Rock Hill, SC Road Trips

Rock Hill is a city of around 75,000 along the Catawba River in the north-central section of the Piedmont of South Carolina about 150 miles (240 km) from the Atlantic Ocean and 75 miles (121 km) from the Blue Ridge Mountains. Succeeding cultures of indigenous peoples lived in the region for thousands of years, including the historic Catawba Indian Nation, whose members live near Rock Hill and form the only tribe in South Carolina that is federally recognized. Rock Hill became a town in the mid-1800s with the arrival of a rail line through the area. According to some accounts, the engineers marked the spot on the map and named it "Rocky Hill". The first passenger train arrived in 1852, and the first Rock Hill Post Office opened a few weeks later. Now that the town had a name, a railroad station, and a post office, it began to draw more settlers to the area. The rail line is still in use for freight transport, but passenger service is not available. At the beginning of the American Civil War, about half of Rock Hill's inhabitants were slaves, integral to local cotton production. Due to its position on the railroad, Rock Hill became a transfer point for Confederate soldiers and supplies moving to and from the front. When General Lee surrendered at the Appomattox Court House, it was a future Rock Hill resident who was responsible for waving the white flag: Captain Robert Moorman Sims, sent to inform Union troops that the Confederate troops wanted a truce. The Civil War changed Rock Hill tremendously, like elsewhere in the South.

Rock Hill is a historic city with a rich history of arts and culture. In its downtown, there are a variety of museums and art galleries. There are also thirty-one parks located throughout the city which offer miles of green, shaded trails and athletic fields. 1 Downtown Rock Hill, 154 E Main St (I-77, exit 79, take W Dave Lyle Blvd.). Twelve historic contiguous buildings built between 1870 and 1931 with a few shops, museums, restaurants, museums, and a park featuring a large fountain and benches. (updated May 2018) 2 Riverwalk Rock Hill, 1 Herrons Ferry Rd (I-77, exit 79, take W Dave Lyle Blvd). A mixed-use community consisting of specialty shops, restaurants and hiking trails located along the Catawba River. (updated Jun 2017) 3 York County Museum, 4620 Mt Gallant Rd (I-77, exit 82-C, take Celanese Rd to W Mt Gallant Rd.), ☏ +1 803-329-2121. Natural history museum minutes away from downtown Rock Hill. (updated Jun 2017) 4 Cherry Park, 1466 Cherry Rd (I-77, exit 82-B, take S Cherry Rd). Vast green spaces with a 1.5-mile trail, picnic areas and numerous athletic fields on 70 acres of land. (updated Jun 2017) 5 Manchester Meadows, 337 E Mt Gallant Rd (I-77, exit 79 follow John Ross Pkwy.). Soccer complex with large green open space and running trails. (updated Jun 2017) 6 Ebenezer Park, 4490 Boatshore Rd (I-77, exit 82-C, follow Celanese Rd to W Mount Gallant Rd.). Large lakefront park with boat ramps, picnic areas and a 2-acre beach. (updated Jun 2017) 7 Glencairn Garden, 725 Crest Street (I-77, exit 79, take Dave Lyle to Charlotte Ave.), ☏ +1 803-329-5620.

There are numerous outdoor activities to do in Rock Hill including hiking, biking, kayaking and zip-lining. Aside from outdoor activities, there are also indoor activities including bowling, movies and an indoor trampoline park. The city also hosts the Come See Me Festival, a spring festival which attracts people from across the state. 1 Come See Me Festival, 725 Crest Street, toll-free: +1-800-681-7635. Spring every year. Rock Hill's annual spring festival, celebrated for over 50 years, with music, food, and lots of activities and events. (updated Jun 2017) 2 Shakespeare Carolina. M-Th 6PM-midnight, F Sa 9AM-6PM. Founded in 1997, they produce Shakespeare plays during the summer. 3 Pinetuck Public Golf Course, 2578 Tuckaway Rd (I-77, exit 73, travel S Hwy 901), ☏ +1 803-327-1141. Public golf course ten minutes from downtown Rock Hill. (updated Jun 2017) 4 Canaan Zip-lining, 3111 Sand Island Rd (I-77, exit 82-C, Celeanese to Mt Gallant to Sand Island Rd.), ☏ +1 803-327-6932. Scenic canopy tours of the Catawba River minutes from downtown Rock Hill. (updated Jul 2017) 5 Rock Hill Tennis Center, 897 Maplewood Lane, ☏ +1 803-326-3841. Tennis center with eleven full-size tennis courts along Cherry Road. (updated May 2018) 6 Rock Hill Outdoor Center, Herrons Ferry Road (I-77 exit 82, north on Cherry Road, right in Riverwalk Pkwy.), ☏ +1 803-329-5632. Major outdoor sports complex with hiking and mountain bike trails, soccer fields, open spaces, a world-class velodrome and BMX course, and a planned outdoor rock-climbing course.

