Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Hendersonville stands out for its cultural and heritage venues, as well as a vibrant arts community and well-preserved historic Main Street. Museums, 19th-century farmhouses and a cutting-edge aquarium highlight Hendersonville’s enticing sightseeing.
Things to do in Hendersonville
The Downtown Henderson Main Street District is the heart of the community, carefully restored and protected. You’ll find 16 blocks of antique stores, museums, cafes and art galleries. Duck into the Henderson County Heritage Museum for a peek at Civil War artefacts and a re-created general store from the 1900s.
Aviation aficionados will find much to admire at the Western North Carolina Air Museum. Its antique and vintage aircraft honour North Carolina’s heritage as the “first in flight” state, where Wilbur and Orville Wright soared the skies above Kitty Hawk in 1903.
You can also visit the Apple Valley Model Railroad Museum and the restored Depot, which houses a Southern Railway caboose and a children’s exhibit with Thomas the Tank Engine. The little ones will also enjoy a trip to Team ECCO Ocean Center and Aquarium where they’ll find at least 20 displays, ranging from bamboo sharks to stingrays and seahorses.
For panoramic views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, climb to the overlook at Jump Off Rock. With a few extra hours, you can explore Historic Johnson Farm, the former home of a prominent tobacco farmer. Explore the uniquely preserved collection of 19th-century farm structures, including a smokehouse, blacksmith shop and barn.
Getting around Hendersonville
You can rent a car at Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport, about a 30-minute drive from Hendersonville. After arriving in the city, there are public buses and private taxi services to get around.