News

Hendersonville makes 'best of' list for fall strolling

By Lightning Reports, Published: October 31, 2025

Hendersonville has once again made a "best of" list, this time as one of the best main streets for fall shopping and strolling.

MarketBeat, a financial media company, polled 3,007 respondents to identify the best main streets for the season, ranking them on atmosphere, independent retail strength and local events. Hendersonville, of course, is known for its Blue Ridge Mountains fall color, popular mom-and-pop shops, restaurants, bakeries and taprooms and events like the Rhythm & Brews concert series and the Bearfootin' Bear auction. In the past, the city has been cited as a top destination for Christmas sights and sounds, retirement living and medical doctors per capita.

The MarketBeat survey featured three North Carolina main streets:

#24. Franklin Street, Chapel Hill

Franklin Street glows with collegiate energy each fall, where maple leaves scatter across brick paths and Tar Heel blue fills the air. Chapel Hill Toffee tempts sweet-toothed shoppers, while Sutton’s Drug Store serves burgers and milkshakes in its nostalgic lunch counter. Game-day weekends and harvest festivals keep storefronts buzzing with life and laughter. As crisp nights settle over campus, Franklin Street captures the perfect mix of nostalgia, community, and North Carolina hospitality.

#34. Main Street, Hendersonville

Main Street in Hendersonville feels built for autumn, framed by fiery Blue Ridge foliage and rows of classic storefronts. McFarlan Bakery fills the crisp air with the scent of fresh pies and pastries, while Mast General Store offers cozy flannels and Appalachian staples. The North Carolina Apple Festival lingers in local memory as fall weekends keep visitors strolling the brick sidewalks. Every fall, Main Street glows with color, conversation, and the simple joy of shopping small.

#39. King Street, Boone

King Street in Boone hums with mountain-town rhythm as cool air rolls down from the Appalachians. Footsloggers Outdoor & Travel Outfitters equips leaf-peepers for trails, while Dancing Moon Earthway Bookstore offers books, crystals and gifts to “enhance, enlighten & celebrate body, mind & spirit”. Appalachian State’s homecoming crowds blend with weekend travelers, turning the corridor into a cheerful autumn promenade. Between art, nature, and coffee-scented breezes, King Street proves that Boone’s heart beats strongest when fall settles in.

Nationally, the Top 10:

#1. Park Avenue, Rochester, New York

Park Avenue in Rochester hums with neighborhood warmth as maples and elms paint the blocks red and gold. Stever’s Candies, a family-run chocolatier since 1946, perfumes the air with caramel and cocoa, while Parkleigh stocks playful gifts and upscale housewares. Locals sip lattes from corner cafés as they browse boutiques under string lights. When fall settles in, Park Avenue becomes a living postcard of upstate comfort – proof that creativity and community keep city shopping vibrant.

#2. St. George Street, St. Augustine, Florida

St. George Street winds through the heart of America’s oldest city, its stone paths buzzing softly with fall visitors. Red Pineapple Boutique brings Florida flair to cozy fashion and gifts, while The Hyppo Gourmet Ice Pops serves artisan pops made with local fruit and spice. From mid-October, lantern-lit ghost tours mix with live music and cool evening air, drawing people into shopfronts glowing with warm light. St. George Street turns heritage and hospitality into a living autumn marketplace.

#3. Main Street, Half Moon Bay, California

Main Street in Half Moon Bay is autumn embodied. Toque Blanche stocks kitchenware and gourmet treats for festivalgoers, while LuzLuna Imports overflows with handmade textiles and coastal décor. Beneath golden leaves and ocean breezes, Main Street’s historic storefronts turn fall color into commerce – a reminder that small-town magic can still drive big economic moments.

#4. Park Avenue, Winter Park, Florida

Park Avenue in Winter Park feels tailor-made for fall, when the air cools just enough for patio strolls beneath oak canopies. The Ancient Olive Gourmet entices shoppers with artisanal oils and tapenades, while Frank's gift shop curates unique home decor, gifts, jewels, and other delights. As café tables spill onto brick sidewalks and boutiques switch to autumn hues, Park Avenue becomes Central Florida’s favorite fall retreat – proof that charm and commerce can thrive even under sunshine.

#5. Magazine Street, New Orleans, Louisiana

Magazine Street comes alive in fall, when mild breezes and golden light spill across its six miles of boutiques and cafés. Perlis Clothing outfits locals for tailgates and cool evenings, while Scriptura draws design lovers into its paper and stationery trove. Porch-front patios fill with chatter, and open windows release the scent of pralines and roasted coffee. When the heat fades, Magazine Street turns into New Orleans’ ultimate autumn walk – equal parts charm, craftsmanship, and community.

#6. Duval Street, Key West, Florida

Duval Street shifts gears in autumn, trading summer’s party pulse for an easy, golden-hour rhythm. The Green Pineapple tempts wandering shoppers with eco-chic jewelry, island apparel, and a café corner for lingering over lattes, while Island Style Gallery brims with island-inspired art and handmade jewelry. As humidity dips and breezes turn mild, travelers linger longer in boutiques and porch-front cafés. On this colorful stretch of island history, fall feels less like an ending and more like a long, laid-back celebration of local creativity.

#7. State Street, Santa Barbara, California

State Street glows with a softer kind of energy in autumn, when warm days meet cool evenings along its palm-lined promenade. The Yes Store – a cooperative gallery – is no longer just a seasonal pop-up; it is now open year-round to showcase local artisans. As festivals and outdoor concerts spill into side streets, shoppers wander between boutiques, patios, and galleries under string lights. State Street turns every fall sunset into a celebration of California’s creative retail spirit.

#8. Broughton Street, Savannah, Georgia

Broughton Street, with its beautiful oaks, feels tailor-made for fall afternoons. The Paris Market draws shoppers into its candle-lit interiors of antiques and curiosities, while Leopold’s Ice Cream keeps visitors lingering with old-fashioned sundaes and caramel-swirled scoops. As river breezes carry a hint of chill, boutiques trade summer linens for autumn palettes, and galleries open their doors for evening strolls. Broughton Street proves how Savannah’s southern grace meets small-business sparkle when fall’s golden light hits the sidewalk.

#9. King Street, Charleston, South Carolina

King Street glows under live oaks and lantern light as Charleston’s soft fall air rolls in from the harbor. Blue Bicycle Books invites browsers to linger among its shelves of Southern stories, while M. Dumas & Sons outfits locals in timeless style. Window boxes spill with autumn blooms, and festival weekends fill the sidewalks with visitors savoring pralines and pumpkin lattes. By mid-October, King Street becomes Charleston’s stage – equal parts history, hospitality, and small-business brilliance.

#10. West Main Street, Mystic, Connecticut

West Main Street winds near the Mystic River, where crisp breezes carry the scent of saltwater and cider. Peppergrass & Tulip awaits visitors with vintage-inspired chic and contemporary boho style fashion, while Desert Rose boutique offers a wide selection of unique art and decor, as well as crystals and one-of-a-kind jewelry. Each fall, the town’s harvest fairs and maritime charm converge, drawing visitors from across New England. On West Main Street, the mix of river views and independent shops captures the essence of coastal Connecticut.