Hendersonville / Flat Rock

Hendersonville

Visit historic downtown Hendersonville and stroll down the beautiful distinctive serpentine Main Street. There are many attractions and things to do in Hendersonville for all ages.

Flat Rock

Flat Rock is known as "The Little Charleston of the Mountains". Check out the brightly painted cottages which create a unique retail area in Flat Rock known as Little Rainbow Row.

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Historical Henderson County Courthouse

There are several attractions located in historic downtown Hendersonville.

Some downtown attractions are Mineral and Lapidary Museum of Henderson County which exhibits the "T Rex". Other exhibits include a Hendersonville Meteorite, North Carolina Minerals plus a display of Fluorescent minerals and replicas of World Famous Diamonds.

The Henderson County Tailgate Market features locally grown produce, bedding plants and arts and crafts. Open each Saturday from 7am to noon on King Street.

Henderson County Heritage Museum is located at the Historic Henderson County Courthouse. Hours are Wed - Sat 10:00am to 5:00pm. Sunday 1:00pm to 5:00pm.

The Henderson County Curb Market has been a local Hendersonville tradition since 1924.  Is a unique farmers market requiring sellers to be residents of Henderson County. TAll items must be either hand-made or locally grown. The sellers offer a variety of goods such as: crafts, baked goods, jellies, plants, flowers, toys, and produce.  The Curb Market’s hours are 8am-2pm Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from April-December, and 8am-1pm Saturday January-March.  The Curb Market is located on the corner of 2nd Avenue and Church Street. For additional information call (828) 692-8012. 221 N. Church St., Hendersonville.

Also take a tour of the Old Historic Henderson County Courthouse built in 1905. Courthouse guided tours are given each Wednesday at 2pm. There is no charge for the tour.

The Hendersonville Visitor's Center sponsors Music on Main Street Friday evenings for 12 weeks during Spring and Summer, along with the Antique Car Show on some evenings (7 shows in 2013). Both are free.

 

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Flat Rock Playhouse

2661 Greenville Hwy
Flat Rock, NC 28731
(828) 693-0731

Flat Rock Playhouse is North Carolina's State Theatre located in the heart of the Village of Flat Rock  and across the road from Carl Sandburg's home.

Flat Rock Playhouse has provided the highest level of professional theatrical entertainment for nearly 60 years. The Playhouse presents matinee and evening performance from mid-April through mid-December. There is also Flat Rock Downtown, which also has entertainment from plays to music groups and is located in downtown Hendersonville on Main Street. For more information visit Flat Rock Playhouse.

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Carl Sandburg's Home

1800 Little River Road
Flat Rock, NC
(828) 693-4178

Carl Sandburg who was recognized as the "People's Poet", was also an author, historian, Pulitzer-prize winner and biographer of Abraham Lincoln.

Carl Sandburg and his family moved to his home known as "Connemara Farms" in 1945 for peace and solitude for his writing. He lived at the estate for 22 years with his family. 

Today you can take a tour of Carl Sandburg's home with a tour guide who will give you interesting information about Carl Sandburg and his wife and family.  Also, don't forget to visit Mrs. Sandburg's world-renowned herd of dairy goats. You are permitted to walk among the goats, pet them and even have your picture taken with the goats by your friends. The 264 acre farm also includes rolling pastures, hiking trails, two small lakes, several ponds, flower and vegetable gardens, and an apple orchard.

Mr. Sandburg was a collector of books. There are about 10,000 books in the home, along with notes and papers.  It took several railroad cars to move all the books from Elmhurst, MI.

There are five miles of hiking trails on the property. Most trails are rated easy to moderate. 

Hours are 9:30a to 4:30p everyday except Christmas Day.  For more information visit Carl Sandburg Home

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Village of Flat Rock

The Village of Flat Rock is home to Carl Sandburg's house and the Flat Rock Playhouse as well as other poets, artist and playwriters.  Flat Rock is a beautiful village with unique shops and plenty of hiking trails.  It is also home to the Flat Rock Playhouse which is the state theatre of North Carolina. 

The Village of Flat Rock was established in 1807 by some wealthy Charlestonians who wanted to escape the hot weather in Charleston, SC during the summer months. Therefore,  the Village of Flat Rock got its nickname "Little Charleston of the Mountains.

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Music On Main Street

Music on Main Street is held every Friday night from 7:00p until 9:00p beginning the first of June through the end of August. It is held in the Visitors Center parking lot.

