Henderson County
Attractions

Exhibits & Museums

Fletcher

• Western NC Agricultural Center - Designed and constructed to hold large fairs, shows, contests, etc., the WNC Agricultural Center is active year-round. The site of the WNC State Fair in late summer, it attracts visitors from around the country. Overnight accommodations are conveniently located as are restaurants.
    Take exit 40 of I-26, turn toward the airport. The WNC Agricultural Center is on the left (just beyond the airport entrance).

NOTE: Most regional Equestrian Contests and Horse Shows are held at the WNC Agricultural Center.

Hendersonville

• Western North Carolina Air Museum - The WNC Air Museum houses a unique collection of aircraft that helped make aviation history. Though called a 'museum' the Hendersonville Airport is the second busiest private airstrip in North Carolina. "...walk right up to the flightline and see, touch and smell the excitement up close and personal..." Tour the hangers, visit with the folks who make these historical pieces fly. The museum also host two annual air fares, one in the spring and the other on Labor Day weekend, when you can actually go aloft in some of these historic aircraft. Bring the kids, bring your camcorder; come prepared for a fun, relaxed visit back in time.
  Take exit 22 of I-26 (Upward Road) west (turn toward the Holiday Inn Express and the Shell Station) and follow Upward Road to US-176 (Spartanburg Hwy). Turn right and continue to Shepherd Street or Brooklyn Avenue. (There are signs pointing to the airport.) Turn right on either and continue to the airport. Museum hours are Mar-Oct: Sat 10a-6p, Sun noon-6p, Wed noon-6p; Nov-Feb noon-5p (Sat, Sun & Wed only). Admission FREE. For more info phone 698-2482.

• Henderson County Curb Market - a unique farmers market requiring sellers to be residents of Henderson County. All items sold at the market must be either hand-made or locally grown. Most sellers are 3rd and 4th generation vendors offering a variety of goods such as: crafts, baked goods, jellies, plants, flowers, toys, and produce. The market has been in continuous operation since 1924.
     The Curb Market’s hours are 8a to 1p Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from May through December. From January through April the Market is open Tuesdays and Saturdays from 8a to 1p.
     The Curb Market is located on the corner of 2nd Avenue and Church Street. Address: 221 N. Church St., Hendersonville, NC 28739.
     For additional information phone 692-8012.

• Hendersonville Depot - The first steam engine puffed up the Saluda Grade to the Hendersonville Depot in 1879. The steam engine needed a “helper engine” attached to the rear of the train at Melrose for additional power to push the train up the Saluda Mountain Grade, the steepest main-line standard gauge railroad in the United States. The Carolina Special ran between Charleston, South Carolina and Cincinnati, Ohio from 1911 until 1968.
     Today the exterior paint pf the depot building has been restored to its original color. A Southern Railway caboose is located at the south end. The depot’s baggage room houses the Apple Valley Model Railroad Club and their HO scale model railroad. The layout is prototypical of Hendersonville, Asheville, Brevard and Saluda, including the Saluda Grade. The depot is open year round Saturday 10a - 2p. The Depot is located on Maple Street off of 7th Avenue East. Admission FREE!
     For additional information call 692-3135.

• Johnson Farm - Heritage Education Center, the historic Johnson Farm and Museum has been restored to reveal the life and challenges of 19th Century farm life in Henderson County. Tours are offered Tues-Fri at 10:30a and 11:30a or by appointment. Admission Fee. For more information, phone 891-6585

Hendersonville

• Dupont State Forest
    The DuPont State Forest is 7600 acres of forested land in Henderson and Transylvania Counties that were purchased by the State of North Carolina in 1996 and 1997. The property is managed by the North Carolina Division of Forest Resources. The property in presently open to the public for hiking and other uses, as described below. Though the formal rule-making process is not complete, the following information has been provided by the Regional Forester's office.

  GROUND RULES:

  This land is presently open to the public for hiking (see Dupont State Forest Trails).

  Registered as North Carolina Gamelands, hunting is by lottery only. Deer is typically Friday and Saturday in season; turkey is Thursday, Friday and Saturday in season. No Sunday hunting.

  • Scheduled Hunting Days
  • Special DSF Small Game Hunt Details
  • Special DSF Deer Hunt Details

  Fishing (with North Carolina fishing license): streams in the Forest are classified "Wild". Daily limit: 4 fish; minimum size: 7 inches; single hook with artificial lure only.

  • Trout fishing details

  Horseback Riding is by special permit only. Certain trails are expected to be opened to horseback riding in the coming months. Contact the Pisgah Trail Blazers for more information.
  Email: Gwen Hill
  
  Biking is by special permit only. Certain trails are expected to be opened to bike riding in the coming months. Contact the Blue Ridge Bicycle Club for more information.
  Email: Chuck Ramsey
  
  All motorized vehicular use (including 'ATV') is prohibited at all times inside the Forest (except on public roadways) by the N.C. Gamelands regulations. Signs have been posted. Wildlife wardens are presently arresting violators. The fine is $90 for first offense, confiscation of vehicle for repeat offense.
  
  The property is presently not available for public camping. Special permits may be granted for special group events.

  For additional information call (828) 692-0385. E-mail: eco@main.nc.us

  (contributed by Environmental & Conservation Organization - ECO)

• Holmes Educational State Forest
     Holmes Educational State Forest offers a series of well-marked trails, accented by exhibits and displays depicting ecology of a managed forest. Picnic sites with tables and a spacious picnic shelter (with grills) are also available. For the hardy spirit there are walk-in tent sites. Holmes Educational State Forest is located about 8 1/2 miles from downtown Hendersonville on Crab Creek Rd. The forest is open Tuesday through Sunday from mid-March to late November. Maill address: Rt. 4, Box 308, Hendersonville, NC 28739.
  
  For additional information call (828) 692-0100. E-mail: holmesesf@a-o.com

• Jackson Park
     Jackson Park is one of several in the system of parks of Hendersonville County. Primarily for residents, it has the usual ball fields, tennis courts, etc. It also has a fine nature trail which includes a swift flowing stream with its associated fauna and flora. The trail also quietly intrudes on a wet meadow with its very different fauna and flora. Have you ever watched a Great Blue Heron land? Or take off? If you climb their special observation tower overlooking the pond, and you are quiet - and patient - you have a good chance of experiencing that thrill.
     There is a nice, shaded picnic area at the end of the trail. A small children's playground in included in this picnic area. You could have your picnic and then follow the trail backwards (after all, does it matter which way you go?). The trail is about 1.5 miles but there are a number of marked short cuts for those wishing to lessen the total walking distance.
     From downtown Henderson follow 4th Avenue eastward into the entrance of the park. The trailhead is at the Park Administration Building - looks like a stately private home (which it was) on the top of the hill to your left. You can park in their large parking lot or across the street (about 50 feet further) at the picnic area. Open during daylight hours daily. 801 Glover St Hendersonville 28792 Phone: 828-697-4884.