Hendersonville is known as “The City of Four Seasons” because of its year-round beauty, but it’s OK to have a not-so-secret favorite: Fall!

Autumn in this part of the Carolinas, which contains some of the Southeast’s most pristine forests, is certainly a special season. Just outside of town, a multitude of waterfalls sift colorful leaves as if they’re mining for precious gemstones. Hike along a nearby ridgeline or cruise the Blue Ridge Parkway, and you’ll take in a more expansive view of rich tones and varied terrain. 

Hendersonville itself is a charming small town with a long history of treating well-to-do vacationers to the serene side of the good life. In the 1800s, so many coastal South Carolinians settled into summer homes here that Hendersonville earned another nickname as “Little Charleston.” 

Since then, however, people from other parts of the country have made Hendersonville their destination for weekend getaways, seasonal retreats, or a second residence. What’s kept them coming back? Surely, the excellent dining scene that punches far above its weight for a small town, numerous family attractions, and nearby proximity to some of the most breathtaking vistas in the country are reasons, but, for more specifics, we asked the people who know Hendersonville best – our Mast Store staff – to describe a few things they love about their town and how they’d recommend spending a fall day there. 

Here's what they said: 

Oliver, General Manager and employee since 2015 
I'd start out downtown, get some breakfast at Mike's on Main, grab a coffee from one of the many amazing places on Main Street, and then head out to DuPont State Forest to see some waterfalls and fall colors. After that, I might hit up an orchard or just enjoy the amazing weather.  

Nash, Training Program Coordinator and employee since 2014 
When I’m in Downtown Hendersonville, I’ll stop by Black Bear Coffee Co., which has a menu full of interesting lattes, including a really good Honey Lavender one, and the Appalachian Pinball Museum, where $13 gets you an entire day packed full of fun. They have about 80 pinball machines, from antiques to the modern era, and this is an especially great place to visit on a rainy day. After a lot of pinballing, I'd finish the day with a Greek chicken pizza from West First Wood-Fired Pizza. 

Lance, Outdoors/Shoe Area Assistant Manager and employee since 1999 
I'd head to Sky Top Orchard or Jeter Mountain Farm to pick apples. Jeter Mountain has apple slushies! 

Dan, Sales Associate since 2022 
You've got to start out at McFarlan Bakery, but beware because they’re closed Sundays and Mondays.  

Audrey, Outdoors/Shoe Area Lead Sales and employee since 2024 
I'd go hike off of the Blue Ridge Parkway to see fall colors, but I’d advise visitors to check the area they want to hike before getting on the Parkway since parts of it are still closed from Helene. You can check Parkway openings/closings HERE. Afterward, I’d hang out at the Bold Rock Mills River Cidery to end the day. It has great cider, slushies, and a really awesome food truck – plus, it’s only about 20 minutes from Downtown Hendersonville. 

Travis, Fashion Area Assistant Manager and employee since 2014 
I'd start the morning with a hike to DuPont and try to see Hooker Falls, Triple Falls, and High Falls. The trails leading to each of these falls have reopened since Helene. Then, I'd come back to Hendersonville and eat breakfast at Arabella. After regrouping from the hike and good food, we'd check out the local breweries - two of my favorites are Blue Ridge Beer Garden and Trailside Brewing, where the Trail Hazer tops my personal list! 

Jane, Sales Associate since 1999 
I would probably head to Grandad's Apples because you can sit outside in their rocking chairs, and they also have really good apple cider donuts and pastries. For more family fun, I'd also head to the local putt-putt place, Laura E. Corn Mini-Golf, which is a gem and part of one of our local parks! And for downtown dining, I'd pick Mezzaluna for their pizza. 

Sue, Visual Merchandise Coordinator and employee since 2015 
For orchards, I like J&M Farms. They grow the most apple varieties of any farm in the county - my favorite is Stayman Winesaps. But if you have kids, take them to Grandad's Apples. I would also go to The Baker's Box, which is an everything-from-scratch, kid-friendly restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating just a short drive from downtown. As far as a picnic spot, I would go to Jump Off Rock. 

Kim, Sales Associate since 2024 
I have so many recommendations for family fun! The Pisgah Forest Gem Mine and the Aquarium and Shark Lab by Team ECCO are right here on Main Street, for starters. And, later, we would go name all the bears on every street corner throughout downtown. My favorite downtown restaurants are Arabella and Brooks Tavern. But if I were going slightly more upscale, I'd pick Shine. The atmosphere and food are amazing, but it's still relaxed - and has the best steak in Hendersonville! For outdoors, if I'm picnicking, I'd head to Jump Off Rock - I always recommend people to take a few sodas and Moon Pies and just go enjoy the view. But you can cruise to DuPont if you're looking for a good drive. For ice cream, it's Kilwin's for me!  

It's clear that Hendersonville is full of things to do on a fall day – from discovering waterfalls and apple orchard-hopping with the family to grabbing a delicious, locally-sourced bite and bouncing between breweries on a date. What’s more is that our Mast Store staff loves how genuine – and genuinely stunning – their home and its surrounding area is! 

Please, include Hendersonville in your upcoming travel plans. It and its immediate area, particularly Chimney Rock and Lake Lure, were among the hardest-hit regions during Hurricane Helene. Some of our staff’s favorite scenic destinations that we were regrettably unable to include in this list remain closed more than one year after the storm, while others have fought resiliently to reopen to the community. You and your family can be “relief workers” by vacationing here, patronizing local businesses, and showing your support, generosity, and compassion to all those who call this lovely, peaceful place. For more ideas, itineraries, and destinations, click on over to Visit Hendersonville.