A Perfect Day Trip of Shopping and Dining in York County, South Carolina

The perfect itinerary for a day away in the towns of Fort Mill and Rock Hill, South Carolina

My friend Sam (who happens to be an incredible photographer – unless noted, all of these pictures are hers!) and I made the short drive to York County, South Carolina one recent summer day for a full itinerary of shopping and eating – and with Labor Day Weekend approaching (paired with sky-high airfares and fuel prices), it’s the perfect opportunity for you to do the same.

It takes approximately 15 minutes to reach York County from my house, yet save for a few occasions (peach-picking, visiting Carowinds, and ahem buying cheap booze), I’ve spent very little time there. Sam and I remedied that misstep by visiting both the city of Rock Hill and the town of Fort Mill in one day, doing just about the only things you can do on a hot summer day in the Carolinas: eating and shopping our way through both.

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Disclaimer: Visit York County generously hosted our visit to Rock Hill and Fort Mill, but as always, all opinions are my own. 

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It didn’t take long for us to feel at ease; both downtowns offer big-city-style restaurants and shops, but at a more relaxed pace (and with a generous serving of Southern hospitality on top). Both beckon visitors to linger and stroll, which is something severely lacking in many of Charlotte’s neighborhoods.

Ever the efficient traveler, I’m dividing this post into two: one section for Rock Hill, and the second for Fort Mill. Although they are only fifteen minutes apart, we structured our day in a way that allowed for more exploring and less driving between the two (and by starting in Rock Hill, we were better able to beat some of the evening traffic on the way back to Charlotte!). I wholeheartedly recommend you do the same:

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ROCK HILL

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Rock Hill is the largest city in York County and has a bustling and vibrant downtown area with shops, restaurants, and event venues begging to be explored on foot (or by free public transit). Locals we spoke with consistently noted the area’s growth over the past few years, and as a visitor, there are plenty of places to visit and things to do to keep you occupied – a day isn’t long enough to experience it all, but with limited time, here’s where you should spend it:

ROCK HILL FOOD & DRINK

Mado Bakery and Cafe (temporarily closed)

Mado Bakery and Cafe (temporarily closed) | 1108 Cherry Rd, Rock Hill, SC 29732

Start your day at this authentic French bakery and cafe, just outside of downtown. Mado Bakery and Cafe (temporarily closed) is run by a pair of incredible French pastry chefs, and we should all feel lucky that they decided to bring their extensive knowledge and talent to the region. Set in a former bank (complete with a vault-turned-lounge!), the setting belies the pastry perfection inside. Just be careful – their buttery, flaky croissants and pain au chocolat just might trick you into thinking you’re on the streets of Paris…

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ROCK HILL SHOPPING

The Mercantile

The Mercantile | 153 E White St, Rock Hill, SC 29730

Billed as a “modern general store,” The Mercantile really does have it all. The large building on White Street houses a full-size boutique, a coffee bar, a flower bar, and more. I was so impressed by their wide selection of ethical and sustainable clothing upstairs, and have made a mental note to stop by around the holidays to do a little local gift shopping from the curated home goods, children’s items, and food products downstairs. But before then, I’m hoping to treat myself by creating a custom bouquet at their flower bar, as their florist is a true artist. Be sure to check out their website for upcoming events and workshops before your visit – it seems there’s always something going on at The Mercantile.

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The Hickory Post

The Hickory Post | 202 E Main St, Rock Hill, SC 29732

The Hickory Post’s mission of serving the community with art and design for all has truly come to life. It’s the perfect place to shop with multi-generational friends and family, as there’s a little something for everyone. Love quirky, one-of-a-kind art? You’ll find that here. Into vintage and antique furniture? They have that too! Trying to find the perfect gift for the person who has everything? I bet The Hickory Post has something they don’t already have and will love. Budget some extra time for shopping here, as there are so many wonderful nooks and crannies filled with beautiful things.

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McFadden’s Mens Shop

McFadden's Mens Shop | 140 E Main St Suite 210, Rock Hill, SC 29730

There is something really comforting about visiting a men’s shop – I’m not sure if it’s the classic clothing on display, or perhaps the scent of leather in the air. But something about the experience transports you back to another time. McFadden’s Mens Shop takes a relaxed approach to their shop, without any off-putting pretentiousness. They carry a variety of men’s clothing, from casual t-shirts to tuxedos, as well as a selection of grooming products, cigars, and more. There’s even an in-house barber, perfect for getting event-ready all in one place.

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FORT MILL

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Like Rock Hill, the town of Fort Mill also has a typical Southern Main Street filled with local shops and restaurants, just a bit smaller in size. Once you’ve explored downtown to your heart’s content, the day’s not over, though. You’ll want to head to the charming community town center in Baxter Village and then on to Kingsley Town Center, a former textile mill that is now a shopping and dining destination in its own right.

FORT MILL FOOD & DRINK

Z Bakery and Cafe

Z Bakery and Cafe | 124 Confederate St, Fort Mill, SC 29715

You’ll be grateful for the sign out front of Z Bakery and Cafe; otherwise, you might walk past it thinking it’s just a cute home. And, well, it is a cute home-turned-restaurant serving up great brunch and lunch favorites at reasonable prices. On a hot summer day, light lunch fare is the way to go – however they recently updated their menu to include more breakfast favorites, and personally, I am eyeing the stuffed strawberry cinnamon croissant French toast for my next visit (no matter the weather).

