Take a day trip to Rock Hill: 25+ things to eat, drink and do
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
The Pump House in Rock Hill — ask to sit outside for a view of the Catawba River. Photo: McKenzie Rankin/Axios
Drive 20 miles south of Charlotte, just over the state line, and you'll find the charming, expanding city of Rock Hill, South Carolina.
By the numbers: With 75,000 residents, Rock Hill is the largest city in York County, which includes the nearby suburb Fort Mill.
The vibe: Rock Hill combines the charm of a small town with the vibrancy of a growing city. In recent years, numerous Charlotte-based businesses have expanded into Rock Hill, further establishing it as a destination in its own right.
Here are more than 25 ways to eat, drink, and explore Rock Hill — ideas for whether you're visiting for the day or just passing through.
Caffeinate
Grab a seasonal latte and sip and stay a while at these locally owned coffee shops.
Rock Hill Coffee: A specialty coffee roaster and cafe downtown — a great spot to fuel up before strolling around Main Street.
- Stop by: 139 E Main St.
Knowledge Perk Coffee Company: A small batch roastery with cafes throughout South Carolina, plus a location inside Bank of America Stadium and another opening soon inside Latta Arcade in Uptown.
- Stop by: 130 W White St,
Eat & Drink
From no-frills BBQ spots like The Dixie Pig to ginormous chicken sammies from Kounter and riverfront dining at The Pump House, Rock Hill is a foodie's dream.
Kounter: This historic downtown restaurant honors the original 1960s lunch counter where nine Black college students were arrested during a sit-in, becoming the first protestors to serve jail time during the Civil Rights Movement.
- Stop by: 135 E Main St.
Old Town Kitchen & Cocktails: A neighborhood spot from the team behind The Goodyear House serving American fare in a library-inspired setting.
- Stop by: 300 Technology Center Way
Hobo's: A popular local spot for burgers, shakes and brews.
- Stop by: 520 Cherry Road
The Power House: A mixed-use development near Winthrop University, featuring a food hall, brewery (Middle James), restaurant and apartment complex.
- Stop by: 378 Technology Center Way
The Dixie Pig: This Rock Hill staple is a must-visit for classic BBQ and southern comfort food in a laid-back setting,
- Stop by: 2007 Celanese Road
Dank Burrito: Find burritos, bowls, tacos and more at this fast-casual Mexican restaurant.
- Stop by: 343 Technology Center Way
The Pump House: A three-story New American restaurant housed in a World War II-era pump house overlooking the Catawba River — a great spot for a post Riverwalk meal.
- Stop by: 575 Herrons Ferry Road
Grab an adult bevvy
Hoppin': The Charlotte-based taproom and cocktail bar opened its Rock Hill location in 2023 with over 60 self-pour taps and rooftop seating.
- Stop by: 110 Southern St.
Tattooed Brews: A casual downtown spot for craft beer, cocktails and late-night eats.
- Stop by: 120 E Main St.
Wanna make it a crawl? Other nearby breweries include Slow Play, Legal Remedy, Rock Hill Brewing, Middle James Brewing and Off the Tracks Brewing.
Treat yourself
No adventure is complete without a sweet treat — here are our picks for where to grab one (or two).
Two Scoops: The longtime Plaza Midwood creamery now has a Rock Hill storefront next to where Common Market was.
- Stop by: 161 W Main St.
PW's Ice Cream: A local favorite that's been serving homemade ice cream in York County since 1991,
- Stop by: 491 S Herlong Ave.
Amelie's French Bakery: The Charlotte bakery, patisserie and cafe is known best for its made-from-scratch macarons.
- Stop by: 157 E Main St.
Bajo Cero San Marcos: A locally owned Mexican ice cream shop serving paletas (popsicles), homemade ice cream, mangonadas and more.
- Stop by: 2401 Cherry Road (in Northeast Plaza).
Retail
From bookstores to plant shops, Rock Hill has no shortage of locally owned gems for a little retail therapy.
The Mercantile: A sprawling general store with a cafe and wine bar, plus hands-on experiences like a DIY flower and trucker hat bar.
- Stop by: 130 West White St.
Green Space Plant Company: A downtown plant store and wine bar offering workshops and weekly events.
- Stop by: 151 E Main St.
Friends Books on Main: Also in downtown, this bookstore is filled with thousands of donated books and is operated by the York County library.
- Stop by: 206 E Main St.
The Hickory Post: A furniture store and art gallery that also houses a local record store called Ramble on Records.
- Stop by: 202 E Main St.
Things to do
You can spend the whole day exploring many of the downtown businesses listed above, but you'll also want to add these must-do activities to your itinerary.
Go for a walk by the river: The Piedmont Medical Center trail, part of The Riverwalk, offers over three miles of scenic views along the Catawba River and connects to River Park.
- Stop by: 1000 Riverwalk Parkway
Stroll around Glencairn Garden: This 11-acre botanical garden is open to the public and makes for a scenic picnic spot, too.
- Stop by: 725 Crest St.
Explore the campus of Winthrop University: The four-year public university was founded in 1886 and is home to approximately 5,000 students.
- Stop by: 1700 Memorial Cir. (admissions office)
Visit one of The Culture & Heritage Museums: This network of York County Museums includes Historic Brattonsville, Main Street Children's Museum, McCelvey Center and Museum of York County.
Play arcade games at Play 1 Up Bar: The 21+ game bar specializes in classic and retro games.
- Stop by: 140 E. Main St.
Editor's note: This guide has been updated to reflect that Common Market has closed since we visited earlier this month.