Things To Do In Hendersonville

Amid the sprawling halls of Hendersonville Expo Center, outdoor enthusiasts wend through upwards of 100,000 square feet of displays helmed by thousands of local and regional purveyors of outdoor recreational equipment for land and sea. Fleets of RVs and personal watercrafts sit patiently as visitors daydream about future fresh air adventures or daring action movies they could film aboard the crafts. An onsite food court prevents stomachs from interrupting leisurely strolls through the show with whining growls.

An annual celebration of everything athletic, the Music City Sports Festival treats both fans and athletes to a schedule packed with local, regional, and national sports programming and personalities. Instructional clinics anchor the two-day event, inviting kids aged 5–18 to try their hand at traditional sports, such as baseball and tennis, or more niche sports including lacrosse and archery. Away from all the swinging and sprinting, the festival's speaker series showcases current and former pro athletes and coaches. As they speak, attendees gain in-depth insights while getting close enough to their heroes. A host of other activities rounds out the event, from autograph sessions to giveaways, and vendors doling out gear and goodies.

Surveyor, U.S. Senator, U.S. Commissioner for Indian negotiations––plenty of obligations kept General Daniel Smith away from home for long stretches. When time off presented itself, however, he retreated to Rock Castle. Starting in 1784, Daniel built the limestone abode himself over an 11-year period; his family remained there well into the 20th century. The oldest building listed on the National Register of Historic Places in Middle Tennessee, the rechristened Historic Rock Castle now houses numerous authentic period items, from quills to china. On the house's 18-acre property, meanwhile, visitors can hike wooded trails, explore an aromatic herb garden, or gaze upon Old Hickory Lake, the only body of water that can also smoke bacon. The grounds likewise host year-round events, from weddings and live music to historical reenactments.

CrossFit-affiliate gyms usually aren't referred to as gyms. Instead, they're known as boxes, which speaks to the average CrossFit gym's spartan, stripped-down look. They house the most basic equipment—such as barbells, boxes, medicine balls, kettlebells, jump ropes, and pull-up bars—for performing fundamental, yet challenging, exercises, such as such as kettleball swings, squats, and burpees.

The coaches of CrossFit Hendersonville welcome their members to a similar setting, where they uphold the CrossFit mission of offering a balanced health-and-fitness program. Each workout of the day, or WOD, is different from the day before to constantly vary the demands on participants bodies, which develops all aspects of their personal fitness rather than favoring one over another. In addition to the WODs, coaches lead specialty programs, such as foundation classes for those new to CrossFit, ladies-only boot-camp classes, and nutritional guidance for those prone to eating their jump ropes after class.

When budding artists step into Uptown Art, inspiration swarms their minds. Within a lofty, open studio, paintings from past pupils line the walls and easels sit on long tables, waiting to host their next masterpiece. After selecting a theme from the schedule, adult painters tie on an apron, load up a palette with acrylic paints, and sip a BYO beverage for courage before searching within for their inner Picasso and the Lego they swallowed as a child. After two to three hours of socialization, discovery, and instructor guidance, students return home with a masterfully rendered landscape, an abstract still life, or an expressive butterfly. During kids' classes, wee ones gain inspiration and a helping hand from the friendly teachers. Daytime sessions focus on topics fitting for growing minds, such as painting a teddy bear or using shapes to express existential yearning.

Professional photographer Leslie Wilkes captures important moments in clients' lives, whether snapping shots of a newborn or cataloging a wedding. When shooting for events, he takes pictures prolifically, providing clients with a disk of all the high-resolution photos afterward.