Imagine a family vacation where the kids are having a great time and your budget stays intact. Welcome to Hendersonville, North Carolina – a place where family fun and affordability go hand in hand.
Tucked away in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of western North Carolina just a 20-minute drive from Asheville Regional Airport, Hendersonville offers a perfect blend of natural beauty and small-town charm. It’s an ideal destination for families looking for adventure without the hefty price tag.
In this guide, we’ll explore the best budget-friendly things to do in and around Hendersonville, NC with kids. We’ll cover:
- Free natural attractions, including majestic waterfalls and family-friendly hiking trails
- Parks and playgrounds where kids can burn off energy
- Affordable downtown experiences that showcase local culture and history
- Tasty treats, including must-try donuts and ice cream spots
- Local farms with your pick-your-own produce and other goodies
- Local events that provide entertainment without breaking the bank
- Rainy day activities to keep the kids from going stir crazy
Whether you’re an outdoor enthusiast, culture seeker, or simply looking for a fun and affordable family getaway, Hendersonville has you covered. Let’s dive in and discover why this charming mountain town should be your next family vacation destination.
*Update: Due to damage sustained from Hurricane Helene, some activities mentioned may have not returned to full operation as of the time of this update.
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Nature’s Playground: NC Hiking and Waterfalls
Hendersonville’s surrounding natural beauty is a TREASURE TROVE of free family fun. Pack some snacks, lace up those hiking boots, and get ready for adventure!
Jump Off Rock
Jump Off Rock, located in Laurel Park and adjacent to Hendersonville, offers one of the most stunning panoramic views in Western North Carolina. This free scenic overlook, perched at 3,100 feet, provides visitors with breathtaking vistas of the Blue Ridge and Pisgah mountain ranges.
Easily accessible by car, it features short walking trails and picnic areas, making it perfect for families and nature enthusiasts. Jump Off Rock is an ideal spot for watching sunsets, enjoying a picnic, or simply taking in the natural beauty of the region.
DuPont State Forest
Just a short drive from Hendersonville, DuPont State Recreational Forest is a paradise for waterfall enthusiasts and hikers of all levels. It’s one of our top recommended things to do in Hendersonville, NC!
Hooker Falls
An easy 1/4-mile walk from the parking lot leads to a wide, gentle waterfall. It’s great for younger kids and offers a nice swimming hole in warmer months. Hooker Falls was featured in the movie The Last of the Mohicans and is named after a local man Edmund Hooker who owned and operated a mill at the bottom of the falls.
Triple Falls
If you’re a Hunger Games fan, you won’t want to miss Triple Falls! The falls are the setting for where Katniss finds Peeta camouflaged among the rocks after being wounded.
This moderate 3-mile round trip hike from the parking lot near Hooker Falls rewards you with views of three cascading waterfalls. It’s a great spot for taking a picnic and enjoying the view along the hike or at the waterfalls.
High Falls
A bit more challenging, this 1.2-mile round trip hike offers spectacular views of a 150-foot waterfall, the largest in DuPont National Forest. You can access High Falls from a trail connecting to the High Falls Visitor Center or continue up the trail at Triple Falls.
Tip: Visit on weekdays or early mornings to avoid crowds, especially during summer.
Pisgah National Forest
Another gem near Hendersonville, Pisgah National Forest offers more natural wonders:
Looking Glass Falls
Easily accessible right from the roadside, the picturesque 60-foot Looking Glass Falls is perfect for families with small children or those with limited mobility.
Sliding Rock
A natural water slide that’s fun for older kids and adults alike. There’s a small fee to enter the Sliding Rock recreation area during peak season (Memorial Day to Labor Day), but it’s well worth it for the unique experience. The water is quite cold, so be prepared with a dry change of clothes!
Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site
Combine history and nature at the former home of poet Carl Sandburg:
- Visit the grounds and farm for free
- Five miles of hiking trails suited for various skill levels
- Kids will love the goat farm where kids can see the descendants of Mrs. Sandburg’s award-winning herd! You can pet and interact with the goats.
- Tours of the historic home ($10 entrance for adults, $6 for 62 and older, free for children under 15)
Park It: Local Green Spaces
Hendersonville’s beautiful local parks offer free outdoor activities and fun for the whole family. Pack a picnic and spend the day enjoying one of these local green spaces.
Jackson Park
212 acres of natural beauty with ADA-aware playgrounds, Jackson Park also features walking trails, basketball courts, disc golf, picnic areas, and more! It’s western North Carolina’s largest municipal park.
Patton Park
Patton Park features a swimming pool operated by the YMCA (with a small entry fee), a playground, a skate park, racquetball, athletic courts, playing fields, and walking trails with greenbelt access.
The Park at Flat Rock
The Park at Flat Rock is a newer ADA-aware park with a natural playground, walking trails, and a tranquil pond.
