As the weather around Rock Hill warms up, thoughts at the Rock Hill Coca-Cola Bottling Company turn to picnic trips. We’ve been a lot of places over the last couple of years. Before we begin traipsing around the Carolina countryside in 2023, let’s review the picnic trips we’ve already taken. Revisit one of these 15 locations, or visit one for the first time.
Landsford Canal
A beautiful and historic location, Landsford Canal makes for a great visit no matter the time of year. The best viewing, though, is in May and June when the rare spider lilies bloom in the river shoals.
Camden
Camden is the place for horses and history. You can also track down all the Boykin Spaniels downtown.
Newberry
The trip to Newberry is worth it, if only for a look at the historic Newberry Opera House, a french Gothic-inspired theater built in 1881.
Sugarloaf Mountain
Sugarloaf Mountain is the main attraction at the Sandhills State Forest. This unusual geological formation rises 100 feet above the rest of the flat terrain. The 60 miles of trails in the State Forest are all realtively easy, so you won’t wear yourself out too much from hiking.
Glendale Shoals Preserve
Most visitors to the Glendale Shoals Preserve go to see the waterfall. Unlike many trips into the mountains to see a waterfall, this one does not include a hike. You can drive right up to the waterfall without any fuss or walking blisters.
Kings Mountain
Along the 1.5 mile paved, self-guided walking trail you will see the terrain of the battle of Kings Mountain and several exhibits that explain what took place. Take the time to learn something new. If all you do is walk the trail, the trip will have been worth it.
Anne Springs Close Greenway
Just a little more than 20 minutes from the middle of Rock Hill, the Anne Springs Close Greenway is the perfect spot for a picnic trip anytime of year. The addition of their new canteen even allows you to stop for a picnic on a whim!
Rose Hill Plantation
The main attraction at the Rose Hill Plantation State Historic Site is the house tour. This building pre-dates the Civil Ware and served as the centerpiece for the plantation. Tours are offered several times a day.
Glencairn Garden
From anywhere in the Rock Hill area, your only a few minutes drive to Glencairn Garden. The gardens are just a few steps away from Winthrop University’s campus and downtown Rock Hill. Each spring Glencarin Garden is showcased in a week-long festival called, Come-See-Me.
Walter Elisha Park
Head downtown Fort Mill, SC to Walter Elisha Park while the SC Strawberry Festival is going on. In 2023, the dates run from April 14-May 2.
Lake Wylie
If you want to be in motion, but also on the water, take your picnic via boat. Lake Wylie crosses the border of North and South Carolina with lots of opportunities to rent canoes, boats, kayaks and more.
Historic Brattonsville
The living history demonstrations at Historic Brattonsville are always engaging and fun for people of every age. With admission to this York County museum site you can see how people lived, worked and played during Colonial times.
McDowell Nature Preserve
Turn your picnic trip into an over-night adventure at the McDowell Nature Preserve campground. Then you can enjoy several picnics for a couple of days.
Andrew Jackson State Park
Andrew Jackson State Park Museum is filled with Revolutionary War artifacts and with items related to Andrew Jackson’s boyhood. You can also tour the cemetery and the historic garden, which is populated with plants that were significat to that period in history.
Museum of York County
When you’ve had all the history and exhibits you can handle, but you’re hungry and want a little more nature, take yourself outside to the Museum of York County’s Nature Trail. You can enjoy your picnic in the shaded area.