Attractions near Meadowbrook Cabin, Hendersonville, North Carolina

Meadowbrook Cabin is in Hendersonville, North Carolina only minutes from Asheville, Brevard and the Blue Ridge Parkway through Pisgah Forest and the Great Smokey Mountains National Park. Hendersonville is best known for golf and it's Art and Crafts Community, but there is a lot more to do than that. While you are here, visit some of these local attractions.

Hendersonville has a thriving downtown. Main street has fine restaurants and pubs, homemade ice cream shops and bakeries, antique stores and galleries. There is plenty of parking and shady sidewalks with convenient benches and water fountains.

We are close to the Blue Ridge Parkway, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Pisgah National Forest. Chimney Rock, which is now a State Park is not far, near Lake Lure. Nearby DuPont State Forest is open to the public for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding.

If you don't bring your car, there is bus service, Apple Country Public Transit, taxi service, Checker Cab, Sams Cabs and Carolina Taxi. There is car rental, too.

On this page you will find Hendersonville Attractions such as Winter Sports, Skiing, Snowboarding, Snow Tubing, Entertainment, Hiking, Sight Seeing and More.
There is more information on Golf Courses near Hendersonville on this page >

Entertainment

Flat Rock Playhouse
4.8 miles from the cabin, Flat Rock Playhouse is the home of The State Theatre of North Carolina. Considered one of the ten best seasonal theaters in the country. The Vagabond Players perform a variety of plays each summer. Some are family oriented, some are not. Check ahead of time to see what's playing. Each season they put on comedies, classics, musicals, farces and mysteries (like Agatha Christie). Flat Rock Playhouse is open from late-April through mid-December. There are matinees and evening performances Wednesday through Sunday.
www.flatrockplayhouse.org
(Site will open in a new window)

WNC Agricultural Center
This year-round indoor horse and livestock facility seats 3,000 for scheduled shows. Additional covered arenas and buildings are available for other events. Home of the annual North Carolina Mountain State Fair.
Dec 18, 2008 Arden Horse Auction Gayna Woody 828-775-9708
Dec 19-20, 2008 Blue Ridge Dog Agility Trials
This trial is held indoors on packed dirt at the McGough Arena, WNC Agricultural Center, Asheville, NC. Spectators are welcome! Free admission. Competition begins each day at 8:00 a.m. and continues throughout the day until approximately 4:00 p.m. Spectator well-behaved, non-aggressive pets are welcome on leash.
January 23 - 25, 2009, AKC Trials
May 8 - 10, 2009, USDAA Trials
www.geocities.com/brac_wnc
1301 Fanning Bridge Road
Fletcher, NC 28732
828-687-1414
www.agr.state.nc.us/markets/facilities/agcenters/western/
(Page will open in a new window)

Hiking, Horseback Riding & Mountain Biking

Triple Falls in Dupont State Forest

DuPont State Forest
10,268 acres in the Little River valley of Henderson and Transylvania counties. Explore 80 miles of roads and trails through Western North Carolina mountains. Open to the public for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding. Discover waterfalls and incredible vistas. Hunting and Fishing are allowed with a license of permit.The North Carolina Division of Forest Resources manages the forest. For additional information call 828-877-6527. It's about a half an hour from the cabin. It is quite near Holmes Forest, so the directions to both are below.
www.dupontforest.com
(Site will open in a new window)

Holmes Educational State Forest
"Whether you're looking for a strenuous hike, an educational stroll, a night under the stars, or just a picnic lunch with the kids, Holmes has something to offer you."
Holmes is in Henderson County near Hendersonville in the Blue Ridge Mountains. There are picnic facilities and well marked and maintained trails. This State Forest is close to town, yet still has rugged terrain, numerous rock outcroppings, and scenic vistas. You will see a rich mixture of mountain hardwoods, rhododendron, flame azaleas, and wildflowers. Take advantage of the Activity Packs and Ranger conducted classes offered at this Educational Forest. There are also self guided Outdoor Education Trails with "Talking Trees" and exhibits. This "Living Outdoor Class Room" demonstrates the complex, interdependent ecosystems which make up a forest.
Holmes Educational State Forest
1299 Crab Creek Road
Hendersonville, N.C., 28739
(828) 692-0100
www.ncesf.org/HESF/
(Site will open in a new window)

Both routes take about the same amount of time from Meadowbrook Cabin.

