Historic Hendersonville - Best Mountain Towns in North Carolina

Folks looking for one of the most spectacular places to live in the Blue Ridge Mountain should spend time and visit one of the best kept secrets in Western North Carolina, the quaint yet trendy update town of Hendersonville.  Surrounded by some of the most majestic scenery on the east coast, this charming mountain town has evolved into one of the most nostalgic destinations for buying rustic mountain homes located less than 30 miles outside of Asheville, another hip city where the Blue Ridge Parkway runs through town.  Baby Boomers who love living with sophistication while enjoying bonding with nature, are finding that the gated communities near Asheville provide the perfect spot to build a home.

Established in 1837, Hendersonville has evolved into a suburbia that offers historical roots with modern day conveniences meticulously blended with the natural elements that sooth and enrich the soul.  This by far is no means a “sleepy mountain enclave”, this eclectic city offers the best of both worlds. The Main Street in downtown Hendersonville is a unique 16 block district that houses impressive art galleries, fine-to-funky dining venues, chic boutiques, free WIFI, and antique shops offering great finds from times past.  Throughout the year, there are street dances, festivals and toe-tapping music that fill the air and keep locals bonded in this close knit mountain oasis.  The spectacular region embracing the town completes the package for residents who enjoy the active outdoor lifestyle associated with living in the mountains of North Carolina.  Here are some of the fun-filled events visitors and residents can look forward to this season:

RHYTHM & BREWS CONCERT SERIES provides a free event that features great music, ice cold beverages and good times with friends and family.  The concerts are held on the 3rd Thursday of the month, May through September.

2017 CONCERT DATES:

• July 20 - The Steel Wheels featuring American roots music with opener Angela Easterling & The Beguilers and singer/songwriter, Rob Williams.
• August 17 - Come Back Alice soulful southern gypsy funk band paired with opening act the Hustle Souls and singer/songwriter, Rock Kellogg.
• September 21 - Backup Planet which is an experimental funk-rock band with opening act by The Dirty Soul Revival with singer/songwriter, Theme & Variation.

MUSIC ON MAIN STREET CONCERT SERIES draws thousands to the Visitor Center located at 201 South Main Street in the historic downtown district.  This free event features a wide variety of music genres and is a favorite place for locals to strut their stuff while dancing under the twinkling stars. This family friendly event offers concessions from street vendors and provides the way to start the weekend.   The concerts are held every Friday evening from June 9 through August 18 at 7pm, admission is free.  Here are the featured performers this season:

• July 14: 96.5 House Band 
• July 21: Rock and Roll Reunion 
• July 28- Deano and The Dreamers 
• August 4: Gotcha Groove
• August 11: Dashboard Blue 
• August 18: Flashback- The Party Band Agenda

Cars shows are held every evening in conjunction with Music on Main Street. The car shows alternate between classic cars and Corvette nights. The car shows are located in front of the Visitors Center, between Allen Street and Caswell Street, which will be closed to traffic. Classic Car Shows: July 7, July 21, August 4, and August 18 Corvette Nights: July 14, July 28, and August 11

The Fourth of July Fireworks Celebration Concert recently featured the popular regional band West Sound.  The event was an awesome fireworks display at sundown from downtown Hendersonville and music will play from 7:00 to 9:30pm weather permitting.  Attendees are encouraged to bring a chair.  Pets, alcoholic beverages, back packs and coolers are not allowed.

Street Dances are tons of fun and been part of Henderson County’s heritage for 97 years.  Mountain music and dancing brings country folks together for some great exercise, fiddle playing, banjo picking, clogging and square dancing to celebrate the lifestyle and southern appeal of living in this great mountain resort.  Held every Monday evening from July 10 through August 14 at the Visitor Center downtown this weekly event brings out town folks for true mountain fun.  No pets, alcohol or coolers are allowed.

The 21st Annual “Chalk It Up!” will be held on July 15 (with alternate rain dates of July 22nd and 29th) This family friendly event draws street artiest of all ages and is quite the way to “paint the town” in Hendersonville.  Started when a local merchant’s 3 year daughter was drawing on the sidewalk outside her store, the event now draws 150 artists to downtown to participate in this free event that has help promote Hendersonville as “a city with a heart for art.”

The 69th Annual North Carolina Apple Festival coming soon is held annually over Labor Day Weekend, September 1st through the 4th.  This 60 year tradition is a family fun event that showcases the freshly picked apples signature to the Carolinas.  This 4-day action packed weekend will feature apples, arts & crafts, kid’s activities, delicious food vendors and free entertainment at the Historic Courthouse on Hendersonville’s beautiful Main Street.  The King Apple Parade will feature floats, airplane fly-by, bands, antique cars, motorcycles and local organizations celebrating the holiday, North Carolina style.

