Historic Downtown Hendersonville & 7th Avenue
Downtown Hendersonville is the heart of an economically and culturally vibrant city. Downtown comprises two districts – Main Street and Seventh Avenue – which attract both residents and visitors throughout the year. Whether the tulips are in bloom or autumn leaves are falling, the area bustles with people frequenting the many specialty shops, art galleries, restaurants, coffeehouses, entertainment venues and professional offices.
Both Main Street and the Seventh Avenue District are part of Main Street America, a grassroots movement that has been helping to revitalize older and historic commercial districts for more than 35 years. Downtown Hendersonville has been a shining example of the North Carolina Main Street movement for more than 30 years as an energized commercial, historic district that celebrates its neighborhood feel and preserves its history.
Hendersonville is home to many historic buildings. Of special significance architecturally is the gold-domed Historic Downtown Courthouse at First and Main Streets that now is home to the Henderson County Heritage Museum. Seventh Avenue boasts the historic Hendersonville Train Depot with its model railroad that represents Henderson County.
The streets of downtown Hendersonville are often alive with free outdoor festivals and concerts ranging from one of Western North Carolina’s largest garden shows, Garden Jubilee on Memorial Day Weekend to Labor Day weekend’s North Carolina Apple Festival. Enjoy live music and local craft beverages at the Rhythm & Brews Summer Concert Series on the Third Thursday of each month, and from May through October, the weekly Hendersonville Farmers Market on Maple Street showcases fresh, local foods from area farmers.
Downtown Hendersonville is further distinguished by its engaging public art. Since 2002, Hendersonville has given a nod to the black bears that live in North Carolina with the Bearfootin’ Public Art Walk. The walk exhibits bear statues created by local artists and sponsored by businesses. Each year after being on display on the main promenade from May through October, the bear statues are auctioned to raise money for local nonprofits and the enrichment of downtown programs, including community events, public art and other beautification efforts.
The “Mountain Memory” fountain on Sixth and Main Streets pays homage to the region’s natural heritage by depicting the prominent peaks surrounding Hendersonville and the area’s rivers. A patriotic mural is found along King Street, paying tribute to veterans and their military service. The annual Hendersonville ArtScape Banner Project, a collaborative effort involving local arts organizations and other community partners, showcases about 40 banners displaying the work of talented regional artists. The Good of the Hive Mural on the backside of Hands On! Children’s Museum, which faces the Azalea Parking Lot on Third Avenue East, connects to the Downtown Art Route sidewalk mural project along King Street to Fifth Avenue and Maple Street.The City of Hendersonville offers convenient and affordable parking options allowing access to the downtown shops, restaurants and events we all know and love. Parking options are available in the City’s new parking deck, nearby surface lots and on-street parking. The City offers free on-street parking on Sundays, weekdays after 7PM and on City holidays. Located at the corner of 5th Avenue and King Street, the new parking garage makes it easy and accessible to park and enjoy a full day of Main Street activities. The community can use their ParkMobile App for easy payment options. The parking deck walk-up kiosk, surface lot kiosks and on-street kiosks accept payment via credit card and cash.