DuPont State Forest - The forested land was purchased by the State of North Carolina, after DuPont sold its industrial operation in 1996 and 1997; the surrounding land holdings became DuPont State Forest. The forest encompasses 10,268 acres in Henderson and Transylvania counties. It is situated in the Little River valley and includes waterfalls and 80 miles of roads and trails wandering through mountainous terrain. The forest is open to the public for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding. Fishing is allowed with a valid NC fishing license. Hunting is by special permit only, issued by a permit agent of the NC Wildlife Resources Commission. The North Carolina Division of Forest Resources manages the forest. For additional information call 828-877-6527 www.dupontforest.com

The Mineral & Lapidary Museum of Henderson County was established in 1997,housing exhibits from North Carolina, replicas of world famous diamonds, English minerals, Indian artifacts, a dinosaur egg nest, fossils, fluorescent minerals, gems, and faceted minerals. The Museum's specialty are Geodes, which are sold, cracked and/or displayed.

The museum is open Monday-Friday 1:00PM-5:00PM and Saturday 10:00AM-5:00PM. Admission is free. The museum is located at 400 North Main Street, on the lower level of the Henderson County Genealogical & Historical Society building. For additional information call (828) 698-1977. www.mineralmuseum.org

Author Thomas Wolfe?s first novel was Look Homeward, Angel. In the book there are constant references to an angel statue carved from Italian marble. This is the angel Wolfe placed in American literature. Thomas Wolfe?s father, W.O. Wolfe, sold the statue to the Johnson family to mark the family plot in Oakdale Cemetery. The angel is holding a lily in her left hand and extending her right hand upward. Oakdale Cemetery is located on Hwy. 64 W., just a short distance from downtown. The statue is protected by a wrought iron fence, and there is a historical marker located on the highway.

The Pisgah National Forest has 501,691 acres stretching across the eastern edge of Western North Carolina's mountains. The Forest offers hiking trails, fishing, camping, picnic sites, and spectacular waterfalls. Some of Pisgah National Forest's attractions include Looking Glass Falls, Sliding Rock, Pisgah Forest State Fish Hatchery, Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education, The Cradle of Forestry and the North Mills River Recreational Area. The North Mills River Recreational Area is located in Henderson County, just 13 miles from Downtown Hendersonville and offers picnic sites, campsites, river fishing & tubing. For additional information call 828-877-3265 More Info

Jump Off Rock is a scenic overlook which provides a panoramic view of rolling pastures, the Blue Ridge and Pisgah mountain ranges. Jump Off Rock also holds an Indian legend that has been passed down for many, many years. Over 300 years ago a young Cherokee Indian maiden received word that her young Indian Chief had been killed in battle, so she climbed to the edge of the rock and jumped off. Indian legend has it that on moonlit nights you can see the ghost of the maiden on Jump Off Rock. Jump Off is located about 5 miles from downtown at the end of Laurel Park Hwy. The park is open daily, sunrise to sunset. No admission charge.

Historic Johnson Farm is a fine example of a late 19th and early 20th century farm & tourist retreat. The entire structure was handmade from bricks that were fired on site from French Broad River mud. The Johnson Farm was the home of a wealthy tobacco farmer, Oliver Moss. Construction of the elegant home, smokehouse, and granary began in 1876 and was completed in 1880. Over the years many outbuildings were constructed, including a tool shed/blacksmith shop, barn, boarding house, and a cottage.

Holmes Educational State Forest offers a series of well-marked trails, accented by exhibits and displays depicting ecology of a managed forest. Picnic sites with tables and a spacious picnic shelter (with grills ) are also available. Holmes Educational State Forest is located about 8 1/2 miles from downtown Hendersonville. The forest is open Tuesday-Sunday from mid-March to late November. For additional information call (828) 692-0100. 1299 Crab Creek Road, Hendersonville. More Info

The Center for Craft, Creativity and Design is a regional inter-institutional center of the University of North Carolina. The Center features ongoing exhibitions of professional artists and educational talks focusing on the craft heritage of Western North Carolina. Gallery hours are Tuesday-Saturday from 1:00PM-5:00PM. For additonal information call (828) 890-2050. Located on the UNCA Kellogg Center at 1181 Broyles Road, Hendersonville. www.craftcreativitydesign.org

The first steam engine puffed up the Saluda Grade to the Hendersonville Depot in 1879. The steam engine needed a ?help engine? attached to the rear of the train
at Melrose for additional power to push the train up the Saluda Mountain Grade, the steepest main-line standard gauge railroad in the United States. The Carolina Special ran between Charleston, South Carolina and Cincinnati, Ohio from 1911 until 1968.

Today the exterior paint has been restored to its original color. A Southern Railway caboose is located at the south end. The depot's baggage room houses the Apple Valley Model Railroad Club and their HO scale model railroad. The layout is prototypical of Hendersonville, Asheville, Brevard and Saluda, including the Saluda Grade. The depot is open year round, Saturday 10:00AM-2:00PM. The Depot is located on Maple Street off of 7th Avenue East. For additional information call (828) 698-0052, or (828) 883-2799. www.avmrc.com

The Henderson County Curb Market is a unique farmers market requiring sellers to be residents of Henderson County. All items sold at the market must be either hand-made or locally grown. The sellers are 3rd and 4th generation vendors offering a variety of goods such as: crafts, baked goods, jellies, plants, flowers, toys, and produce. The market has been in continuous operation since 1924. The Curb Market?s hours are 8:00AM-2:00PM Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from April-December, and 8:00AM-1:00PM Tuesday & Saturday January-March. The Curb Market is located on the corner of 2nd Avenue and Church Street. For additional information call (828) 692-8012.
221 N. Church St., Hendersonville. www.curbmarket.com

The Arts Center was established in 1992 by the Four Seasons Arts Council as an arts forum. The Center is a non-profit organization providing rotating exhibitions in the galleries, workshops, art camp and classes with two artist studios. The Arts Center notable past exhibits include Ansel Adams photographs, Salvador Dali lithographs, Picasso: 25 Years of Edition Ceramics and Norman Rockwell Saturday Evening Post covers. The Center is open Tuesday-Friday 1:00-5:00PM, Saturday 1:00PM-4:00PM. The Arts Center is located on the second floor of the Skyland Hotel building on the corner of Main Street and Sixth Avenue in downtown Hendersonville. For additional information call (828) 693-8504. www.theartscenterofhc.com

The Western North Carolina Air Museum is the first air museum in the state of North Carolina known as the "first in flight" state. The museum features award
winning restored and replica antique and vintage airplanes. The hours are (weather permitting) March-October Wednesday and Sunday from 12Noon-6:00PM, Saturday 10:00AM-6:00PM; November-February Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday from 12:00Noon-5:00PM . There is no admission charge. The museum is located at the Hendersonville Airport, 1340 Gilbert Street, Hendersonville. For additional information call (828) 698-2482. www.wncairmuseum.com