Feeling cooped up, wanting to escape life’s hectic pace with your family? Well, you can always visit Hendersonville North Carolina for an exhilarating holiday with your family. It is a bustling and vibrant city with exciting outdoor activities, beautiful orchards, fascinating mountain trails, broad-way style family street shows, exquisite cuisine, and much more! Though fall is the best time to visit, there is something for everyone year-round. Here are some of the fun things to do in Hendersonville NC with family that you should definitely add to your vacation plans.
Apple Quest
Apple Quest is free of cost attraction and is loved by people of all ages. It is a permanent scavenger hunt for “brass apples” created by a local girls’ scout troop in Hendersonville. While people wander around the main street, they hunt for 12 brass apples based on a dozen clues leading participants to the hidden apples at downtown landmarks. Your kids will love this challenging scavenger hunt.
Appalachian Pinball Museum
Having more than 80 games on the list, the Appalachian Pinball Museum is one of the most recommended spots for kids and adults who love playing games. There is also a video arcade games section here. The place is not just entertaining but also fun and educational. Not to forget, you can also enjoy beverages and snacks while playing games. This museum is located downtown and is definitely worth checking out with the family!
Artscape
The Artscape is an annual event featuring the works of local artists on banners, decorating the light posts of the Downtown area. This event helps create a unique outdoor gallery experience for the people by adding colors and artwork to around 40 banners each year. It is surely one of a kind experience for tourists and locals fond of art and serves as a unique art destination. You can find Artscape banners on Hendersonville’s Main Street, Seventh Avenue and side streets.
Bearfootin’ Public Art Walk
If you are looking for fun things to do in Hendersonville NC with family, start downtown! Each year from May to October, a whimsical and amusing public art is displayed with bears across the sidewalks of Hendersonville’s Main Street. It is an annual fundraising event that brings together local artists, non-profit organizations, and the community to create interactive artworks on bears which are put on auction at the end of the season. The art walk started in 2003 and has now become an annual tradition in Hendersonville. 2022 marked 20 years of Hendersonville’s Bearfootin’ Public Art Walk!
Black Bear Snow Tubing in Winter
Nothing can be more entertaining in the winter than snow games with family. Black Bear Snow Tubing is a family-friendly all-season tubing park offering an exciting outdoor experience to participants with professional-grade tubes.
The tubing slope here is over 600 feet long with an 80ft vertical drop. There are 3 lanes that are 300 feet long, so you can enjoy the experience to its fullest. On top of it, music, delicious snacks and coffee on the site make a perfect combo to complete the fun day. . It is one of the top things to do in Hendersonville NC.
Blue Ridge Parkway
Want to go hiking in Hendersonville NC? The Blue Ridge Parkway is one of the most picturesque and fun things to do in Hendersonville NC! The serene views and the recreational opportunities make it one of the most visited sites in Hendersonville North Carolina. It is known for hiking, camping, fishing, berry picking, waterfalls, sunsets and sunrises, scenic rides, and much more. For more outdoor activities in Hendersonville click here.
Carl Sandburg Home
Carl Sandburg Home is an ideal recreational spot where visitors can reconnect with nature. Located in western North Carolina, the home is a park covering over 270 acres of land. It offers its visitors beautiful park buildings, restrooms, and trails. Furthermore, the lovely front lake is a site of utmost tranquility. Hiking through the farm will most likely cleanse your mind from all your worries.
Bullington Gardens
The Bullington gardens is a nature lover’s paradise. This incredible horticultural education center covers 12 acres of land. Its programs, activities, and workshops offer visitors an amazing learning experience. You can stroll through the fairy, therapy, butterfly, and many more beautiful gardens, perfect for relaxing with your loved ones.
Chimney Rock State Park
Adventure seekers can enjoy an incredibly thrilling experience at Chimney Rock State Park. This dramatic mountain scenery in Rutherford is one of North Carolina’s most popular destinations. The 315-foot freestanding rock spire overlooks the beautiful Lake Lure and the Hickory Nut Gorge. Along with enjoying the scenic views, visitors can hike, rock climb, fish, and enjoy a picnic. It is one of the top-recommended things to do in Hendersonville NC.
Coston Farm & Apple House
A visit to the Coston Farm and Apple House is perfect for families. The Apple House offers a memorable experience of picking fresh apples. Visitors can also witness the making of fresh cider. To complete the trip, the Apple House gift shop has unique apple-themed gift items for the visitors to take back home as souvenirs. Visitors can also treat their taste buds by tasting the delicious baked goods at the Bakery.
Dupont State Forest
If your family loves to visit natural sites to enjoy leisure time, the Dupont State Forest is a must-visit spot. This lush green forest features waterfalls, lakes, and many other wonders of nature. Visitors can view the mesmerizing High Falls, Triple Falls, and Hooker Falls. Hiking, horse-riding and mountain biking are fun activities available on the 86-mile-long trails. This adventurous forest is a dream for outdoor lovers. It is one of the top Hendersonville NC attractions.
Elijah Mountain Gem Mine
For an incredible mining experience in North Carolina, you can visit the Elijah Mountain Gem Mine. This top-ranked gem mine allows visitors the best mining experience with indoor and covered mining. It is home to Rubies, Sapphires, Emeralds, Quartz crystals, and many more. The bird habitat is another attraction for kids where they can enjoy a wild bird game. Apart from the peacocks, there is also a family obstacle course, a shady picnic area and goats and chickens at the on-site goat farm.
Flat Rock Playhouse
The professional non-profit theatre in Flat Rock village is popular for its top-notch performances of famous musicals, comedies, and dramas. It is also known for staging revivals, original productions and concerts. The venue is small, ensuring great visibility from all seats. A great show of amazing acoustics can lift one’s mood and make their visit memorable. This is one of the more culturally fun things to do in Hendersonville NC.
Green River Adventures
The Green River is one of the most visited places for family fun in the area. For the best experience, you can book a guided trip with Green River Adventures and enjoy waterfall rappelling, paddleboarding, and kayaking. You can also take a waterfall trek to thrilling spots and appreciate the beautiful scenery. Visitors can stroll through the mossy rocks and small crevices and try Ziplining for an unforgettable outdoor adventure.
The Gorge Zipline
If you wish to enjoy a courageous, guided zipline tour through a canopy of trees, ending at platforms along the way into the untouched wilderness, the Gorge Zipline is what you need. The Gorge is well-known as America’s steepest and fastest zipline canopy tour. It offers an exhilarating tree-based airborne adventure. The thrilling tree-based zipline lets the visitors experience the extraordinary Green River Gorge, also overlooking 18,000 acres of protected Green River Gamelands. It is one of the most-recommended things to do in Hendersonville NC.
WNC Nature Center
The WNC Nature Center is a family-friendly zoological park across 42 acres. It is an ideal spot to paint with the animals and run with the goats. There are many entertaining events for families to enjoy. Visitors can also spot diverse wildlife and farm animals while strolling through the gardens and trails. A visit to the Nature Center can be a truly fun and learning experience for the whole family. It is one of the most-visited parks in Hendersonville NC.
Conclusion:
So, now you know our favorite fun things to do in Hendersonville NC with family. Hendersonville, North Carolina, offers various family-friendly activities and adventurous excursions. It is ideal for enjoying nature and culture all year round. If you are planning a trip, take inspiration from our list to make the most of your vacation. The beautiful meadows, magnificent views, lush green forests, and smoky mountains of Hendersonville are always ready to welcome people!
