Just over the state line from Charlotte, York County, South Carolina, is a charming Southern getaway offering plenty of things to do in a laid-back, relaxed sort of way. Think walkable downtowns with public art, community-driven festivals, and natural beauty of a kind you won’t find anywhere else.
Even though it’s a suburb of one of the South’s biggest cities, Rock Hill preserves its small-town Americana vibes, and the attractions in and around the city feel off the beaten tourist path. There are some real gems here: the world’s largest blooming of a rare lily, spectacular strawberry ice cream when in season, a bohemian French cafe, a Christmas festival inspired by a whimsical cartoonist.
You’ll also eat well while exploring thanks to the bevy of farm-fresh produce and restaurants turning out fun, flavorful dishes like Cheerwine-braised short ribs.
Here’s everything to see and do on a trip to York County.
Azaleas at Glencairn Garden
What began as the private backyard of a civic-minded couple in the late 1920s today welcomes visitors into 11 acres of lovingly landscaped grounds.
Just a few minutes from downtown Rock Hill, Glencairn Garden shines brightest in late March and April when thousands of azaleas bloom in clusters of white, mauve, magenta, pale rose, and hot pink.
But there’s color year-round. Depending on the season, look for daffodils, daylilies, wisteria, pansies, peonies, crape myrtle, camellias, and roses, plus flowering trees like dogwoods, magnolias, and trees, and cherries. The various fountains add visual interest, and strategically placed benches offer a place to rest as you wander.
Admission is free!
Spider Lilies at Landsford Canal
When the azaleas at Glencairn Garden have faded, another flower takes center stage in neighboring Chester County. This bloom is much rarer. Have you heard of the rocky shoals spider lily?
From mid-May to mid-June, the Catawba River at Landsford Canal State Park sprouts with islets of star-like white blossoms, the largest concentration of this kind of flower in the world.
While you can see them from a viewing platform on the Canal Trail — a 1.5-mile route past canal ruins that’s worth a visit on its own — the best views are from the water. Sign up for a guided tour with NC Outdoor Adventures, and you can step out onto the lily-covered shoals for the most up-close, immersive experience possible.
Your guide will share how to navigate the inflatable kayak (which has a tendency to turn), and then you head down river to the lilies. They form a sort of maze, so you wind your way among them, trying to avoid the rocks, though, never fear, the guide bringing up the rear will dislodge you if you get stuck.
It’s pretty magical, being surrounded by thousands of lilies as you paddle down the river, a true bucket list experience.
Local tip: Stay tuned to the park’s lily watch webpage to see when the lilies are blooming before you go.
U-Pick and Strawberry Ice Cream at Bush-N-Vine
During the warmer months, there’s no better way to start your morning than with a visit to Bush-N-Vine.
The family farm grows around 65 fruits and veggies: broccoli, blueberries, bok choy — you name it. Find what’s fresh that season in their store along with take-home treats like jellies and salsa. Grab lunch or a snack at their cafe and spread out on one of the picnic tables while the kids play with the swings and sandbox.
But whatever you do, don’t skip a swirl of their extraordinary strawberry ice cream. It merits a trip to York County all on its own.
Let’s talk strawberries for a minute. It’s their claim to fame, what they’ve been perfecting since 1979. They harvest them from October to early July with a u-pick season from April through Mother’s Day, weather dependent.
And the berries really are sweeter and juicier than you get in a store. Owner Sam Hall explains it this way: “We grow for taste. At the grocery store, their focus is shelf life, but we’re all about flavor.”
Come summer, you can pick your own blueberries, blackberries, and eventually peaches. By fall, it’s time for pecans and pumpkins.
Save time to explore the hiking trail around the 175-acre property where you can admire the wildflowers or see birds darting out of upcycled birdhouses.
Historic Brattonsville and Nearby Sunflowers
A collection of some 30-odd structures dating from the 1760s to the 1850s, Historic Brattonsville preserves a slice of Carolina Backcountry life on an 800-acre working farm about 12 miles southwest of Rock Hill. Living history interpreters in period clothing show what it was like to work, play, cook, and keep house here during the pivotal years from the American Revolution to the Civil War. There’s a Revolutionary War battlefield site, animals like sheep and Devon cattle, and reenactments and other events throughout the year.
Just down the road is the Draper Wildlife Management Area. The preserve has three lakes for fishing, but you want to go in late June and early July when they have something even better — around 20 acres of sunflowers blooming as merry as you please in two fields. It’s free to visit and easy to add on to your trip to Historic Brattonsville, which allows re-entry the same day if you show your receipt.
