One of seven educational forests in North Carolina, Holmes was designed as a living environmental education center. Be sure to bring a picnic lunch, but call first if you want to reserve the shelter. The forest is open March 1 through November 30 and it is free and open to the public.
Activities
Fun in the mountains in Hendersonville! From rafting and rock climbing to hiking and biking, activities for visitors of all ages.
Connemara Farms was the home where the famous poet and writer Carl Sandburg spent the last 22 years of his life. The National Park Service offers guided house tours, bookstore, video’s, hiking, and visits to historic goat farm.
An overview of 17 of the finest golf courses in Western North Carolina, Upstate South Carolina, and eastern Tennessee.
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Get your perfect place in town squared away. Discover beautiful townhomes and condominiums perfectly sized for your life. Make your home in Biltmore Park Town Square and you’ll be just steps away from some of the most savory dining choices in the mountains. Not to mention world-class shopping and lively entertainment and the tallest mountains east of the Rockies right outside our window.
Most people aren’t aware that Western North Carolina is the brewing capital of the Southeast. In fact, on just about any day of the year, one can select from about 50 locally brewed craft beers.
With the romance and mystique of an era gone by, guests on board the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad will enjoy year-round scenic train journeys through some of the most beautiful landscapes in the Great Smoky Mountains. Nantahala Gorge Excursion (4 ½ hour round trip), Day Out With Thomas, Peanuts Pumpkin Patch Express, and the Polar Express, are just a few of the wonderful trips available to passengers. Call for additional information, or to make advance reservations.
AppalachianTrail.com offers extensive information relating to the longest hiking-only trail in the world. Thousands of AT trail hikers have shared their advice, photos and stories for others. From various wildlife you might encounter on the Trail – to the best movies featuring the AT – we have it covered. You can read other hiker’s stories, discover the highest peaks, famous places and attractions on the Appalachian Trail, and research communities along the way. We strive to be your all-everything reference when planning your AT hike and learning about the history of the trail.
Bullington Gardens, once the nursery of Bob Bullington, is a public botanical garden on 12 acres of rolling land providing hands-on education in horticulture and other sciences to students, youth clubs and adults. These gardens incorporate some of the many unusual mature trees that Mr. Bullington collected and introduced to the area. Visitors are welcome to visit and enjoy the gardens and facilities.
The Smoky Mountains offers many great lakes, rivers, and streams to challenge anglers of all skill levels. View our guided fishing tours guide for detailed information.
 is a wonderful place to spend the day. The park has a wide range of bird habitats being represented in the park�s 317 acres. It also includes ball fields and tennis courts. From downtown Hendersonville follow 4th Avenue eastward into the entrance of the park. Open during daylight hours daily.
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The AVMRC has two free open house’s every week that have been enjoyed by grandparents and grandchildren, as well as kids of all ages for over 2 decades. We offer two operating model RR’s with our inside HO scale layout having 2,000 feet of track. Our new outside layout is a larger G scale. Kids can run a Thomas or Emily train while there. Additionally, we have many historic pictures and items about railroads on display. The Depot is open to the public Saturday from 10 AM until 2 PM and Wednesday afternoon from 1 PM to 3 PM. Admission is free!
If you’re ready for some exercise, we’ve got the spot for you. The Park features six different hiking trails, ranging in difficulty from easy-to-moderate to moderate-to-strenuous. Some lead to 404-foot Hickory Nut Falls; others lead through the woods through old growth forests, dazzling displays of wildflowers and interesting rock formations. The Great Woodland Adventure features fun, whimsical sculptures of some of the animals that call the Park home. Guided bird and wildflower hikes are just a few that are offered throughout the season. The Park, a Natural Heritage Area, is located 18 miles from downtown Hendersonville on Hwy. 64 East in scenic Hickory Nut Gorge. Open all year. Live it up!