Things to Do in Fort Mill

If you're looking for thrills, you will find plenty of them in Fort Mill—home to Carowinds Amusement Park—which is billed as the “Thrill Capital of the Southeast. For those who prefer attractions that aren't as adrenaline-filled, the you'll find interesting art galleries, music venues, theaters, recreational centers, parks, and hiking and biking trails.

Feeling Festive

You can celebrate spring in a tasty way by attending the South Carolina Strawberry Festival, Fort Mill’s signature event. The entertaining activities include pig races, dog shows, magic shows, car shows, wrestling events, eating contests and live concerts by local musicians at the Strawberry Jam. If you find yourself in town close to Halloween, check out the annual fall festival, where local businesses offer candy and treats. Children can go trick-or-treating; compete in costume contests and pumpkin-carving contests; and enjoy live, spooky music.

Go Downtown

Fort Mill’s historic business district boasts unique boutiques, antique shops overflowing with treasures, several small shops and interesting art galleries. The gallery at United Artisans of America is filled with creations by local artists; classes are offered here for aspiring artists of any age or skill level, and you can even throw an art-themed birthday party here!

If your taste preferences lean toward the spicy, be sure to check out the Puckerbutt Pepper Company, home of the hottest pepper in the world, the Carolina Reaper! The sauces and snacks available for purchase at the Puckerbutt store range from mild to pedestrian to so hot that you would be wise to have some sour cream at hand while you’re eating.

Back to Nature

Immerse yourself in the great outdoors at the Anne Springs Greenway, a 2,100-acre nature preserve. You can go hiking and mountain biking on more than 40 miles of trails, and the Greenway's lakes beckon fishermen to cast a line. After you’ve worked up a hearty appetite exploring and having fun, you can make good use of the picnic tables with those healthy snacks or lunch that you’ve brought with you! Anne Springs Greenway also has historic trails, where you can see the ruins of structures from the 1800s and walk in the footsteps of the original settlers.

Eat It Up

You can get a taste of classic Southern cooking with a modern twist at Local Dish. The menu includes such comfort-food favorites as fried green tomatoes, chicken and waffles, shrimp and grits, and burgers. If you’re yearning for something a bit more gourmet, you can also enjoy grilled filet mignon with garlic confit or pan-seared scallops over grilled corn risotto.

Of course, no trip to South Carolina would be complete without some lip-smackin' barbeque, so when that sauce is calling your name, head on over to 521 BBQ, where you can feast on your choice of smoked or grilled pork, chicken or beef, with traditional sides of fries, pups, beans and slaw. The restaurant also serves burgers, deli sandwiches and meats by the pound.

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