DuPont State Forest - The forested land was purchased by the State of North Carolina, after DuPont sold its industrial operation in 1996 and 1997; the surrounding land holdings became DuPont State Forest. The forest encompasses 10,268 acres in Henderson and Transylvania counties. It is situated in the Little River valley and includes waterfalls and 80 miles of roads and trails wandering through mountainous terrain. The forest is open to the public for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding. Fishing is allowed with a valid NC fishing license. Hunting is by special permit only, issued by a permit agent of the NC Wildlife Resources Commission. The North Carolina Division of Forest Resources manages the forest. For additional information call 828-877-6527 www.dupontforest.com

The Mineral & Lapidary Museum of Henderson County was established in 1997, housing exhibits from North Carolina, the Smithsonian, English minerals, Indian artifacts, a specialty of a single mineral, fossils, fluorescent minerals and gems. A 260-lb. amethyst geode from Uruguay and replicas of World Famous Diamonds are featured displays. The Museum's specialty are Geodes, which are sold, cracked and/or displayed.

The museum is open Monday-Friday 1:00PM-5:00PM and Saturday 10am-5pm. Admission is free. The museum is located at 400 North Main Street, on the lower level of the Henderson County Genealogical & Historical Society building. For additional information call (828) 698-1977. www.mineralmuseum.org

Henderson County Genealogical & Historical Society was f ounded in 1983, the Society assists researchers and historians using a reference library of over 2000 books on history and genealogy of North and South Carolina and other states. The society houses a large collection on New England and Mayflower descendants, county census and estate records, maps, and numerous family histories. 400 North Main Street.   The Society is open Mon.-Fri. 10am-4pm, Sat. by appointment only. For additional information call (828) 693-1531. 

The McClintock Chime Clock -   Attached to the Old State Trust Co. building, now the Henderson County Genealogical & Historical Society, located on the corner of 4th and Main Street, this unique clock is about 65 years old. The clock was restored by the WNC Chapter of the National Association of Clock and Watch Collectors.  

Author Thomas Wolfe’s first novel was Look Homeward, Angel. In the book there are constant references to an angel statue carved from Italian marble. This is the angel Wolfe placed in American literature. Thomas Wolfe’s father, W.O. Wolfe, sold the statue to the Johnson family to mark the family plot in Oakdale Cemetery. The angel is holding a lily in her left hand and extending her right hand upward. Oakdale Cemetery is located on Hwy. 64 W., just a short distance from downtown. The statue is protected by a wrought iron fence, and there is a historical marker located on Highway 64 West.

The Pisgah National Forest has 501,691 acres stretching across the eastern edge of Western North Carolina's mountains. The Forest offers hiking trails, fishing, camping, picnic sites, and spectacular waterfalls. Some of Pisgah National Forest's attractions include Looking Glass Falls, Sliding Rock, Pisgah Forest State Fish Hatchery, Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education, The Cradle of Forestry and the North Mills River Recreational Area. The North Mills River Recreational Area is located in Henderson County, just 13 miles from Downtown Hendersonville and offers picnic sites, campsites, river fishing & tubing. For additional information call 828-877-3265 More Info

Jump Off Rock is a scenic overlook which provides a panoramic view of rolling pastures, the Blue Ridge and Pisgah mountain ranges. Jump Off Rock also holds an Indian legend that has been passed down for many, many years. Over 300 years ago a young Cherokee Indian maiden received word that her young Indian Chief had been killed in battle, so she climbed to the edge of the rock and jumped off. Indian legend has it that on moonlit nights you can see the ghost of the maiden on Jump Off Rock. Jump Off is located about 5 miles from downtown at the end of Laurel Park Hwy. The park is open daily, sunrise to sunset. No admission charge.