Downtown Delights: Exploring Hendersonville’s Heart
The town of Hendersonville’s Main Street is a charming destination filled with free and low-cost activities for all ages. You can’t visit Hendersonville without spending some time in its idyllic downtown area.
Historic Main Street Hendersonville
Spend a day window shopping and people-watching along the historic Main Street. I love to wander around Main Street with an iced latte from Black Bear Coffee while I browse the shops and boutiques.
You’ll find a variety of shops to pique everyone’s interest, including a General Store, apothecary, pet store, toy store, craft vendor market, resale shops, apparel boutiques, art studios, jewelry store, and other specialty shops. If your stomach starts to rumble, you’re in luck– you’ll find an assortment of dining and drink options along Main Street.
Hands On! Children’s Museum
If you’re looking for things to do in Hendersonville with the kids, you won’t want to miss the interactive and engaging exhibits at Hands On! It’s a favorite attraction for kids. You can find reduced admission through the Museums for All Initiative for certain eligible guests, first Friday Nights where admission is $1, as well as daily military discounts. Or if you’ll be returning at least 3 times, consider a membership!
Mineral and Lapidary Museum
If you have some free time, this small, unassuming museum is worth checking out. The Mineral and Lapidary Museum offers free admission to see fossils, gems, and minerals, as well as touch a fossilized dinosaur egg nest and view an actual leg bone from a wooly mammoth!
Appalachian Pinball Museum
If you love playing games, the Pinball Museum is the place for you! For a $13 flat fee you can play more than 80 games all day! From classic pinball games to other favorite video games, this is a family-friendly favorite for all ages. You can also purchase sodas and snacks for $1, making this a super budget-friendly activity.
Team ECCO Aquarium & Shark Lab
A budget-friendly and educational aquarium experience in Downtown Hendersonville, Team ECCO Aquarium and Shark Lab was actually the first inland aquarium in North Carolina. It’s only open a few hours a week, so be sure and check their website for current hours. Admission is with military ID and discounted rates for military family members teachers / EMTs/ Police/ Fire.
Art MoB Studios and Marketplace
Enjoy the incredible work by local artists at the Art MoB. From handcrafted jewelry to textiles to paintings, you’ll find an intriguing assortment of art for purchase. You can also pop in some of the artists’ on-site studios and experience their work firsthand. While I would hesitate to bring very young or rambunctious kids in, my older girls really enjoyed our visit.
Sweet Treats and Eats
No family outing is complete without some delicious food, and Hendersonville definitely delivers. Here are a few of our budget-friendly favorites that you don’t want to miss:
HenDough
HenDough takes donuts to a whole new level. They’re totally drool-worthy. This local favorite serves up unique donut flavors and fried chicken biscuits and sandwiches, plus much more 7 days a week. Try their creme brule donut for a sweet, delectable treat or their homemade hot chicken biscuit for a spicy, savory breakfast. I’m pretty sure we visited 4 times in one week. It’s that good.
Whit’s Frozen Custard
Creamier than ice cream and oh-so-delicious. Whit’s is another of our absolute favorites. As in we went there 5 times in one week so good! Choose from classic vanilla or chocolate, a special flavor each day, or their flavor of the week. Eat it plain or choose your favorite mix-ins or toppings. We are hooked!
Moe’s Original Barbeque
I might be a vegetarian now, but that doesn’t mean I don’t recognize some good BBQ. And Moe’s has it all. They have so many delicious sides to choose from, which makes my vegetarian daughter and myself really, really happy. And our party tried 4 different kinds of meat and they raved about it all. And while BBQ isn’t cheap, my big kids were able to share a meal and left feeling full.
White Duck Taco Shop
This Texas girl loves her tacos and the White Duck Taco Shop didn’t disappoint. We shared chips and queso and tried a few different tacos and it was good stuff. They offer some really unique flavors, so come hungry and try a few. Plus their sangrias are super tasty, too!
Southern Appalachian Brewery
This family-friendly brewery is a hit for adults and kids. Adults can enjoy the brewery offerings while kids have ample space to run and play. And while there are often food trucks you can purchase food from, you can also bring your own food, making this super budget-friendly!
West First Wood Fired Pizza
if you’re looking for a nice dining experience that won’t break the bank, give West First Wood Fired Pizza a chance! This super popular downtown restaurant offers only delicious, quality made-from-scratch options. Their pizza crust seriously has the perfect balance of chew and crisp.
My husband I ventured here for a date night, but you’ll find plenty of families dining, as well. We shared a large Caesar salad and their Hawaiian pizza. If you’re trying to stretch your dollars and feed a few people, I suggest ordering the garlic knots as an appetizer and a couple of pizzas to share. A cheese pizza could easily feed 2 or 3 kids, making this a more affordable fine
Farm Life: Pick-Your-Own Apples and More
One of the top things to do in Hendersonville is visit the local farms and orchards. From pick-your-own fruits to special seasonal events to children’s activities and more, you can step away from the bustle of the downtown area and enjoy a few hours of experiencing the farm life at one of Hendersonville’s top farms.