Music On Main Street features a different band each week which plays music from the 1940's up to 1990's. People bring chairs, relax and listen to the music while others dance. So bring a lawn chair and relax or get up and dance and have a good time. There is also Street Dances at the Visitor Center on Monday Nights featuring 94 years of Traditional Appalachian Music and Dance.

Also, Music On Main Street has Classic Car Shows at certain concerts.  See www.hendersonvilleantiquecarclub.org for the schedule.

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Apple Festival

The Apple Festival is held annually on Labor Day Weekend (the weekend preceding the first Monday in Sept.).

The Apple Festival is a 9 block street fair on Main Street in Hendersonville. Come enjoy the food, fun, crafts, apples and live entertainment. The King Apple Parade is held on Labor Day.

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Street Dances on Main Street

Street Dances on Main Street is held every Monday evening from 7:00p until 9:00p. beginning the first of July through the mid-August and is located in the Visitors Center parking lot.

Bluegrass music and square dancing are featured. Bring your chair and enjoy some down home bluegrass and mountain music or bring your dancing shoes and do some clogging or square dancing.

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WNC Air Museum

1340 East Gilbert Street
Hendersonville, NC 28793
(828) 698-2482

Specialty: Vintage Airplanes

Hours:

Open only on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
April - October:
Wednesday - 12:00p - 5:00p,
Saturday - 10:00a - 5:00p
Sunday - 12:00p - 5:00p,
November - March:
Wednesday, Saturday, Sunday 12:00p - 5:00p
Closed: Christmas Day, Easter, 4th July, Memorial Day and New Years Day

Located on the Hendersonville Airport grounds, the WNC Air Museum is known as the first air museum in North Carolina. On display are restored vintage airplanes, replica antique airplanes, and aviation memorabilia. You can see The Stearman N2S-4 and the 1930's Heath Parasol.

There is no admission fee nor parking fee. But, donations are appreciated.

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Hendersonville Train Depot

650 Maple Avenue
Hendersonville, NC, 28792
(828) 890-8246

The Hendersonville Train Depot was built in 1902 and is the home to  Apple Valley Model Railroad Club's scale model railroad.

The club's scale model railroad extends 100 feet along the length of the Depot and has over 2,000 feet of track, with over 250 switches and several turnouts. The layout is highly detailed.  There are also many historical artifacts including a Southern Railway caboose that visitors can tour.

The Hendersonville Train Depot is located on Maple Street off of 7th Avenue East. The depot is open year round, Wednesdays 1:00pm-3:00pm & Saturdays 10:00am-2:00pm.  No admission fee.

For additional information or special visit arrangements call 828-890-8246.

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St. John's in the Wilderness

1905 Greenville Hwy
Flat Rock, NC 28731
(828) 963-9783

St. John's in the Wilderness was built in 1836 and was the first Episcopal Church in Western North Carolina. The church and graveyard are open Tues. - Sun. from 9:00AM-4:00PM for visitation. The church is located at 1905 Greenville Highway (Hwy. 225 S) 0.8 miles from the center of Flat Rock.

Chapel at St John;s Wilderness in Flat Rock, NC. The church was first built as a private chapel for the Baring family but was later given to the Bishop of the newly-formed diocese.  It is noted that both whites and slaves worshipped at the church and many were buried in the church cemetry.  There are many noted southern names among the family plots and graves.

Many well-known members of southern aristocracy have family plots in the churchyard.

Today it is still a place of worship.

For additional information call the church at 828-693-9783. www.stjohnflatrock.org

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Jump Off Rock

Jump Off Rock

Laurel Park, NC 28739

Jump Off Rock is one of the most famous and visited sites in Laurel Park.  Jump Off Rock is 4.8 miles and  15 minutes driving time from Hendersonville.

It has many hiking trails and beautiful mountain views. Jump Off Rock offers a scenic panoramic view of the French Broad River Valley, the Blue Ridge and Pisgah mountain ranges with great sunsets.

The tale of Jump Off Rock is that a young Cherokee maiden and her Cherokee chieftain met at Jump Off Rock many times. When tribal wars called him away he promised to meet his maiden at the rock when he returned. Each evening the maiden went to the rock to look for her lover. But when the warriors returned they brought the news that the young chief had died in battle. Upon hearing this news, in the twilight, the maiden climbed to the edge of the cliff and jumped. Indian lore says on some moonlit nights, the ghost of the heartbroken maiden can be seen on Jump Off Rock. For more information visit Jump Off Rock.