Family Vacationing in Rock Hill, South Carolina: Where to Stay and What to See

If you’re looking for a great family vacation spot, Rock Hill, SC might not show up on your radar. It’s not an extremely large city, but it’s just across the border from Charlotte, NC- a much larger destination- , is home to three colleges, has some interesting history, and holds some great family things to do and see.

When you’re planning your next family vacation, keep Rock Hill, SC in mind. You can find some great places to stay and fun things to do right here.

Disclosure: I received a free stay in exchange for my post. All opinions are always my own, and I was not compensated in any other way.

About Rock Hill, South Carolina

Rock Hill is the largest city in York County. It’s about twenty miles south of Charlotte, North Carolina. It’s a growing community of about 67,000 (as of 2019). The climate of Rock Hill is generally hot and humid in the summers and mild in the winters. The city was named in 1852 when the train tracks being laid across the city ran into a small, flinty hill. The city is about three and a half hours from Myrtle Beach, three hours from Charleston, and two hours from the North Carolina mountains.

What to Do in Rock Hill, South Carolina

Rock Hill is right down the road from Charlotte, North Carolina, a large city that is home to lots of great family-friendly activities. like Carowinds, a large amusement park with a water park and rides for all ages and Discovery Place, a hands-on science museum that includes an IMAX theater, daily shows, and lots of great interactive areas for kids- and adults- of any age.

Rock Hill is also only a short hop from the Fort Mill, South Carolina area where you can find the beautiful Anne Springs Close Greenway, full of great hiking trails, kayaking, horseback riding, and more as well as Narroway, a Christian theater that offers Broadway-style shows and dinner theater.

But Rock Hill itself has some great places to visit and things to do. Here are just a few.

• Glencairn Gardens- These beautiful gardens began as the private garden in 1928 and have since been donated to the city and continue to expand and offer more and more to visitors. The gardens were the inspiration for Rock Hill’s Come See Me event held every spring.
• Old Town Rock Hill- The downtown area of Rock Hill has been restored and has become a beautiful historical area with shops, restaurants, residential areas, and more. Fountain Park is located there with a large, dazzling fountain and open areas. Events are held there like the Farmer’s Market, Food Truck Fridays, and events at spring and Christmas.
• Museum of York County- This natural history museum offers visitors a look at history in the Carolina Piedmont area as well as in other places in the world. There is an African hall, a planetarium, hiking trails, a children’s area, and more.
• BMX Supercross Track– This BMX bike track is home to a number of popular bike racing competitions. BMX riders of all ages and ability can also enjoy open racing times at the track as well as classes.
• Ebenezer Park– This 26 acre park on the shores of Lake Wylie offers a beach, boat dock, camping, and other recreational activities.
• Historic Brattonsville– This living history farm was a Revolutionary War site and the home of the Bratton family for three generations. Demonstrations of day-to-day life and various farming activities are going on year-round, in addition to special events and battle reenactments.

Where to Stay in Rock Hill, South Carolina

Rock Hill is a great place to stay on your family vacation. Whether you’re looking for things to do in Rock Hill or your destination is across the border in Charlotte, Rock Hill is the ideal place to stay. There are, of course, a number of great hotels in Rock Hill. But my favorite places to stay are Airbnb houses. 

When you stay in a house, your family has more room to spread out. And you have the benefit of a kitchen which makes it easier to eat meals at the house and save money from not eating out- also a bonus if you have family members who eat special diets- like mine.

Here are a few great Airbnb options for your family in Rock Hill. These properties are all highly rated and owned by an Airbnb Superhost who is great about doing all the little extras for visitors.

The Garden Spot has three bedrooms and one bathroom. It’s a beautiful house built in the early 1900s. It has lots of historical house charm, including a refinished claw foot bathtub. It has a full kitchen and a laundry nook as well. This house is right across the street from Glencairn Gardens, one of the great spots to see in Rock Hill. The house sleeps six comfortably.

The Cottage on Shurley has one bedroom and one bath, as well as a sleeper sofa. So it can sleep four, or there’s room for an air mattress to make it five. It also has a full kitchen and laundry room. The spaces are light and airy and will comfortably accommodate a couple or small family.

North Spruce and Main is a beautiful house in the historic district of Rock Hill. It has three bedrooms and one bath and can sleep six. It also has a full kitchen and laundry area. Best of all, the house is within walking distance of Rock Hill’s beautiful Fountain Park and downtown. The house is light and airy and is surrounded by a charming picket fence. Above this rental is another Airbnb apartment.

Area 52 is the upstairs apartment, rented separately. It has one bedroom with two beds and one bath, as well as a full kitchen and laundry area. The living room has a futon. It can sleep five. It has a separate, private entrance from the downstairs apartment. This apartment would make a great place for a small family or couple to stay, and it’s close to all of the great downtown areas, as mentioned above.

Come visit us in Rock Hill, South Carolina! And don’t miss all of the great things to do and places to stay. Enjoy your trip!