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Rutherford County, home to The Ridge at South Mountain, boasts exceptional recreational activities. Whether you seek the excitement of outdoor sports, the “down home” fun of local festivals and celebrations, the fellowship of social organizations, or enjoyment of fine and performing arts, you’ll find it in abundance here. Rock climb, mountain bike, hunt, rappel, raft, or hike to your heart’s content in the mountains. Attend the Forest City Jazz Festival, Rutherfordton’s May Fest, or one of two annual Christmas Parades. Join Toastmasters, the Garden Club, Kiwanis, Lions, or another of our many civic and social clubs. Take a stroll in downtown Rutherfordton for quaint shopping, or paint your own pottery at Earth, Glaze, and Fire before enjoying dinner at one of several restaurants, then top off your day with a fresh treat from Doc’s Homemade Ice Cream. Spend an evening with the Rutherford County Concert Association, which has hosted such prestigious performers as Wynton Marsalis and the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, the Vienna Boys Choir, and the St. Petersburg Ballet. Boost your brain power and meet like-minded individuals with a continuing education class from Isothermal Community College. If you are interested in our community of believers, you are sure to find warm hearts and a “church home” at one of Rutherford County’s more than 160 houses of worship.
Other area attractions include Kidsenses Children’s InterACTIVE Museum, Rutherford County Senior Center, several libraries, gem mining, the Wine Shop, and Green River Plantation.
Golf, anyone? From putt-putting with the children to challenging 18-hole courses, Rutherford County’s seven golf courses provide ample opportunities for you to tee up and enjoy a day on the greens. Private courses, municipal courses, adventure courses… whatever your golfing interest, you’ll find it close to home here.
Within a short drive of The Ridge at South Mountain, you can experience even more social and recreational activities at Tryon’s Block House Steeplechase and the Tryon Riding and Hunt Club, Flat Rock Playhouse, and Hendersonville’s Carolina Apple Festival, just to name a few. Morganton, Marion, Saluda, and Hickory, along with Spartanburg in South Carolina, are other nearby communities. But small town pleasures are not all that await you here! The Ridge at South Mountain is conveniently located approximately one hour’s drive from three metropolitan areas, each of which offers diverse cultural, shopping, and dining experiences.
• Greenville, SC (46 miles): One of the fastest growing metropolitan areas in the United States, Greenville is a charming blend of Southern culture and cosmopolitan living. Downtown Greenville, winner of the prestigious 2003 Great American Main Street Award from the National Trust for Historic Preservation, boasts numerous one-of-a-kind eateries, an assortment of specialty shops, art galleries, and waterfalls. There’s something for everyone here: car enthusiasts tour the BMW Zentrum; science buffs enjoy the Roper Mountain Science center butterfly garden, planetarium, and observatory; shoppers experience a sense of Europe in the South at the West End Historic District; those with a penchant for the outdoors traverse the city’s miles of riverfront walking and bicycle trails; and those seeking entertainment find theater, dance, concerts, the symphony, and other art forms at the Peace Center for the Performing Arts, the BI-LO Center, and the annual Artisphere festival.
• Spartanburg, SC (46 miles): Greenville’s smaller neighbor has a huge personality, including a history that dates back to Colonial times and an expanding wealth of cultural, recreational, entertainment, and culinary offerings. Step into the past at Cowpens National Battlefield, where Daniel Morgan led troops to victory in 1781 and helped turn the tide of the American Revolution. Or visit Walnut Grove Plantation, built in 1763, where crafters clad in period clothing at the annual Festivall celebration demonstrate blacksmithing, candle-dipping, doll- and soap-making, weaving, and more. Take in one of the nearly 200 public cultural events offered by Converse College, which is listed by U.S. News & World Report as one of the top colleges in the South. And whether you want a quick burger at the famed Beacon, easy access to outlet shopping, or a place to pick your own fresh peaches, Spartanburg is sure to please.
• Asheville, NC (59 miles): Enjoy the majesty of America’s largest private residence when you visit Biltmore Estate. Hear world-class music performances, view local and regional artwork, and savor culinary delights at the annual Belle Chere festival. Relax in high style at the Grove Park Inn Resort and Spa. Asheville, nestled in the breathtaking Blue Ridge Mountains, offers a uniquely historical yet youthful bohemian feel, making it a truly romantic place to visit. For more information, visit www.asheville.com.
• Charlotte, NC (70 miles): Also known as “The Queen City”, Charlotte offers outstanding cultural entertainment, including Opera Carolina, Charlotte Repertory Theatre, Charlotte Museum of History, and The Charlotte Symphony Orchestra, among many others. Upscale shopping abounds at stores such as Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Dean & Deluca, Burberry, Kate Spade, and Tiffany & Co., and fine dining is abundant. Home to professional teams the Carolina Panthers and WNBA’s Carolina Sting, you can also cheer on semi-professional and college teams here, along with NASCAR at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. Diverse nightlife, the Queen’s Cup Steeplechase races, Taste of Charlotte, the Coca-Cola 600, Carowinds Water and Theme Park, the Afro-American Culture Center… for a big city feel close to home, Charlotte is the place to be.
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Distances to metropolitan areas:
- Hickory, NC: 46 miles
- Johnson City, TN: 120 miles
- Greensboro, NC: 140 miles
- Knoxville, TN: 170 miles
- Raleigh/Durham, NC: 195 miles
- Atlanta, GA: 225 miles
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