Lodging & Restaurant help, things to do
 

Hi,

My husband and I want to spend a long weekend in the Hendersonville area and attend a play at Flat Rock Playhouse. We are looking for recommendations as to lodging, not motels and restaurants in the area and some other things to do. We will probably have to wait until the first part of December to go as I just had surgery and have to recover first. Are there special Christmas lights in Asheville? We've been to the Biltmore several times, but have not been to the Hendersonville/Flat Rock area.

This forum has been so helpful to us and I thank all of you who have helped.

Nancy

It's been many years since I did a three year stint at Flat Rock, but it is a wonderful area (and a good theatre). Check out The Woodfield Inn if you want something really filled with character. It's just down the road from the Playhouse, and I'm sure they do it up big for Christmas.

Forgot to mention visiting the Carl Sandburg Home in Flat Rock -- rather interesting. You also see the goats in the barn. I once had the unfortunate distinction of sharing the stage with one of his goats (Mr. Sandburg was still alive then and attended our shows) in a children's theatre production of Heidi. The goat peed on stage, it ran into the footlights and they shorted out. Imagine the stench of goat urine frying in a light socket. That's when I learned to never share the stage with animals!

You met Carl Sandburg??? Wow. Was he tall? Somehow I imagine him being tall.

I recommend Flat Rock Village Bakery for coffee, pastries (breakfast) and fantastic brick oven pizza (lunch or early dinner).

Highland Inn (also in Flat Rock) for Sunday brunch...you won't need to eat again that day. AND it's actually good (not spectacular, but good).

Hendersonville itself does not have the same quality of restaurants as does Asheville, IMHO.

You met Mr. Sandburg? He died in 1967. How old are you, Mr. Patrick? Nice to know you must be older than I am

Well, Mama, I was a child star, what can I say? My three summers in Flat Rock were 1966 (with the goat incident), 1967 (and yes, I remember the funeral for Carl Sandburg -- we cancelled our show that day and there were cars for miles), and 1968.

Tall? I don't think so. I always saw him as a sort of pixie looking guy, and it seems he was actually quite short -- but my memory isn't that good. His widow remained a friend of the playhouse until her death -- I'm not sure when that was. Mr. and Mrs. Sandburg once hosted a wonderful picnic for all of us from the playhouse on their farm, they were very gracious and lovely people and always acted like honeymooners, holding hands even in their advanced years -- that much I do remember. I don't know when the home and farm were opened to the public, sometime after Mrs. Sandburg's death, I suspect. I visited it about 10 years or so ago on one of my stops there. Maybe it just had more meaning to me, but it has become a pretty popular visit.

Regarding restaurants in the Hendersonville and Flat Rock area, I suspect Litespeed Chick is right. In my days there it was pretty limited to the old Skyline drive-in and another similar place. It was all brown-bag only in those days, so people liked to be able to sit in their car and drink as they ate. Nothing like sipping your bourbon from the bottle inside a paper bag while munching on a cheeseburger in your car! Once they started serving liquor by the glass things got much better. A couple of years ago, I joined a few of the staff people from the Playhouse (who are still there from my days!) at a wonderful place in Hendersonville for dinner. But unfortunately I have no idea what the name is -- something with a "musical" term as name? Some of the best or at least most atmospheric dining is at some of the mountain "lodges" and "inns" around. Including fine old southern cooking at the above mentioned Woodfield Inn.

When we visited the Carl Sandburg home this past July there were baby goats in the barn - very cool.

I found this post a very interesting as we just moved to this area in August. I am learning from all great suggestions you got already. I don?t have as much information as others but I will share with you what I learned about Flat Rock/Hendersonville area. I will list places that my husband and I already visited or look interesting and we will be visiting them soon.
1. Jackson Park in H-ville has nice walking paths and nature trail
2. Dupont State Forest has many waterfalls, some of them are easily accessible
3. Cascade Lake Recreation area adjacent to DuPont State Forest is a neat place for walking
4. Gorges State Park on route 64 about 20 minutes from Brevard
5. Already mentioned Carl Sandburg House in Flat Rock has not only Sandburg?s house and barn with goats but also miles of hiking trails and walking paths.
6. Flat Rock Playhouse is going to show Oil City Symphony December 1-19 with performances Wednesdays-Sunday.
7. H-ville Public Library has always something going on. Films, concerts, lectures
8. H-ville Symphony Orchestra (very good). December 17th and 18th presents Alfred Reed?s Russian Christmas Music
9. Air Museum in H-ville
10. December 4th - bird walk in Brevard with Transylvania County Bird Club
11. Don?t miss unique white squirrels in Brevard
12. December 4th - Twilight Tour in Brevard
13. Big Bradley Falls located 3.2 miles north from Saluda
14. When in Saluda stop at the Green River BBQ for a great food
15. December 3rd - Downtown of H-ville Gallery Walk - all galleries and studios on Main Street are open until 9 pm
16. Black Bear Coffee Company on Main Street for coffee and to get The New York Times
17. On Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays stop at the Curb Market on Church Street for fresh produce, jellies, flowers, handmade items offered exclusively by residents of Henderson County. On December 4th there will be a special Christmas Open House
18. Historic Johnson Farm on route 191
19. Mineral and Lapidary Museum on Main Street in H-ville
20. Historic Train Depot nicely restored
21. Wolfe?s Angel in Oakdale Cemetery
22. The Arts Center on Main Street
23. Mast General Store
24. December 3rd - Old Fashioned Hendersonville Christmas. Downtown merchants host an open house with refreshments and entertainment
25. Porter Music Center in Brevard College has great music programs with well known orchestras, singers, groups