ART ON MAIN is a downtown event that is being held September 30 through October 1.  Fine art and crafts by regional artists will be displayed offering works that include clay, metal, glass, fiber, wood, painting, photography, jewelry as well as live art demos.  Sponsored by the Arts Council of Henderson County, this is one great time to explore the historic downtown district and visit some of the impressive gated communities near Asheville. 

BEARFOOTIN’ PUBLIC ART WALK AUCTION will be held on October 21 at the Historic Courthouse on Main Street.  This is a great event providing the perfect opportunity to listen to live music and grab some great artwork at reasonable prices to help decorate that rustic mountain home with sophistication and regional appeal.  Bidder registration and live music begins at 3pm followed by a live auction beginning at 5pm.

TRICK OR TREAT STREET is yet another family friendly event that will be held at 5pm on October 31, 2017.  Downtown merchants provide the treats starting at 5pm from Allen to 6th Avenue.  There is a costume contest with multiple categories that will be judged by local celebrities followed by the infamous Monster Mash Street Dance.

Besides all the fabulous things to do downtown, don’t forget the real reason why this part of the country is so popular.  It’s beyond picturesque, it is heaven on earth. n 2011, Good Morning America listed Asheville as one of the “10 Most Beautiful Places in America.” One visit and people want to make their dreams reality and they are building new homes.  This is why real estate in Hendersonville is some of the fastest selling in the country.”  

Within close proximity to the historic downtown district, adventurers will find some of the best day trips to enjoy outdoor activities.  The area is surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains, the Great Smoky Mountains, the Pisgah National Forest and the French Broad River Valley which provide residents the chance to escape from the stressors of everyday life.   Imagine the Zen of watching waterfalls cascading in the middle of a lush wooded forest filled with over 200 types of trees and over 1500 varieties of flowering plants while watching Peregrine Falcons, Bald Eagles and Great Blue Herons flying overhead  while hiking throughout the numerous trails that abound in the area.   

The Blue Ridge Parkway that meanders through Shenandoah National Park provides an incredible 469 mile journey along the highest ridges of the Southern Appalachians known as the “Rockies of the East”.  Because of all these magnificent attractions discerning Baby Boomers and hipsters of all ages are flocking to take advantage of the lifestyle that provides it all.  

Outdoor activities are the way of life in Hendersonville and it’s because of this home builders in Hendersonville NC have taken note and are building scenic gated communities near Asheville.  One exquisite property located in the region is Grand Highlands at Bearwallow Mountain.

Grand Highlands radiates beauty from the minute you drive through the front gate.  Built on 318-acres of naturally preserved woodlands and sculpted mountainous terrain provide the perfect backdrop for building the ideal mountain escape or weekend retreat.  The property sits at an elevation of 4,000 and provides a 360-degree panoramic view of the awe striking scenery that surrounds this prime piece of real estate.  

There are incredible homes to explore here.  Whether it is a modern mountain cottage or an elaborate estate overlooking the property, Grand Highland sets the standard for buying or building a home in western North Carolina.  Located only minutes from downtown Hendersonville, the location is ideal.  

Named “Community of the Year” by Asheville Home Builders Association, true Southern hospitality radiates throughout the neighborhoods built here.  With a mild four season climate, thrill seeking Baby Boomers enjoy a highly active and healthy lifestyle year round.  Golf, hiking, biking, rafting, boating or fly fishing at the nearby Lake Lure are all favorite past times for folks that choose to call Grand Highlands home.   Mountain excursions to the national parks scattered throughout the region provide great exercise, bonding with nature and the ultimate peace of mind knowing that this is indeed paradise found and the best place to buy a rustic mountain home for retirement or serene weekend getaways from the hustle and bustle of big city life.

Home shoppers have a wide selection of architectural styles to choose from that reflect sophisticated country living.  Each home is designed according to home owners personal style and come equipped with all the modern conveniences needed to live a life of luxury while cohabiting with nature.  Add high quality amenities and folks never have to leave the property to enjoy the finer things in life.  

Folks have loved gathering at the Grand Lodge which comes complete with a state-of-the-art fitness center, a community barn for events and socializing with neighbors, private parks for reading and relaxing as well as hiking and biking trails to stay in shape while enjoying the scenic views that make this a signature location. 

