13 Awesome Places to Visit in Rock Hill, SC (2024)
You may know Rock Hill as the birthplace of Pepsi-Cola or the setting of Queen Latifah’s 1999 film The Corruptor, but the city of Rock Hill has so much more to offer than famous soft drinks and movies. From amazing restaurants to fun annual festivals and events, this city in York County, South Carolina, has become an amazing place to visit.
13 Best Places to Visit in Rock Hill
To help you learn about the best places to visit in Rock Hill, we list some of the favorites.
1. Cherry Park
Cherry Park is one of the largest parks in the city of Rock Hill and features a playground, walking trails, picnic areas, and a water fountain. Cherry Park is open from 8 am to 8 pm every day of the year. It’s a great place for kids to play or for adults to go for peace. If you need help finding your way around the park, stop by our office at 1801 East Cherry Street, right next to it!
2. Manchester Meadows
Manchester Meadows is one of the best places to visit in Rock Hill. The park has a soccer field, tennis courts, and a basketball court. There are also two ponds on the property where you can fish or relax and enjoy the scenery. It’s perfect for a quick getaway from your busy life!
The cost of admission into the park is very reasonable at only $1 per person and free parking. You’ll have hours of fun while enjoying nature! Manchester Meadows is a great place to go with friends, family, or even solo. So come see what it’s all about, and check out the pond; some ducks may be nearby waiting for you!
3. Glencairn Garden
Glencairn Garden is a beautiful place for a stroll. The garden was originally designed by the famous landscape architect Beatrix Farrand. There are many different types of gardens, including Rose Gardens, Herb Gardens, and Cactus Gardens. One can also enjoy the beauty of the pond and waterfall that runs throughout the center of the grounds. Glencairn Garden is open from 8 am-4 pm Monday through Friday and 8 am-6 pm Saturday and Sunday.
4. Historic Downtown
Historic Downtown is the perfect place for a long walk with your family, friends, or significant other. With its cobblestone streets and beautiful architecture, Historic Downtown invites you back in time. You will find many specialty shops and restaurants that have been around since the 1800s and plenty of outdoor cafes where you can enjoy an ice-cold beverage while taking in all the history around you.
If you’re feeling energetic, take a tour up the staircases at City Hall and enjoy the views of Downtown. You can also visit the Catawba County History Museum, which tells the story of this charming town through permanent and rotating exhibits. It’s located just across from Southern Railway Station.
5. Winthrop University
Winthrop University is a private liberal arts school ranked as one of the best colleges in the south by U.S. News and World Report. Winthrop offers an intimate experience with small classes and a beautiful campus just minutes from downtown Rock Hill, SC. Winthrop University also offers majors in business, communication, art and design, engineering, nursing, social work, and health care administration.
6. Comporium Amphitheater
Comporium Amphitheater is the premier outdoor venue in the Charlotte region. Its beautiful setting on the water makes it the perfect place for concerts and other events. Concerts at Comporium Amphitheater have included artists such as The Rolling Stones and Bob Dylan, among others. Popular theater productions include Peter Pan, A Christmas Carol, and The Music Man.
A park adjacent to the theater features a walking trail that follows the Catawba River and access to fishing areas. Events such as lighted boat rides can be arranged from this park area during certain times of the year.
7. Main Street Children’s Museum
The Main Street Children’s Museum in Rock Hill is a great place for your kids, with interactive and fun exhibits for little ones. They also have a Little Red School House where kids can learn about the alphabet, counting, and more. The museum is open from 9:00 am-5:00 pm Monday through Saturday and from 1:00 pm-5:00 pm on Sundays. Admission is $6 for children ages 1-14 and $4 for those 13 years old or older. Family memberships cost $80 and include 2 adults and up to 3 children. There is free parking at designated spots in the downtown area; otherwise, it’s $3 per hour.
8. Old Town Amphitheater
Old Town Amphitheater in Rock Hill is the largest theater in the United States and has seen some of the most notable bands perform on its stage. The amphitheater has hosted many famous concerts, including Widespread Panic, R.E.M., Barenaked Ladies, and more. In addition to hosting concerts, Old Town Amphitheater also hosts various events throughout the year, including rodeos, fairs, and festivals.
What makes this venue unique is that it can hold up to 12,000 people making it one of the largest theaters in the U.S. What’s not so great about this venue is that it does not have any restrooms or showers available for attendees making for an unpleasant experience before or after your concert. Other than that, if you can get past these two inconveniences, then it should be an amazing experience!
9. Come-See-Me Festival
Rock Hill’s annual Come-See-Me Festival has been bringing people to the town for over 50 years. The Festival is a celebration of the town’s heritage and culture, with food, music, artisans, and various activities for all ages. This year’s event will be held on Saturday, March 4th, from 11 am-4 pm at Central United Methodist Church.
Be sure to stop by during the Festival if you can! An adult must accompany children under 16. The next day features the Jimmie Rodgers Bluegrass Festival. In 1894, James Charles Jimmie Rodgers was born in rural Meridian, Mississippi. He began playing guitar when he was 13 and soon started singing country songs around the Delta region of Mississippi and Tennessee.
10. Carowinds
Carowinds is a theme park with a focus on American culture and the American pastime. It has been the most-visited amusement park in the United States for eleven consecutive years, according to Amusement Today’s annual Golden Ticket Awards publication. Carowinds features twelve themed areas, over 100 rides, shows, and attractions, including 16 roller coasters and three children’s areas.
The park also includes Carolina Cobra, the nation’s only double-launched steel coaster (Goliath at Six Flags Magic Mountain being the only other). The newest attraction added to the lineup is Fury 325, North America’s tallest and fastest Giga coaster, which will surely please thrill seekers! There are plenty of water rides and carousels for families looking for a less intense ride.
11. Fountain Park
Fountain Park has a great view of downtown Rock Hill and is perfect for a picnic on a sunny day. The park hosts concerts, festivals, and other events throughout the year. It also features plenty of green space for playing games or just relaxing. The fountain at the center of the park shoots water up to 20 feet high during nighttime shows.
Fountain Park has a great view of downtown Rock Hill and is perfect for a picnic on a sunny day. The park hosts concerts, festivals, and other events throughout the year.
It also features plenty of green space for playing games or just relaxing. The fountain at the center of the park shoots water up to 20 feet high during nighttime shows.
12. Cedar Crest Park
Cedar Crest Park is the perfect place for a family picnic, with an open field and walking trails that meander through the woods. There’s even a small pond where you can catch bluegills! The best time to visit Cedar Crest Park is during the winter when fewer people are around and it feels like you have your own private retreat.
Cedar Crest Park is bustling with activity during the summer months as sports games happen on the fields, birthday parties happen at the pavilion, and weddings happen all over! As long as you’re not too picky about where you park because parking spaces fill up fast, this park has something for everyone.
13. Escape Eight
Located at the intersection of Highway 14 and Highway 52, Escape Eight is a premier paintball facility that features two large fields, two smaller fields, and an amazing clubhouse. With three separate arenas on the property, you can enjoy various games with your friends or family.
This paintball complex also has many amenities like an indoor lounge with flat screen T.V.s and several tables for hanging out before or after the game. They have a full kitchen with snacks and drinks, including cold watermelon slices!
Conclusion
We hope this blog post has given you a better understanding of the city and its charm. There is so much that the city has to offer, whether you are looking for a new home or just a weekend getaway. It is by no means an exhaustive list of all the great things happening in Rock Hill. So what are you waiting for? Get out there and explore!
