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Come see a unique collection of airplanes celebrating the Golden Age of General Aviation

April  – October

Wednesdays: 10:00am-5:00pm                                  

Saturdays: 10:00am-5:00pm                                

Sundays: 12:00pm-5:00pm             

 

November – March

Wednesdays: 12:00pm-5:00pm  

Saturdays: 12:00pm-5:00pm

Sundays: 12:00pm-5:00pm

 

Do you remember the roar of a big radial aircraft engine thundering into life?  Or maybe you only have heard about it from Grand Dad’s reminiscences.  Well it is still alive, and you can come hear it again here at the Western North Carolina Air Museum.

Come see what is was like: When airports had grass strips and didn’t have fences. When you could wash the airplanes for a ride, and when you could walk right up to the flight line and see, touch, & smell the excitement, up close & personal… come back in time to the Western North Carolina Air Museum.

If you remember when flying was an event instead of a burden, when climbing into an airplane was more exciting than riding a bus, and when every head turned at the sound of a motor buzzing overhead, then rediscover that excitement at the Western North Carolina Air Museum. Here the excitement lives on. It echoes in the fabric wings of the airplanes that brought it to life.  It floats in the scent of avgas on a plane just returning from a flight.  It lives in the people who show you around and answer questions – most are veterans of that golden age when not everyone knew how to fly, but every kid sure wanted to learn.

Set beside an active airport –  we are more than just a place to look at planes. We’re a place to relive a moment in time that is rapidly passing away. You won’t find airplanes under glass. You won’t find velvet ropes to keep you away. You won’t find guards and ticket sellers and concessionaires.You’ll only find airplanes and people who love them. Many are pilots: Some even own and fly some of the airplanes that are on display. If you’re lucky enough to visit on a day when someone is going up, you might just be able to see a flying  piece of aviation history.

We’re home to a unique collection of airplanes celebrating the Golden Age of Aviation, the decades surrounding the Second World War, when flying commanded the world’s attention and an airplane was in everybody’s future.

A place for flying folks to share memories of a disappearing era. And a place to show the young ones a proper airplane, with taut fabric over wooden spars, a single propeller at the nose, and a little wheel under the tail. We are also a place where you can see the actual restoration of such aircraft, as it is happening and talk to the people doing the work. People who will take the time to answer you questions and explain the work they are doing .

The Western North Carolina Air Museum is a center of living history in the popular Hendersonville – Flat Rock region of the state. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to remember flying the way it used to be. Bring your kids, your camera, and your leather jacket. You can view the airplanes in an hour or so, or spend the afternoon hanger-flying with our friendly, informative staff. We can’t guarantee fine weather, but our hangar doors are open rain and shine. And we can’t guarantee that we’ll be flying on the day you visit, but we do promise to propel your imagination back to the golden age of general aviation. Come for the airplanes. Stay for the memories. There’s plenty of both right here at the Western North Carolina Air Museum.

 

  • October, 7
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Discover That There is More Under Our Feet Than Dirt

Wednesday: 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
 
Thursday: 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
 
Friday: 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
 
Saturday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
ADMISSION is FREE (A donation or Gift Shop purchase is appreciated as these are the primary source of income.)
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The Mineral and Lapidary Museum of Henderson County was founded with the goal of providing a place where people could discover and learn about the beauty and diversity of the world beneath our feet.

The museum’s goal is to be a primary resource for education and information to the community on the earth sciences related to geology and paleontology.

The museum currently features a mix of exhibits that range from specimens of raw minerals in their natural state to polished gemstones and other finished material. The museum also hosts special exhibits of collections on loan.

Among the popular highlights of the exhibits are the displays of minerals found in Henderson County and in the state of North Carolina — which has one of the nation’s most diverse mineral deposits, the exhibit on the Hendersonville meteorite, and the fluorescent mineral display. Also popular, especially with youngsters, are the museum’s displays of fossils which are highlighted by a casting of a tyrannosaurus rex skull, a mastodon tusk and teeth, and a wooly mammoth leg bone.

Visitors to the museum will quickly discover that there is more under our feet than dirt and that there is much more to rocks than most suspect.

The Mineral Museum is a 501(c)(3) non-profit and is volunteer run.

  • October, 7
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Apple Valley Model Railroad Display

Wednesdays 1:00pm-3:00pm

Saturdays 10:00am-2:00pm

Free parking on the streets and FREE admission to Visitors.

