Museum, where you can play old pinball machines to your heart’s content for a flat fee, try your luck at gem mining at Pisgah Forest Gem Mine, grab an ice cream cone at Kilwin’s and check out the Bearfootin’ Bears, a fun public art installation.

Plan your eclectic Getaway

And there you have it, a perfect weekend getaway filled with scenic drives, outdoor adventures, and culinary delights in Hendersonville. So, what are you waiting for? Start planning your adventure today!

Get Started

wine glasses clinking with mountain view

The Glamper — 3-Day Itinerary

For the Glamper: You reminisce fondly on your younger days spent at summer camp and in the great outdoors, but these days you crave a nice mix of recreation and relaxation.

Recreation meets Relaxation

This itinerary for 3 days spent in Hendersonville takes you out of the hustle and bustle of everyday life and immerses you in the outdoors, while still making time for the restorative power of a vacation. From rustic cabins to scenic hikes, this getaway promises to rejuvenate your mind, body, and soul. So, pack your bags and let’s embark on a journey of relaxation and adventure!

Your weekend starts at Kanuga Conference & Retreat Center, which is nestled amidst 1,400 peaceful, wooded acres. Kanuga has offered summer camp to kids since 1931, and the rest of the property, which offers a mountain bike park as well as the retreat center and conference space, feels like an extension of the summer camp, to the point that it still offers Kanuga toast in their buffet breakfast and plays the bugle call daily.

Friday: Cabin Comforts and Downtown Delights

After checking and settling in at Kanuga, head to downtown Hendersonville to take a leisurely stroll, stopping by Mast General Store to step back in time as you peruse their candy barrels, eclectic finds and camping essentials. You’ll want to grab a bottle of wine from Wine Sage Merchant & Wine Bar before indulging in dinner at the well-known White Duck Taco Shop, who offers non-traditional tacos, like Bangkok Shrimp and Mole Roasted Duck.

Be sure to save room for ice cream from Celtic Creamery, where the top selling flavor is The Sea & The Bee. Celtic Creamery has a drive-thru window to easily take your treat to go. Head back to Kanuga to enjoy your ice cream and wine on the porch of your cabin.

Saturday: Farm Fresh Adventures

Start your day with a hearty breakfast at Kanuga, fueling up for a day of exploration. Dive into the local culture by visiting one of the area’s vibrant farmers markets, where you can purchase fresh produce and artisanal goods. There are a few markets to choose from on Saturday mornings, but the Mills River Farmers Market will be the closest one to your destination.

Next, embark on a scenic horseback ride through Pisgah National Forest with Saddle Up Trail Rides, taking in the beauty of the surrounding landscape. Refuel with a delicious lunch at The Salty Landing before indulging in craft brews at Sideways Farm & Brewery, where they grow the ingredients used in the beer they brew on-site.

Spend the remainder of your afternoon back at Kanuga, re-living your summer camp experience. Immerse yourself in nature with kayaking on the 30-acre lake, self-reflect while walking the labyrinth, or relax on the lakeside beach.

In the evening, head back into town for a farm-to-table dinner at Postero, followed by a drive up to Jump Off Rock, a roadside scenic overlook that is the perfect place to watch the vibrant sunset before heading back to Kanuga to turn in for the night.

pork chop over mashed potatoes on a plate

Sunday: Hiking and Vineyard Vibes

After having your fill at Kanuga’s breakfast and checking out, be sure to savor your final moments at this serene sanctuary. On the way to today’s adventures, you’ll want to pick up some sandwiches to have for lunch later, and the Flat Rock Village Bakery offers some delicious options. Next, you’ll embark on a scenic hike to the top of Bearwallow Mountain, where sweeping 360-degree views and grazing cows await. This hike is uphill, but it is only about a mile long each way. You can either hike up the trail or the gravel road.

4 people sitting on a rock on top of a mountain at sunset

Near the Bearwallow trailhead, you will be excited to tour Ellaberry Llama Farm, a working llama farm! Take it easy with a brief tour to meet the llamas, or really experience the farm’s charm with a 1-mile llama trek through their apple orchard. The family that owns Ellaberry shows their 21 llamas, so they even have a llama training area that is a lot of fun to experience!