Anne Springs Close Greenway
Not far from downtown Fort Mill, the Anne Springs Close Greenway boasts 40 miles of trails spread across 2,100 acres. You’ll find a suspension bridge, lakes and ponds, historic sites like log cabins and a replica grist mill, a handcrafted wooden playground, and even a farm. The cows, goats, alpacas, llamas, and horses accept pets with varying degrees of interest. The rabbits, pigs, and chickens do their thing as you view from a distance.
You’ll want to enter first at the Lake Haigler entrance with its expansive visitors center and maps so you can orient yourself. There’s a nice trail here from the bridge to the dairy barn. To get to the 18-acre children’s farm, you’ll want to drive to the Greenway Stables entrance.
The greenway charges daily admission and hosts special events throughout the year, from concerts to campouts, so be sure to check out their calendar before you go.
ChristmasVille in Rock Hill
Rock Hill goes all out for the most wonderful time of the year.
Held on the first weekend of December, ChristmasVille includes some 70 festive events. Some examples include ice sculpture demonstrations, a gingerbread contest, storytime with Santa, and sledding down Main Street. There’s caroling and calls to the North Pole and spontaneous snow flurries. Pure Christmas joy.
The craft market is crammed with over 80 vendors selling everything from cupcake candles to artisan cutting boards, so you’re sure to find something for that hard-to-buy-for friend.
Another perk, most activities are completely free: wreath tossing, cookie decorating, a parade, a yuletide carnival complete with carousel, Ferris wheel, and inflatables. You can even win free prizes with a gnome-themed scavenger hunt for kids as well as adults. There’s a gnome-themed playground too.
It’s worth mentioning why gnomes crop up so much at ChristmasVille because the casual visitor may be unaware.
The festival was inspired in part by Vernon Grant, the illustrator of Rice Krispies’ famous Snap, Crackle, and Pop characters. You can see his whimsical illustrations all around the festival, including several of Santa. There’s also a mural honoring his work on the side of the York County Library, where you can stop in to make free ornaments.
Come-See-Me Festival
Inspired by the azaleas at Glencairn Garden, the 10-day Come-See-Me Festival coincides with the annual bloom each year in early April. It’s a relaxed affair with small-town vibes. Events include a barbecue cook-off, a teddy bear tea for kids, a parade, a Beach Bash with oldies and food trucks, and more.
If you’ll be in town for the azaleas — and you shouldn’t miss them — check out what events are on. They’ve already started planning for next year.
Old Town Rock Hill
The main downtown to explore is in Rock Hill. Old Town is the hub of ChristmasVille and most events, and it’s lined with quaint shops, vibrant murals, and historic buildings.
The Mercantile, which also has an on-site cafe, is particularly charming as you can see above, and the area is bustling on Saturdays from May to October with the farmers market. Visit on the first Friday of the month to find pop-up markets in little alleyways with eye-catching art of all styles.
Be sure to visit “Jail, No Bail,” which chronicles the saga of the Friendship 9, a group of African-American men arrested after a sit-in at a segregated Rock Hill five-and-dime. The free exhibit is heart-wrenching at times, but it will draw you in and shine a light on a moment in Civil Rights history that most of us don’t know about.
More York County Downtowns
While you’re in the area, it’s fun to stroll through York and Fort Mill. They both have small but cute historic downtowns. York, pictured above, is the smaller of the two but easy to swing by on your way back from Bush-N-Vine.
Stop into the 12,000-square-foot Yorkville Marketplace for vintage finds or visit one of the several boutiques nearby.
Fort Mill often hosts events downtown, and they have several great eateries that you’ll want to check out, so save some time for window shopping while you’re here. There’s even a pottery studio if you want to craft your own masterpiece from clay.
Replay Brewing
Replay Brewing is your go-to spot if you’re seeking a light lager or hoppy IPA. They even offer beer flights if you’re feeling indecisive (or adventurous) and want to try a few brews.
It’s more about the libations here. The food is mainly bar bites like soft pretzels and some rather good hot dogs. But they do have some very fun entertainment by way of throwback arcade games.
Enjoy your drink while crushing Lunar Lander or Space Invaders or other beloved vintage game of choice. Most games are free with your drink, but they also have pinball machines for a nominal fee, except on Monday when pinball is free — and I hear it gets pretty wild.
Where To Eat
When you get hungry between the farms, festivals, and flower fields, here are the York County restaurants you need to try.
The Improper Pig
Sometimes you’re so hungry that only a plate of meat will do. When that happens, slide into a booth at The Improper Pig.
Located in downtown Fort Mill, the kitchen turns out smoked meats of many kinds (chicken, pork, andouille sausage, and brisket) that you can dress with one of the six sauces at your table. They also serve burgers, ribs, steak, wings, ahi tuna, and other fan favorites. Vegans aren’t left out of the fun with smoked tofu platters, a portobello sandwich, and a respectable salad lineup.
Sides are typical Southern comfort fare. You can’t go wrong with the hush puppies or the creamy macaroni and cheese.
