East of downtown Hendersonville lies Apple Country, with apple orchards, berry farms, pumpkin and cabbage fields, and lush vineyards. Henderson County grows more apples than any other county in North Carolina. Harvest season runs from August to October; the variety and weather affect the exact timing. Agriculture, cultural history, and scenery offer different perspectives on exploring Henderson.

History Across Homes, Farms, and Museums

The Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site is a unit of the National Park Service that preserves the memory and legacy of American poet Carl Sandburg. Visitors can tour the historic brick barn and dairy, and visit the goats in their pasture. The barn is open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Check the opening hours again before your arrival.

Historic Johnson Farm reflects the history of agriculture and tourism: in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the farm was a tourist retreat. The Henderson County Heritage Museum is located in the county’s historic courthouse. It features public exhibits and artifacts; its offerings also include lectures, collections, archives, libraries, demonstrations, and additional exhibits on the history, culture, and heritage of Henderson County.

The restored depot of the Apple Valley Model Railroad Museum houses a detailed HO-scale model railroad. It recreates Hendersonville, Saluda, Asheville, and Western North Carolina. Visitors can operate a Thomas the Tank Engine train in a children’s exhibit. The Mineral & Lapidary Museum displays minerals, gemstones, fossils, and artifacts from North Carolina, the United States, and around the world. It also displays a meteorite found in Henderson County, on loan from the Smithsonian; the museum also offers geode cracking.

A range of institutions offer further cultural highlights: the Western North Carolina Air Museum is North Carolina’s first aviation museum and preserves the aviation heritage of Western North Carolina. The Flat Rock Playhouse is designated as the State Theatre of North Carolina. The Art Place features a rotating gallery and offers classes and workshops.

Forests, Views, and Trails

Since 1977, Holmes Educational State Forest has served as a living outdoor classroom. Visitors of all ages can learn about the local natural forest environment there. At Jump Off Rock, panoramic views open across rolling pastureland and the Blue Ridge and Pisgah mountain ranges. Jump Off Rock Park also has a short network of forest trails.

Laurel Park’s Ride to the Rock offers a different scale: this challenging 16-mile cycling route leads to Jump Off Rock and passes most of Laurel Park’s historic markers. When planning to use the Ecusta Trail, distinguish between the open section and the project’s full scope. The first six miles, between downtown Hendersonville and Horse Shoe, are open. The project covers an approximately 19-mile former railroad corridor from King Street in Hendersonville to Carr Lumbar Company Road in Brevard, which is planned for conversion into a public multi-use trail. Check which section is relevant to your visit as you plan.

Apple Picking and Regional Produce

The markets showcase the region’s agricultural diversity through their offerings, too. Mills River Farm Market sells fresh local produce, cheese, meat, jams and jellies, as well as handmade arts and crafts. All products are grown or made within 50 miles of the market. Weekly cooking demonstrations are held there. Henderson County Curb Market has been operating since 1924; all goods sold there must be handmade or locally grown.

Beverages and how they are made are also part of the region’s offerings. Burntshirt Vineyards makes wines from fruit grown entirely in its own vineyards. Its two vineyards are among the highest-elevation vineyards on the East Coast. The Bold Rock Hard Cider location in Mills River features a two-story tasting room and an outdoor cider area with a permanent food truck and a stage for live music. Sierra Nevada offers guided brewery tours and tastings; its taproom has more than 20 beers on tap.

The taproom at Appalachian Mountain Brewery in Mills River serves craft beers, cider, seltzer, and cocktails. It also offers a menu featuring regional ingredients and cuisine. Along with the markets and the different insights into agriculture and production, this offers another way to experience the local food and drink culture.

Discover more destinations: Hendersonville, Fletcher, Mills River, Guilford, Union County, Transylvania County, Duplin County and Nash.

Go to the main travel overview: North Carolina.