Don’t Miss the Hendersonville Apple Festival

There are many glorious ways to enjoy North Carolina in the fall, including hiking through fall colors, driving the winding mountain roads from one town to the next, and taking in the panoramic views from towering vistas like Chimney Rock State Park. There are also plenty of quintessentially fall activities to enjoy in the North Carolina mountains this fall, including events like the Hendersonville Apple Festival in North Carolina. 

The North Carolina Apple Festival in Hendersonville is one of our favorite events of the season. The crisp air, vibrant foliage, and majestic peaks create a beautiful backdrop for this lively event, which seeks to celebrate the crisp bite of apples. It’s a joyous celebration filled with the sights, sounds, smells, and tastes of the season, providing a welcome contrast to the otherwise peaceful mountain atmosphere. Apart from celebrating all things apple, the Hendersonville Apple Festival in North Carolina features a variety of artisan crafts, live music, and contagious community spirit. 

When you’re ready to return to the quiet, romantic escape promised by a retreat into the mountains, there’s no better place to be than the Orchard Inn. Our hotel is rated as one of the most romantic getaways in NC, offering the ultimate in privacy and luxury for couples. Our hotel features an array of guest rooms for couples, each exquisitely appointed with modern amenities, including things like fireplaces, private balconies and porches, and unbeatable views of the surrounding mountains. Every detail of your stay is designed to enhance your romantic getaway, including romantic dinners at our top-rated restaurant, Newmans. 

Don’t miss the chance to enjoy one of the best secluded, romantic getaways in the North Carolina mountains this fall. Book your romantic couple’s getaway at our Saluda, NC, hotel today!

The Hendersonville Apple Festival in North Carolina

Don’t Miss the Hendersonville Apple Festival

The North Carolina Apple Festival in Hendersonville is one of the signature events in the North Carolina mountains. The event, which takes place over Labor Day Weekend, is a four-day celebration of all things apple – and all things fall in North Carolina. As the Hendersonville Apple Festival rolls around, the streets of Hendersonville come alive with the vibrant colors and aromas of the apple harvest, adding a unique blend of rustic charm and joyous celebration to any mountain getaway. 

Unsurprisingly, the Hendersonville Apple Festival is centered around the annual apple harvest, showcasing the importance of this fall crop to the region. North Carolina is the seventh largest state in apple production, and Hendersonville is the epicenter of the activity, producing around 85% of the state’s apples. Here, you’ll find over 40 different apple varieties and a harvest season that extends from late August through the end of October. 

There are several Upick farms and orchards in the Hendersonville area, in addition to roadside stands. This quintessential fall activity is the perfect way to kick off your apple celebrations at the Hendersonville Apple Festival in North Carolina! Beyond apple picking and tasting as many varieties of apples as you want, the Hendersonville Apple Festival features a lively array of activities, artisans, and vendors. A few key events to look forward to during the Hendersonville Apple Festival include the following: 

  1. One of the most popular parts of the festival is the North Carolina Apple Festival Street Fair, which takes place on the streets of downtown Hendersonville. It features an array of artisans, vendors, and food—a true feast for the senses!
  2. Enjoy small-town fun at the annual North Carolina Apple Festival Parade. 
  3. Join in the fun during the road race, featuring a mini-run, a 5k, and an 8k. 
  4. As a lively backdrop to the Hendersonville Apple Festival, enjoy some of the best local and regional live music performances on the festival stage. 
  5. Don’t miss the Hendersonville Farmer’s Market featuring more than just apples!
  6. The Hendersonville Apple Festival is more than just apples—it also coincides with the annual Gem & Mineral Spectacular, which features jewelers selling gems, minerals, fossils, and jewelry. 
  7. Enjoy the open house at the Western North Carolina Air Museum, and enjoy aircraft rides. 

The festival’s charm lies in its ability to blend the timeless appeal of apple orchards with the vibrancy of a community celebration. As you wander through the bustling streets, with the fragrant scent of apples in the air, you’ll no doubt feel a welcome sense of nostalgia wash over you. When the day is done, retreat to the quiet tranquility of our North Carolina Mountain Retreat.

Fall at the Orchard Inn, one of the most romantic getaways in North Carolina this fall

Plan Your Romantic Getaways in North Carolina

There are far more things to love about North Carolina in the fall than the Hendersonville Apple Festival. As charming as the festival is, one of the best reasons to come to the North Carolina Mounatins this fall is to stay at our top-rated hotel in Saluda.

The Orchard Inn in Saluda, North Carolina, stands as one of the most romantic getaways in North Carolina. Our historic and elegant hotel offers couples an intimate and luxurious retreat amidst the scenic North Carolina mountains. Though historic in nature, our hotel includes all the modern amenities you crave during your getaway and creates a perfect ambiance for couples seeking a rejuvenating retreat.

Guests can enjoy a range of romantic accommodations, each thoughtfully designed to provide comfort and a sense of welcome. From our spacious and luxurious suites featuring breathtaking fall views of the North Carolina Mountains to our private cottages and cozy guest rooms in the main house, you’ll find your perfect home away from home. Regardless of the room, every stay at our secluded, romantic getaway includes a thoughtful array of amenities like fine linens, comfortable beds, an enhanced pillow menu for your best night of sleep,  custom-made eco-friendly toiletries, and so much more. 

Start every morning of your romantic getaways in North Carolina with a delicious, made-from-scratch breakfast in our dining room. Breakfast is complimentary with every stay at our hotel and will include a choice of baked goods and the opportunity to order from the day’s breakfast selections. The menu changes daily and features as many locally grown products as possible, including things sourced from our property.

We also invite you to join us for a delicious and hearty Sunday brunch, not to mention one of the best meals you’ll ever eat at Newman’s Restaurant in the evenings. The North Carolina Mountains are a food-forward destination, and there’s nowhere better to enjoy the regional bounty than Newman’s. Not only is Newman’s one of the best restaurants in Saluda, but it offers a meal with breathtaking views of the Blue Ridge Mountains for a truly unforgettable experience. 

Elevate your romantic getaways in North Carolina further with massages, facials, and other treatments at our onsite spa. This is just one of the many things that sets our hotel apart from other accommodations in the North Carolina mountains. With treatments that use natural products and soothing aromas, guests can enhance their sense of well-being so you leave refreshed and ready for whatever else fall has in store. There’s truly no better place to stay than our secluded and romantic mountain getaway. Book your stay at the Orchard Inn in Saluda, NC, today!