Miniature Golf

Outdoor Family Fun Center Miniature Golf Course
485 Brookside Camp Rd, Hendersonville, NC - (828) 698-1234

Bowling

Tarheel Lanes
828-253-2695
3275 Asheville Hwy,
Hendersonville, NC 28791

Downtown Activities & Festivals

Check the schedule for downtown activities and festivals. The NC Apple Festival is held here each year during Labor Day weekend. There are art shows, an antique show, car shows, and parades throughout the year.
www.dhinc.org/calendar.htm
(Page will open in a new window)

Apple Festival
Labor Day weekend

The Blue Ridge BBQ Festival is held in Tryon, NC every year.
The 16th annual Blue Ridge BBQ Festival will be held on June 12-13, 2009 at Harmon Field in Tryon, N.C.
That is 19 miles away, down the mountain. Take Old Spartanburg Highway. The drive is just beautiful.
(828) 859-7427
www.blueridgebbqfestival.com

Museums

Mineral & Lapidary Museum of Henderson in Downtown Hendersonville

Mineral & Lapidary Museum of Henderson
400 N Main St
Hendersonville, NC 28792
(828) 698-1977
www.mineralmuseum.org
(Site will open in a new window)

The Mask Museum in Hendersonville, NC

The Mask Museum
A collection of masks and artifacts collected by retired art teacher Ellen Hobbs. She has brought over 500 masks as well as dolls in native costume from North and South America, Africa and Asia. By appointment only.
317 Fifth Avenue West
(828) 693-7108

Music

Music on Main Street
Free concerts every Friday evening from June until August at the Visitors Information Center, located at 201 South Main Street in Hendersonville, NC.
Music On Main Street showcases a diverse lineup of musical talents, from jazz, pop, oldies, rock, blues and gospel to contemporary music.. There is dancing close to the stage. Bring a chair and enjoy a summertime evening of live entertainment from 7:00-9:00 PM each Friday from June to August.
www.hendersonville.com/news/musiconmain.html
(Page will open in a new window)

Brevard Music Center
Open June 24 to August 9, 2009
The Brevard Music Center is a summer institute and festival in the mountains of scenic western North Carolina. Each summer four hundred students, seventy-five guest artists and faculty members, and a full staff of technical and support personnel assemble in Brevard, creating a unique community of learning, teaching, and performing. A festival of more than eighty public concerts brings major orchestral, chamber, and operatic repertoire to tens of thousands of listeners each year. One of the nation's most exciting and diverse music center's featuring 80 concert events. Enjoy symphony, pops, grand opera, Broadway, chamber music, jazz, rock and more.
1000 Probart St
Brevard, NC 28712
(828) 884-2011
www.brevardmusic.org
(Site will open in a new window)

Sight Seeing

Visit Jump Off Rock Billboard in Downtown Hendersonville

Jump Off Rock
Visit Jump Off Rock - This is really just a scenic overlook with a couple of easy trails. The view, though, is really amazing. From Downtown Hendersonville, just take 5th Ave West. It becomes the Laurel Park Highway. This winds around for 5 miles and is absolutely beautiful. At the very end is a little parking area for Jump-Off Rock. No admission charge.

Biltmore Estate
Meadowbrook cabin is 18 miles from the entrance to the Biltmore Estate. The Biltmore House is America’s Largest Home. The grounds and gardens are beautiful. Don’t miss the house tour, the winery tour or the greenhouses. There are a number of restaurants on the grounds. Lunch at the Arbor Grill, the Bistro or my favorite, the Stable Café. End your day with dinner at the Deerpark Restaurant or The Dining Room. Snack or grab a casual bite at one of the Food and Beverage Carts or have a treat at the Ice Cream Parlor. Pastries, coffee or teas are available or you can even take a picnic basket from the Bake Shop and enjoy dining on the Biltmore Estate grounds.
www.biltmore.com
(Site will open in a new window)

Chimney Rock State Park
18 miles from downtown Hendersonville on Hwy. 64 East.

Lake Lure

Pisgah National Forest

Fishing the Davidson River off The Art Loeb Trail in the Pisgah National Forest
The Autumn leaves are reflected in the water.

