Quality of Life
Life in Hendersonville, in the mountains of Western North Carolina, is often stumbled upon by those looking for a special place to call home. Visitors almost always spend an afternoon strolling down our “old-fashioned” Main Street, lined with one-of-a-kind shops and great restaurants frequented daily by locals and tourists alike. Spending time in Hendersonville provides a glimpse of Americana as it once was, a community built on community, support, and enjoying the little things.
All these qualities are exemplified on our Main Street, where many begin their day with coffee at Black Bear Coffee or with a pastry from McFarlan’s Bakery. For a full breakfast, at the corner of Main and 2nd Street you can visit Mikes on Main, an old-fashioned drug store-turned diner where you can have a root beer float with your eggs and bacon, if you would like.
While walking down Main Street you may notice something a bit out of the ordinary: full size ceramic bears painted with wild colors and designs populate every block. Don’t worry though, it’s just a small-town tradition that brings the town together to raise money for those in need when the bears are auctioned off every year. Last year it was giant apples; the year before, Billy Goats!
All of these “statues” are representations of our community. The Black Bears are obvious, we live in the mountains and in turn, we live with the black bears. The apples are because of our many apple orchards, a significant part of our economy and the inspiration for our annual North Carolina Apple Festival held every Labor Day weekend. A wonderful Street Fair, the Apple Festival draws thousands over four days of arts & crafts, performances, a parade, and of course, apples prepared in every way imaginable!
The Billy Goat statues are a nod to our wonderful State Park, Connemara -The Carl Sandburg Home. Located in Flat Rock, the Carl Sandburg Estate was home of course to the poet Carl Sandburg and is full of hiking and walking paths as well as the home of the Sandburgs. Around the corner from the elegant white house is a barn, populated with dozens of goats! Mrs. Sandburg loved goats and raised them at their estate. Now, visitors can enter the fenced goat-haven and pet and play with the very friendly goats.
In search of some outdoor adventure? Head in any direction to find sites like Dupont Forest and its waterfalls, Chimney Rock, Jump Off Rock, Pisgah Forest, and an abundance of rivers and trails perfect for hiking, camping, and water sports. In the fall the leaves burst with color, attracting many to the Blue Ridge Parkway to witness the foliage. In winter, the trees on Main Street twinkle with white lights and there’s a good chance you will witness some snowfall at some point during the season. As spring brings nature back to life, tulips bloom and invite summer to come. Summer in Hendersonville is filled with activity including an abundance of summer camps, Monday Night Street Dances and Friday night’s Music on Main. On Friday nights you will also find Main Street lined with classic antique cars and families and couples enjoying downtown restaurants and attractions. Don’t forget to visit the Black Bear Toy Company and Hands On!, our local Children’s museum.
While a smaller town than neighboring Asheville, but only 25 minutes away, Hendersonville has everything needed for a good time with its entertainment, outdoor activities, beautiful surroundings, and endless things to do. Residents love living here because Hendersonville represents a true sense of Americana and is still holding on strong to a sense of the importance of community. Many people move to Hendersonville to find a simpler way of life while still enjoying the amenities of a suburban city, while many more visit to catch a glimpse of our town, where we truly appreciate how lucky we are to call this place home.