By now, you will have worked up an appetite, so move on to Stone Ashe Vineyard, where you can finally break into the sandwiches you bought this morning while you indulge in a taste of Bordeaux in Western NC. Their passion for natural wines with limited additives is reflected in each glass, and a guided tasting will leave you wanting to take home multiple bottles.

Before bidding Hendersonville goodbye, be sure to stop at one of the area’s 20+ apple orchards. Most are only open August through October, but Barnwell’s Apples, which is conveniently located near the highway, is open nearly year round, and offers local produce, canned goods, and sweet apples — a delightful reminder of your time spent in this idyllic retreat.

Make it Happen

And there you have it, a rejuvenating 3-day getaway filled with relaxation, adventure, and the beauty of Hendersonville. So, when’s your next escape?

Plan your adventure

couple looking out at mountain views from scenic overlook

The Adventure Camper — 3-day Itinerary

For the Adventure Camper: The true wild one, who would travel back in time to re-live camp exactly as it was in their youth.

In your Element

We know that the adventure camper is willing to try everything from ziplining to tent camping and cold plunging, whether they attended summer camper as a child or not, you have a heart for adventure. Start your weekend of exploration by checking into Cold Spring Basecamp, choosing either to bring your pop-up tent or 3rd wheel, or to sleep in one of their 3-sided cabins that offer cots. Located in Zirconia, NC, this basecamp is the perfect jumping-off point for a busy, action-packed weekend.

Day 1: Into the Wild

When you arrive to town, head to Cold Spring Basecamp and get yourself set up at camp. On the way there, you’ll want to swing by the grocery store to grab all the fixins to cook out over the campfire. Cold Spring Basecamp has firewood available on-site, so no need to bring that, and if you stay in one of the 3-sided cabins, you will have a camp stove and some kitchen items available to you as well. Here’s your shopping list: hot dogs, buns, marshmallows, chocolate, graham crackers (to make s’mores), coffee, a lighter, fire starters, bug spray too, snacks, and beer. Many of the area’s local breweries offer crowlers, which are perfect for camping.

After you set up camp, it’s time to explore the 38 acres that used to be a children’s summer camp and relax. Take a dip in one of the cold plunge tubs, and hit the trails, either their purpose-built mountain biking trails or hiking trail to a waterfall, and work up your appetite for dinner around the campfire.

Day 2: Thrills and Chills

Gear up for a busy day with a hearty breakfast at HenDough, where chicken and donuts collide in the most delicious way possible. Fuel up because today is packed with adrenaline-pumping activities!

Next, head down the road to Ride Kanuga, a downhill mountain bike park, designed by a world-champion professional downhill racer to be like a ski slope, with one route up, and 8 routes downhill, all ranging in difficulty levels. Bring your own bike or rent one from Ride Kanuga.

After shredding the gnar at Ride Kanuga, you are going to be pretty hungry, so before you move on to your next adventure, stop by the Campfire Grill in downtown Flat Rock. With a camp theme, you’ll feel a sense of nostalgia while you fill your belly with yummy treats, like blackened boiled peanuts or their “Counselor Burger.”

Your next stop is at The Gorge Zipline, an iconic treetop zipline, where you plunge from the top of the Green River Gorge into the wilderness of the protected Green River Gamelands, an old-growth forest, and descend 1,100 feet from top-to-bottom. You will be led by 2 knowledgeable guides through 11 ziplines and 3 free fall rappels – and yes, the guides will be happy to take your photo to help you remember the exciting day!

The Gorge Zipline takes about 3.5 hours to complete, which means that you’ll be ready for your next meal when you’re done. Head back towards town, and stop for a flavorful meal at Boonchoo Thai Express – in Thai, Boonchoo means good karma, and after your fun day, your karma will be overflowing!

Walk off dinner at the nearby Park at Flat Rock, which offers 1.5 miles of walking paths at what used to be a golf course, but now is home to beautiful gardens, a great playground for kids, and ponds that are great for taking some time to self-reflect.

After a long day, head back to camp and turn in for the night.

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Day 3: Nature's Playground

Rise and shine with a sunrise breakfast at camp, soaking in the tranquility of the morning, and maybe even take a second cold plunge, if you’re up for it. Today you’ll need to break down camp before you get moving, but your day isn’t over yet! Be sure to don your swimsuit, and pack a change of clothes.

