Girlfriend Getaways for your Favorite Group

Girlfriend Getaways for your Favorite Group

Girlfriend Getaways for your Favorite Group

When considering a getaway with your best girls, some things are nonnegotiable. Beautiful scenery, spacious lodging, fabulous food and tasty beverages are must-haves. The Blue Ridge Mountain town of Hendersonville checks all of those boxes. From there, you can tailor your experience to suit your group. Check out the custom itineraries below for an escape to suit your style.

Pamper Yourselves In Luxury

Stay: Selena Einwechter planned every detail at the Bed & Breakfast on Tiffany Hill, pulling ideas from Southern Living magazine and personal travels throughout the Southeast. The entrepreneur opened her purpose-built inn in 2009. Rent the entire seven-bedroom inn for your girls’ weekend. Each room is named after a Southern town and reflects its style. Indulge in the three-course “breakfast at Tiffany’s” each morning and wind down in a rocking chair on the front porch in the evenings listening to birds and crickets.

 

Play: Book a spa day at The Horse Shoe Farm, less than five miles from the inn. The former working horse farm along the French Broad River is now a high-end retreat welcoming visitors to lose themselves in serenity. The Stable Spa draws on this area’s long connection to wellness and restoration, and it infuses treatments with a strong sense of place. Book a la carte massages, facials, foot therapies and wellness classes, or choose from a selection of themed packages. Enjoy lunch on property prepared by The Silo Cookhouse.

 

Evening Out: Season’s at Highland Lake Inn offers elegant dining in an upscale yet relaxed atmosphere. Admire bountiful gardens and flowering planters through wraparound windows in the dining room. Wine Spectator Magazine has given the restaurant its Award of Excellence for more than 20 consecutive years. The menu changes regularly to reflect the freshest ingredients, but expect a lineup of soups and salads, beef, seafood and tempting desserts. After dinner, take in a show at nearby Flat Rock Playhouse, the state theater of North Carolina. The theater offers a vibrant lineup of musicals, comedies, dramas, and an annual favorite, “A Flat Rock Playhouse Christmas.”

Shop 'til you Drop

Stay: Depending on the size of your group, book one or more cabins at Brightwaters Vacation Rentals. The units range from two- to three-bedroom and are connected by Poplar Park, a private outdoor area with seating, walking paths and a fire pit. Owners Michele Azan and Elisabeth Perez lovingly built the property piece by piece, purchasing a unit at a time, renovating it and outfitting it with eclectic décor from estate sales, antiques stores and thrift shops. Each has its own personality.

 

Play: Feel free to ask your hosts for shopping recommendations, as the local duo has extensive neighborhood knowledge. Horse Shoe Gap Village is located a mile from Brightwaters. There you’ll find artisans working in a variety of mediums, including glass blowing, metalwork, jewelry, ceramics, painting and textiles. Head to downtown Hendersonville, park the car and stroll Main Street’s curvilinear sidewalks to art galleries, antiques shops, clothing boutiques, specialty stores and more. Don’t miss the shrimp and grits at Dandelion for lunch. The café is the job training arm of Safelight, a nonprofit that benefits survivors of domestic violence. Also check out Safelight’s thrift store next door for deals that do good.

 

Evening Out: Head up the steps at Shine to the rooftop cocktail bar and watch the sun drop behind the mountains in the distance. Descend downstairs for dinner, where everything — from ginger beer for your drink to ketchup for your fries — is made in house and served in a warm dining room with low lighting and wooden accents. Walk to dessert. Three stops along the Hendersonville Ice Cream Trail are located on or near Main Street. You can’t go wrong with frozen yogurt at sweetFrog, a homemade waffle cone at Kilwin’s, or extra-thick Irish-style ice cream at Celtic Creamery.

Wine Your Way Through Crest of the Blue Ridge

Stay: Stay in the middle of Hendersonville’s Crest of the Blue Ridge wine country at The Wallace House. Located next door to Appalachian Ridge Artisan Cider and across the road from Saint Paul Mountain Vineyards, the five-bedroom farmhouse sleeps 12. Wake up to vineyard views and peaceful mountain mornings on this farm that’s been in the Ward family for centuries.

 

Play: Several tour companies offer winery excursions. Leave the driving to the professionals, and enjoy spending time with friends and admiring back-road scenery as your driver chauffeurs your group from one tasting room to the next. Seven wineries are located throughout Hendersonville’s Crest of the Blue Ridge wine region. Each has its own personality. Admire sweeping mountain views at Point Lookout Vineyards as you sip wine and mead, an ancient tradition of making wine from honey. Have lunch at Burntshirt Vineyards’ Vintner’s Table Restaurant and explore its extensive list of estate-grown wines. Discover less-familiar varietals at Souther Williams Vineyard, which grows grapes originally suited for the cooler climates of Austria, Germany and Russia.