- Jeter Mountain Farm: A pick-your-own orchard that offers so much more, including a bakery, coffee shop, indoor playground, a smokehouse, a farmers market and live bluegrass music every weekend,
- Justus Orchard: This 5th generation family-owned and operated farm and orchard offers pick-your-own apples, pears, and blackberries, as well as a bakery with their famous homemade baked goods, including fried apple pies and apple donuts. The kids will love visiting and enjoying the Cow Train and other fun activities. You can also enjoy a beverage in their new taproom, which sells local seasonal hard fruit ciders, craft beers, and wines.
- Grandad’s Apples: Offers a quintessential fall farm experience for families. Visitors can enjoy pick-your-own apples in the orchard, explore a 5-acre corn maze, and take scenic wagon rides around the farm. The country store and bakery offer fresh apple products, including their famous apple cider donuts, pies, fresh cider, and local honey. For added fun, families can visit the barnyard area to see farm animals, play on the jump pad, or try their hand at gem mining.
- Creasman Farms: If you’re in Hendersonville in September or October, head over to Creasman Farms on a Sunday afternoon and pick your own apples from their expansive orchard of over 40 types of apples. This family-owned and operated farm also sells their homegrown produce at farmers’ markets throughout the year.
Seasonal Sensations: Local Events
Hendersonville hosts several free or low-cost events throughout the year:
- North Carolina Apple Festival (Labor Day weekend): Celebrates the local apple industry with parades, rides, inflatables, music, food, a vendor market, plus more entertainment. It’s a huge event in Hendersonville and draws crowds from all around.
- Garden Jubilee (Memorial Day weekend): A self-described “garden wonderland” with hundreds of vendors featuring plants, crafts, and garden accessories. You can also enjoy live music, delicious food, special guest speakers, and much more. Event organizers do ask that you leave pets at home, due to the large crowds and the potential for paw injuries due to all the garden carts
- Music on Main Street (summer months): Free concerts every Friday evening, along the Carolina Mountain Car Club weekly car show from June to August. Vendors will have food for purchase or you can save some money by bringing your own food and drink to enjoy.
- Street Dances (summer months): This Blue Ridge tradition dates back to 1918 after WWI to welcome back the town’s soldiers. This historic celebration features local bluegrass music, square dancing, and Appalachian clogging demonstrations. All are welcome to join in and dance or bring a lawn chair and enjoy the music.
- Acoustic Jam Sessions (Fridays year round): Just west of Hendersonville in Etowah, Sideways Farm, and Brewery offers acoustic jam sessions all year long, no matter the temps. Bring your instruments or sing along with other local musicians while you enjoy their craft brews, non-alcoholic sips, and featured food trucks.
- Treat Street Carnival (Halloween): A safe and fun trick-or-treating event up and down Main Street in downtown Hendersonville.
Rainy Day Rescues
Don’t let a little rain dampen your fun:
- Appalachian Pinball Museum: As mentioned above, for $13 you can play unlimited pinball and arcade games all day long. It’s the perfect rainy day activity.
- Pisgah Forest Gem Mine: Try your hand at gem mining and see what beautiful gems and crystals you can discover! If you’re lucky, you might even find a ruby, sapphire, or emerald! Prices depend upon the bucket size you purchase.
- The Hendersonville Theater: Check the Hendersonville Theater schedule for any family-friendly shows in production.
- Flat Rock Playhouse: Just 10 minutes from downtown Hendersonville, The Flat Rock Playhouse offers productions of favorite musicals throughout the year. Check their calendar page for more upcoming shows.
Tips and Tricks for a Smooth Family Adventure
- Best times to visit: Spring and fall offer mild weather and fewer crowds. Summer is peak season but offers the most activities.
- Packing essentials: Comfortable walking shoes, water bottles, sunscreen, umbrellas, and light jackets (mountain weather can be unpredictable).
- Money-saving hacks:
- Pack picnic lunches for day trips. While Hendersonville has tons of fabulous eateries, it can get pricey! Save money on food by packing your meals.
- Look for combo tickets or family passes for attractions
- Check the downtown Visitor’s Center for coupons and current events
Wrapping Up Your Hendersonville Adventure
Hendersonville proves that family fun doesn’t have to come with a hefty price tag. From the natural wonders of DuPont State Recreational Forest to the charming streets of downtown, there’s no shortage of affordable things to do in Hendersonville, NC with your family.
Whether you’re chasing waterfalls, indulging in sweet treats, or exploring local culture, Hendersonville offers a perfect blend of activities that will create lasting memories without breaking the bank. So pack up the family, hit the road, and get ready to discover the affordable charms of this Blue Ridge Mountain gem.