Pisgah National Forest
From the cabin, turn right in US-25. Follow the signs for US-64 West, toward Brevard in 16 miles you will come to the traffic light where US-64 meets US-280. You will go straight, which turns into US-276. This is the entry to the Pisgah National Forest.
Over half a million acres of forest surrounding Mt. Pisgah. Pisgah National Forest traces it's history to George Vanderbilt, grandson of Cornelius Vanderbilt, the railroad baron. He purchased property at the Swannanoa and French Broad Rivers in western North Carolina surrounding his estate . Looking Glass Falls is right off the road, with a pull-off. Sliding Rock is a natural waterfall you slide down.
You can enjoy hiking, back-packing, camping, fishing, biking and mountain biking, horse-back riding, swimming, rock-climbing, waterfalls, viewing wildlife, exploring historical areas or just driving and looking out the windows of the car. There are also special programs available from guided hikes and square dancing at certain times of the year.
In the mountains of western North Carolina, this 157,000-acre district ranges in elevation from 2,000 feet to the 6,410-feet Richland Balsam Mountain. Headquarters of the Ranger District are on US 276 near Brevard, NC. Hours for the Visitor Center are 8:00 to 5:00 on weekdays. During the summer months the visitor center is also open from 9:00 to 5:00 on weekends and holidays.
http://ncnatural.com/NCUSFS/Pisgah/
(Page will open in a new window)

On US-276

Sycamore Flats Picnic Area
US 276, near the Pisgah National Forest Entrance (from 64), on the left, just as you enter the park.
This is a great place for tubing the river. There are tables, grills and wading or splashing areas. You can swim, but not far. There is no charge.

Davidson River Campground & The Art Loeb Trail
The Art Loeb Trail is a thirty mile trail. One end is at Davidson River Campground. The other end is at the Daniel Boone Boy Scout Camp in Haywood County. You can get on this trail at a number of places through the park, you don't have to walk the whole thirty miles.
You have to pay to get into the campgrounds here, but there is free parking for the Art Loeb Trail and you can walk next to the river or put your tube in here. If you continue on the trail, it goes over the mountains. Don't do this unless you are prepared, it takes 4 days. The Art Loeb Trail follows the Davidson River. It continues along Looking Glass Creek where it meets Rock House Creek. It then follows the ridge crossing the Blue Ridge Parkway at Wagon Road Gap. You continue along the ridge, finally following the East Fork of the Pigeon River. The trail goes over Black Balsam Knob - 6,214 feet, Tennent Mountain - 6040 feet and Pilot Mountain - (5095 feet The trail goes along the base of Cold Mountain. This is the same Cold Mountain from the Civil War book by Charles Frazier. (W. P. Inman, wounded Confederate deserter journeys home to Cold Mountain and the love of his life.) Cold Mountain is located within the Shining Rock Wilderness. The Art Loeb trail is part of the Mountains to Sea & Mountains to Sea Alternate trails.

Pisgah National Forest Ranger Station

Pisgah National Forest Ranger Station & Visitor Center
US 276, near the Pisgah National Forest Entrance (from 64), on the right, just as you enter the park.
There is a very nice easy, short hike/walk called Andy's Cove. There are interesting informative signs along the way. There is also a gift shop that has a nice selection of books about the area.

Andy's Cove Trail, behind the Pisgah National Forest Ranger Station

Coon Tree Picnic Area
Right next to the river this is a great place to wade and picnic. I always see people fishing here, so maybe they know something. I have never seen a racoon. 10 picnic tables and restrooms with flush toilets. This one is also free.

Looking Glass Rock
In the winter, water that seeps through the face of the rock freezes and reflects like a looking glass.
This is a popular hike. You see rock climbers here, too. Climbing is only open here certain times of the year, so if you are coming here to climb, get better information than my website.
Trails lead from FR 475 and FR 475-B to the top of Looking Glass Rock. They are well-marked and there is parking.

Looking Glass Falls
US-276 about 1 mile north of the FR-475 Junction, 4 miles from the Ranger Station.
This water fall really is just beautiful. It is sixty feet high. You can see it from the car in the overlook or take the stairs down and stand at the foot of the falls where the mist blows back on you. This is a great place for photos.