Historic Johnson Farm is a fine example of a late 19th and early 20th century farm & tourist retreat. The entire structure was handmade from bricks that were fired on site from French Broad River mud. The Johnson Farm was the home of a wealthy tobacco farmer, Oliver Moss. Construction of the elegant home, smokehouse, and granary began in 1876 and was completed in 1880. Over the years many outbuildings were constructed, including a tool shed/blacksmith shop, barn, boarding house, and a cottage. Tours are offered Tuesday-Friday at 10:30am and 1:30pm. The farm is located on Hwy. 191 N. across from Rugby Middle School. For additional information call (828) 891-6585. Admission charged. www.co.henderson.k12.nc.us/johnsonfarm-web

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. Holmes Educational State Forest is located about 8 1/2 miles from downtown Hendersonville. The forest is open Tuesday-Sunday from mid-March to late November. For additional information call (828) 692-0100. 1299 Crab Creek Road, Hendersonville. More Info

The Center for Craft, Creativity and Design is a regional inter-institutional center of the University of North Carolina. The Center features ongoing exhibitions of professional artists and educational talks focusing on the craft heritage of Western North Carolina. Gallery hours are Tuesday-Saturday from 1pm-5pm. For additonal information call (828) 890-2050. Located on the UNCA Kellogg Center at 1181 Broyles Road, Hendersonville. www.craftcreativitydesign.org

The first steam engine puffed up the Saluda Grade to the Hendersonville Depot in 1879. The steam engine needed a “help 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 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, Murphy Branch, Canton Mill and Saluda, including the Saluda Grade. The model railroad occupies 420 square feet of space with over 600 feet of track and more than 100 track switches. 

The depot is open year round, Saturday 10am-2pm. The Depot is located on Maple Street off of 7th Avenue East. For additional information call (828) 698-5465 or (828) 890-8246. www.avmrc.com

The Henderson County Curb Market is 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. The 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 8am-2pm Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from April-December, and 8am-1pm Saturday January-March. The Curb Market hosts three annual events, two Ol' Timey Days, and the Ol' Timey Christmas Open House. 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. www.curbmarket.com

The ArtsCouncil of Henderson County is a non-profit arts organization serving the public through exhibitions, classes, lecture, workshops and educational programs. The Arts Council notable past exhibits include Ansel Adams photographs, Salvador Dali lithographs, Picasso: 25 Years of Edition Ceramics and Norman Rockwell Saturday Evening Post covers. The Council is open Tuesday-Friday 1pm-5pm, Saturday 1pm-4pm. The Arts Council is located on the second floor of the Skyland Hotel building on the corner of Main Street and Sixth Avenue in downtown Hendersonville. For additional information call (828) 693-8504. www.acofhc.org

The Western North Carolina Air Museum is the first air museum in the state of North Carolina known as the "first in flight" state. The museum features award
winning restored and replica antique and vintage airplanes. The hours are (weather permitting) April-October Wednesday and Sunday from 12Noon-6pm, Saturday 10am-5pm; November-March Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday from 12Noon-5pm . There is no admission charge. The museum is located at the Hendersonville Airport, 1340 Gilbert Street, Hendersonville. For additional information call (828) 698-2482. www.wncairmuseum.com

The Bullington Center, is a nonprofit horticultural education center offering programs, activities and workshops.  The Center features a public botanical garden with individual herb, butterfly, mountain habitat, and perennial border gardens. It is open to the public weekdays from 9:00AM-4:00PM. The Bullington Center is located on Upper Red Oak Trail off of Zeb Corn Road. For additional information call (828) 698-6104.  www.bullingtoncenter.org

Hendersonville City Hall was built in 1928, and contains many artifacts and historic items, including large statues of of the three Presidents from North Carolina, General Andrew Jackson, James Knox Polk and Andrew Johnson. The statue is actually the ceramic model used for making the molds to cast the bronze statue on display at Capital Square in Raleigh, NC. City Hall is located at 145 5th Avenue East. Hours of operation are Mon. - Fri. 8:00am - 5:00pm. For additional information call (828) 697-3000 www.cityofhendersonville.org

The Henderson County Heritage Museum brings history alive as the story of Henderson County is told, from the Cherokee and pioneers who carved homes out of the wilderness to today.

The Museum is housed in the Historic Henderson County Courthouse and offers public display galleries, displays, artifacts, collections, archives, libraries, demonstrations, performances and other similar exhibitions relating to the history, culture, heritage and story of the founding settlement and development of Henderson County.

The Henderson County Heritage Museum hours are Wednesday - Saturday from 10:00AM - 5:00 PM and Sunday 1:00PM - 5:00PM. For more information call 828-694-1619 or visit www.hendersoncountymuseum.org