On the lookout for a enjoyable, straightforward street journey with children within the Carolinas? York County, South Carolina, packs loads into its small-town Americana cities and scenic countryside. You’ll discover festivals, pick-your-own fruit, walkable downtowns with public artwork, and one of many prettiest spring gardens within the state.
It’s an amazing place to decelerate, discover the outside, and eat nicely whilst you’re at it.
Right here’s what to do on a household journey to York County.
Glencairn Backyard
Late March to early April is one of the best time to go to Glencairn Backyard. You possibly can see 1000’s of azaleas in a variety of colours completely begging for a household portrait. It’s spectacular.
However when you don’t occur to be right here in spring, there’s nonetheless lots to see. In winter, admire the camellias; in early spring, daffodils; in summer time, crape myrtle and daylilies; in fall, sasanquas and pansies.
The paved paths are stroller pleasant, and the numerous fountains and butterflies will delight youngsters. Admission is free!
Festivals
Each spring, Rock Hill welcomes the season with the Come-See-Me Competition, a 10-day affair impressed by the azalea bloom at Glencairn Backyard. There’s a parade, race, film night time, cook-off, fireworks, dwell performances, and far more, together with children’ actions like storytime and a teddy bear tea.
On the Seashore Bash occasion opening weekend, we grabbed a burger from a meals truck and browsed the makers’ market because the band performed throwback hits and children danced on the grass. They actually have a free youngsters’s coloring e-book. Good vibes throughout.
The competition is a should when you’re on the town in April.
For Independence Day, Rock Hill hosts the Crimson, White & BOOM downtown, full with free inflatables and fireworks. When the climate turns — if not cool, a minimum of milder — have a good time autumn on the Fort Mill Fall Competition with music, science, nontraditional scarecrows, face portray, trick-or-treating, hay bale maze, and extra.
Bonus: Visiting Rock Hill in December? Learn my overview of their completely large vacation competition, ChristmasVille.
Landsford Canal State Park
From mid-Might to mid-June, Landsford Canal State Park is suffused with stunning blooms thriving within the fast-moving waters of the Catawba River. That is the rocky shoals spider lily, and the park is dwelling to the biggest focus of this flower on the earth. One of the simplest ways to see it? By kayak.
We signed up for a tour with NC Out of doors Adventures that took us paddling via the lily-covered shoals. You begin within the open river, getting your bearings within the inflatable kayak. The useful guides share navigation suggestions and may nudge you alongside when you get caught on a rock within the shallows. No kayaking expertise is required. Youngsters as younger as 5 are welcome, and older children can paddle their very own boat.
The magic occurs as you observe your information via the mild rapids, after which out of the blue, you’re there, surrounded by lilies. You may get out of your boat and stroll amongst them because the information tells you extra about this uncommon flower. Then you definitely proceed winding your manner via the maze of lilies, simply absorbing this pure spectacle. It’s a bucket record expertise.
NCOA proprietor Christy Thrift agrees. “Paddling via a maze of lilies so far as the eyes can see is really a singular, one-of-a-kind journey!” she says. Of the 20-plus tour choices they provide, the spider lily paddle (now in its thirteenth yr) is her favourite.
They run a number of excursions every day on the weekends, and I extremely advocate reserving as quickly as doable if you wish to go this yr. To see how the lilies are faring, test the park’s lily watch webpage.
When you favor to remain on land, there’s a 1.5-mile Canal Path that results in a viewing platform overlooking the lilies. The path follows the historic canal, with remnants of Nineteenth-century stonework alongside the way in which. It’s a simple hike for all ages and exquisite in any season.
Bush-N-Vine
There’s normally one expertise on a visit that surprises me by how a lot enjoyable I’ve. This time, it was our morning go to to Bush-N-Vine.
The household farm grows round 65 fruits and veggies, which you could find of their retailer together with souvenirs like jams and recipe books. You possibly can simply spend a pair hours right here, letting the youngsters play within the sandbox and on the swings or grabbing lunch of their cafe to take pleasure in on one of many many picnic tables. They serve unbelievable strawberry ice cream that’s simply value a visit to York County by itself.
Strawberry season actually is a superb time to go. They harvest these plump purple berries from October to early July with u-pick working from April via Mom’s Day, climate dependent. In the summertime, you’ll be able to choose your personal blueberries and blackberries (June) and peaches (July). Within the fall, it’s pecans.
Outdated City Rock Hill
There’s heaps to do in Outdated City. I like to recommend a cease on the Heart for the Arts, a couple of household selfies in entrance of the numerous murals, and searching the too cute wares inside The Mercantile.
One must-see is the free “Jail, No Bail” exhibit, which tells the story of the Friendship 9, a gaggle of Black males arrested after a sit-in protest at a segregated Rock Hill five-and-dime. It’s a shifting, heart-wrenching, however finally uplifting saga.
You will discover the indoor exhibit proper subsequent to Kounter, a restaurant that includes the unique counter the place the Friendship 9 sat — learn extra about Kounter beneath.
After absorbing the exhibit, wander down Principal Road for extra procuring or simply to admire the historic structure. Households visiting on Saturdays from Might to October ought to take a look at the farmers marketplace for native meals and artisan creations. Go to for a First Friday as we did and you’ll stumble into pop-up markets (as pictured above) with uncommon, eye-catching artwork.
