Area Attractions

Melange and Hendersonville are conveniently located from the area attractions of Western North Carolina... 

Calendar of events in Asheville – Hendersonville Area.

a) HISTORIC HENDERSONVILLE and FLAT ROCK:

Welcome to historic Hendersonville and Flat Rock area in scenic Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina. Hendersonville is located 22 miles south of Asheville, NC on a plateau of 2200 feet above sea level.

The heart and soul of Hendersonville is the tree-lined Main Street that reveals a shopping and dining district of more than 100 businesses with traditional southern hometown charm in a classy style. Catch a festival, parade, show or live music? in Downtown. The focal point is the copper dome of the Old Courthouse and its statue of “Lady Justice, the Greek goddess Themis of divine justice and law” who is without a blindfold, holding a sword in her right hand and scales in her left. It is believed to be only one of only three in the United States without a blindfold. Catch an Old Timey Day, and shop for plants, produce, homemade art and baked goods, a traditional heritage of many local generations at the Curb Market, celebrating its 85^th anniversary in 2011.

Historic Village of Flat Rockcame to prominence when affluent Charlestonians, Europeans and prominent plantation owners of the South's low country built large summer estates. Unique specialty shops and restaurants add a new spin today.

b) CULTURAL and CREATIVE:

Designated as the official state theatre of North Carolina and rated one of the top ten summer theaters in the US, the Flat Rock Playhouse will have a popular show or music on two stages you would not want to miss, March through December. The Playhouse Downtown on Main Street, Hendersonville, also features plays, concerts and exhibitions.

Arts Council of Hendersonville celebrates its 52^nd anniversary in 2011 with the highly popular Art on Main, and the self guided tour of Open Studio weekends. Visit Mona, the artistic and inspirational art couture in Hendersonville.

The Brevard Music Center, has a summer festival with big name concerts including orchestra, opera, chamber music, wind ensemble, new music, recitals, and more.

Attend to one of the concerts and shows of Hendersonville Symphony Orchestra celebrating its 40^th anniversary in 2011.  

Music, dance and theatrical performances are at the center of the Asheville’s finest theater, the Diana Wortham Theater at Pack Place, about 35 minutes from the Mélange. Take the opportunity to  browse through Art Galleries in Hendersonville, Flat Rock and greater Asheville area.

Also during the summer months, watch the outdoor drama of Unto These Hills at Cherokee Indian Reservation. The length of the drive, less than 1.5 hrs is well worth.

c) MUSEUMS and DISPLAYS:

Hendersonville’s settler and Cherokee past is displayed at the County Heritage Museum. Crack a Geode and take it home at the Mineral and Lapidary Museum. Visit Connemara, Carl Sandburg’s home and farm where he has spent the last part of his poetic life, and the nearby St. John in the Wilderness Episcopal Church, initially a private chapel and where many well-known members of declaration of independence and southern aristocracy have family plots in its churchyard.

Of course, no trip to Western North Carolina is complete without visiting the Biltmore House, the largest privately owned home in America. In Asheville, stop at the Blue Ridge Parkway Heritage Center, and the Folk Art Center,themost popular attraction on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

On the way to Cherokee, on US 441, wonder through vintage automobiles and motorcycles displayed at one of the world’s largest collections at the Wheels Through Time Museum or switch to US 74 and take the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad for a mountain rail excursion. Either option is 1.5 -2 hrs. away.

d) NATURE at its BEST: 

The area’s foremost attraction is the Du Pont State Forest, an area of over 10,000 acres including 5 waterfalls and 80 miles of trails for hiking, biking, and horse-back riding. Bring a lunch; picnic sites with tables are available.

Chimney Rock State Park is a natural attraction covering 1000 acres with an elevation of 2,280 feet overlooking Lake Lure and Hickory Nut Gorge. The 1992 production, Last of the Mohicans, was filmed here and at Du Pont State Forest. Plan a late afternoon cruise- perhaps combined with a dinner at a lakeside restaurant, and you will be treated to wonderful scenery second to Lake Tahoe.

Visit the state-of-the art greenhouse, bonsai garden, special exhibits and nature trails at the 434-acre  North Carolina Arboretum.

A rewarding drive, less than 20 miles from the Mélange, is to Pisgah National Forest and to the best vistas of the Blue Ridge Parkway via US 64/US 276 West. Once in the forest, the visitor will be rewarded with Looking Glass Falls, Sliding Rock and the trails and exhibits at America’s first forestry school, Cradle of Forestry. Mount Pisgah's 5721 ft peak is a 1,5 mile trek from the parking lot close to Pisgah Inn or go back to US 64 and drive for another 45 minutes on US 64 to Panthertown Valley, America’s Yosemite of the East.

e) RECREATIONAL LINKS:

Bicycling Henderson Country 

Kid-friendly Highlights and Summer Camps of the Area

Rafting Expeditions