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Amor Artis Brewing

Amor Artis Brewing | 204 Main St Suite 101, Fort Mill, SC 29715

Right on Main Street in the heart of Fort Mill, you’ll find Amor Artis Brewing (that’s “the love of craft” if your Latin is a little rusty), a true family affair. It feels as if the tap list includes a beer in every style – which means that everyone will be able to find their favorite. My recommendation? The Cryo Happy Tears, a Session IPA; it has the bitter punch of an IPA, but the lower ABV will allow you to continue on with your day. If you’re in the area often, be sure to download the Hopp app before you go to earn rewards like gift cards and merch from local businesses, as Amor Artis is one of the participating breweries.

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Cupcrazed Cakery

Cupcrazed Cakery | 936 Market St #103, Fort Mill, SC 29708

If you often find yourself feeling paralyzed when making tough decisions, Cupcrazed Cakery in Fort Mill’s Baxter Village may challenge you. To set yourself up for success, you can check out their Instagram to see their latest flavors before you visit – or you can follow the approach of a fellow customer and order every single one that strikes your fancy. While Sam and I only had the stomach space for one cupcake, I can’t imagine there’s a single bad one in the case. After all, the shop’s owner won the top prize on both “Rewrapped” and “Cupcake Wars” on The Food Network.

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Corkscrew Wine Shop & Bar

Corkscrew Wine Shop & Bar | 1365 Broadcloth St Suite 102, Fort Mill, SC 29715

I haven’t found anywhere quite like Corkscrew Wine Shop & Bar in Charlotte yet, but that’s okay because their Kingsley Town Center location is only a short drive down I-77 away. It’s the perfect place to escape the heat (or in our case, one of our highly-predictable afternoon storms), and to have a pre-dinner drink. They have a pretty extensive selection of wines by the bottle and by the glass, but a refreshing Moscow Mule and the New Pear-sonal Best (with double-oaked bourbon, cognac pear, cardamaro, bitters, lemon oil, and rosemary) were calling our names. We felt at ease relaxing to wait out the storm – and there was zero pressure to order a second round or hurry up to leave, which was so appreciated. Be sure to check their Instagram for current specials, as they seem to run promotions pretty frequently!

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Spice Asian Kitchen

Spice Asian Kitchen | 251 Textile Wy, Fort Mill, SC 29708

I have fantastic news – Spice Asian Kitchen is directly across the street from Corkscrew, which means you don’t need to fret about who will drive to dinner. The pan-Asian menu features beloved favorites as well as a few fun fusion items. Sure, each diner can choose their own entree, as we saw many doing throughout the restaurant. But if your party is amenable, I highly recommend ordering several small plates to share instead. You’ll wind up with a similar bill, but everyone will have the chance to try several items. My one (polite) demand of you: order the sashimi tuna nachos. (You’re welcome).

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FORT MILL SHOPPING

PuckerButt Pepper Company

PuckerButt Pepper Company | 237 Main St #1740, Fort Mill, SC 29715

Can you take the heat? PuckerButt Pepper Company’s Smokin’ Ed Currie is the brains behind a hot little pepper you may have heard of: the Carolina Reaper®. But mercifully, the shop carries plenty of sauces and other condiments for those with a milder palate. Even if you don’t think you enjoy spicy foods, the team at PuckerButt will help you find something you do like, without any pressure to go outside of your spice-comfort zone (catch Sam and I “cheers-ing” our spoonfuls of hot sauce on Instagram without breaking a sweat). Bottles are reasonably priced, and chances are you’ll leave with several. May I suggest you pair them with episode two of We Are the Champions, filmed just outside?

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Page 6 Boutique

Page 6 Boutique | 936 Market St #104, Fort Mill, SC 29708

Page 6 Boutique actually has two locations – one in Rock Hill, and this one, in Fort Mill’s Baxter Village (conveniently located next to Cupcrazed Cakery). The boutique carries a range of on-trend clothes, shoes, and accessories, all helpfully arranged by color. With a surprisingly large inventory for the shop’s size, you’ll want to make sure you have enough time to comb the racks.

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Broadcloth Boutique

Broadcloth Boutique | 1366 Broadcloth St #103, Fort Mill, SC 29715

Broadcloth Boutique is the sister store to Page 6 Boutique, and it’s located near Spice Asian Kitchen in Kingsley Town Center. The aesthetic is somewhat similar, but the wares skew a little higher-end. The shop is calm and peaceful, with plenty of room to linger and browse. They also carry goods from ABLE, which is always a favorite of mine! This would definitely be a great stop for a last-minute casual-event outfit.

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WITH MORE TIME IN ROCK HILL & FORT MILL

Despite spending a full day in York County, I’m racking up more places to go during my next visit to the area. As ever, the list includes more restaurants, such as Helen’s Hot Chicken, Knowledge Perk, The Improper Pig, and The Pump House. Like Charlotte, York County is home to many breweries; I’m eyeing Legal Remedy, Slow Play, Replay, and Dust Off. Activity-wise, Player 1UP looks like a fun place to challenge friends to old-school arcade games, and there are numerous museums and cultural sites like the Museum of York County, the Fort Mill History Museum, and the Catawba Cultural Center. You could even spend another day trip solely mural spotting – here’s a wonderful round-up of local public art in York County.

Of course, all of the above items are just located in Rock Hill and Fort Mill. There’s plenty more to explore in York County – thankfully Visit York County has you covered with itineraries geared toward outdoor activities, history and culture, and more.

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Thank you to Visit York County for generously hosting us, and for all you do to support travelers and local businesses within your community!

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