Hendersonville, North Carolina is known for its small-town scenery, hiking trails, and outdoor activities. Hendersonville stands out from other cities with a thriving culinary scene and a collection of breweries, wineries, and cideries.

What is Hendersonville, North Carolina known for?

Hendersonville, NC is apple country! A key role in Hendersonville is agritourism—especially during the fall months when dozens of apple orchards in the area welcome their visitors.

The NC Apple Festival is one of the most highly-anticipated events in Hendersonville. This four-day celebration that happens every Labor Day weekend to kick off the apple season is widely attended and guests can take time to stroll through the street fair to buy farm-raised produce, baked goods, and household items. The kids can even get in on the excitement when they burn some energy in the family fun zone! 

Besides the Apple Festival, there are many festivals and events that take place throughout the year in Downtown Hendersonville, including the Garden Jubilee festival, Art on Main, and Fiesta Hendersonville. From biking to hiking to eating and shopping, you certainly won’t be stressed and can’t get bored in Hendersonville, NC.

 What is the cost of living in Hendersonville, NC?

Hendersonville is a part of the Asheville Metro area, and ranked 60 out of 273 cities across the U.S. in terms of the cost of living. The cost of living in Hendersonville is 106% of the national average. Housing expenses in Hendersonville are 5% lower than the national average, and utility prices are 3% higher than national averages. 

The median household income is $41,185 (Natl. $64,994). Median rent is $943 (Natl. $1,096). Median home value is $206,600 (Natl. $229,800). Transportation expenses such as gas prices and bus fares are lower than the national average by 3%. Grocery prices are equal to the national average. Hendersonville healthcare is 15% higher than the national average. Compared to the rest of the country, the cost of living in Hendersonville is 1.0% higher than the U.S. average.

 What is the climate like in Hendersonville?

Hendersonville is known as ‘The City of Four Seasons’ due to a mild climate that allows opportunity for diverse recreational activities almost year-round. The winters are cold and it even snows some winters. Summers are wet and humid, and it is partly cloudy year round. May, June, and September are typically the most pleasant months of the year.

On average, Hendersonville, NC gets 52 inches of rain per year, which is much higher than the national average of 38 inches per year. The average snowfall per year is nine inches and the US average is 28 inches per year. Hendersonville gets some kind of precipitation 126 days per year, whether that be rain, snow, sleet, or hail. Temperatures vary, but do not typically go below 16 degrees or far above 90 degrees. The January low is 26 degrees and the July high is around 84 degrees. Hendersonville’s weather is one of the coolest and most comfortable in North Carolina.

Things to do in Hendersonville, NC

There is a lot of exploring to do throughout Hendersonville, and the downtown area is especially popular with tourists and locals, alike.  Visit the Henderson County Heritage Museum or the historic Johnson Farm and then see a show at The Flatrock Playhouse (State Theatre of North Carolina). The playhouse is a significant contributor to the local economy and the Arts in NC, now hosting over 100,000 patrons annually.

If you want a panoramic view of the Blue Ridge and Pisgah mountain ranges, Jump Off Rock is the perfect drive-to scenic overlook. Visit Looking Glass Falls and Sliding Rock Falls or hike to waterfalls within the Dupont State Forest.

Hendersonville is also home to the Carl Sandburg National Historic site. Dine in at local Hendersonville restaurants and then enjoy a tasting flight at Bold Rock Mills River Cidery or tour the Sierra Nevada brewery.

 The friendly downtown area called Main Street homes more than 100 shops and 25 restaurants. Main Street is unique because it is a revitalization process created by the National Trust for Historic Preservation to encourage economic development with the idea of historic preservation. Most of the businesses are along a six-block section of Main Street, making it easy to explore. Some of the best Main Street street stops include the Appalachian Pinball Museum, the Mineral and Lapidary Museum, the Hands-On Children’s Museum, Team ECCO Aquarium, Shark Lab, and more. View more things to do in Hendersonville, NC, here.

Popular restaurants in Hendersonville

There is a wide genre of restaurants and flavors to discover in Hendersonville. Umi Sushi is a cornerstone in the Hendersonville community and has been recognized for outstanding cuisine, excellent service, and friendly staff. The restaurant is known for its modern interpretation of classic dishes with the insistence on only using high-quality, fresh ingredients. 

There is no dining experience quite like Postero in Hendersonville, with the dynamism of an open kitchen and the idea of applying modern-day sensibilities to traditional recipes. The staff shares a goal to provide their guests with carefully crafted food and to deliver it with uncommon hospitality.

Taking a turn in food genres, the Best of Blue Ridge 2021 Winner for best hot dog in North Carolina is Henderonville’s own, Hot Dog World! Proudly serving the area since 1986, Hot Dog World has received many accolades including Best all-around Restaurant in Henderson County, Best Hot Dogs in the State, and Small Business of the Year. 

Open since 1994, Haus Heidelberg has been creating the finest European and Bavarian specialties for authentic German cuisine. 

Shine has something for everyone, with innovative and creative recipes all made fresh and in-house. Built by its owners in a revitalized historic building on Hendersonville’s Main Street, Shine offers an array of savory and scrumptious fare to entice every taste. 

If you’re looking for all things Southern BBQ, Moe’s Original Bar B Que is the place for you. Award-winning Bama style pulled pork, ribs, wings, southern sides and tasty desserts passed down for generations, making it the perfect spot for acoustic live music and private parties. 

Arabella offers a nice little twist on traditional American and Latin breakfast/brunch options, with friendly, hometown service, good local food, and a memorable, relaxing atmosphere. 

Brandy’s on Main provides a fine dining experience with a casual ambience. The soups, sauces, dressings, and desserts are all made in house along with emphasis on the use of local farmers for the best aged beef, fresh vegetables and the freshest seafood. With a Mediterranean aesthetic,

West First Wood-Fired Pizza features whole-wheat thin crust pizzas, organic pastas, soups, salads, and of course, desserts and breads. This dynamic dining experience allows you to watch your food be freshly prepared in the open kitchen concept or on the beautiful outdoor deck. 

Fireside Restaurant and Pancake Inn opened its doors to Hendersonville natives on March 1, 1997. The Fireside family’s success lies in the many recipes created from scratch, including pancakes and waffle batter, yeast-risen bread, and maple syrup. Specialties during lunch include Italian-style spaghetti, slow-cooked pot roast, meatloaf, homemade soups, sandwiches, and the best daily specials.

One of the most interesting restaurants in Hendersonville, NC is Mike’s on Main. Take a step back in time to the 50s with old fashion treats, food, and ambiance. 

School systems in Hendersonville

In 1993, Hendersonville City Schools and Henderson County Schools merged and adopted the new name Henderson County Public Schools. Henderson County Public Schools is the 27th largest school district in the state and the 2nd largest in Western North Carolina. Henderson County public schools are the largest employer in Henderson county.

 The 23 schools combined have 12,978 students in grades K-12 with a student-teacher ratio of 15 to 1. There are 13 public elementary schools, 4 public middle schools, and 4 traditional high schools. 

There is also a career academy and an early college. This school district consistently has some of the highest graduation rates (92%), the lowest drop-out rates, and the highest concentrations of top-ranked public schools in North Carolina.