Downtown Rock Hill

Rock Hill is a small city in the Olde English District of South Carolina approximately 25 miles (40 km) south of Charlotte and 70 miles (110 km) north of Columbia.

Rock Hill is essentially a commuter town and not on many tourists' radar, but does offer numerous outdoor activities and dining options.

Understand

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.

History

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 grew as a town, taking in war refugees, widows and their families, and the return of the men who had left to fight the war. Town life began to become more important than rural life. When the town was incorporated in 1870, most of the merchants in Rock Hill were former Confederate soldiers; many were entrepreneurs who were new to town, trying to start over.

In 1961, Rock Hill was the setting for two significant events in the civil rights movement. In February 1961, the "Friendship Nine", a group of nine African-American men, went to jail at the York County prison farm after staging a sit-in at a segregated lunch counter in downtown Rock Hill. To save money for the movement, they refused to pay bail, inspiring other civil rights groups to do the same. Later, Rock Hill was the first stop in the Deep South for a group of 13 Freedom Riders, who boarded buses in Washington, DC, and headed South to test the court ruling outlawing racial segregation in all interstate public facilities. When the civil rights leader John Lewis and another black man stepped off the bus at Rock Hill, they were beaten by a white mob that was uncontrolled by police, drawing national attention.

Rock Hill has experienced steady growth in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, with the city boundary expanding far beyond its original limits.

Climate

Rock Hill
Climate chart (explanation)
J F M A M J J A S O N D       4     51 31       3.6     57 34       4.4     66 42       3     75 50       3.7     81 59       3.4     88 67       3.8     91 71       3.7     90 70       3.8     83 63       3.7     74 52       3.4     63 43       3.2     54 34 Average max. and min. temperatures in °F Precipitation+Snow totals in inches
Metric conversion J F M A M J J A S O N D       102     11 −1       91     14 1       112     19 6       76     24 10       94     27 15       86     31 19       97     33 22       94     32 21       97     28 17       94     23 11       86     17 6       81     12 1 Average max. and min. temperatures in °C Precipitation+Snow totals in mm

Rock Hill has a humid subtropical climate, characterized by humid summers and cool dry winters. Precipitation does not vary greatly between seasons. July is the hottest month, with an average high temperature of 91 °F (33 °C) and an average low temperature of 71 °F (22 °C). The coldest month of the year is January, when the average high temperature is 51 °F (11 °C) and the average low temperature is 31 °F (−1 °C). The warmest temperature ever recorded in the city was 106 °F (41 °C) in 1983 and tied in 2007. The coldest temperature ever recorded in the city was −4 °F (−20 °C) in 1985. In the summer months, afternoon thunderstorms are typical and are sometimes severe containing strong winds and hail. During the winter months, snowfall is fairly light and rare, only occurring on average one to three times.

Visitor information

• 1 Visitors Center, 375 South Anderson Rd, ☏ +1 803-329-5200, toll-free: +1 888-702-1320, fax: +1 803-329-0145, info@visityorkcounty.com. M–F 8:30AM–5PM, Sa 9AM–2PM. (updated Jul 2017)

Get in

By plane

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.

By car

• 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.

By bus

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.

Get around

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.

See

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. Famous Rock Hill landmark with numerous fountains, trails and blooming gardens (updated Jun 2017)
• 8 Manchester Cinemas, 1935 Cinema Dr (I-77, exit 79, take Dave Lyle to Tinsley Way), ☏ +1 844-462-7342. 14-screen theatre featuring new-release films, plush seating and concessions located in the Manchester Village area. (updated May 2018)

Do

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 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)
• 3 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)
• 4 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)
• 5 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. (updated May 2018)
• Cornhole National Championship Rock Hill Sports and Event Center. Annual event that brings all the best cornhole players to South Carolina for the biggest cornhole weekend of the year.
• Craft Axe Throwing (Axe, Hatchet or Tomahawk Throwing), 274 Columbia Ave, ☏ +1 803 615-5940, rockhill@craftaxethrowing.com. A destination for axe-throwing, tomahawk, and hatchet enthusiasts. Craft beverages are available. Groups and parties welcome. Experts will guide you through axe-throwing, ensuring a safe and entertaining experience for all skill levels. (updated Oct 2023)

Buy

Below is a listing of popular shopping areas in Rock Hill. There are also numerous local and chain stores found in Downtown Rock Hill and other locations along popular roads throughout the city.

• 1 Riverwalk Rock Hill, 1 Herrons Ferry Rd. (updated Jun 2017)
• 2 Rock Hill Galleria, 2300 Dave Lyle Blvd, ☏ +1 803-324-1711. Small mall with anchors such as Belk, JCPenney and Sears along with small specialty shops. (updated Jun 2017)
• 3 Manchester Village, John Ross Pkwy. Shopping area consisting of major anchors such as Target, Dick's, and Best Buy as well as small specialty stores and restaurants. (updated Jun 2017)
• 4 Milwood, 305 Herlong Avenue. Shopping area along Herlong Ave on the northwest side of town featuring an LA Fitness, Talbot’s, Jos. A. Bank, and many other smaller shops and restaurants. (updated May 2018)
• 5 Winthrop Commons, 725 Cherry Road. Shopping center along Cherry Road and across from Winthrop University with numerous shops, restaurants and an organic grocery store. (updated May 2018)

Eat

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.

