Quick answer (as of November 2026) The best things to do in Hendersonville, TN are getting on Old Hickory Lake, touring Historic Rock Castle, playing disc golf at Sanders Ferry Park, walking the greenways and spending an evening at the Streets of Indian Lake. Rock Castle is open April through mid-December, at $10 for adults. The city lists its Christmas Boat Parade for December 5, 2026 and its Christmas Parade for December 6.
Most lists for Hendersonville are written for a weekend visitor. If you're thinking about living here, you want to know what's open on a regular Saturday and what a day on the lake takes. Here's the list, with the address, the hours and the price each place posts.
What are the best things to do in Hendersonville, TN?
The best things to do in Hendersonville, as of November 2026, are on or near Old Hickory Lake.
- Get out on Old Hickory Lake. The Corps of Engineers lists 22,500 acres of water and eight commercial marinas. The city's Mallard Point Boat Launch is on Sanders Ferry.
- Tour Historic Rock Castle. This limestone home at 139 Rock Castle Lane was built in 1784, and the site calls it the oldest home in Middle Tennessee.
- Play 18 holes of disc golf. Sanders Ferry Park has a course, plus a fishing pier, a playground and picnic shelters.
- Walk a greenway. The city's trails start at Memorial Park, Drakes Creek Park and Saundersville Park.
- Spend an evening at the Streets of Indian Lake. The open-air center at 300 Indian Lake Blvd has shops, restaurants and a Regal cinema.
- Trace Johnny and June Carter Cash's Hendersonville. They lived on Old Hickory Lake for 35 years, per Visit Sumner.
- Drive to Bledsoe Creek State Park. It's about 31 minutes northeast on the same lake.
Here's what each place posts.
| Place | Address | Hours or season | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Historic Rock Castle | 139 Rock Castle Lane | April through mid-December. Tuesday to Friday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. | Adults $10, 60 and older $9, ages 5 to 12 $8, active military $9 |
| Sanders Ferry Park | 513 Sanders Ferry Road | No hours posted by the city | No admission posted |
| Drakes Creek Park North | 150 E. Main St. | No hours posted by the city | No admission posted |
| Streets of Indian Lake | 300 Indian Lake Blvd | Most stores Monday to Saturday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., shorter Sundays | Free parking |
| Country Hills Golf Course | 1501 Saundersville Road | Call 615-824-1100 | Call for rates |
| Bledsoe Creek State Park | 400 Zieglers Fort Road, Gallatin | Check the park's page | Free to enter |
What can you do on Old Hickory Lake?
You can boat, fish, picnic or camp, and the Corps says the lake draws millions of visitors a year. I have a friend who owns a short-term rental on the lake, and it's such a fun place to hang out. It's a beautiful part of Tennessee. Sanders Ferry Park and the Mallard Point launch are the city's easiest ways to reach the water. Cages Bend Campground, near Hendersonville and Gallatin, has 43 sites with water and electric hookups, and the Corps' last posted season ran April 1 to October 31.
What is there to see at Historic Rock Castle?
You'll see a Federal-style limestone home overlooking Old Hickory Lake, on a guided tour only. Tours start at 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., with a 3 p.m. tour Tuesday through Friday. The site recommends reservations, says it may close for private events and is closed Thanksgiving weekend, so call before you drive over.
Where are the best parks and greenways in Hendersonville?
Sanders Ferry Park is the biggest draw, and Drakes Creek Park is the best place to start a walk. The city's greenway map shows a 1.1-mile Drakes Creek Park loop, and the Indian Lake Loop starts in the same park. Drakes Creek Park North has fishing, a playground, sand volleyball and picnic shelters.
Where can you see Johnny Cash history in Hendersonville?
Hendersonville Memory Gardens, at 353 East Main Street, is where Johnny and June Carter Cash are buried, per Visit Sumner. Their lakefront house is gone. It burned in 2007 during renovations, and the property is fenced off, so there's nothing to tour.
Is there anything free to do in Hendersonville?
Yes. The city posts no admission for its parks or greenways, and all Tennessee state parks are free to enter. Visit Sumner also lists Monthaven Arts and Cultural Center as a free art museum with rotating exhibits, so check the current show before you go.
What events are in Hendersonville in November and December 2026?
Here's what's posted so far. The city calendar lists its events as all day, so check it for start times.
| Date | Event | Where |
|---|---|---|
| November 8 | Veterans Day Parade | City calendar lists no location |
| November 21 and 22 | Winter Concert Series, $75 | Historic Rock Castle |
| December 5 | Christmas Boat Parade | Mallard Point Boat Launch |
| December 6 | Christmas Parade | Memorial Park |
The Hendersonville Farmers Market runs seasonally at the Streets of Indian Lake, with no dates posted.
How far is Hendersonville from Nashville and Franklin?
Hendersonville is in Sumner County, about 29 minutes and 19.5 road miles from downtown Nashville without traffic. Franklin is about 49 minutes, and Bledsoe Creek State Park about 31, by OpenStreetMap routing with no traffic. Run those drives at your real departure time before you trust them.
What should you check before you move near the lake?
Start with the shoreline, because a house near the water doesn't always come with a dock. Old Hickory Lake is a Corps of Engineers lake, and the Corps decides what can be built along it. My Hendersonville guide covers the dock rules, ZIP codes, property tax and current listings.
Comparing towns? See the towns around Nashville side by side, or read what to do in Murfreesboro and Franklin.
Tell me what you want close to the house and I'll help you narrow it down to the right part of town. DM, text or call 615-392-1186.
Frequently asked questions
What is Hendersonville, TN famous for?
Old Hickory Lake and its music history. Visit Sumner names Johnny and June Carter Cash, Conway Twitty, Roy Orbison and Taylor Swift among the people tied to the city.
Did Taylor Swift live in Hendersonville, TN?
Yes. Visit Sumner says she hails from Hendersonville and that her family moved to be closer to Nashville when she was young.
Is Historic Rock Castle open year-round?
No. The site says it's open April through mid-December, Tuesday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Adult admission is $10 as of November 2026.
Where can you launch a boat in Hendersonville?
The city lists Mallard Point Boat Launch on Sanders Ferry. The Corps of Engineers also lists access areas and eight commercial marinas around Old Hickory Lake.
What county is Hendersonville, TN in?
Hendersonville is in Sumner County, Tennessee. The county seat is Gallatin.
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