The  Apple Valley Model Railroad Club is one of the Top Tourist destinations in Western North Carolina. Our HO layout is located inside the Historic 1902 Hendersonville, N.C. Railroad Depot. It occupies an area of  22’x100’ and has a Western North Carolina setting. Our main yard is Asheville, N.C. where mainline trains run south to Spartanburg, S.C. and east to Spencer, N.C. At Hickory, N.C., the Carolina and  Northwestern railroad departs to an upper level through Lenoir and Mortimer and joins with the W.M. Ritter logging railroad at Edgemont. Our G Scale All-Weather Layout is located outside behind the Depot.

We  use a Digital Command Control (DCC) radio system to control the  railroads. The tall mountainous scenery has view blocks that makes it  necessary for operators to actually walk around and follow their trains  as they progress thru the layout. Track signals are installed to help  members safely operate their trains.

The scenery is complete but  the railroad still requires added details to enhance the overall effect.  Visitors can expect to see a wide variety of locomotives and rolling  stock as the club has a large collection of equipment. Members also  bring their own equipment to run as well.

There  are many aspects of model railroading that involve operation of the  railroad and the model trains in a manner that very nearly replicates  prototype operations. Many model railroaders today, including some of  our members, are particularly interested in this aspect of the hobby. Once a month we conduct prototypical operating sessions.

The club is located in the 1902 Hendersonville depot by the former Southern Rwy route through the famous Saluda Grade on active tracks now used by shortline Blue Ridge Southern RR.  Around the corner are a bakery,  coffee shop, pizza place, restaurants, ice cream shop, coffee shop and two micro-breweries. We are only a few blocks from downtown Hendersonville.

The historic 7th Ave District was the primary commercial area of Hendersonville in its early years.

  • October, 7
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ROLLING FOR READING BOOKMOBILE

September 23, 2024 – May 19, 2025

The Buncombe County Schools Bookmobile is a FREE program where K-5th grade can choose a book to check out from their library each week. Weekly attendance with a book return will be rewarded. Families can participate by visiting one of their community sites labeled with an asterisk below. There is absolutely no pre-enrollment required except that you and your child live in the Buncombe County School District. Their site locations include schools, mobile home parks, apartment complexes and community centers. THE BOOKMOBILE OPERATES ON THE BUNCOMBE COUNTY SCHOOLS SCHEDULE, SO WHEN SCHOOLS ARE OFF, THE BOOKMOBILE DOES NOT RUN.

 

2024 -2025 School Year Schedule (*Locations with an asterisk are open to the community)

MONDAYS ⬇️

  • 8:40 am – Barnardsville Elem. Head Start 
  • 9:25 am – North Buncombe High Preschool  
  • 10:15 am – Weaverville  Primary Head Start 
  • 10:55 am – Childcare Network / North
  • 1:15 pm – Leicester Community Center*
  • 2:45 pm – Village Creek West Apartments*

TUESDAYS ⬇️

  • 8:45 am – Emma EC Pre- K
  • 9:30 am – Johnston Head Start  Class A
  • (Alternating)
  • 9:30 am – Johnston Head Start Class B
  • 10:15 am – Eliada Home CDC NC Pre-K/ 2 Classrooms
  •  (Alternating)
  • 10:15 am – Erwin High Preschool
  • 11:15 am – Sandhill Head Start 
  • 1:15 pm – Bent Creek Community Park*
  • 2:00 pm – Buncombe County Sports Park*
  • 2:45 pm – Mosswood MHP*

WEDNESDAYS ⬇️

  • 8:45 am – Haw Creek Elem. Head Start
  • 9:30 am – The Christine Avery Learning Center at Valley
  • 10:15 am – Black Mtn. Head Start/ Black Mtn EC Pre-K 
  • 11:00 am – Morning Explorers Kindergarten Readiness 
  • 1:15 pm – Lake Tomahawk Park *
  • 2:15 pm – Creative Village Childcare Center
  • 3:00 pm – Collins Early Learning Ctr.

THURSDAYS ⬇️

  • 8:45 am – Haw Creek EC Pre-K 
  • 9:30 am – Reynolds Preschool
  • (Alternating)
  • 9:30 am – Oakley Head Start
  • 10:15 am – Avery’s Creek EC Pre-K
  • 11:00 am – T.C.Roberson Preschool
  • 1:15 pm – Jake Rusher Park*
  • 2:00 pm – Childcare Network South
  • October, 5
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Stroller Mafia Asheville

Remaining active or restarting activity are often a struggle in late pregnancy and the early postpartum period. Parent-­to­-Parent connection is the most ancient and trusted way for people to successfully ease their transition into parenthood. Join other parents and caregivers in this fun and functional workout group aimed at getting and keeping you moving, loving your body as it is, and connecting with one another.