Southern

• 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 Five & Dine, 135 E Main Street, ☏ +1 803-328-3463. Colorful café at the location of the famous “Friendship Nine” sit-in offering southern dishes, sandwiches and known for its Chicken-n-Waffles. (updated May 2018)

American

• 4 Michael's, 1039 Charlotte Ave, ☏ +1 803-985-3663. Island-themed eatery with Mediterranean and American dishes (updated Jun 2017)
• 5 White Horse, 1022 Camden Ave, ☏ +1 803-328-2172. Casual tavern for American grill fare & casseroles with seats inside & out. (updated Jun 2017)
• 6 Nishie G's, Dilwoth Ln, ☏ +1 803-366-4733. Classic burger joint featuring American and Greek plates. (updated Jun 2017)
• 7 Grumpy Brothers, 295 Herlong Ave (Milwood), ☏ +1 803-328-2226. Unpretentious counter serve restaurant/bakery supplying burgers, sandwiches & bottled beers, plus a patio. (updated May 2018)
• 8 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)
• 9 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)
• 10 The Little Café, 725 Cherry Road #180 (Inside Winthrop Commons), ☏ +1 803-329-1440. Small quaint cafe featuring home-cooked meals, breakfast and known for its down-to-Earth southern hospitality. (updated May 2018)

Breakfast

• 11 The Yolk, 1912 Mount Gallant Rd, ☏ +1 803-792-4449. Sleek, easygoing diner dishing up omelets, pancakes and other breakfast favorites. (updated Jun 2017)
• 12 The Patty Wagon, 135 S Herlong Avenue, ☏ +1 803-366-0026. Upcoming diner featuring quick breakfast bites. (updated Jul 2017)
• 13 Famous Toastery, 2215 India Hook Rd, ☏ +1 803-366-8020. Iconic breakfast spot known for French toast and friendly atmosphere. (updated May 2018)
• 14 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)

Italian

• 15 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)
• 16 Luigi & Son's, 2387 Cherry Road, ☏ +1 803-328-3449. Sit-down Italian restaurant offering traditional family dishes. (updated Jul 2017)
• 17 Ouzo's, 4124 Celanese Rd, ☏ +1 803-366-7800. Local Italian restaurant offering classic Italian & Greek dishes. (updated Aug 2017)

Chinese and Japanese

• 18 Delicacy Chinese Bistro, 1435 Riverchase Blvd, ☏ +1 803-980-1688. Tu–Su 11AM–9PM (closed Mondays). Cozy standby with subtle lighting and traditional Chinese dishes. (updated Jul 2017)
• 19 Fuji Japan, 2455 Cherry Road, ☏ +1 803-327-9940. Upcoming Japanese restaurant featuring hibachi and sushi. (updated Jul 2017)
• 20 Sakura Japanese Steakhouse, 850 Patriot Pkwy, ☏ +1 803-325-1318. Flashy chefs that grill foods tableside with sushi & other Japanese fares. (updated Aug 2017)

Thai

• 21 Thi's Place, 210 E Main Street (Downtown Rock Hill), ☏ +1 803-328-8447. Locally-owned Thai restaurant with quick bites and healthy options. (updated May 2018)
• 22 Sila Thai, 979 N Anderson Rd, ☏ +1 803-980-0048. Fast-service Thai restaurant offering healthy options in a cozy setting. (updated Aug 2017)

Mexican

• 23 Taqueria El Manhatten, 1917 Cherry Road, ☏ +1 803-329-0090. Local Mexican hang-out with small plates, quick bites and plenty of healthy options. (updated Aug 2017)
• 24 Tequila Family Mexican, 1107 Cherry Road, ☏ +1 803-328-9909. Su–Tu 11AM–9PM, W–Sa 11AM–10PM. Family Mexican restaurant serving classic Mexican fare. (updated Aug 2017)

Drink

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.

Coffee shops

• 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 Nova's Bakery & Coffee Shop, 1108 Cherry Road, ☏ +1 803-366-3343. Hip coffee shop featuring a variety of coffee and baked goods. (updated Jul 2017)
• 4 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)

Bars & pubs

• 5 Burgers & Barley, 111 Cherry Rd, ☏ +1 803-328-3926. Trendy brewpub with tasty burgers and Buffalo-style wings. (updated Jun 2017)
• 6 McHales Irish Pub, 122 E Main St (Downtown Rock Hill), ☏ +1 803-329-8580. Traditional Irish pub for both Irish and traditional American plates and brews. (updated Jun 2017)
• 7 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)
• 8 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)
• 9 The Chicken Shak, 1415 E Main Street, ☏ +1 803-327-0234. American restaurant featuring "best chicken in town" along with happy hour specials. (updated Jul 2017)
• 10 Brass Tap, 819 Terrace Park, ☏ +1 803-329-9094. Festive pub with a patio offering myriad beer options and wine with live music. (updated May 2018)

Breweries

• 11 Legal Remedy Brewing, 129 Oakland Ave, ☏ +1 803-324-2337. Industrial-chic haunt for craft beer and classic American food. (updated Jun 2017)
• 12 Rock Hill Brewing Company, 121 Caldwell Street (Downtown Rock Hill), ☏ +1 803-207-9104. Edgy craft beer spot with local brews. (updated May 2018)

Sleep

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.

Manchester Village/Galleria

• 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)

Riverwalk/Cherry Road

• 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)

Connect

Free Wi-Fi

The City of Rock Hill government offers free public wi-fi at various locations around the city. The network will appear under the name, "Rock Hill Rocks" and anyone with a smartphone or computer can access this network at no charge. There is no password needed, just accept the terms and conditions.

There is also free Wi-Fi available at many local restaurants and coffee shops.

Go next

• Charlotte – head over the border to North Carolina's largest city, a dynamic, rapidly growing regional powerhouse.
• Columbia – major city and capital of South Carolina is a straight-shot south along I-77.
• Fort Mill – another Charlotte suburb in South Carolina, just north along I-77.

Routes through Rock Hill

Charlotte ← Fort Mill ←

N  S

→ Columbia → Ends at