Location: Hendersonville
Top Things to do in Hendersonville
Top Restaurants in Hendersonville
Countries
10 Things to do in Hendersonville That You Shouldn't Miss
Hendersonville is a city in Henderson County, North Carolina, United States. It is 22 miles (35 km) south of Asheville and is the county seat of Henderson County. Like the county, the city is named for 19th-century North Carolina Supreme Court Chief Justice Leonard Henderson.
Restaurants in Hendersonville
1. Elijah Mountain Gem Mine
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 779 reviews
Covered outdoor and Indoor gem mining all season. #1 gem mine in the Carolinas on TripAdvisor. No reservations needed. Come pet and feed our goats and see our chickens. We double all competitor’s coupons and we’ll even buy you a coke! At Elijah Mountain Gem Mine, in Hendersonville, NC, you become a prospector from the 1800's and mine for real gem stones that you can keep! Gems that are found daily include Rubys, Sapphires, Emeralds, Quartz crystals, Citrine, Amethyst, Garnets, Adventurine, Sodalite, Opal, Fluorite, Aquamarine Crystal geodes and many more! We have covered outdoor and climate controlled indoor mining for your comfort! Find something really special and have it cut into a pendant for a necklace right here! Sometimes while you watch! You can even bring a picnic and relax at one of our picnic tables by the creek! Our Rock Shop is the best around and no one can beat our prices! See 400 million year old fossils.
Reviewed By konacoast24k - Cocoa, United States
Elijah Mountain Gem Mine in Hendersonville is a great place for a family to visit. Whether you are an amateur rockhound like my husband and I, or just out for a unique adventure, this is a fun experience! They have indoor and covered outdoor sluice runs to hunt for your gemstone treasures, and even a spot where you can walk down and see what there is to find in a small creek bed (you would be surprised at what is under that sand!!). The rock shop is full of interesting gem and mineral specimens, and you can even visit the many goats that live at the site! The weather was not cooperating when we visited which cut our time short (I would have enjoyed lingering at the creek a while longer-so relaxing!). If you are looking for something different and fun to do, visit Elijah Mountain Gem Mine - you won't be disappointed!
2. Justus Orchard
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 208 reviews
Reviewed By dianak31 - Mount Pleasant, United States
Our entire family had a blast at Justus Orchard. Our nearly 2 and 5 year olds were smiling the whole time. The apples we picked are delicious and (score!) many of the largest ones were hidden at the bottom of the trees where most people don’t look but they were in the perfect place for our tiny apple-loving 5 year old to grab. We spent at least 2.5 hours there and experienced all the activities they had to offer: Apple picking Jump pillow Cow train Apple Cannon Playground Petting Zoo Photo ops We brought our own picnic lunch and were grateful because the lines for food as well as inside their store were very long. We ate at the picnic tables at the playground. There is also a table down by the petting zoo that is not as crowded. Sadly, because of the crowds, we were not able to taste the apple donuts or apple cider but we will be back next year and hope to sample them. Entry onto the Cow Train was definitely a bit of a mess and we even got kicked out of our car/turn by another parent. There was no attendant ensuring a line was kept - it was a free-for-all to get a car. My son was crying but we waited patiently for the next ride and both of our kiddos enjoyed it
3. Saint Paul Mountain Vineyards
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 489 reviews
Saint Paul Mountain Vineyards is a family-owned operation located in the heart of Henderson County's apple country. Nestled on 10 acres of a land grant from England are panoramic views of the Blue Ridge Mountains that the family has enjoyed for generation, and now would like to share with you. The 14 varieties of wine-grape vines grown on the vineyards at elevations of 2,300 and 3,000 feet, along with the cool nights, develop some the best wine-producing grapes in the country. Meticulously growing our fruit allows us to incorporate the unique character of our vineyards into each bottle. Come to a place where you not only enjoy beautiful views with a glass of unforgettable wine, but become part of our family too!
Reviewed By 58DavidAthens - Athens, United States
We enjoyed the wine flight very much. Nice setting on a patio overlooking a small vineyard. Servers were very friendly and helpful. We purchased six bottles to take home.