As to places to eat we visited only a few so far.
On Main Street in H-ville we had very good meals at these restaurants:
1. Gypsy Cab Company
2. Expressions
3. Charleston Grill

On Washington Street just a couple blocks down from the library we had an excellent lunch at Sinbad Restaurant which serves Mediterranean food with nice ambience and wonderful owners. At least one of the owners is Lebanese.

We had a very disappointing dinner at the Highland Lake Inn. We heard many nice things about it and decided to celebrate our anniversary there. Maybe this terrible food they served us had something to do with a new manager who previously managed Taco Bells.

Stop at the Visitor Center on Main Street where you will find tons of information.
Nancy, if you have any questions about a specific place to stay I can check it our for you. That's if you want me to. Our house is being build in Flat Rock so we are there almost every day.

Can someone explain to me how all these question marks got to my post?

Litespeed_Chick, thanks for recommending Flat Rock Village Bakery. We will stop there as soon as we get rid off all flooded roads around here

Hi Wildflower,
Wow! Thanks for all the ideas. I think we're going to try and be there when Hendersonville has their Christmsas parade. Are there places to stay right downtown on Main Stret or a couple of blocks away where we could just walk to the parade. We'll definitely get tickets to the Flat Rock Playhouse.

Thanks to all who have posted. You help make our trips so enjoyable and stress free.

Nancy

One place no one has mentioned yet is the Copper Crest Resort. It recently opened in the restored Osceola Lake Inn, which originally opened in the early 1900's, and continued to do operate up until some time in the 50's or 60's.

I hear it's quite the place. It's sort of Hendersonville's answer to the Grove Park Inn. Copper Crest's restaurant is called, I believe, The Leaves, and is supposed to be quite good.

Here's their website:

www.coppercrestresort.com

Nancy, I will get back to you as soon as I get some reliable information about hotels right in H-ville. I don't think you should worry about parking. It is easy and plentiful as long as you won't count on parking on Main Street.

Patrick, can you give me more details about restaurant in H-ville with a "musical" term as name? I would like to find this place.

Litespeed_Chick, is Flat Rock Village Bakery located right on a route 25 in Flat Rock? We drove by today and I did not see this place. I have to admitt I did not look too hard as we went to see any potential damage to our house from strong winds related to Ivan. So many trees down on route 25 in Flat Rock. There is also a huge tree down next to the wall which is going to be a part of our bedroom.

Hauntedheadnc, thanks and good to know this.

Oh yes... you were asking about places to stay right on or near Main Street in Hendersonville. There are three inns in the downtown area -- the Inn on Church Street, the Waverly Inn, and the Claddagh (I think I spelled that correctly) Inn.

Church Street runs parallel to Main to the west, while the Claddagh and Waverly are on North Main Street, across from St. James Episcopal Church. Boyd Park, with tennis courts, if it's warm enough, is across 8th Avenue from the Waverly as well.

Though I've never personally tried it, the Inn on Church Street is supposed to have a superb dining room.

When I saw Wildflower's post, I realized that Expressions is the good place we had dinner in Hendersonville. Forget what I said about a musical term -- well, somehow I was putting expression and music together, so maybe I'm not toooooooo far off.

Thanks Patrick

Nancy, check these two websites:
www.dhinc.org
www.historichendersonville.com (click on Attractions, then December and you'll get more ideas)
Click also on Inns/B&B to find links to all places mentioned here by Patrick, Litespeed_Chick and Huntedheadnc

Check out www.marymillscoxeinn.com

Wildflower: Sorry, I should have mentioned that the FR Village Bakery is found in the back of the Wrinkled Egg (the little gift shop across the street from Carl Sandburg) It's weird to have a great place to eat in the back of a frou-frou store, but there it is!

They were closed when I drove by Sat...no power.

How long ago did you eat at Highland Inn? I have always enjoyed brunch there, but I have never been for a regular order-off-the-menu dinner. If you ever feel up to trying it again, go for brunch. Then again, it's possible that you and I have differing tastes, because I didn't care for Green River BBQ and Gypsy Cab co. I agree about Expressions, though. Another brunch I recommend is Stone Soup on Hwy 14 not far off I-26 going toward Landrum.

AND, have you tried Wildflour Bakery in Saldua? Very good sticky buns, bread, lunches.
Good luck w/ your house, you picked a great area to move to!

