Area Attractions

Hendersonville:

• Stroll the historic downtown filled with shops, breweries, and local cafes, or explore nearby outdoor adventures like DuPont State Forest waterfalls, the Blue Ridge Parkway, and seasonal apple orchards.

 

• Main Street Stroll: Walk the walkable, tree-lined thoroughfare to explore local galleries, specialty boutiques, and the regional favorite Mast General Store.

 

• Jump Off Rock: Drive to this scenic overlook just 5 miles from downtown for breathtaking panoramic views of the Blue Ridge and Pisgah mountains.

 

Flat Rock:

• Flat Rock, North Carolina, is a charming mountain village often called "The Little Charleston of the Mountains". 

• Shopping along colorful Little Rainbow Row which has a fabulous bakery, several really good restaurants, and some really nice shops that have local art and gifts.

• Flat Rock Playhouse - Broadway talent on summer break performing at the North Carolina State Theater, otherwise known as the Flat Rock Playhouse. We have not seen anything that was not fantastic!

• Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site and Trails (Grassy Mtn). A great place to hike as well as the historic home of the "Poet of the People."

 

Lake Luhr (45 minutes northeast of Flat Rock or Hendersonville)

• Lake Lure Beach: A great spot to swim and relax.

• Boat Rentals & Cruises: Rent pontoons, kayaks, and paddleboards to get out on the water, or enjoy a guided Lake Lure Tour to visit Dirty Dancing film sites.

• Fishing: Enjoy excellent fishing spots around the lake, but make sure to secure a NC Fishing License beforehand.

• Golfing: Play a round at the championship courses at Rumbling Bald on Lake Lure, which features the Apple Valley and Bald Mountain courses. 

• Chimney Rock State Park: Located just moments away, this iconic park features a 26-story elevator inside the mountain and hiking trails leading to 75-mile views.

 

Columbus

• a charming foothills town offering a mix of mountain adventures, historical sites, and local dining. Visitors can explore the one-block historic downtown, drive or hike up White Oak Mountain, and enjoy regional wineries or farm-to-table treats.

 

• Shunkawauken Falls: A stunning 150-foot roadside waterfall located along the base of White Oak Mountain.

 

• Wineries & Tastings

  • Russian Chapel Hills Winery: Known for its vineyards surrounding the beautiful St. Anna Chapel, this makes for a highly rated, scenic, and free-to-visit stop.

  • Overmountain Vineyard & Winery: A family-run estate producing French-style wines.

  • Green Creek Winery: Famous for producing the world's first Chardonnay Rosso in 2007.

  • Parker Binns Vineyard & Winery: Features regular live music events and annual festivals at their on-site barn

 

Asheville

• Biltmore Estate

• River Arts District: A vibrant mile-long stretch featuring hundreds of working artist studios, galleries, and local eateries.

• Downtown Asheville: Wander the walkable streets to check out unique shops, indie bookshops like Malaprop's, and the historic art-deco Grove Arcade.

• The Omni Grove Park Inn: Grab a drink on the Sunset Terrace or book a day at their world-renowned subterranean spa.

• French Broad River: Spend a day kayaking or stand-up paddle-boarding along the scenic river.

 

DuPont Forest

 

• Triple Falls (The Last of Mohicans was filmed here), High Falls, and Hooker Falls

• Mountain Biking: With 86 miles of multi-use trails, it is a premier destination for cyclists. The Ridgeline Trail is highly rated for its flowing descents. The 31 mile Ecusta Trail from Hendersonville to Brevard is under construction with the first 6 miles open from Hendersonville to Horse Shoe. The Saluda Grade Trail has been approved and planning is underway with construction starting soon. This will be a 19 mile trail from Inman, SC to Zirconium, NC, passing right by our house.

• Horseback Riding: Features over 15 miles of designated equestrian trails winding through forests and meadows.

• Swimming: Hooker Falls and Fawn Lake are popular spots to cool off, though there are no lifeguards on duty. Also check out Sliding Rock, a 60' natural water slide that does have lifeguards.

 

Pisgah

• This district is easily accessed via US 276 north of Brevard and is the most popular area for day-trippers.

• Looking Glass Falls: A breathtaking, 60-foot waterfall located right off the highway. It features an easily accessible viewing platform and a staircase to the base.

• Sliding Rock: An iconic, 60-foot natural rock waterslide with an 8-foot deep plunge pool at the bottom. Lifeguards are typically on duty during peak summer months, and a small fee applies.

• Looking Glass Rock: A massive granite monolith highly sought after by hikers and rock climbers. The 6.5-mile roundtrip trail takes you through a steep, switchback-filled ascent to panoramic summit views.

 

Saluda:

• Green River Gorge and Gamelands

• Green River rafting (Saluda)

  • Gorge zipline

  • Waterfall rappelling

  • Whitewater kayaking

• Green River - lower river

  • Tubing

  • Kayak float trips

• Saluda Grade Trail and Ecusta Trail

• Pearson's Falls (Saluda)

• Bradley Falls (Saluda)

• Apple Market

 

Vineyards in the Area

• Mountain Brook Vineyards (Tryon, NC): About 15 minutes from Saluda, this estate produces a sophisticated selection of wines—including Petit Verdot, Albariño, and Chardonnay—and features food trucks, live music, and private estate events. 

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• Parker-Binns Vineyard (Mill Spring, NC): Just a 24-minute drive, this 40-acre family estate is famous for its award-winning wines (like Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Manseng), a welcoming tasting room, and on-site food at the Relish Kitchen.

 

• Overmountain Vineyards (Tryon, NC): Roughly 15 minutes away, this boutique family-run winery specializes in French-style estate wines such as Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Petit Verdot with stunning foothill views.

 

• Burntshirt Vineyards (Hendersonville, NC): Located about 28 minutes from Saluda, this highly awarded vineyard produces French Vinifera wines and features a restaurant, live music, and vineyard tours.

 

• Local Saluda Spots: If you want to stay strictly in town, you can enjoy handcrafted pours right on Main Street at local favorites like Joni Artisanal Wine And Beer or Salamander. 

 

Tryon

• Music

• Vineyards

• Stroll Down Trade Street: This is the heart and soul of downtown Tryon. Lined with vintage stores, local boutiques, and restaurants, it's the perfect place for a leisurely walk.

• Downtown Art & Culture: Visit the Upstairs Artspace to view contemporary regional art, or check the schedule at the Tryon Fine Arts Center for concerts and gallery exhibits.

• Historic Tryon Theatre: Catch a classic or indie movie at this restored, tiny historic theater in the center of town.

• Walk the Vaughn Creek Greenway: A peaceful 0.8-mile unpaved trail perfect for walking your dog, featuring a lovely waterfall.

• Hike to Pearson's Falls: Located in Saluda just outside of town, this is a spectacular 90-foot waterfall cascading through a lush, 268-acre glen.