A Local’s Guide to Spending the Perfect Fall Day in Henderson County
There’s something special about fall in Henderson County. The mountains begin to show off their autumn colors, the air turns crisp, and apple season is in full swing. Whether you’re visiting for the weekend or lucky enough to call Western North Carolina home, fall is the perfect time to get out, explore, and enjoy everything the area has to offer.
If you’re planning a fall day in Henderson County, here’s our guide to making the most of it with plenty of apples, farm fun, local flavor, and beautiful mountain scenery along the way.
Start Your Morning at Stepp’s Hillcrest Orchard
No perfect fall day is complete without a trip to Stepp’s Hillcrest Orchard! Our farm is family-owned and operated where generations of visitors have come to experience apple season in the mountains.
Grab a u-pick container and head into the orchard to pick your own apples straight from the trees. Apple varieties change throughout the season, giving you a reason to come back more than once to see what’s ripe and ready for picking!
Depending on what’s in season during your visit, you can also explore other u-pick opportunities around the farm, including grapes, sunflowers and zinnias, and pumpkins. And don’t be in too much of a hurry to leave after you fill your u-pick container—there’s plenty more to do!
Make Time for Some Farm Fun
Turn your orchard visit into a full fall adventure with our family-friendly farm activities! Find your way through the 5-acre corn maze (open daily), take a ride around the farm on a wagon ride (weekends only), see how good your aim is at the apple cannon (weekends only), bounce on the jump pad (weekends only), spend some time on the hayground (open daily), and more!
Whether you’re visiting with little ones, teenagers, grandparents, or a group of friends, there are plenty of ways to enjoy a little friendly competition and spend time together outdoors.
Grab a Fall Treat Before You Go
Before leaving the farm, make a stop at the Apple House! You can stock up on fresh, pre-picked apples and browse locally made favorites like apple butter, jams, jellies, honey and other goodies.
Of course, a fall trip to the orchard calls for something sweet, too. Treat yourself to fresh-made apple cider donuts, an apple cider slushie, a caramel apple, fudge, or another seasonal favorite. You can also browse our merchandise and unique gifts to take a little piece of your orchard visit home with you.
Pro tip: Grab some extra apple cider donuts for later. You’ll be glad you did!
Photo Credit: Henderson County Tourism Development Authority
Spend the Afternoon Exploring Henderson County
Once you’ve wrapped up your morning at the orchard, keep your fall adventure going by exploring more of Henderson County!
Head into downtown Hendersonville for an afternoon stroll along Main Street, where you’ll find locally owned shops, restaurants, and plenty of places to stop for a bite to eat. Take your time browsing, grab a bite to eat, and enjoy the charm of downtown before heading to your next stop.
If you’d rather spend your afternoon surrounded by mountain scenery, fall is also a great time to explore one of the area’s parks, trails, or scenic drives. Pack your camera because the changing leaves and Blue Ridge Mountain views make this one of the most beautiful times of year to explore Western North Carolina!
Photo Credit: Sam Dean
End the Day with Local Flavor
After a full day of apple picking and exploring, wind down with dinner at one of Henderson County’s local restaurants. From casual family-friendly spots to places perfect for a relaxing evening out, there are plenty of options for ending your day on a delicious note.
If you still have some energy left, take one more stroll through downtown, find a spot to enjoy the evening or head back to your accommodations with a bag full of apples and plenty of new fall memories.
Make a Weekend of It
Why fit all the fall fun into just one day? Turn your Henderson County visit into a weekend getaway and give yourself even more time to explore the orchard, downtown Hendersonville, and the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains. Stepp’s Hillcrest Orchard has connected with several nearby accommodations, from charming inns and bed and breakfasts to hotels and vacation rentals, making it easy to find a comfortable place to stay close to all the area has to offer.
Whether you’re planning a family trip, a couples’ getaway, or a relaxing weekend in the mountains, check out our Local Accommodations page to find nearby places to stay and start planning your fall getaway.
Plan Your Perfect Fall Day
The best fall days don’t have to be complicated. Sometimes all you need is fresh mountain air, freshly picked apples, a few farm adventures, something delicious to eat, and plenty of time to enjoy it all.
Make Stepp’s Hillcrest Orchard the first stop on your Henderson County fall itinerary and experience one of the traditions that makes apple season in Western North Carolina so special.
Come pick, play, explore and experience fall at the farm—we’ll see you at the orchard!