We usually meet at French Broad River Park However if it’s under 40 degrees, raining, or snowing we meet at the Asheville Mall. Be sure to check the Homegrown Babies Facebook Page each Tuesday morning to confirm location.

Running late? No biggie, there will be a gaggle of strollers walking the loop for over an hour!

Bring your pregnant belly, grandparents, partners, strollers and your lovely self to be in community with other folks going through similar things as you!

Toddlers are welcome and can run around safely in the middle field of the loop.
  • October, 5
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WHAT’S HAPPENING AT THE LIBRARIES TODAY

In addition to story times for the little ones (see our calendar for those), our local libraries have several clubs, classes, and other fun programs on their calendars for families with kids of all ages. And, unless they specify that you must register in advance for an event, you won’t likely need a library account with that county to attend them! Visit the events calendars for the numerous library systems we have in our area, below …

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BUNCOMBE COUNTY LIBRARIES … EVENT CALENDAR HERE

  • Black Mountain Library @ 105 N. Dougherty St., Black Mountain, NC 28711 | (828) 250-4756
  • East Asheville Library @ 3 Avon Rd., Asheville | (828) 250-4738
  • Enka-Candler Library @ 1404 Sand Hill Road, Candler, NC 28715 | (828) 250-4758
  • Fairview Library @ 1 Taylor Road, Fairview, NC 28730 | (828) 250-6484
  • Leicester Library @ 1561 Alexander Road, Leicester, NC 28748 | (828) 250-6480
  • North Asheville Library @ 1030 Merrimon Ave., Asheville, NC 28804 | (828) 250-4752
  • Oakley/South Asheville Library @ 749 Fairview Road, Asheville, NC 28803 | (828) 250-4754
  • Pack Memorial Library @ 67 Haywood Street, Asheville, NC 28801 | (828) 250-4700
  • Skyland/South Buncombe Library @ 260 Overlook Road, Asheville, NC 28803 | (828) 250-6488
  • Swannanoa Library @ 101 W. Charleston Ave. Swannanoa, NC 28778 | (828) 250-6486
  • Weaverville Library @ 41 N. Main Street, Weaverville, NC 28787 | (828) 250-6482
  • West Asheville Library @ 942 Haywood Road, Asheville, NC 28806 | (828) 250-4750

HENDERSON COUNTY LIBRARIES … EVENT CALENDAR HERE

  • Main Library @ 301 N Washington St., Hendersonville, NC 28739 | (828) 697-4725
  • Fletcher Library @ 120 Library Road, Fletcher, NC 28732 | (828) 687-1218
  • Edneyville Library @ 2 Firehouse Rd, Hendersonville, NC 28792 | (828) 685-0110
  • Etowah Library @ 101 Brickyard Rd, Etowah, NC 28729 | (828) 891-6577
  • Green River Library @ 50 Green River Rd, Zirconia, NC 28790 | (828) 697-4969
  • Mills River Library @ 124 Town Center Dr., Suite 1, Mills River, NC 28759 | (828) 890-1850

HAYWOOD COUNTY LIBRARIES … EVENT CALENDAR HERE

  • Canton Branch @ 11 Pennsylvania Avenue Canton, NC 28716 | (828) 648-2924
  • Fines Creek Branch @ 190 Fines Creek Road Clyde, NC 28721 | (828) 356-2551
  • Maggie Valley Branch @ 3987 Soco Road Town Hall Maggie Valley, NC 28751 | (828) 356-2541
  • Waynesville Branch @ 678 S Haywood Street Waynesville, NC 28786 | (828) 452-5169

MCDOWELL COUNTY LIBRARIES … EVENT CALENDAR HERE

  • Marion Library @ 90 W Court St, Marion, NC 28752 | (828) 652-3858
  • Old Fort Library @ 65 E Mitchell St, Old Fort, NC 28762 | (828) 668-7111
  • October, 4
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WNC Comic Con

We will have some of the best Comic Book Dealers in the South east attending so you will have tons of comics to choose from, Several toy dealers, Craft Vendors and Great Artist. Lots of other collectibles to choose from like Funko pops and Action Figures.
Gaming cards will be here. Pokemon, MTG, One Piece, Yugioh, and more.