Hello,

I've been looking at the Woodfield Inn in Flat Rock because we want to go to the Flat Rock Playhouse. Does anyone know if it is a good place to stay?

Thanks for the suggestions. I'm pretty sure I'll make reservatons at Expressions.

Nancy

I guess you mean other than me,
since that was my recommendation at the top of this thread?

Two reviews -- one quite complete, one not-so.

http://www.epinions.com/content_130770767492

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserR..._Carolina.html

Hi Patrick,

Thanks so much for the links to check out the Woodfield Inn. Have you ever stayed there? I understand it is under new management. I appreciate your help.

Nancy

Anyone stayed in Holiday Inn Express in Flat Rock?

I only stayed at the Woodfield Inn for a single night when visiting -- probably 30 years ago, and it was delightful then, but I've been back for dinner a couple of times since and I know it has been constantly "upgraded" and improved. When I was at the Playhouse, we had an annual tea there hosted by the 'Grand Dame' who owned the place, a Mrs. Clements I believe, who was right out of a Gothic novel. I have no idea who owns and manages the place these days. But it is so filled with history -- the oldest Inn in North Carolina.

Incognito, a Holiday Inn Express is a Holiday Inn Express. Do you have a specific question regarding it or its location?

Patrick, how far is HIE from the Flat Rock Playhouse? Is it possible to walk there?

No way. The Holiday Inn Express is right off the interstate, I'm guessing a good 5 miles or so of windy smallish road to the Playhouse. This is not a walking area, by the way.
Realize that there is no real "town" of Flat Rock, other than a couple of little stores very close to the Playhouse. It is more of a spread out country area, and the Holiday Inn Express is at the "Flat Rock" exit, but hardly what I'd call really being in Flat Rock.

I got curious so just checked the HIExpress site and see they say it is 3.86 miles from the Playhouse. Seems further, and certainly not roads I'd want to be walking on.

Litespeed_Chick, we got to this place today but it is closed until September 26, the owners are on vacation. Also St. John in the Wilderness is closed but Woodfield Inn is open although they do not have any guests right now. There was lots of damage to the roof and six rooms on the third floor. They have a whole crew working there.
We are thinking about having branch one Sunday in the Highland Lake Inn. Hope it will be better than our dinner on August 23rd.
Is Wildflour Bakery in Saldua on Main Street? Thank you for all your suggestions. Please post here any other ideas you may recall. I greatly appreciate all your help. Thanks again

I live in Asheville but enjoy going to H-ville occasionally. Have dined at Inn on Church St. for lunches and it is very good and rooms are unique. You will enjoy strolling around downtown H-ville but should make a point of getting to Asheville as well. I would come up one chilly afternoon and do hot chocolate or a drink in front of the huge fireplace in the Grove Park Inn - that always puts me in the mood for the holidays.

Are room at Woddfield inn very small and dark?

I's say "heavy" but not necessarily dark. And the rooms vary in size, but I would say most are larger than typical New York hotel rooms. Have you looked at the pictures on their website?

Litespeed_Chick, we finally had a lunch at the Flat Rock Bakery. It was wonderful. Thank you for recommening this place. Did you ever eat at the Southside Cafe in Arden? Great food and service.

Oh, I'm so glad you liked it! I was there twice over the weekend, once for coffee and scones on Fri and once for pizza on Sat.

I also went to Fountain of Youth day spa on Kanuga Rd. and had a nice, reasonably priced facial.

I'm not sure about Southside Cafe. Is it in a building that seems like it was formerly a fast-food place?

Do you happen to know if Expressions has lunch on Saturdays now? Thanks.

Nancy, where are you staying in Hendersonville/Flat Rock? We are going to be there in December and looking for a neat historic hotel

We will be staying at the Woodfield Inn in Flat Rock. Their website is www.woodfieldinn.com.

We love the area, but have not stayed here before.

Have you?

Nancy

Litespeed_Chick, we just returned home from our brief visit to West Virginia and Kentucky but I will take a drive today on Main Street in Hendersonville to find out about lunch on Saturdays at Expressions.
Southside Cafe is located at the Dingle Creek Center on route 25 going North. Here is a phone number 828-274-4413. I am ready to try Fountain of Youth sometime next week. Thank you

Nancy, we recently visited Woodfiled Inn. The roof is on, rooms are ready for guests. We looked at many different rooms. Some of them are very small and dark. I wouldn't go for a room that has small glass in the doors leading to the balcony all along second floor of the inn. The balcony is accessible to all guests. These rooms seems too dark. We liked room #21 but it has two beds so I don't think you want anything like that. The grounds are beautiful at this time of the year. We are planning to return there for dinner. The Woodfield Inn is about 5 minutes drive to Main Street in Hendersonville and 2 minutes to our house. Have a great time and do not forget to have a dinner at the Expressions on Main Street.

Thanks so much for the information on Woodfield Inn. I'm going to call and talk with them about our room. I am very grateful. Nancy

Litespeed_Chick, Expressions is open for lunch on Saturdays.
On Sunday they serve only branch, no dinner.