Moore's Cove Falls
Another mile north of Looking Glass Falls on US-276. The parking is near the first bridge up from Looking Glass Falls. There is a bridge over the creek to the trail. The trail is short, but steep at first. This waterfall is fifty feet high. The trail goes right behind the falls into a shallow cave in the rock cliff. This is another great place for photos.

Sliding Rock
6 miles from the Ranger Station.
This is a waterfall you can slide down. Make sure you wear durable shorts, like cut-off jeans. It will put holes in a bathing suit. There is a Lifeguard on duty in season. There is now a fee. But it pays for easy, safe parking, clean bathrooms and dressing areas and a lifeguard. Even if you don't want to slide, it is fun to watch other people, especially when they hit the water at the bottom the first time.

Pisgah Fish Hatchery & Wildlife Education Center
5 miles from the Ranger Station.
This is where the trout is raised for release in Western North Carolina streams. The hatchery is operated by the NC Wildlife Resources Commission. There is a trail, gift shop, vending machines and a short exhibit museum at the Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education called "Mountain Streams - Where Water and Life Begin."

Cradle of Forestry
10 miles from the Ranger Station.
From the cabin, turn right in US-25. Follow the signs for US-64 West, toward Brevard in 16 miles you will come to the traffic light where US-64 meets US-280. You will go straight, which turns into US-276. The Cradle of Forestry is about 14 miles from the light. When you get to Looking Glass Falls, you have another 6 miles. The Blue Ridge Parkway is another 4 miles up.
The Cradle of Forestry is a 6,500 acre Historic Site within the Pisgah National Forest. Learn about forestry, tour the restored buildings of the Biltmore Forest School, The trails are paved and easy walking or pushing a stroller. there is a portable saw mill, and a logging train locomotive that you can play on (and take photos). There is also a gift shop, an 18 minute movie, hands-on museum and a cafe. Don't miss the fire-fighter helicopter simulation ride. Experience what it is like to fight a forest fire. The Cradle of Forestry was established in 1898 as the Biltmore Forest School, the first forestry school in America. Dr. Carl Schenck was the first man in the United States professionally trained as a scientific forester. He was the chief forester for George Vanderbilt’s Biltmore Estate.
www.cradleofforestry.com
(Site will open in a new window)

Pink Beds Picnic Area
10 miles from the Ranger Station.
About 2 miles south of the Blue Ridge Parkway
Incredible during Rhododendron season. Picnic shelters and picnic tables.

Blue Ridge Parkway

The Blue Ridge Parkway in Autumn

Blue Ridge Parkway
14 miles from the Ranger Station.
Called “America’s Favorite Drive,” the Blue Ridge Parkway is only 13 miles from the cabin. You can drive this road to overlooks and trails. Autumn oin the Blue Ridge Parkway is incredible. The leaves have started to turn already and should be good through November, depending on the weather.
http://www.nps.gov/blri
(Page will open in a new window)

Turn Right from US-276 on the Blue Ridge Parkway

Mt. Pisgah
Mount Pisgah is 5,721 feet high. It marks where Buncombe, Haywood, Henderson and Transylvania counties meet. The trail starts at mile marker 407 of the Blue Ridge Parkway. It is 1.6 miles and is kinda steep at the end. There is plenty of parking. It goes to an observation deck where the view is incredible. The cable car is really used for WLOS-TV (local ABC channel 13) to get equipment and workers to the tower when the weather is too bad to use the road.
The Mt. Pisgah Picnic Area has grills, tables and restrooms that are all ADA/handicapped accessible.

Buck Spring Trail
I'm not gonna put in every trail, but this is right by the trail to Mt. Pisgah and the Pisgah Inn. It is a really short trail that takes you to what is left of George Vanderbilt's Hunting Lodge. There is nothing left but the roads and huge stone foundation and steps.

Pisgah Inn
"The Peak of the Parkway" The restaurat serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, seven days per week from 5000 foot elevation at Mt. Pisgah, Great views, great food, gift shop.