Special Guest Gregbo Watson will be attending. He is one of the Great Comic and Pinup Artist. He is working with great publishers such as Dynamite, Zenescope, MERC, Comics Elite, Ethereal, and Coffin.


Special Guest Matthew Manning will be attending. Matthew K. Manning is the author of dozens of comic books and over 100 prose books. He has written for DC, Marvel, IDW, Skybound, Abrams, Scholastic, Disney, DK Publishing, Insight Editions, Capstone, Andrews/McMeel, Running Press, and several other publishers.


We also have several local artist attending. Come by and check out their prints and get their autograph.You can get your very own sketch from any of these guys as well!


We will have Yoda from Star Wars! Baby Groot from Guardians of the Galaxy. Also The 501st Legion, Mandalorian Mercs Costume Club, and the Klingon Assault Group as well. Bring your camera!
The Ultimate Experience will be back with the costume contest. Costume Contest registration between 11am-12pm. and starts at 2pm. Adult, kids and Group if available categories. Cash prizes given out to top 3.

 

  • October, 2
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Bean to Bar Chocolate Factory Tour

Wed-Sat 11:00am, 1:00pm & 3:00pm
Mon & Tues 11:00am & 1:00pm
Dive into the magical world of bean-to-bar chocolate right here in Asheville by taking a Bean to Bar Chocolate Factory Tour with French Broad Chocolates. Their Bean to Bar Chocolate Factory Tour includes a classroom session about the history of French Broad Chocolate, an overview of cacao farming, a chocolate tasting experience, and a guided viewing of their chocolate factory where guests explore each step of their chocolate-making process, from the roasting of the cacao bean to their tempering of their chocolate bars. During the tour, guests will taste cacao in several forms – roasted bean, bar, and bonbon, and compare and contrast flavor notes in samples of three different chocolate bars.
Tours are approximately 45-55 minutes.
They ask that guests arrive 5-10 minutes before your tour start time to check in at the cafe counter.
❗️Tours are NOT at French Broad Chocolate Lounge in Pack Square. All tours take place at French Broad Chocolate Factory & Cafe, 821 Riverside Drive, Asheville NC 28801.
  • October, 2
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Family Open Studio Session & Playdate with Artists

During the Open Studio Sessions your group will have a nice variety of creative materials set out at our tables plus a demo and some examples to get you going. During the Playdates, your experience will be led by a local artist, who will share tips, techniques and possibilities for creating with a type of medium like collage papers, watercolors for example.

Come unplug, connect & create together

ArtPlay is a collaborative arts and creativity studio/gallery to the River Arts District of Asheville! A place where adults, families and artists gather to create, connect, and learn. They believe all people have imaginative capacities and creative ideas, and that you don’t have to be an artist to create and make. Kids know this intuitively, but as adults, we often need permission to play ~ to experiment, mess around, make mistakes and not worry about the outcome.

When you walk into ArtPlay, you will find local works of art for sale, in addition to immersive, materials-based experiences where we make things together, have fun, and play creatively!

  • October, 2
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Homeschool Field Trip Discount Day

Adventure Activities, Experiential Education & Teambonding Programs are offered to groups of 10 people or more on weekdays during available dates.
Bring your homeschool friends, family or group for an Epic Adventure and savings with our home school discount days!
Choose one or more adventure activities for ages 4 and over: Asheville Treetops Adventure Park (ages 4+), KidZip (ages 4-10), Kolo Bike Park (all ages who can ride a mountain bike)
-Optional STEM NC/SC curriculum programs
-Optional Wilderness Skills Programs
-Optional Team Bonding Facilitated programs
Wed, Thurs, & Fri – November 1 -December 18
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Upcoming Events