Beyond the popular restaurants listed below, dining options include numerous local and national chains along major corridors such as Celanese Road, Dave Lyle Boulevard, Cherry Road and Heckle Boulevard. 1 Flipside, 129 Caldwell St (Downtown Rock Hill), ☏ +1 803-324-3547. Relaxed bistro with a cool vibe featuring a Southern-style menu, specialty cocktails and brews on-tap. (updated May 2018) 2 The Pumphouse, 575 Herrons Ferry Rd (Riverwalk Rock Hill), ☏ +1 803-329-8888. Sophisticated, riverfront outpost featuring New American cuisine, craft cocktails and a rooftop bar. (updated May 2018) 3 Nishie G's, Dilwoth Ln, ☏ +1 803-366-4733. Classic burger joint featuring American and Greek plates. (updated Jun 2017) 4 Dixie Pig BBQ, 2007 Celanese Rd, ☏ +1 803-324-3116. Intimate locale serving familiar barbecue grub such as pulled pork & ribs in low-key surrounds. (updated Jun 2017) 5 Sonny's Dutch Mill, 550 N Anderson Rd, ☏ +1 803-324-3663. Casual diner serving home-cut fries and juicy burgers that are proclaimed as being, “best burgers in town.” (updated May 2018) 6 Anna J's, 135 S Herlong Avenue, ☏ +1 803-366-0026. 7 Eggs Up Grill, 2732 Celanese Road, ☏ +1 803-327-3447. South Carolina chain offering breakfast, burgers and sandwiches in a colorful beach-setting. (updated May 2018) 8 Empire Pizza & Bar, 4810 Old York Rd, ☏ +1 803-985-2337. Sporty pizza parlor offering hand-tossed New York-style pies in an upbeat setting. (updated Jun 2017) 9 Rizzo Brothers, 2387 Cherry Road, ☏ +1 803-328-3449.

There are quite a few options for coffee, bars and breweries in Rock Hill. Most of the coffee shops are located in the downtown area of Rock Hill while bars and breweries are located throughout the city. There are also chain coffee retailers and bars located along major corridors including Celeaneae Road, Dave Lyle Boulevard, Cherry Road and Heckle Boulevard. 1 Amélie's Bakery & Café, 157 E Main Street (Downtown Rock Hill), ☏ +1 803-403-9409. French cafe offering counter-serve coffee and freshly baked goods. (updated May 2018) 2 Grapevine Café, 829 Terrace Park (Rock Hill Riverwalk), ☏ +1 803-802-9463. Cozy café featuring small plates, coffee as well as beer and wine. (updated Jul 2017) 3 Knowledge Perk Coffee, 130 W White Street (Downtown Rock Hill), ☏ +1 803-327-7375. Cozy, casual, fast-service coffee shop with locally brewed coffee and espresso. (updated May 2018) 4 Burgers & Barley, 111 Cherry Rd, ☏ +1 803-328-3926. Trendy brewpub with tasty burgers and Buffalo-style wings. (updated Jun 2017) 5 Millstone Pizza & Taphouse, 121 Caldwell Street (Downtown Rock Hill), ☏ +1 803-980-2337. Low-key venue featuring more than 40 craft beers, plus thin-crust Neapolitan style pizza. (updated Jun 2017) 6 Time Out Sports Bar, 131 S Herlong Avenue, ☏ +1 803-327-3272. Low-key bar featuring burgers, chicken tenders and great for groups. (updated Jul 2017) 7 Legal Remedy Brewing, 129 Oakland Ave, ☏ +1 803-324-2337. Industrial-chic haunt for craft beer and classic American food.

Below is a listing of popular accommodations in the city. However, there are also many more budget motels located in the Riverwalk/Cherry Road area of Rock Hill. 1 Hilton Garden Inn, 650 Tinsley Way (I-77, exit 79, take Tinsley Way), ☏ +1 803-325-2800. Modern hotel with an outdoor pool, hot tub, and business center. $199. (updated Jun 2017) 2 Hampton Inn, 2111 Tabor Drive (I-77, exit 79, take Galleria Blvd to Tabor Drive.), ☏ +1 803-325-1100. Contemporary lodging with free hot breakfast and wi-fi with an outdoor pool and fitness center. $199. (updated Jun 2017) 3 Comfort Suites, 1323 Old Springdale Rd (I-77, exit 79, follow W Dave Lyle Blvd to Springdale Rd), ☏ +1 803-326-3300. Traditional all-suite hotel with an indoor pool and gym. $119. (updated Jun 2017) 4 Holiday Inn, 503 Galleria Blvd (I-77, exit 79, follow Galleria Blvd.), ☏ +1 803-323-1900. Contemporary hotel featuring a casual restaurant, fitness center and indoor pool. $119. (updated Aug 2017) 5 Hilton Home2 Suites, 1285 Old Springdale Rd (I-77, exit 79, follow Dave Lyle to Springdale Rd, follow traffic circle to Old Springdale Rd.), ☏ +1 803-980-6000. Bright studio & suites with kitchenettes, a gym, indoor pool and outdoor grills. $119. (updated Aug 2017) 6 Courtyard Marriott, 1300 River Run Court (I-77, take Rock Hill/York exit 82-C, follow Riverchase Blvd to River Run Court.), ☏ +1 803 324-1400. Straightforward hotel with contemporary rooms, an indoor pool and business center. $129. (updated Aug 2017)

The nearest major airport is Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT IATA) in Charlotte. For private flights, Rock Hill also has a general aviation airport, Rock Hill–York County Airport. From Charlotte and Columbia: Take I-77 to exit number 79 and follow Dave Lyle Blvd. From Greenville and Atlanta: Take I-85 to exit number 109 and follow South Carolina HWY 5. The 82x bus operated by Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) offers service from Charlotte to Rock Hill. Geared towards commuters, it goes from Rock Hill to Charlotte in the morning and from Charlotte to Rock Hill in the late afternoon. This schedule makes it usable for going to Rock Hill to spend a night or more, but not for a day trip.

Downtown Rock Hill is easily accessible by foot, but the majority of Rock Hill is best accessed by car or bike. Rock Hill is a bicycle-friendly town with numerous bike routes located in the city – maps and other information are available from the city's website. My Ride is a free local bus system operating 7AM–7PM Monday–Saturday.