Location: Hendersonville
Top Things to do in Hendersonville
Top Restaurants in Hendersonville
10 Things to do Good for Kids in Hendersonville That You Shouldn't Miss
Hendersonville is a city in Henderson County, North Carolina, United States. It is 22 miles (35 km) south of Asheville and is the county seat of Henderson County. Like the county, the city is named for 19th-century North Carolina Supreme Court Chief Justice Leonard Henderson.
Restaurants in Hendersonville
1. Dancing Bear Toys
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 37 reviews
Due to the pandemic conditions, we are open for curbside pick-up only. Please call us for a personal shopper experience and/or check out our new and improved website. From our website, you can ship toys or opt for curbside pick up at either of our locations. As always, we offer free gift wrap. We are working on maximizing our safety precautions and look forward to re-opening when we all feel safe. We miss you!
2. Elijah Mountain Gem Mine
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 779 reviews
Covered outdoor and Indoor gem mining all season. #1 gem mine in the Carolinas on TripAdvisor. No reservations needed. Come pet and feed our goats and see our chickens. We double all competitor’s coupons and we’ll even buy you a coke! At Elijah Mountain Gem Mine, in Hendersonville, NC, you become a prospector from the 1800's and mine for real gem stones that you can keep! Gems that are found daily include Rubys, Sapphires, Emeralds, Quartz crystals, Citrine, Amethyst, Garnets, Adventurine, Sodalite, Opal, Fluorite, Aquamarine Crystal geodes and many more! We have covered outdoor and climate controlled indoor mining for your comfort! Find something really special and have it cut into a pendant for a necklace right here! Sometimes while you watch! You can even bring a picnic and relax at one of our picnic tables by the creek! Our Rock Shop is the best around and no one can beat our prices! See 400 million year old fossils.
Reviewed By konacoast24k - Cocoa, United States
Elijah Mountain Gem Mine in Hendersonville is a great place for a family to visit. Whether you are an amateur rockhound like my husband and I, or just out for a unique adventure, this is a fun experience! They have indoor and covered outdoor sluice runs to hunt for your gemstone treasures, and even a spot where you can walk down and see what there is to find in a small creek bed (you would be surprised at what is under that sand!!). The rock shop is full of interesting gem and mineral specimens, and you can even visit the many goats that live at the site! The weather was not cooperating when we visited which cut our time short (I would have enjoyed lingering at the creek a while longer-so relaxing!). If you are looking for something different and fun to do, visit Elijah Mountain Gem Mine - you won't be disappointed!
3. Justus Orchard
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 208 reviews
Reviewed By dianak31 - Mount Pleasant, United States
Our entire family had a blast at Justus Orchard. Our nearly 2 and 5 year olds were smiling the whole time. The apples we picked are delicious and (score!) many of the largest ones were hidden at the bottom of the trees where most people don’t look but they were in the perfect place for our tiny apple-loving 5 year old to grab. We spent at least 2.5 hours there and experienced all the activities they had to offer: Apple picking Jump pillow Cow train Apple Cannon Playground Petting Zoo Photo ops We brought our own picnic lunch and were grateful because the lines for food as well as inside their store were very long. We ate at the picnic tables at the playground. There is also a table down by the petting zoo that is not as crowded. Sadly, because of the crowds, we were not able to taste the apple donuts or apple cider but we will be back next year and hope to sample them. Entry onto the Cow Train was definitely a bit of a mess and we even got kicked out of our car/turn by another parent. There was no attendant ensuring a line was kept - it was a free-for-all to get a car. My son was crying but we waited patiently for the next ride and both of our kiddos enjoyed it
4. Apple Valley Model Railroad Club
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 81 reviews
Largest model railroad in western North Carolina housed in the historic train depot in Hendersonville, NC. A 100' X 20' HO scale model railroad based on western North Carolina in the mid 1900s fills most of the depot and a real caboose sits just outside. Artifacts from real railroads are on display throughout the depot with an interactive display screen to help you indentify the items. Cameras on our trains give the bird's eye view of a trip around our layouts. The club's new 60' X 12' outdoor G scale layout is very popular. We are open Wednesdays 1 to 3 and Saturdays 10 to 2. There is a separate Thomas the Tank train layout for young engineers to operate. Special event on Saturday, May 11, from 9 to 3 celebrating National Train Day. A real locomotive and crew will be on site plus many activities for all ages. See our website for details. Admission is free, but donations are greatly appreciated.
