Rock Hill: Gardens, Cycling and History

Rock Hill brings together gardens, river scenery, cycling, and sites connected to the city’s history. When looking for a hotel in Rock Hill, your plans for the day can help guide your choice: would you like to focus on gardens and the river, include cycling, or explore the city’s history? These different interests offer a practical way to choose where to stay.

Gardens, River and Trails

Glencairn Garden began in 1928 as a backyard garden belonging to David and Hazel Bigger. The newly expanded 11-acre grounds include display gardens, tiered fountains, ponds, boardwalks, an event stage, and flower-filled paths. The garden’s modest beginnings and its varied landscape come together here. Trail conditions may change after flooding or maintenance work; check their status before your visit.

River Park lies along the Catawba River and covers 70 acres. The park offers nature experiences, trails, and access to the river. In contrast to the landscaped features of Glencairn Garden, the focus here is on the riverside setting and the natural experience.

A paved multi-use trail along the Catawba River is 3.35 miles long. It includes flat and hilly sections, as well as some steep climbs. For planning purposes, length, surface, and terrain offer different points of reference: a paved surface does not mean the trail is flat all the way.

Cycling on the Oval Track

The Rock Hill Velodrome features a 250-meter outdoor concrete oval track. Its straights and curves are banked, and the track meets Olympic standards. This clearly sets the velodrome apart from the riverside trails: the focus here is a precisely measured oval track with a defined shape. If cycling is one of your interests, this is another distinctive facet of Rock Hill.

Sites Connected to the City’s History

The African-American Business District Monument stands on the former site of Rock Hill’s historic African-American Business District, which was demolished in the early 1970s. The monument honors the businesses that served Rock Hill’s African-American community. Historic images and references to former storefronts make this history the focus of the site.

Away from Main Street in Old Town Rock Hill is the Freedom Walkway. It honors the city’s pioneers for justice and equality and was dedicated in November 2016. Its interpretive design includes the words “Liberty and Justice for All” and is inspired, among other things, by the Friendship Nine. While the monument focuses on the businesses and their community, the Freedom Walkway honors the pioneers for justice and equality.

The Historic White Home is a historic site that tells the story of the White family and its development in connection with Rock Hill. Guided tours introduce visitors to this distinctive history. Unlike the two sites in the urban landscape, the Historic White Home focuses on one family and its connection to the city’s development.

Creative Learning for Young Children

The Main Street Children’s Museum offers creative learning and play in a setting inspired by the art of Vernon Grant. Educational activities are designed for children from infancy through age six. If you plan to take a tour, check before your trip to see whether one is available.

Discover more destinations: Lake Wylie, Fort Mill.

For the main travel overview: York.