While the platters are reasonably portioned, the desserts are shareable, to say the least. The star of the show is the cobbler of the month with seasonal fruit stewed in syrup until it becomes its best self, then topped with a cookie-like crust and ice cream, all served warm in a cast iron skillet.
Poppyseed Kitchen
The line at Poppyseed Kitchen on the weekend will give you an idea how popular their breakfast is. Make a reservation in advance if you can, and prepare to be delighted by the lemon ricotta and blackberry jam stuffed French toast or succulent braised beef brisket with rosemary potato hash and tomato onion jam.
They have healthy options like soup and oatmeal (not your mama’s oatmeal, but a bowlful topped with cheddar, kale, sausage, egg, and a roasted tomato red pepper sauce for a zesty finish.
Try to save room for something from the bakery. It takes their chef three days to make their legendary croissants, so those come highly recommended, but you can’t go wrong with anything in the pastry case.
FM Eatery
For an elegant dinner in downtown Fort Mill, FM Eatery is spot on. Small plates range from bacon-wrapped dates to smoked burrata with sage ginger apricot jam to mussels with smoked tomatoes and chorizo broth.
The best thing on the menu? Probably the fall-off-your-fork tender beef short ribs braised in Cheerwine and studded with flecks of peanut brittle before being cozily settled on a bed of grits. The dessert list is also noteworthy: pots de crème, chocolate banana brulée, and more. Menu items change with the season, so there’s always something new when you go.
If you’re sampling a bit here and there, it adds up (for both your wallet and your stomach), but it’s a thoroughly pleasant culinary adventure that’s well worth the splurge.
Amélie’s French Bakery & Cafe
Born in Charlotte, Amélie’s French Bakery & Cafe has one outpost in South Carolina, and you’ll find it in downtown Rock Hill. Browse macarons, eclairs, and tiny cakes in a rainbow of colors, and then try to choose only two or three to order at the end.
Amélie’s also does soups, salads, and sandwiches. The bread is excellent (they’re a bakery, remember), and coffee is top-notch too.
Head upstairs if the ground level is crowded, and notice all the quirky French-inspired details along the way like Mona Lisa with an eye patch on the Mona Lisa and the glowing Eiffel Tower above a cutout of a 17th-century aristocrat, probably named Louis.
Flipside Restaurant
Brunch at Flipside Restaurant means Southern classics like biscuits and gravy, chicken and waffles, and more than a few dishes with pimento cheese. If you’re feeling fancy, try the lobster omelet or perfectly cooked prime rib. There are also plenty of side options if you want to assemble your own breakfast from sausage, egg, or what have you.
The service is friendly, and the various bright paintings add a touch of elegance to the warm and homey space. They do lunch and dinner too.
Kounter Dining
At the aptly named Kounter, you can sit at the same counter where the Friendship 9 made history back in 1961 (see their story above).
The menu is eclectic, varying from bourbon BBQ nachos to lobster gnocchi to seared scallops with candied bacon jam. Much of it evokes Southern staples but with an elevated twist like the parmesan creamed corn or peanut butter pie with rum caramel.
If you haven’t tried it, order a Cheerwine float, made in the Carolinas.
Blend Riverwalk
While everything above is delicious, you may have noticed it’s not the most low-cal. Sometimes when you travel, you just need a smoothie or something with vegetables. But you also want it to taste good because this is vacation, after all.
Welcome to Blend Riverwalk. This Fort Mill eatery dishes up açai bowls, grain bowls, wraps, salads, smoothies, and more with the freshest ingredients. Caitlin’s Crunch Wrap is popular, the coconut sriracha nicely complementing the slaw, as is Ava’s Summer Special Wrap, with fresh mozzarella, goat cheese, Greek chicken, pesto, tomatoes, couscous, and hummus.
Right outside, the Riverwalk beckons if want to explore along the Catawba River.
Hotels in York County
You’ve got plenty of options for your York County visit. Staying in Rock Hill or Fort Mill will mean you’re central to most attractions, and hotel prices tend to be affordable.
Staybridge Suites in Rock Hill offers full suites with kitchens, handy when you want to wash and pare your Bush-N-Vine berries. Breakfast is complimentary and a decent spread, including healthy options like oatmeal, hard-boiled eggs, and fruit.
Cambria Hotel Fort Mill, pictured above, is more upscale. No free breakfast, but you get better room furnishings and an ultra modern bathroom. There’s still a mini fridge and microwave for those quick in-room snacks.
The Courtyard by Marriott in Fort Mill is comfortable, also equipped with a walk-in shower, microwave, and mini fridge like the Cambria. They have a particularly nice location in Kingsley Village, a 150,000-square-foot mixed-use development home to Replay Brewing and several other restaurants and retailers.
