Attractions
River Park
This pristine 70-acre park along the Catawba River include a picnic area, canoe launch with over 3½ miles of scenic, wooded trails. Trails include the Wetlands Trail–a handicapped accessible boardwalk trail through the wetlands area, the River Trail--a trail along the Catawba River with rubberized surface and handicapped access, and the Waterford Trail connecting River Park to the Waterford Business Park. Additionally, the River Trail connects to the trails at the neighboring Rock Hill Outdoor Center in Riverwalk. River Park is the perfect setting in which to study the delicate balance between man and our natural resources.
Riverwalk Piedmont Medical Center Trail
Rock Hill, SC 29730
This trail is part of the Rock Hill Outdoor Center at Riverwalk, offering scenic views of the Catawba River and a great location for outdoor activities. The paved trail is 10 feet wide and connects to nearby River Park, providing users with a 3.35 mile trip from the end of one park to the other.
Rock Hill BMX Supercross Track
Rock Hill, SC 29730
This facility is the first Olympic-caliber BMX training facility open to the general public on the US East Coast. It has both an amateur and an elite supercross start hill as well as a pump track. Programs are offered to suit all ages and skill levels. Race events are held at the local, regional and international levels.
Rock Hill Criterium Course
Rock Hill, SC 29730
This paved track will provide a safe, enclosed area for recreational and competitive cyclists to enjoy. The venue also boasts ample parking, RV hook ups and offers a vista of the entire track. This new facility complements the current cycling facilities at Riverwalk including seven miles of single track mountain bike trails, the Giordana Velodrome and the Rock Hill BMX Supercross Track. One final cycling venue-- a Cyclocross Course that challenges both cycling and running skills via off-road obstacles--is slated to be developed in the area.
Rock Hill Tennis Center
This facility provides a top notch facility for tennis enthusiasts and tournament play. This facility consists of 10 regulation courts, one championship court, an observation deck, a pro shop, and concession area. Public play, memberships, clinics and lessons are all available. Open 7 days a week; hours vary by season.
Rose Hill Plantation State Historic Site
Offers visitors insight into the upcountry cotton plantation of South Carolina’s “Secession Governor,” William Henry Gist. Rose Hill served as Gist’s primary residence during his tenure as governor and during the tumultuous months of pending Civil War. The house, its furnishings, surrounding gardens and outbuildings document the lifestyle and changes experienced by the Gist family and the enslaved African Americans who occupied the plantation from the antebellum era through Reconstruction. Includes a picnic shelter and hiking trail to the Tyger River. Park hours: 9 am–6 pm daily (no admission fee). Mansion tours: Mar–Oct, daily at 11 am, 1 & 3 pm; Nov–Feb, Thurs–Mon at 11 am, 1 & 3 pm. Fee: $5 adult, $4 students, & $3 SC Seniors. No mansion tours on Thanksgiving Day or Christmas Day. Shelter can be reserved for a fee.
Sanders Peach Farm & Roadside Market
The farm is home to Dorinda "Dori" Sanders, the best-selling author and peach farmer from Filbert. In 1990 her book, Clover, was published for which she received the Lillian Smith Award. Later it was made into a TV movie. Dori's latest novel is entitled Her Own Place. Summer months find her doing what she really loves: farming. She once said, "Farming is who I am. If someone asks me what I do, I say, I'm a farmer. And only later do I say, Oh, and I also do some writing". Often during the growing and harvesting seasons, a lucky traveler can find Dori at the roadside market, autographing books, telling stories and entertaining customers as only she can. A site on the SC Ag + Art Tour. Seasonal during daylight hours, or until the produce runs out.
Skydive! Carolina
Chester, SC 29706
Nationally recognized for its impeccable safety record and customer service. First timers the opportunity to jump in tandem with a professional instructor from 14,000 feet! Training provided prior to jumping. The entire experience is documented with photography and a DVD. RESERVATIONS REQUIRED.
South Carolina Ag + Art Tour
Chester, Chesterfield, Darlington, Fairfield, Florence, Horry, Kershaw, Lancaster, Newberry, Spartanburg, Union and York Counties, SC
This is a free, self-guided tour of designated farms in South Carolina featuring local artisans and farmer's markets. During this tour visitors will have the opportunity to see first-hand where food comes from, watch artists in action and purchase unique items, dance to the melodies of bluegrass and folksongs, and learn more about rural life. The 2018 Tour will be bigger and better than ever, covering 12 South Carolina counties over 4 weekends of fun! Save the dates and remember, there is no admission fee!
South Carolina Railroad Museum
Winnsboro, SC 29180
Offering an hour long train ride that can be enjoyed from a first class dining car, a historical passenger car, a caboose with a real cupola or the newly restored open air car; an array of static display cars including the Guinard brick flat car, various diesel engines and Baldwin steam engine 44; a walk through display train featuring the 100 year old Norfolk business car, a Southern Post Office car, Nickle Plate caboose and more; a museum gallery with historical artifacts ranging from signals to photographs and the station gift shop (t-shirts, train hats, whistles, pins, patches and tons of items for the kids and the adult rail fan). Open Saturdays only: June through August, plus special days in September, November/December and March/April (check website for most up to date schedule). The museum/gift shop and ticket office are open Wednesday-Saturday, 10am-4pm, and on scheduled operating Saturdays (including special event days). Online ticket purchases available.
Steam Engine No. 5 (Edgemoor & Manetta Railroad)
Richburg, SC 29729
This steam locomotive was used continuously from 1941 until 1974 between Edgemoor and Manetta, a 2.5 mile run. The railroad has the distinction of operating the last line-haul, non-tourist short line railroad that used steam. The No. 5, affectionately called the Dinky is now displayed at Richburg Community Park.
Sugarloaf Mountain
Known locally as "The Mountain", Sugarloaf is an unusual geological phenomenon towering 100 feet above the surrounding terrain. Composed of sand, it was at one time capped with ferrous sandstone, much of which has now weathered away. Vegetation on the mountain includes mountain laurel and the diminutive pixie moss, both quite unusual for this area. Quiet, shady seclusion, rustic stone and timber picnic shelters, a fishing lake and nature trail combine with this unique geological formation to make Sugarloaf one of the most popular recreation areas in the sand hills region. Also, bird watching, nature study, primitive camping, and horseback riding. Permit (purchased at Sand Hills State Forest Headquarters) required for all activities except hiking.
Timken Sports Complex
Union, SC 29379
A state-of-the-art softball facility with seven ball fields to accommodate virtually every tournament. This complex has many amenities for players, coaches, and their families. Features a 4,900 square foot North main tower, and a 1,800 square foot South main tower with concessions in each, bleacher sunshades, roomy air conditioned restrooms, family restrooms, a game room, a parent lounge, a fenced playground area for children of all ages, and a press facility.
Union Carnegie Library
Union, SC 29379
Built in 1905 the Carnegie Library was the first library funded in the South Carolina with a grant from the Andrew Carnegie foundation. The Beaux Arts structure was designed by architects Wheeler and Runge who were responsible for the construction of numerous public buildings throughout the Carolinas and Georgia early in the twentieth century. The building features a copper dome, a defining feature of Wheeler and Runge design, interior and exterior columns, a stained glass ceiling and windows, and ornate architectural details. Named Library Journal's Best Small Library of the Year (2009) for service to the community and use of technology to improve services. Also a genealogical research documents covering Union County and the surrounding area. Hours: Monday, Tuesday and Thursday: 9 am-7 pm; Wednesday and Friday: 9 am-6 pm; Saturday: 9 am-3 pm. No paid researchers.
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