Jun
9
Tue
7:00 am Hendersonville Outdoor Skate Park @ Patton Park across from Patton Pool
Hendersonville Outdoor Skate Park @ Patton Park across from Patton Pool
Jun 9 @ 7:00 am – 11:00 pm
Hendersonville Outdoor Skate Park @ Patton Park across from Patton Pool
The City of Hendersonville’s Skate Park is located in Patton Park across from Patton Pool. The skate park is open...
8:00 am 🚜 ASHEVILLE AREA FARMERS MARKETS 🚜 @ all across the Asheville and surrounding area
🚜 ASHEVILLE AREA FARMERS MARKETS 🚜 @ all across the Asheville and surrounding area
Jun 9 @ 8:00 am – 6:00 pm
🚜 ASHEVILLE AREA FARMERS MARKETS 🚜 @ all across the Asheville and surrounding area
We are so lucky to have a bounty of Farmers Markets to choose from in beautiful Asheville and the surrounding...
9:00 am Explore the Whimsical and Magica... @ Bullington Gardens
Explore the Whimsical and Magica... @ Bullington Gardens
Jun 9 @ 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Explore the Whimsical and Magical Fairy Trail @ Bullington Gardens
Open Mondays through Saturdays, 9:00am-4:00pm, June 1st-Aug 31st, 2026 The Fairy Trail at Bullington Gardens in Hendersonville is open for...
9:00 am The GLO Mobile Outreach Bus is r... @ in the Henderson County area
The GLO Mobile Outreach Bus is r... @ in the Henderson County area
Jun 9 @ 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
The GLO Mobile Outreach Bus is rolling to a neighborhood near you! (Check the schedule in the comments) @ in the Henderson County area
The Children & Family Resource Center of Henderson County GLO (Grow Learn Outreach) Mobile supports and enhances kindergarten readiness and transition activities...
10:00 am Discover the beauty of the world... @ Mineral & Lapidary Museum of Henderson County
Discover the beauty of the world... @ Mineral & Lapidary Museum of Henderson County
Jun 9 @ 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Discover the beauty of the world at Mineral & Lapidary Museum of Henderson County @ Mineral & Lapidary Museum of Henderson County | Hendersonville | North Carolina | United States
Mondays-Fridays, 1:00pm-5:00pm Saturdays, 11:00am-5:00pm   The Mineral and Lapidary Museum of Henderson County was founded with the goal of providing...
10:00 am Learn How an Arts and Crafts Ent... @ Biltmore Industries Homespun Museum & Historic Dye House at Historic Grovewood Village
Learn How an Arts and Crafts Ent... @ Biltmore Industries Homespun Museum & Historic Dye House at Historic Grovewood Village
Jun 9 @ 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Learn How an Arts and Crafts Enterprise Grew to Become one of the Largest Producers of Handwoven Wool in the World @ Biltmore Industries Homespun Museum &  Historic Dye House at Historic Grovewood Village | Asheville | North Carolina | United States
Open Daily April through December: 10am – 5pm Closed January through March, Thanksgiving and Christmas Located in the heart of...
10:00 am Toddler Tuesdays (6 and under) @ Ms. Arty Pants Creation Station
Toddler Tuesdays (6 and under) @ Ms. Arty Pants Creation Station
Jun 9 @ 10:00 am – 11:00 am
Toddler Tuesdays (6 and under) @ Ms. Arty Pants Creation Station  | Waynesville | North Carolina | United States
Watch your toddlers create a masterpiece or paint along side them on this special day reserved for them! Toddler Tuesday is...
10:00 am Visit the Prized Collection of H... @ at the Estes-Winn Antique Car Museum at Grovewood Village
Visit the Prized Collection of H... @ at the Estes-Winn Antique Car Museum at Grovewood Village
Jun 9 @ 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Visit the Prized Collection of Harry D. Blomberg's Antique and Vintage Automobiles @ at the Estes-Winn Antique Car Museum at Grovewood Village  | Asheville | North Carolina | United States
Open April through December, Monday-Sunday 10:00am-5:00pm (The museum is closed January – March, Thanksgiving & Christmas) The Estes-Winn Antique Car Museum...
11:00 am $6 Tuesdays @ Smoky Mountain Cinema
$6 Tuesdays @ Smoky Mountain Cinema
Jun 9 @ 11:00 am – 10:00 pm
$6 Tuesdays @ Smoky Mountain Cinema
Tuesday special: Enjoy $6 tickets and $6 popcorn/drink combos all day, any showtime! “Imagine with me: It’s Tuesday, you’ve just...
11:00 am 2026 Regal Summer Movie Express ... @ Regal Cinemas Biltmore Grande 15 & RPX
2026 Regal Summer Movie Express ... @ Regal Cinemas Biltmore Grande 15 & RPX
Jun 9 @ 11:00 am – 1:00 pm
2026 Regal Summer Movie Express series (Rated G or PG) @ Regal Cinemas Biltmore Grande 15 & RPX | Asheville | North Carolina | United States
Every Monday through Thursday, June 1st-Aug 13th: Summer Movie Express at Regal Biltmore Grande in Biltmore Park Town Square. Summer...
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