News

Hendersonville tops list of best mountain towns

By Lightning Reports, Published: September 3, 2019

Another travel website has ranked Hendersonville high for visiting, this time No. 1.

Planetware, a travel guide website, praised Hendersonville for its access to scenic drives, waterfalls, hiking trails and apple stands.

"Add to that a good selection of restaurants, many with outdoor patios in summer; hotels; and attractions; and it's not surprising you frequently hear people describing Hendersonville as the best small town in North Carolina," the site said in a feature on the 13 top-rated mountain towns in North Carolina. "With a population of about 14,000 people, you can find everything you need here, minus crowds, traffic, and parking hassles. And compared to larger cities in the area, the town offers good value."

Conceding that Asheville was the best known tourist destination, the in this ranking evaluated the appeal and value of small towns. Banner Elk was No. 2 followed by Blowing Rock and Highlands. Brevard ("has a pleasant feel about it") was ranked No. 9.

Top-rated things to do in Hendersonville included strolling downtown and visiting the Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site, sampling the produce at apple stands, hiking at DuPont State Forest, taking in a show at the Flat Rock Playhouse and enjoying the view from Jump Off Rock.