Excursions near Hendersonville North Carolina

Jackson Park in Hendersonville is a great place to bird and observe nature.  The peak times of course are spring and fall during migration, it boasts a list of 196 species of birds, but can be rewarding anytime.  We took a leasurely stroll on the trail for about an hour and heard or saw 13 species including Black-and-White Warbler, White-eyed Vireo and Carolina Chickadee.

Downtown Hendersonville is a must see, with shops, galleries, restaurants and even an old-fashioned soda fountain, it was entered into the National Register of Historic Places in 1988.

Chimney Rock is a must see for the nature lover and outdoorsman.  It has great hiking trails and beautiful scenery including a view of Lake Lure (above) and Hickory Nut Gorge.  The day we visited the elevator that rises 26 stories in the mountain to the Chimney was not working and it was a huge reward to climb the stairs and arrive at the top!

Lake Lure is a good family place.  The view from Chimney Rock shows how large the lake actually is with a quaint town and lodging.  The beach offers fun activities with water balloon launches, fountains, slides as well as swimming and other water sports.  It is a great way to cool down in the hot months of summer.