Anne Springs Shut Greenway
Simply exterior Fort Mill, the Anne Springs Shut Greenway gives households an opportunity to immerse themselves in nature with out venturing removed from city. I’ve visited the park twice. In December, it was quiet with skeletal bushes and funky temps that turned out to be excellent as soon as we bought mountaineering. Within the hotter months, it’s greener, bustling with guests, and the animals are extra energetic too.
Some 40 miles of trails crisscross this 2,100-acre protect. You’ll discover a swinging bridge, lakes and ponds, historic websites like log cabins and a grist mill, and a pure playground. We targeted our go to across the Crandall Bowles Youngsters’s Farm this time, petting the goats, cows, alpacas, and llamas and admiring the horses and lovely rabbits. The farm is included together with your greenway admission, and this park is large enough for a half- and even full-day journey when you’re up for it.
The place To Eat
So many good choices in York County! Hopefully, you didn’t miss the strawberry ice cream shoutout above for Bush N Vine. It’s among the best issues I’ve had right here.
For an upscale dinner with artistic small bites, I like to recommend FM Eatery. Listed below are a couple of extra locations we love.
Breakfast
Flipside Restaurant deserves a leisurely brunch. Go fancy with a lobster omelet or indulgent with the fried rooster and waffle. Their biscuit board is a good way to pattern a couple of of their well-liked biscuits and toppings. Get one for the desk.
There are additionally loads of aspect choices if you wish to assemble your personal breakfast from sausage, egg, or what have you ever.
We beloved the prime rib, completely cooked and moist, and the fruit on the aspect was tremendous recent. I additionally loved my eggs benedict with glorious smoked bacon and asparagus. I splurged on a dessert of orange creamsicle creme brulee with vanilla chantilly cream, in some way decadent however not too candy. I used to be tempted by the hummingbird cake, however we’ll must return!
Lunch
Once we completed our kayaking journey on Saturday, we have been ravenous. The form of hungry the place solely a plate of meat will do. And so we slid right into a desk at The Improper Pig.
This restaurant in walkable downtown Fort Mill serves smoked meats (rooster, pork, andouille sausage, and brisket) plus burgers, ribs, steak, wings, and extra. There are additionally nice choices for vegans, together with smoked tofu and a portobello sandwich.
I began off with a mocktail mule of raspberry, citrus, and ginger beer that complemented the barbecue properly. Then we ordered a platter of sausage and pork, experimenting with the half dozen sauces on the desk to dip and slather at will. The creamy macaroni and cheese, a premium aspect, was well worth the improve, and the token hush pet that got here with our platter was so good, we ordered a aspect of them.
One of many good issues about The Improper Pig is the menu’s selection. My husband is extra the barbecue connoisseur, however I wished one thing gentle, and so they have an amazing salad lineup. I ordered ahi tuna salad, which was lots filling, and so they even have salmon and mahi-mahi.
However there are some eating places the place you end with a dessert that outshines all that got here earlier than. And so it was at The Improper Pig. The banana pudding was large and scrumptious, however the cobbler of the month was perfection: stewed strawberries topped with a thick, cookie-like crust below a scoop of ice cream and served heat in a forged iron skillet. It’s large enough to share.
Dinner
Positioned within the constructing that made historical past in 1961 with the Friendship 9 (see above), Kounter Eating preserves its previous whereas getting artistic with its culinary future. The delicacies is difficult to pin down — I’d say New American with some Southern and worldwide influences.
Assume bourbon BBQ nachos, tuna poke, and lobster gnocchi. I loved the seared scallops with candied bacon jam and a aspect of parmesan creamed corn — each beautiful — and the moderately fancy whipped key lime made for a candy however not too wealthy end. They do have ice cream Cheerwine floats, a Carolinas traditional, so I like to recommend that when you haven’t tried it.
The vibe is upscale informal, with a concentrate on artistic dishes and a stable cocktail menu plus beer and wine. Their location downtown is handy whether or not you’re visiting for a competition or simply window procuring.
Native tip: In addition they have a newly opened speakeasy.
The place We Stayed
We bought one of the best of each worlds and skilled a resort in Rock Hill and Fort Mill.
Staybridge Suites in Rock Hill was our dwelling away from dwelling in the course of the Come-See-Me Competition.
With full suites, it actually was like dwelling. Having a kitchen was helpful so we may wash our strawberries and use the paring knife to skim off the leaves. The room had a glossy, fashionable lavatory and cozy beds with loads of lighting. I’d have barely most popular a bedside desk on each side, however I did respect the a number of retailers shut at hand for charging all our gadgets.
Breakfast was complimentary, which we at all times respect. The buffet-style providing had good selection, together with wholesome choices like oatmeal, hard-boiled eggs, and fruit in addition to the same old cereal, scrambled eggs omelets, sausage, waffles, muffins, and extra. It’s a handy solution to feed the entire household earlier than you begin your day of sightseeing.
Cambria Resort Fort Mill felt extra upscale with stylish room furnishings, arduous flooring, an extremely fashionable lavatory, and a placing uncovered brick wall. However, in fact, breakfast wasn’t included as is normally the case with greater tier resorts. What you’ll be able to’t see within the photograph above is the microwave and fridge, each of which got here in helpful.
We additionally used the health club, which was fairly good with a view onto the pool.
Each resorts have been nice, and I’d keep at both once more once I go to York County — which hopefully will probably be quickly!
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