Today, you’re headed for a hike and a swim, so you will want to plan ahead for the day by stopping to get some sandwiches to have for a picnic lunch from the Flat Rock Village Bakery. If you’ve got a sweet tooth, you’ll find some amazing baked goods here too!

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Next, head to DuPont State Forest, known for its waterfalls, being used to film quite a few films, including The Hunger Games and The Last of the Mohicans, and its nationally-renowned Ridgeline mountain biking trail, which if you brought your bike, you need to check out (you’ll want to park at the Lake Imaging Access Area).

If you didn’t bring your bike, a hike is in order for today. You’ll want to park at the Hooker Falls parking area, which tends to fill quickly on weekends, so it’s best to arrive early.

From here, you have a few options: if you already rode the Ridgeline Trail and just want a shorter hike, head to the right side of the parking lot and down the Hooker Falls Trail, a short hike down to a beautiful waterfall that flows into a swimming hole. This is a great spot for a picnic and to take a dip.

If you didn’t bring your bike and are just planning to hike today, you’re in for a longer hike to a more remote swimming hole, and will pass 2 breathtaking waterfalls along the way. Head to the left side of the Hooker Falls parking area and make your way up the Triple Falls Trail. When you come to the High Falls Loop trail, stay left. Take this trail up to the Covered Bridge Trail and cross the covered bridge. Shortly after you cross the bridge, turn right onto Conservation Road. After about a mile, you’ll cross another bridge, the Lake Julia Spillway, and then shortly after crossing, veer left up an unmarked path, and this takes you to Lake Julia, the largest lake at DuPont, where you can stop to eat your lunch and take a dip. All told, you’ll be hiking around 4.5 miles.

After hiking back to the car, make your way to downtown Hendersonville for some pedal-powered fun with HVL Pedal & Brews, Hendersonville’s own pubcycle, which starts and ends at the Blue Ridge Beer Garden, and is BYO. They have a few options for length and whether you want to stop at any of the downtown breweries or not.

Before heading home, treat yourself to a mouthwatering steak dinner at Binion’s Roadhouse – the fried mushroom appetizer is great too! And after diner, satisfy your sweet tooth with ice cream from Piggy’s Ice Cream, which is walking distance from Binion’s. Both spots are local favorites.

Y'all Come Back now, y'hear?

And there you have it, a jam-packed 3-day itinerary filled with outdoor escapades, culinary delights, and small-town charm. So, what are you waiting for? Start planning your Hendersonville adventure today!

Get Started

Foodie – One Day Itinerary

Whether you are looking for a scrumptious meal, fresh produce, locally roasted coffee, or a carefully-created craft beverage, your tastebuds will be delighted in Hendersonville.

Morning

Begin your day in the rolling horse country of rural Mills River at the elegant Bed & Breakfast on Tiffany Hill. At this purpose-built inn — the first B&B inducted into the Southern Living Hotel Collection and on Southern Living’s short list of places to stay in all of North Carolina — luxury feels effortless, and hospitality awaits at every turn. Each day begins in the sunlit dining room with a three–course “Breakfast at Tiffany’s.” In the belief that every day is a celebration, even breakfast ends with dessert. A guest favorite is the inn’s signature pineapple pudding.

Afternoon

After a leisurely morning, venture over to Bold Rock Hard Cider. In late 2015, Virginia-based Bold Rock opened its second production facility in Mills River, along with an apple-pressing barn, tasting room and cider garden. The area’s orchards provide a ready source of fresh apples, which helped the Mills River location outpace its Virginia predecessor within the first three years of operation. Take a tour to learn how apples are pressed into juice, which goes through a fermentation process similar to winemaking and is kegged or bottled on-site. Participate in a tasting to try several of the dozen ciders on tap, from the original Carolina Apple to ciders flavored with blackberry, pineapple, herbs and spices. Bold Bites mobile kitchen serves a menu of burgers, wings, nachos, sandwiches and wraps.

After taking in the all that Bold Rock has to offer, head to downtown Hendersonville for the afternoon and pop into Wine Sage Merchant + Wine Bar on Main Street. The wine shop and bar focuses on vintages from smaller wineries, and also sells culinary-related gadgets and gifts, as well as offers tastings and classes.

