Charlotte may be the most popular gateway into North Carolina, but there are so many other towns you’ll be exuberantly ‘taking your shirt off and spinning it around like a helicopter’ for Petey Pablo-style!
Okay, let’s not do that actually.
What you can do is avoid Asheville’s crowds this fall by taking in the glorious sites of one lesser-known mountain town boasting untamed beauty and down-home charm.
While the trendy city of Cary has claimed the crown of NC’s new tourism hotspot, the lovely town of Hendersonville, just north of where the Carolinas meet, is the ultimate blissful escape to enjoy the state’s endless fall splendor.
Explore Henderson’s Down-Home Downtown District
You can say what you want about the South, but its famed hospitality is the real deal and seems to increase the more charming the town may be.
While places like Asheville are great to visit, seeing fewer Starbucks and more authentic mom-and-pop shops is undeniably more enticing, like a classic soda fountain like Mike’s on Main.
Downtown Hendersonville offers a surprising variety of local eateries, from savory Italian to southern home cooking, like the top-rated Daddy D’s Suber Soulfood. One recent patron exclaimed, “We love this place! Every time we are in the area, we make sure to add Daddy D’s to our itinerary.”
The old-timey streets are lined with delightful boutique shops, and there are a ton of museums to check out, like the Henderson County Heritage Museum, set inside a beautiful historic courthouse rivaling the looks of many state Capitol buildings.
The most captivating museum, however, may be Historic Johnson Farm.
Although set on the outskirts of town, this former tobacco farm boasts a mix of outdoor sublimity with an intriguing history.
Open year-round and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, take a hike through scenic forests and go on guided tours of the 10 historic 19th-century homes on-site for only $10.
Get Outside! Hendersonville Is Made For Exploring
Visiting Hendersonville, you can’t help but notice the town’s ambient mountains closing you in.
Don’t fret; however, this is no escape room; the popular Blue Ridge Mountains will welcome you with open arms.
Whether taking the picturesque back roads or going for a tranquil hike, the Blue Ridge Mountains are a sight to behold, particularly in the fall.
In the neighboring town of Laurel Park, Jump Off Rock is inarguably the most popular natural site offering a handful of hiking trails, but nothing too strenuous.
Just don’t take the name too seriously as Jump Off’s peak is 3,100 feet high hence the epic views of vibrant treetops and mountainous terrain.
You might be surprised by what else Hendersonville and the surrounding region have to offer – gorgeous waterfalls.
Hendersonville makes for a great base to explore North Carolina’s hidden gems away from the hustle and bustle of Charlotte and flannel-wearing hipster crowds of Asheville.
Beyond the small cityscape lies DuPont State Recreational Forest, home to more than a dozen waterfalls, but these are 5 of the most popular:
- Triple Falls
- Bridal Veil Falls
- Grassy Creek Falls
- High Falls
- Hooker Falls
As fun as North Carolina is to visit, the North Carolina Forest Service (NCFS) has posted some rules visitors should know before arriving, including:
- Climbing on rocks or waterfalls is not permitted
- Swimming or wading less than 300′ upstream of waterfalls is not permitted
- Jumping, sliding or diving from waterfalls is not permitted
- Drones are not permitted
Savor The Fall Flavor
While your tastebuds will be fully satisfied visiting Downtown Hendersonville, there’s some other seasonal goodies visitors should be aware of.
If you’re the road trip type (who wouldn’t be in this area?), then set your sights for Chimney Rock Road where you’ll find apple orchards and pumpkin patches serving up all the fall delights, like Granddad’s Apples, fun for the whole family.
But the grown-ups may want to level up their fall game. Nearby is Saint Paul Mountain Farms, acting as both a vineyard and orchard, where they produce local wines, hard ciders, among other adult beverages.
The most notable name, however, is located just 10 miles from downtown. That would be Sierra Nevada’s Tasting Room, a popular beer brand serving over 20 selections, plus a ‘farm-to-table’ restaurant.
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