We've been visiting Hendersonville, NC for many years and it's one of our top favorite mountain towns. Hendersonville offers tons of things to see and do, including great food and some cool places to stay as well.
We love Hendersonville not only because of all the great things it offers, but it holds some cherished memories for Jenn and I all the way back to our teenage years when we would travel up to the mountains to visit Chimney Rock State Park and Hendersonville.
Hendersonville really has it all: outdoor activities, museums, great restaurants, vineyards, family activities and more! The town is also really close to Asheville, NC, Lake Lure, and Chimney Rock State Park as well. Offering even more options for things to do and see.
We've published several travel guides for Hendersonville, NC, things to see and do, top restaurants, best places to stay, our favorite vineyards and the top apple orchards.
In this guide, we're taking a little different approach. We sat down and made a short list of our top favorite things about Hendersonville. Things that keep us coming back time and time gain.
Let's explore our 7 fantastic reasons to visit Hendersonville NC!
1 - Visit the Aquarium and Shark Lab
We had no idea that Hendersonville NC had an aquarium, let alone such a nice one with a fantastic staff that enjoys educating about the creatures and are passionate about taking care of them as well. Even more surprising is that the Aquarium & Shark Lab by Team ECCO is located right in downtown Hendersonville.
The Aquarium & Shark Lab has over 6,000 gallons of saltwater exhibits, unique ocean exhibits, and dozens of reptiles. The Aquarium & Shark Lab left us in awe when we first visited.
During our visit, we saw sharks, rays, and an abundance of saltwater and fresh-water fish. We even enjoyed watching the large turtle walk across the aquarium. If you prefer being a little more hands on, they have a tide pool where you can interact with sea urchins, sea stars, conchs, and crabs.
With a $7.50 admission price for guests, it delivers a wonderful family friendly experience at a discount price as well.
2 - Go wine tasting at one of the 7 different wineries
Many don't realize that Hendersonville area vineyards serve up some of the best wines in North Carolina and also deliver incredible views of the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains. We enjoy vineyards, and have visited all seven Hendersonville vineyards during our trips over the years. All of them are wonderful and offer their own unique perks, flavors and atmosphere.
The different vineyards are part of the Crest of the Blue Ridge, an American Viticultural Area (AVA). AVAs are a designation awarded to regions with distinctive soil, climate, and elevation that influence the grapes and wine.
We recommend trying them all, but our two personal favorites are Point Lookout Vineyard and Souther Williams. Point Lookout has fantastic wines and incredible long distance views, and Souther Williams also has amazing wines with a very laid back and casual outdoor atmosphere.
You can read all about these vineyards in our Hendersonville Vineyards Guide.
3 - Play classic arcade games from the 70s and 80s
Hendersonville has one of the best retro 70s and 80s arcades that we've ever seen. Appalachian Pinball Museum is a large arcade/museum that features over 80 vintage pinball machines and arcade games for visitors to enjoy and play. The oldest machine dates back to 1946!
Each machine is meticulously restored and well maintained, allowing visitors to experience the sights, sounds, and excitement of pinball through its various eras. They have a play all day admission policy as well. For a single entry fee, visitors can enjoy unlimited play on all the machines, making it an affordable and entertaining activity for families.
We had a blast playing the old pinball machines and reliving some childhood memories playing the classic 80s arcade games.
The museum is located in downtown Hendersonville, NC and if you just want to see the museum and not play the games, admission is free.
4 - Pick Apples, Berries and Flowers
We always look forward to fall, not only because of the fall colors, but also for apple season. Hendersonville, NC is well known as the Apple capital of North Carolina and offers over 20 orchards that you can visit. Each apple orchard features many varieties of apples, apple products, and more.
Many orchards offer u-pick where you can explore fields yourself and pick your own apples. Orchards also provide hay rides, tractor rides, corn mazes, berry picking, u-pick wildflowers, and baked apple products like hot and fresh cider donuts.
We really enjoy visiting Jeter Mountain Farm and Stepps Hillcrest Orchard. Jeter Mountain Farm offers lots of u-pick options, tractor rides, an enormous store, indoor playground, and hard cider. Stepps also offers u pick apples, tractor rides but also has apple cannons where you can shoot apples at targets!
You can learn more in our Hendersonville NC Apple Orchard guide.
5 - Stay at the historic Echo Mountain Inn
We really enjoy staying at family-owned inns and bed & breakfasts. Echo Mountain Inn in Hendersonville, NC is one of our favorites and we've stayed with them multiple times. The historic Inn is beautiful, rooms are clean and well maintained, and the family that runs the inn are wonderful folks.
While Echo Mountain is technically an inn because of the size, you'll feel more like you are in a smaller bed-and-breakfast. They offer several rooms and some with luxury features and beautiful mountain views. They also prepare a complimentary breakfast for guests each morning in a buffet style that is absolutely delicious.
The Inn is located in the gorgeous Laurel Park district of Hendersonville and is just a few minutes away from the popular jump off rock, which offers incredible views, especially for sunset.
6 - Mine for gems and treasure
As many times as we have visited Hendersonville, NC over the years, we did not know there was a wonderful Gem mine and petting zoo until recently! Fortunately, we discovered Ellijah Mountain Gem Mine during one of our recent visits.
The place is huge, with a large 3000 square foot retail shop full of various gems, fossils, and minerals. Some crystals and geodes they offer for sale are huge!
You can purchase different sized buckets for indoor and covered outdoor mining. The buckets are full of gems, and maybe even a Geode you can crack in the store. We found a geode in our bucket, along with many types of gems.
They also have an on-site goat farm, peacock habitat, creek to play in, family obstacle course and a shady picnic area. There is even a tap room with locally brewed German beer.
We thoroughly enjoyed our visit and saw many families having a great time as well!
7 - Enjoy tea and excellent food
The Book & Bee Café and Tea, offers a truly unique dining experience that combines the charm of a British tea room with the comfort of a cozy and delicious café. The owners' memorable trips to Britain inspired this delightful establishment, making it a perfect spot for book lovers and foodies as well.
The Book & Bee not only serves wonderful tea, but the food is exceptional. You can sit in different British themed rooms, including the reading room which British literature fans, like us, will love. We felt like we were dining in a quaint little library!
The café features freshly prepared dishes, such as savory quiches, hearty sandwiches, and soups, all with a book theme. They also offer an impressive selection of teas, perfect for pairing with the menu items.
They have become one of our favorite restaurants when visiting Hendersonville, NC