Highland Lawn is the community’s 65-acre pasture outlined by a brown fence, which surrounds the Grand Lodge and provides the perfect outdoor playground for picnics, a game of croquet, or simply enjoying the sunset while sipping some fine wine.  Active residents take advantage of the mile-long network of recreational trails for hiking or horseback riding on the property that link up with the longer Carolina Mountain Land Conservancy’s Bearwallow Mountain summit trail. 

Golfers can enjoy year-round play at the many golf courses found nearby while breathing fresh mountain air and watching deer frolic across the lush greenways and forestry that embellish the area.  The Grand Lodge (under renovation) will provide an ideal setting for working out, playing cards or billiards while looking out over the countryside that sets this development apart from all the others.   

Grand Highlands has a highly active social calendar representing the warmth of southern hospitality.  There are events planned weekly encouraging neighbors to bond and to keep residents socially fulfilled.  The Community Barn is the social gathering spot and truly represents the warmth of this friendly mountain community.  Some things truly deserve the term “priceless”, living the American Dream in this majestic mountain region is one of those things.  Buying a property at Grand Highlands is not only an investment that appreciates, “it is an investment that is appreciated!”  Here are the perks of living at Grand Highlands:

GRAND HIGHLANDS AT BEARWALLOW MOUNTAIN AMENITIES

• Gated Community
• 12,000 Square-Foot Lodge-Style Clubhouse (renovations in process)
• 3,000 square foot farmhouse-red Community Barn for Social Functions
• 65-Acre Highland Lawn Pasture and great lawn
• Community Parks & Nature Preserves
• Hiking Trails 
• Tennis Court

The high country estates that are signature to the Blue Ridge Mountain region provide the inspiration for the architectural designs offered at Grand Highlands.  The housing is meticulously developed to incorporate the natural beauty of the environment while preserving the abundant wildlife and forestry that complement this prime piece of real estate.  Homes are built upon lush green meadows while preserving the woodlands making Grand Highlands one of the most beautiful mountain communities in the area.  There is a wide variety of architectural styles to choose from including: Arts and Crafts, Mountain, European Country and French country to insure that the neighborhoods orchestrally blend.  

Grand Highlands makes it easy for home shoppers with it’s highly acclaimed Cottage Collections.  Folks can design a home without ever having to visit the property.  These custom designed home plans make it simple for property owners, especially those relocating to the region, to create the ideal living space with the expertise of one of 3 seasoned builder’s plans.  Under the scrutiny of strict standards set by the community, these pre-approved designs must be built to mirror the existing properties and according to each individuals unique character and within budgetary guidelines.  Here are the 3 choices that are offered in the Cottage Collection developed to help buyers design the perfect mountain home:

• Living Stone Construction is spearheaded by Sean and Laura Sullivan and their team who have earned them the esteemed Asheville Homebuilders Association Gold Craftsmanship Award and repeat winner of the Best Single Family Home.  The green-friendly homes are designed to operate with superb energy efficiency and are built with healthy materials.  The homes have impeccable design and incorporate modern construction techniques that make this company one of the most respected builders in the Asheville community for the last 20 years.

• Mountain and Lake Collection by Meritus Signature Homes has built over 300 properties over the past 10 years and is an astute member of the Southern Living Custom Builder program.  In 2014, the Asheville Homebuilders Association recognized the Meritus’ Toxaway model at Grand Highlands for the “Craftsmanship Award” for homes listed between $700,000 and $800,000.  Their homes radiate perfection in building standards.  Model homes are available on site.

• Grand Highlands Collection by Sulaski Tinsley Fine Homes are built by nationally acclaimed builders Robert Sulaski and Mike Tinsley who have the distinction of building exquisite homes in Asheville and surrounding areas for over 15 years.  They received the 2014 honor of “Overall Craftsmanship Award” by the Asheville Homebuilders Association.  Model homes are on site for viewing their amazing work.

There are a total of 13 skilled home builders Hendersonville NC at Grand Highlands to help build your dream home at this scenic mountain retreat.

Curious folks who want to experience the lifestyle at Grand Highlands without leaving the big city, should consider a luxury mountain cabin that is offered for investors.  This intimate retreat is comprised of a cluster of 6 cabins that are encompassed by a small community park.  These modern day cabins are two stories with large decks offering the perfect place to relax and experience the serenity of true mountain living.  These properties are affordable starting in the high $300’s. 

So this summer when planning your property search, step back in time and experience all the fun things to do in Hendersonville and the rich Blue Ridge Mountain territory.  With over 15 million visitors to the region annually, there is definitely a wide appeal for living in the gated communities near Asheville.  

If you’re exploring the area for the first time, ask for our complimentary Hendersonville relocation information.