Reviewed By 66Belair - Parish, United States
Just a great place to visit if you like trains and model railroads. Been here twice while visiting friends tahat are members. Wished we lived close by . Too bad it wasn't done in "S" Scale. See what can you do Larry. Hope to be down in the Spring , if not before.
5. Pisgah Forest Gem Mine & Gifts
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 50 reviews
Mining on Main Street has come to Hendersonville. This attraction is for all ages! Come pick out you bucket and find wonderful gems and minerals from all over the world. You can find Rubies, Sapphires, Amethyst, Geodes and more! Bring the whole family for a great time. There is also a large gift shop that carries unique gemstone jewelry, Kerusso T-Shirts, and other gem products.
Reviewed By Familygal182120
We really enjoyed our first mining experience! My kids (7&9) enjoyed the sleuse and found many large rocks. The site was beautiful with a gorgeous mountain stream on the rear of the property and picnic tables just up the hill. We enjoyed the stream just as much as the mining! The gift shop has numerous geodes on display and reasonably priced. There was also a good selection of jewelry and Christian literature and gifts. I highly recommend this experience for your family.
6. Hendersonville Visitor Center
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 57 reviews
The Visitor Center offers area brochures, maps, things to do, directions, lodging information, dining options & public restrooms. The Gift Shop at the Visitor Center offers a unique selection of gifts & souvenirs. Open 7 days week, Closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas & New Year's Eve.
Reviewed By LKaupa - Hendersonville, United States
The locals inside can help you so many ways. They have maps, brochures and advise about the many places to visit, stay and eat. It is very relaxed, large and modern. You can ask even the most unusual questions. A small gift shop is there and bathrooms. Activities for the four seasons can be discovered also. Go Enjoy
7. Bearwallow Mountain
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 20 reviews
Reviewed By mmorrie1 - Decatur, United States
This morning hiked Bearwallow Mountain Trial with my two dogs. It was a great hike...just enough exercise and exertion. The dogs liked it too. Just wish it wasn’t so foggy so we could see the view from the summit. Great day anyway.
8. Appalachian Pinball Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 50 reviews
Free to look and learn & $12 gives you play over 80 Pinball Machine and Video Arcade Games! Adult Malt Beverages, (beer, hard seltzer etc) Sodas & simple snacks available for purchase. Located in beautiful downtown Hendersonville.
Reviewed By NCRaggedy
My 10 year old son and I spent a couple of hours in the pinball heaven. There are machines from the early 1970’s to present. They all work and you can play all day for the entry fee! Worth the cost! Will definitely come back.
9. Mineral & Lapidary Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 209 reviews
Reviewed By allirae510 - Albemarle, United States
Staff were very helpful and friendly! We even found some hidden gems from my husband’s family’s farm just a few hours down the road from Hendersonville. We loved the black light exhibit that explained how the rocks and minerals react to the light.
10. Hands On! Children's Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 131 reviews
Hands On! is the place where LEARNING comes into PLAY! Located in Downtown Hendersonville, Hands On! is a children's museum that provides educational exhibits and science programs to children ages 1-10, along with their caregivers. More information can be found at their website on special programs and classes, memberships and birthday parties.
Reviewed By GrayG_12 - Norfolk, United States
We were staying in Brevard and hit a very rainy afternoon. We needed to keep our 4 year old entertained and this was the ticket! He was in HEAVEN and we spent 3 hours there (and he would have stayed longer if we had let him). I loved how the back had a lot of things to do, but was also in one "space" so I could have eyes on him at all times. I highly suggest this activity on a rainy day when being outside isn't an option.
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