It’s no mystery why countless musicians, from James Taylor to The Zac Brown Band, have written songs about Carolina. The history, passion, hospitality, and culture that characterize South Carolina captivate all who visit. Rock Hill, South Carolina, with its homemade climate and smiling faces, is a traveler’s dream location. For the city-lovers excited by shows and night-life, Rock Hill is just a short drive away from the bustling metropolitan streets of Charlotte, North Carolina; for those who can think of nothing better than the crispness of mountain air, the Blue Ridge Parkway is only three hours north, and for the ones who prefer sun-kissed faces and watching the waves roll in, Myrtle Beach is the same distance south.
QUARTER FINALIST 2013 FTF TEEN TRAVEL WRITING SCHOLARSHIP
Although the mountains and beach are close, and Charlotte is closer, leaving Rock Hill to have an unforgettable time is by no means necessary. Up for a round of golf under the southern sun? Rock Hill is home to three public golf courses, with over a dozen more just a few miles outside the city. If playing nine doesn’t suit your fancy, Camp Canaan, a local outdoor adventure camp, has a zip line course that certainly will. Find yourself flying back and forth across the Catawba River, capturing mental pictures you just can’t snap from the ground. Other adventures Rock Hill offers for the daring soul include a multitude of 5k charity races, moonlight kayak tours, and hot air balloon rides.
If you happen to be in town during the spring, you will smell the sweet blooms and feel the cool air of a southern comfort zone, but you will also be able to experience Rock Hill’s most famed event: The Come-See-Me Festival. The Come-See-Me Festival, an annual ten day event that has captured the hearts of Rock Hill dwellers for fifty years, is a must on your Carolina to-do list. Activities include Broadway Night, Gourmet Gardens, a parade, & countless live entertainment performances. The festival culminates in a firework show where everyone gathers with blankets and chairs to celebrate the joy of being alive.
In addition to the various outdoor activities Rock Hill has to offer, Rock Hill is also home to The Museum of York County, Winthrop University, and the Center for the Arts. The Museum of York County with its diverse collection of exhibits, from the Vernon Grant Gallery to the planetarium, is sure to create a memorable experience for adults and kids alike. The Center for the Arts hosts a number of concerts and events including the Blues and Jazz Festival, the Juried Competition, and the Underexposed Film Festival.
Before you conclude your stay, make a point to drive through Old Town, the historic downtown area of Rock Hill, complete with shops, restaurants, and of course, Main Street. Something very special exists in the air of an old main street. It might be the fact that no matter how new, old, big, or small your town may be, it has a center. My city not only has a center, it is a center. Rock Hill is at the center of beautiful places to explore; it is a center of a million different ways to feed your cravings, make your adrenaline rush, calm your nerves, or simply make you feel like you’re home. Rock Hill is my home. Come visit anytime.
http://campcanaan.org/
http://www.comeseeme.org/
http://www.onlyinoldtown.com/
http://chmuseums.org/myco/
Dear Reader: This page may contain affiliate links which may earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. Our independent journalism is not influenced by any advertiser or commercial initiative unless it is clearly marked as sponsored content. As travel products change, please be sure to reconfirm all details and stay up to date with current events to ensure a safe and successful trip.
