From poet Carl Sandburg’s home to the mountainside wineries of the Crest of the Blue Ridge American Viticultural Area, the neighboring towns of Flat Rock and Hendersonville, North Carolina, reveal delights at every turn.
A scenic drive north on Highway 25 from downtown Greenville will bring you to Flat Rock in less than an hour. Despite its small size, Flat Rock claims a couple of big attractions. The town of just over 3,500 permanent residents is home to the 264-acre farm where Sandburg, the “people’s poet,” lived with his family and wrote from 1945 until his death in 1967.
Right across the street, the Flat Rock Playhouse started as the summer home to the Vagabond Players in 1940. It’s now a professional Actors’ Equity theater that stages a regular repertoire that includes Broadway musicals. Don’t leave Flat Rock without treating yourself to an incomparable thin-crust wood-fired pizza by the artisans at Flat Rock Village Bakery (check out their breads and pastries, too).
Mountain Charm
From there, follow NC 225 north less than four miles as it turns into Main Street in Hendersonville. You’ll know you’ve arrived in the commercial center when you spot the gold dome of the 1905 Henderson County Courthouse, crowned by a six-foot-tall statue of Themis, the Greek goddess of divine justice and law.
Originally built wide enough to allow horse-drawn wagons to turn around, Main Street was narrowed and landscaped in the 1970s to make it more inviting. The historic brick buildings lining this thoroughfare now house enticing shops, galleries, and restaurants, such as the venerable McFarlan Bakery, which has operated here since 1930.
It’s easy to lose track of the hours while perusing the shops and galleries, but do yourself a favor and leave time for a winery visit or a stop at one of the area’s cideries. The latter make tasty use of the apple crop for which Henderson County is renowned
See
Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site
The poet, author, and Lincoln biographer lived at this pastoral farm called Connemara with his wife, Lillian, their family, and his wife’s herd of dairy goats—descendants of which still occupy the on-site barn.
1928 Little River Rd., Flat Rock, NC. nps.gov/carl
Henderson County Heritage Museum
Located inside the historic Henderson County Courthouse, the museum spotlights the early days of Henderson County through artifacts and multimedia presentations. A highlight is the interactive scale model of the Saluda Grade railway, the steepest main-line standard-gauge railroad in the U.S.
First & Main Sts., Hendersonville, NC. hendersoncountymuseum.com
Crest of the Blue Ridge AVA
Seven wineries make up North Carolina’s newest American Viticultural Area (AVA), all of which fall within Henderson County.
visithendersonvillenc.org/crest-of-the-blue-ridge
Eat
Never Blue
At this Main Street eatery, international flair jazzes up chef/owner Jesse Roque’s menu of tasty tapas, which includes her signature gingerbread Love Muffins.
119 S. Main St., Hendersonville, NC. theneverblue.com
Postero
Expect traditional recipes interpreted with regional products and a contemporary twist at this beloved downtown spot.
401 N. Main St., Hendersonville, NC. postero-hvl.com
West First Wood-Fired
Known for its terrific pizza and Italian-inspired entrees, West First was started by the same talented team that brought you Flat Rock Village Bakery.
101-B First Ave. West, Hendersonville, NC. westfirstwoodfired.com
Play
Appalachian Pinball Museum
Kids will love this hands-on museum/arcade, where the entry fee buys you unlimited play on dozens of vintage pinball machines.
538 N. Main St., Hendersonville, NC. facebook.com/pinballplayers
Flat Rock Playhouse
The State Theater of North Carolina, Flat Rock Playhouse presents a nine-month season of plays, encompassing comedy, drama, and Broadway musicals.
2661 Greenville Hwy., Flat Rock, NC. flatrockplayhouse.org
Jump Off Rock
Head for this overlook to survey the mountain scenery and hike one of the three trails that begin here. The rock’s name reflects an old Cherokee legend about a heartbroken Indian maiden who threw herself from its summit.
4433 Laurel Park Hwy., Hendersonville, NC. visithendersonvillenc.org/businesses/jump-off-rock