Turn Left from US-276 on the Blue Ridge Parkway

Graveyard Fields
No actual graveyards here that I know of. A bad storm uprooted the trees in this valley. The stumps made it look like a graveyard from a distance. (I heard it was from logging, but the sign says storm.)
Graveyard Fields are at milemarker 418 and is well marked. There is an overlook and plenty of parking.
There are lots of criss-crossing paths here because it is a blueberry picking area. You can also find blackberries, raspberries, wildflowers and deer. There is now a bridge and steps, so it isn't as treacherous as it used to be, but there are still some steep areas, depends on where you go.

Shining Rock Wilderness
There are lots of places to get into Shining Rock Wilderness. At mile marker 420 turn onto FR-816. There are two parking areas. You can take the Art Loeb Trail or the Ivestor Gap Trail from here.
The Art Loeb Trail travels through the Shining Rock Wilderness past Shining Rock, then up Cold Mountain. It drops down and ends at the Daniel Boone Boy Scout Camp, but you don't have to take the whole thing.
The Ivestor Gap Trail is open to mountain bikers.

Davidson River Campground & The Art Loeb Trail
The Art Loeb Trail is a thirty mile trail. One end is at Davidson River Campground. The other end is at the Daniel Boone Boy Scout Camp in Haywood County. You can get on this trail at a number of places through the park, you don't have to walk the whole thirty miles.
You have to pay to get into the campgrounds here, but there is free parking for the Art Loeb Trail and you can walk next to the river or put your tube in here. If you continue on the trail, it goes over the mountains. Don't do this unless you are prepared. The Art Loeb Trail goes over Black Balsam Knob - 6,214 feet, Tennent Mountain - 6040 feet and Pilot Mountain - 5095 feet. The trail goes along the base of Cold Mountain. This is the same Cold Mountain from the Civil War book by Charles Frazier. (W. P. Inman, wounded Confederate deserter journeys home to Cold Mountain and the love of his life.) Nobody lives there now, but you can camp.

Devil's Courthouse
At mile marker 422.4, this hike is pretty steep, but is only a half a mile. You can see North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Tennessee from the top.

Gardens

Biltmore Gardens
Meadowbrook cabin is 18 miles from Biltmore Gardens. Spend the day exploring the gardens and greenhouses of the Biltmore Estate. Formal and informal gardens designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, America's foremost landscape architect. Snack or grab a casual bite at one of the Food and Beverage Carts or at the Conservatory Café. Enjoy Biltmore wines, frozen daquiris, light snacks and deli sandwiches in the open air.
www.biltmore.com/visit/gardens/
(Page will open in a new window)

Local Craftspersons

Marissa Aaron - Sheepish Crocheted and Knitted Creations
Lessons Available, Special Orders Welcome
sheepish.weebly.com
(Site will open in a new window)

Christina Serra
Needle Felting, Watercolors, Woodcarving, Block Prints, Crocheting, Sewing
www.christinaserra.com
(Site will open in a new window)

Dave Ogren - Salvaged Wood Bowls
For environmental reasons and matters of conscience, the artist only uses salvaged wood for these bowls. Absolutely no wood was harvested for the creation of these bowls.
Dave Ogren 3184 Sweeten Creek Rd. Asheville, NC 28803 828-275-3283

Bus Service

Apple Country Transportation
Apple Country Transportation is located at 526 7th Ave. East Hendersonville, NC
For fares and schedules call, 1-828-698-8571

Tourist Information

Official Site of Henderson County Travel & Tourism
Information about Historic Hendersonville and the Village of Flat Rock in North Carolina
It includes the areas of Hendersonville, Flat Rock, Laurel Park, Mills River, Fletcher, Etowah, Horse Shoe, Tuxedo, Zirconia, Bat Cave and Gerton.
www.historicflatrock.org/
(Site will open in a new window)

2008 Biltmore Visit Planner
www.biltmore.com/visitplanner/
(Page will open in a new window)

Winter Sports - Skiing, Snow Boarding or Snow Tubing

Moonshine Mountain Snow Tubing Park
5865 Willow Rd, Hendersonville, NC
(828) 696-0333

Appalachian Ski Mountain
9 slopes, 5 lifts
Skiing, snow boarding and ice skating. Blowing Rock, NC
Phone: 800 -322-2373

Cataloochee Ski Area
10 slopes, 3 lifts, 1 rope tow, 1 magic carpet lift
Skiing and snowboarding
Maggie Valley, NC
Phone: 828-926-0285
or 800-768-0285

