Have your eye on the cute, quaint, and hospitable city of Hendersonville, NC? It’s just 22 miles south of Asheville and it’s an awesome getaway for those who love both active and laid-back vacations.
Take the family on a weekend trip and discover a city that may just be in your own backyard. Here’s a list of wonderful free things to do in Hendersonville!
Hendersonville’s Heritage Museum
Hendersonville’s has a historic downtown area that’s awesome for visitors to learn about its history. You can visit the Henderson County Heritage Museum Wednesdays through Saturdays from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, and on Sundays from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm. This is a great way to add a little bit of education and history when you’re looking for things to do.
The museum is centrally located in downtown Hendersonville and can be found within the Henderson County Historic Courthouse. Be sure not to miss the wide range of downtown restaurants that are within walking distance of the museum! Visit the Henderson County Heritage Museum website for additional information.
Get a View
Looking for a good view in Hendersonville? This can be one of the best ways to get to know the place you’re in. Jump Off Rock is a scenic overlook that provides a panoramic view of the Blue Ridge and Pisgah Mountain ranges. There’s no charge for admission, and you’ll be able to see this view from sunrise to sunset! It’s only a ten minute drive from downtown Hendersonville; Just drive up Laurel Park Highway until the very end — and once there you’ve reached Jump Off Rock! Its GPS address is 4433 Laurel Park Hwy, Laurel Park, NC 28739.
Western North Carolina Air Museum
Did you know that North Carolina was the first state to have controlled, powered aircraft flights? You can learn more about North Carolina’s history in the sky at the Western North Carolina Air Museum, located just outside of downtown at 1340 E Gilbert St.
The Wright brothers revolutionized travel as we know it today, and this museum will tell you everything you could possibly want to know! It’s open on Saturdays and Sundays from 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm. It has free admission and free parking, and it sits beside an active airport, so you get to do more than just look at old planes when you visit! This museum is a center for living history and lets you get up close and personal with the airplane and flight history. You won’t find glass or velvet ropes here. Get ready to get hands on!
Pick Apples
Apples are a top crop in Hendersonville, and you can join in the fun while you’re there. Who doesn’t love picking apples? And it doesn’t have to be the fall to do it! Although, if you’re in town during Labor Day Weekend, there’s an Annual Apple Festival that’s lots of fun for everyone. It features food, crafts, live entertainment, and more! Every other time of the year you can visit one of Hendersonville’s many orchards. Visit our friends at ASAP Connections for a list of local apple orchards in Hendersonville.
Browse the Event Calendar!
Hendersonville.com offers an event calendar listing hundreds of things to do in any given month, many of them free to attend. Take a look at Hendersonville.com/events/ to find your adventure.