 

Evening Out: After freshening up at the farmhouse, head to Flat Rock for dinner at Campfire Grill. This camp-themed restaurant honors Hendersonville’s history as the summer camp capital of the East Coast. But don’t expect hot dogs and sloppy joes. The menu is built around the restaurant’s wood-fired grill. Think fresh fish, steaks, grilled vegetables and over-the-top burgers. The restaurant continues to expand its wine program and now hosts monthly wine dinners and wine tastings on Wednesdays. The s’mores skillet is a must for dessert.

Brightening the Season: Exploring Enchanting Holiday Light Displays

Brightening the Season: Exploring Enchanting Holiday Light Displays

Brightening the Season: Exploring Enchanting Holiday Light Displays

As the holiday season descends upon us, make Hendersonville your homebase to see the many festive sights the Western North Carolina region has to offer.

Christmas Time is Here, Happiness and Cheer

Each December, Hendersonville turns into a winter wonderland, and a festive spot to start your exploration of the region. From the serene landscapes of the North Carolina Arboretum to the festive ambiance of downtown tree lighting ceremonies, each location offers a unique and enchanting experience for visitors of all ages.

Hendersonville offers a wide variety of lodging options at all price points, so you are sure to find something that will fit your travel personality and your wallet.

Keep reading to discover the best spits in and around Hendersonville to see festive light displays.

inside of biltmore house at christmas

1) Downtown Tree Lighting Ceremony: November 24

The heart of any festive community celebration is the traditional downtown tree lighting ceremony. The air is filled with holiday cheer, and the glow of the lights casts a warm and inviting ambiance. Enjoy Christmas songs, hot drinks and delicious treats from Black Bear Coffee, shopping and a countdown as Santa arrives to light up Main Street. Festivities kick off at 5pm, which includes live music, free visits with Santa and free carriage rides, in addition to the tree lighting itself.

If you miss the event itself, the tree and all of downtown Hendersonville remains festively lit all December long!

 

Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony Hendersonville NC

2) Henderson County Light Trail: December 1-26

This year, homes and businesses across the county are festively decorated, and welcome visitors to view their holiday displays. Follow the trail for a fun evening with your loved ones, driving to view the best lights the area has to offer. There is no competition here, just a bunch of people who love this time of year! This self-guided tour is free, a suggested route will be available here on December 1st

3) The North Carolina Arboretum: November 17 - December 31

Nestled in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the North Carolina Arboretum provides a picturesque setting for a holiday lights extravaganza. As daylight fades, the gardens come alive with a breathtaking display of lights, illuminating the trees, trails, and sculptures. Visitors can stroll through the Winter Lights exhibit, marveling at the synchronized light displays that create a whimsical atmosphere. The Arboretum’s commitment to sustainability is evident, as many of the lights are energy-efficient LEDs, adding an eco-friendly touch to the festivities.

mother and daughter walking through christmas light display

4) Marked Tree Vineyard: November 25 – December 31

The month-long event kicks off each year on the day after Thanksgiving with the lighting of OTTO, rumored to Western NC’s largest Oak Tree! Otto was dressed in 2022 with over 6K lights! As you drive up to the tasting room, where Otto is located, you will be treated to a modern lit holiday landscape, where more than 50,000 twinkling lights adorn the property! Daily during December, guests can drive or hike around the property enjoying lighted vignettes around the landscape – in the meadow, the pines, the winery shed, Otto, and the Ghost House — and pick up a few bottles of their award-winning wine to gift your friends, family and self.

5) Shadrack's Light Show: November 17 - January 1

For a truly immersive experience, Shadrack’s Christmas Wonderland offers a one-of-a-kind drive-through light show. Located in Tryon, NC this synchronized spectacle dazzles spectators with an impressive array of lights choreographed to festive music. From dancing snowflakes to animated Christmas characters, Shadrack’s Light Show is a sensory delight, enchanting audiences of all ages. The convenience of enjoying this display from the warmth of your car adds an extra layer of comfort to the holiday experience.

Shadrack's Christmas Wonderland

6) The Biltmore Estate: November 3 - January 7

What trip to Western NC would be complete without a stop at America’s Largest Home, the Biltmore Estate? Be transported to a truly magical day as you take in the majestic Norway spruce inside the home, countless Christmas trees, thousands of lights, and miles of ribbons and garland that adorn the 8,000 acres. In the evenings, take in the soft glow of candles, fireplaces, and twinkle lights. 

My Favorites
Your favorites list is empty. Look for to add favorites to your list.