Hawksnest Winter Resort
12 slopes, 9 tubing lanes, 4 lifts, 1 magic carpet
Skiing, snowboarding and snowtubing
Seven Devils, NC
Phone: 828-963-6563
or 800-822-4295

Sapphire Valley Ski Resort
2 slopes, 1 lift, 1 tube lane
Skiing and snowboarding and tubing
Sapphire, NC
Phone: 828-743-7663

Scaly Mountain Snowtubing Area
2 slopes, 1 lift
Snowtubing only
Scaly Mountain, NC
Phone: 828-526-3737

Ski Beech
14 slopes, 9 lifts
Skiing, snowboarding, snowtubing and ice skating
Beech Mountain, NC
Phone: 800-438-2093

Sugar Mountain Resort
20 slopes, 5 lifts
Skiing, snowboarding and snowtubing
Banner Elk, NC
Phone: 828-898-4521
or 800-784-2768

Tube World
6 slopes and 1 children's tube area
Snowtubing only
Maggie Valley, NC
Phone: 800-768-0285

Wolf Laurel Ski Resort
15 slopes, 4 lifts, tubing off site
Skiing, snowboarding and snowtubing
Mars Hill, NC
Phone: 828-689-4111
or 800-817-4111

The National Gingerbread Competition

The National Gingerbread Competition is held each year at the Grove Park Inn. Gingerbread Houses can be seen at the Asheville Visitors Center, at the historic Grove Arcade shopping market and at the The Grove Park Inn. The Grove Park Inn is open to the public Mondays through Thursday. It is only open to hotel guests on the weekends. The gingerbread houses will be on display from Nov 16, 2009 - Jan 3, 2010. If you miss them, you will have to come back next year.
Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa
290 Macon Ave, Asheville, NC
(828) 252-2711
www.groveparkinn.com
(Site will open in a new window)
Grove Arcade Public Market
1 Page Ave # 270, Asheville, NC
(828) 252-7799
www.grovearcade.com
(Site will open in a new window)
Asheville Visitors Center
36 Montford Ave
Asheville, NC 28801
(828) 258-6101
(828) 225-4567
www.ashevillechamber.org
(Site will open in a new window)

More About Hendersonville

Hendersonville, North Carolina
http://wikitravel.org/en/Hendersonville_(North_Carolina)
(Site will open in a new window)

Meadowbrook Cabin is in Hendersonville, North Carolina only minutes from Asheville, Brevard and the Blue Ridge Parkway through Pisgah Forest and the Great Smokey Mountains National Park. While you are here, visit some of these local attractions.

Shopping: From the Historic Downtown Shopping District, with it's galleries, jewelry stores, antique stores and gift shops to local consignment and thrift stores, malls and antique stores, you will enjoy the shopping opportunities in Hendersonville, NC.

Restaurants: There are many restaurants close to the cabin. This is not a complete list, but might help you pick a place to eat while you are visiting Hendersonville. Coffee Shops, Mexican, Fish & Seafood, Fast Food, Chinese, Japanese, Italian, Diners, Delivery, Sandwich Shops, Steak Houses, German, Local Restaurants, Cafes & Bistros, Barbecue, Chain Restaurants and some special restaurants that are farther away.

Historic Hendersonville: Historic Downtown Hendersonville, Local History Attractions, Train Depot, Henderson County Courthouse & Henderson County Heritage Museum, Look Homeward Angel (Thomas Wolfe's Angel), Historic Johnson Farm, Carl Sandburg Home, Historic Neighborhoods and Postcards of Historic Hendersonville

Meadowbrook Cabin Availability Calendar >>
Meadowbrook Cabin Guestbook >>
(Pages will open in a new window)

Home Page - Meadowbrook Log Cabin Amenities - Make Reservations - Hendersonville, NC Weather
Restaurants near Meadowbrook Cabin, Hendersonville, North Carolina
Shopping: Thrift Stores & Consignment Stores, Historic Downtown Hendersonville, Outlet Stores, Malls and Antique stores - all near Meadowbrook Cabin, Hendersonville, North Carolina - Hendersonville Events
Historic Hendersonville - Entertainment in the Hendersonville Area - Directions to Meadowbrook Log Cabin

Upper Rigewood Apt l Reservations for Upper Ridgewood Apt