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Evening

Make dinner reservations at Postero, located across the street from Wine Sage Merchant + Wine Bar, in a former bank building. The smartly designed dining space features an open kitchen as its centerpiece. The restaurant maintains strong relationships with area farmers, calling them out on the menu when possible. Menu items honor Appalachian food traditions, while incorporating unexpected ingredients and elevating the presentation to something that resembles artwork on a plate.

Foodie – Weekend Itinerary

Whether you are looking for a scrumptious meal, fresh produce, locally roasted coffee, or a carefully-created craft beverage, your tastebuds will be deligthed in Hendersonville.

Friday Evening

Wind down on Friday evening with drinks and a sunset view at Shine’s rooftop bar in downtown Hendersonville. Everything here is scratch made, from cocktail mixers to ketchup. Choose from 24 taps, including many locally produced beers and ciders, or a handcrafted cocktail. Dinner is served downstairs in a lively space with a speakeasy vibe. The American menu is familiar yet creative; escargot and a crusty hot pretzel share space on the appetizer list, while larger plates include burgers and banh mi, steaks and frog legs.

Check in at The Henderson, located a block off of Main Street. Co-owner Michael Gilligan, an award-winning chef, brings a culinary focus to the historic B&B. The inn’s on-site restaurant, Harvey’s Al Fresco, regularly serves breakfast and an evening menu of small plates, as well as Sunday brunch and monthly wine dinners.

Saturday

After breakfast on the inn’s spacious front porch, spend Saturday morning wandering through downtown Hendersonville’s shops and galleries. Several locally owned coffee shops fuel your excursions. Have a light lunch at Dandelion, which serves fresh-made salads, sandwiches, quiches, fruits and vegetables. The nonprofit restaurant not only prepares delicious food, but also serves as a job-training program for victims of domestic violence.

Spend the afternoon exploring Hendersonville’s Crest of the Blue Ridge wine region, which is home to seven vineyards. Book a trip aboard The Regal Ride for a safe, carefree option to taste your way from one stop to the next. Admire mountaintop vistas and savor red blends at Point Lookout Vineyards, try a pleasantly sweet apple wine at Burntshirt Vineyards, and listen to live music while sipping an award-winning vidal blanc at Saint Paul Mountain Vineyards.

Season’s at Highland Lake provides a serene setting for dinner. Sit by a window for lovely views of the property’s lush landscapes and gardens. Continue the theme of the afternoon by selecting a bottle from Season’s extensive wine list, which has received the Award of Excellence from Wine Spectator for more than 20 years. The menu changes often to reflect the freshest ingredients. Classic desserts, such as crème brûlée and chocolate torte, round out the evening.

Sunday

After checking out on Sunday morning, walk to one of four downtown coffee shops for a Joe-to-go, then swing by local favorite restaurant, HenDough Chicken & Donuts, which offers just what you would guess, chicken and donuts. They have both indoor and outdoor seating, as well as a walk-up window to take food to go. But warning: you may have trouble deciding between the Donut Breakfast Sandwich, the Cluck Madam Sandwich and the one of their ever-rotating menu of specialty donuts.

Another great option is the Hendersonville Community Co-op, a local icon known for its deli stocked with grab-and-go items, freshly made hot soups, and daily changing selection of baked goods and bread. Whether you’re going for a hike or hitting the road back home, the co-op makes it easy to stock up on snacks and meals for the trip.

Family – One Day Itinerary

For families looking to spend a day in Hendersonville, downtown is the best bet. The pedestrian-friendly Main Street lined with shops, galleries, restaurants and attractions is ideal for parking the car and walking to a variety of destinations.

Morning

Start the day at Hands On! Children’s Museum. The custom kids’ play place encourages children to use their imaginations as they explore 20 different interactive exhibits, each mimicking a real Hendersonville business or landmark. Kids can try out occupations, such as a dentist, doctor, firefighter, apple grower or ice cream shop worker.

Other features include a water table, mini stage and an indoor mountain to climb. Don’t miss the lifelike honeybee mural on the backside of the building, which is part of a worldwide initiative to raise awareness about pollinators.

The center of town is not typically a place for gem mining, but families can enjoy panning for gemstones at Pisgah Forest Gem Mine on Hendersonville’s Main Street. Open year round, Pisgah Forest has a large area for sifting for treasures, and a gift shop to get your gemstones cut and made into jewelry or a keepsake.

