Still on the fence on wether or not your coming to the wedding? Maybe some of these fun activities will make the trip more exciting for you. Some may be pricey, but many are free!!!
Riverside Riding Stables isn't your typical horseback riding experience. For the more adventurous riders they offer the opportunity to swim with your horse! I haven't done it, so I can't vouch for it, but it sounds cool. They aren't the only horseback riding game in town either. There's also Saddle Up Trail Rides, Cedar Creek Riding Stables, and Sandy Bottom Trail Rides to name a few.
The Biltmore Mansion is one of the more popular attractions the area. The estate lies on 8,000 acres of land and includes seasonal gardens, beautiful architecture, biking, horseback riding, and it's own winery. However, you can't even see the outside without paying to get in and with tickets starting at $49, it's too rich for my blood. (Kids get in free though.) http://www.biltmore.com/visit. Apx. 23 miles from Hendersonville
Do you like a scenic drive? Then the Blue Ridge Parkway is a great way to spend a day (or two). This road winds through the Smokie Mountains from the Carolinas up through Virginia. Not only is the scenery gorgeous, but there are plenty of historical markers and attractions along the way. Check out the interactive map on their website: http://www.blueridgeparkway.org Apx 16 miles from Hendersonville. (FREE)
WATERFALLS!!!! (FREE) This is my favorite thing about the area. There are so many waterfalls in the area and every one of them is a different experience. I have a guidebook I can lend you, but you may want to start in Transylvania County. There are about 250 waterfalls in that county alone! (http://visitwaterfalls.com/adventure/waterfalls.html) PLUS, there's sliding rock which you can actually slide down and a ton of other waterfalls throughout the Smokies (just check the web).
Chimney Rock Park - The last 17 minutes Last of the Mohicans was shot here. The main attractions are Hickory Nut Falls and Chimney Rock, but the park also has hiking, rock climbing, & bird watching. Flock to the Rock is Sept 29 & 30. Ornithologists will guide tours and hold workshops in bird/nature photography from 10-3. It costs $15 a person to get into the park, but it's worth it. Plus, the village has dining & shopping including rock shops.
http://www.chimneyrockpark.com. Apx 18 miles from Hendersonville.
Speaking of movies . . .
Lake Lure is apx 19 miles from Hendersonville and it is where they shot Dirty Dancing. You can even stay at the inn (http://www.lakelure.com). OR
You could take a Hunger Games tour! There are a variety of tours to choose from. Some even feature archery and survival training! http://www.romanticasheville.com/hunger_games.htm
Apple Orchards! Henderson County is the home of almost 30 apple orchards, but don't pick too many apples - we'll have plenty decorating the reception for you to take home. You can also buy apple pies, apple cider donuts, apple fritters, apple turnovers, candy apples, apple cookies, and much, much, more! Some of these orchards feature fun activities for the kids. We'll be getting married at the Justus Orchard which has hay rides and alpacas to pet, so you may want to come early because the hay rides end at 5.
Here's a list of orchards open to the public: http://www.historichendersonville.org/apple_orchards.htm
Here's a list of orchards open to the public: http://www.historichendersonville.org/apple_orchards.htm
Ziplining! Ziplining is really fun and it's not too scary - I've done it and I'm a scaredy cat. There's a lot of different options in the area. Canopy Ridge is the closest. They are 18 miles away from Hendersonville. (http://canopyridgefarm.com) However, if you really want to do it right, Navitat Canopy Adventures has been featured on CNN, the NY Times, and has been called "One of the best in the nation!" by the USA Today. Unfortunately, it's an hour drive, but they have a promotion right now where you could win a trip for two to Los Angeles (to visit yours truly). http://www.navitat.com/asheville 
Asheville has a great disc golf course. Richmond Hills is 27 miles away from Hendersonville in Asheville, but let's face it, you'd probably want to visit Asheville for other stuff anyway, so might as sneak in some disc time. This course features great scenery and a lot of people watching too. You'll find jocks, nerds, hipsters, hippies, and people who know how to throw. This course is well maintained because the holes are actually sponsored by businesses, but it is super hilly. Expect to burn a lot of calories (FREE).
Asheville has a lot of regular golf too. Asheville is actually on of the top destinations for golfers in search of professionally designed courses amidst unforgettable surroundings. Many of them were designed by Hall of Fame Golf Architect, Donald Ross. You can find a list of courses here: http://www.ashevillenc.com/area_info/golf
Architecture is another great reason to make a side trip into Asheville. You find examples Neoclassical, Romanesque Revival, Art Deco, Beaux Arts, Gothic and Spanish Renaissance, with buildings and monuments designed by greats such as Douglas D. Ellington, Richard Sharp Smith and Rafael Guastavino. Among the highlights are the Guastavino-designed Basilica of St. Lawrence, featuring what is reputed to be the largest freestanding elliptical dome in North America, the massive Grove Arcade Public Market, and Ellington’s Art Deco City Hall. A great way to enjoy Asheville's downtown architecture is via the Urban Trail. (FREE) 
Do you like Carl Sandburg? Tour the poet's home for free or pay $5 a person for a guided tour. It's in Flat Rock, only 4 miles from the Mountain Lodge..
Don't forget to peruse Downtown Hendersonville. There are a lot of cool shops, antiques stores, and restaurants to be discovered in town and they have events almost every weekend. September 29 is Old Timey Day from 8AM-2PM. Just head to the County Curb Market for sausage, ham & biscuits cooked on a wood stove, music, an antique display, demonstations and more. http://www.curbmarket.com/
There's even a quilt show the weekend of the wedding: http://www.ashevillequiltguild.org/show.html
Plus there's hiking, shopping, rock climbing, sightseeing, canoeing, trolly touring, museuming, wining (as in drinking wine), and other "-ing"s.
Check out the Asheville visitors website here: http://www.exploreasheville.com/
and the Hendersonville website here: http://www.historichendersonville.org/attractions_hendersonville.htm
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