4. Apple Valley Model Railroad Club
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 81 reviews
Largest model railroad in western North Carolina housed in the historic train depot in Hendersonville, NC. A 100' X 20' HO scale model railroad based on western North Carolina in the mid 1900s fills most of the depot and a real caboose sits just outside. Artifacts from real railroads are on display throughout the depot with an interactive display screen to help you indentify the items. Cameras on our trains give the bird's eye view of a trip around our layouts. The club's new 60' X 12' outdoor G scale layout is very popular. We are open Wednesdays 1 to 3 and Saturdays 10 to 2. There is a separate Thomas the Tank train layout for young engineers to operate. Special event on Saturday, May 11, from 9 to 3 celebrating National Train Day. A real locomotive and crew will be on site plus many activities for all ages. See our website for details. Admission is free, but donations are greatly appreciated.
Reviewed By 66Belair - Parish, United States
Just a great place to visit if you like trains and model railroads. Been here twice while visiting friends tahat are members. Wished we lived close by . Too bad it wasn't done in "S" Scale. See what can you do Larry. Hope to be down in the Spring , if not before.
5. Appalachian Pinball Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 50 reviews
Free to look and learn & $12 gives you play over 80 Pinball Machine and Video Arcade Games! Adult Malt Beverages, (beer, hard seltzer etc) Sodas & simple snacks available for purchase. Located in beautiful downtown Hendersonville.
Reviewed By NCRaggedy
My 10 year old son and I spent a couple of hours in the pinball heaven. There are machines from the early 1970’s to present. They all work and you can play all day for the entry fee! Worth the cost! Will definitely come back.
6. Mineral & Lapidary Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 209 reviews
Reviewed By allirae510 - Albemarle, United States
Staff were very helpful and friendly! We even found some hidden gems from my husband’s family’s farm just a few hours down the road from Hendersonville. We loved the black light exhibit that explained how the rocks and minerals react to the light.
7. Stepp's Hillcrest Orchard
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 142 reviews
Reviewed By jonginat - Sanford, United States
After missing our trip to Stepp’s last year, we were thrilled to make it back yesterday for our fourth trip to this amazing place. It’s fun to see how much they’ve grown over the years. We arrived at 8:30 am on a Saturday in peak October season. We were the fourth car there, but within an hour there was easily 100 cars, it pays to come early! We stayed until 3pm and as usual the day was a highlight in our year. We picked apples, snacked on warm apple donuts, shot apples out of the apple cannon, went on a tractor ride, had lunch at the bbq food truck (yummy and convenient), played in the play area, and navigated our way through the 5 acre maze (31 minute completion...I highly recommend using the maze map on their FB page). We’ll be back next year to make more family memories!
8. Grandad's Apples
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 395 reviews
We are a small family owned and operated farm, located in Hendersonville, NC since 1994. Pat is a fourth generation apple farmer, carrying on the tradition of farming his family’s 80 acres of land. His wife Leslie manages the “Barn” along with their two daughters.
Reviewed By SouthernGardener
This orchard is one of many in Henderson County. It has a small goat petting area, gorgeous views, and outstanding apple cider donuts, cookies, cakes, and several varieties of ice cream. And, oh, soooo many apple varieties. You can pick your own or buy a bag that was picked that morning. Different varieties are picked on their respective weeks. In the fall, they also harvest a variety of yummy produce. They’re only open during Apple season, August til they run out, about the beginning of November.
9. Burntshirt Vineyards
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 499 reviews
Enjoy a tasting our award-winning wines, and take home a complimentary glass etched with our logo. Feel free to bring your picnic lunch to pair with a glass of wine on our terrace or picnic tables. Don't forget to take home a bottle of Burntshirt wine to share with your friends and family!
Reviewed By RichardH529 - Hendersonville, United States
Burntshirt some of the best local wines in the area. Nestled in a beautiful setting, with great tasting room and outdoor patio, it is a splendid way to spend a gentle afternoon. And when there is live music, it is even more delightful.
10. Point Lookout Vineyards
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 68 reviews
Reviewed By larryg425 - Zionsville, United States
Point Lookout Vineyards sits near the top of a mountain with a 270 degree view, a first class facility with really good wines. Wine tastings (6 samples) are $10. We ordered a cheese tray that was complete with several different cheeses, spreads and crackers. There are numerous tables and chairs, inside and out, with great views. We have visited a lot of WNC vineyards, and this one ranks in our top two, and Ethan, our server, made sure we were well taken care of!