As you navigate downtown, participate in the Apple Quest scavenger hunt. Designed by a local Girl Scouts troop, the search involves a dozen brass apples hidden at landmark locations. A brochure with clues is available for download online, or you can pick up a printed copy at the Welcome Center on Main Street.

Find your Apple Quest Scavenger Hunt brochure here

Hands On! Museum 00542 - CREDIT Sam Dean

Pisgah Forest Gem Mine on Hendersonville's Main Street.

Afternoon

Take a lunchtime break at Mike’s On Main. The 1950s-style soda fountain serves sandwiches, soups and salads. You can’t go wrong with a burger (beef or veggie) and fresh-squeezed lemonade. For dessert, order a sundae or banana split with lots of spoons.

At the Appalachian Pinball Museum, visitors of all ages enjoy playing 85 pinball machines and vintage video games. Parents and grandparents are as excited as the kids when they enter the arcade-like museum with flashing lights and sounds of flippers flipping furiously. Play all day for one fee, and once you have wrist bands, the family can come and go as you please.

An unexpected find is the Aquarium & Shark Lab by Team ECCO. North Carolina’s first inland aquarium transports visitors to the coast with more than 275 fish, invertebrates, reptiles and salamanders. Every afternoon, staff members conduct public feedings of sharks and sting rays in the 2,000-gallon tank.

The family always appreciates a sweet treat, so be sure to stop by McFarlan Bakery. A downtown institution since 1930, the shop is famous for doughnuts, bear claws, giant cookies and, really, any type of baked confection.

A hidden “gem” on Main Street is the Mineral and Lapidary Museum of Henderson County, when visitors learn about the beauty and diversity of the world beneath our feet. One of the popular displays is a booth with fluorescent minerals under black light.

Evening

Mezzaluna is an easy crowd pleaser for dinner. Parents choose from 50 draft beer options and a menu of wood-fired pizzas and homemade pasta dishes. Kids have their own Italian selections, including fettuccine alfredo, ravioli, and spaghetti and meatballs.

Where to stay

While you are in town, make a whole weekend of it! There are plenty of things do do and just as many options for where to stay. Whether you prefer vacation rentals that fit the whole family, a hotel with adjoining rooms and an indoor pool, a resort that has it all, or even an RV Park where you can bring your own home on wheels, Hendersonville is sure to have exactly what your family needs.

Outdoor – One Day Itinerary

The Mills River area, including the town of Mills River, is an ideal base camp for outdoor adventure. This rural region, shaped by its namesake river, as well as the French Broad River, spreads across a mostly flat valley framed by Blue Ridge Mountains. Lodging is plentiful at Horse Shoe Farm, dog-friendly Barkwell’s retreat and the upscale Bed & Breakfast on Tiffany Hill.

Morning

After breakfast, go flat-water paddling with Lazy Otter Outfitters on the French Broad. The Sierra Nevada Express excursion allows you to park at Westfeldt Park near Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. and catch a shuttle to the put-in location at Lazy Otter’s headquarters. From there, it’s a seven-mile paddle (3-3.5 hours) back to the park, where Lazy Otter picks up the equipment and you hop in the car for a two-minute drive to the brewery.

Lazy Otter Outfitters photo booth - credit Jared Kay

Afternoon

Enjoy lunch at Sierra Nevada’s spacious restaurant, with both indoor and outdoor seating, and sip the freshest Sierra Nevada ales on the planet. All beer is made on-site at the brewery’s colossal East Coast headquarters.

At the traffic circle just outside the brewery, veer right for a fun afternoon of mountain biking and climbing at The Riveter. This unique facility brings together a covered and open-air bike park with an indoor gym for climbing and bouldering. The Riveter’s instruction-based environment allows beginners as well as experts to enjoy all activities. There is also a yoga studio.

After riding the dirt trails at The Riveter, cool down with a refreshing dip at North Mills River Recreational Area & Campground. For a minimal parking fee, this area of the river is open to the public for swimming, tubing (bring your own) and trout fishing.

Evening

The Mills River area is fast-becoming a hot spot for craft beverages. Stop by Appalachian Mountain Brewing, Bold Rock Hard Cider or Mills River Brewing for a beer or hard cider, and a great meal. Each of the locations are family and pet friendly, and often host live music or special events.