Tryon, North Carolina · Blue Ridge Foothills

Events · Arts · Community

Things to Do
in Tryon, NC

A local guide to “the friendliest town in the South”: live music, galleries, trails, places to stay, small businesses, town issues, and the stories locals actually talk about.

Popular searches

40+

Events this month

125+

Years of history

~1,600

Friendly neighbors

Sagrada Lounge & Kitchen exterior in downtown Tryon

Sagrada on Trade

Photo: Explore Tryon

Trade Street Diner and ice cream shop storefront

Trade Street Diner

Photo: Explore Tryon

Morris the Horse in downtown Tryon

Morris the Horse

Photo: First Peak

Upstairs Artspace gallery exterior

Upstairs Artspace

Photo: Visit NC

Ribbon cutting at Carri Bass Photography and Art Studio

Carri Bass Studio

Photo: Tryon Daily Bulletin

Back Alley Boutique and Bud Bar interior detail

Back Alley Bud Bar

Photo: Back Alley BBB

Morris the Horse at Trade and Pacolet

Trade & Pacolet

Photo: First Peak

Tryon equestrian logo mark

Horse Country

Photo: Explore Tryon

Sagrada Lounge & Kitchen exterior in downtown Tryon

Sagrada on Trade

Photo: Explore Tryon

Trade Street Diner and ice cream shop storefront

Trade Street Diner

Photo: Explore Tryon

Morris the Horse in downtown Tryon

Morris the Horse

Photo: First Peak

Upstairs Artspace gallery exterior

Upstairs Artspace

Photo: Visit NC

Ribbon cutting at Carri Bass Photography and Art Studio

Carri Bass Studio

Photo: Tryon Daily Bulletin

Back Alley Boutique and Bud Bar interior detail

Back Alley Bud Bar

Photo: Back Alley BBB

Morris the Horse at Trade and Pacolet

Trade & Pacolet

Photo: First Peak

Tryon equestrian logo mark

Horse Country

Photo: Explore Tryon

Help keep it current

Know something happening around Tryon?

Send events, business updates, or civic notes straight to the hub. The best local calendar is the one neighbors can help maintain.

This Week in Tryon

A tight snapshot of what's happening in Tryon this week. For the full searchable calendar, head to the dedicated Tryon events page.

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ArtsFree

Land of High Mountains: The Art of Survival

Upstairs Artspace opens its summer exhibition with a free June 14 reception, featuring children’s work from Haiti, Threaded Voices: Stories from Duquesa, and selections from Harold Maass’s Haitian art collection.

Tue, Aug 4 · ongoing · 2:00 PM
Upstairs Artspace, 49 S. Trade St, Tryon
via Tryon Daily Bulletin / Upstairs Artspace
Info

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ArtsFree

Tide & Trivia Tuesdays at The Fitz

Free. Tide & Trivia Tuesdays, 6:30pm, at The Fitz, Tryon. ♦ Tuesdays just got a whole lot better – fresh seafood, great beverages, and trivia that’s actually fun. Trivia kicks off at 6:30pm so grab your friends, your crew, or just pull up a seat at the bar for an evening of fun. Trivia is free, food and beverages available for purchase. Doors open at 5pm, trivia starts at 6:30pm.

Tue, Aug 4 · 6:00 PM
The Fitz Lounge, 69 Pacolet St., Tryon, NC
via First Peak of the Blue Ridge Events
Info

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Arts

Parkinson's Movement Class

Exercise is about more than just building strength or balance, though it can help those aspects of your life as well. With those living with the disease, dance appears to be very helpful in improving gait and balance in Parkinson’s patients. It also can provide social stimulation and support, which can be helpful in reducing depression and improving quality of life. Plus, dance stimulates cognitive functioning, an area that PD patients often struggle with. Tryon Fine Arts Center, along with danc

Wed, Aug 5 · ongoing · 9:30 AM
Tryon Fine Arts Center Pavilion, 34 Melrose Ave, Tryon, NC, 28782, United States
via Tryon Fine Arts Center
Info

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5

WED

MusicFree

Live Music at Iron Key Brewing

Free Live Music Wednesday’s from 6-8pm. Wednesday night is flight night. Enjoy a bite to eat while listening to live music.

Wed, Aug 5 · 6:00 PM
Iron Key Brewery, 135 Locust Street, Columbus, NC, 28722, United States
via First Peak of the Blue Ridge Events
Info

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Food & Drink

U-Pick Blueberries at Overmountain Vineyards

U-Pick Blueberries at Overmountain Vineyards Thurs-Sat 7:30am-Noon

Thu, Aug 6 · 7:30 AM
Overmountain Vineyards and Winery, 2012 Sandy Plains Rd., Tryon, NC, 28782, United States
via First Peak of the Blue Ridge Events
Info

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Music

Karaoke with DJ Joey Vaughn

Get ready to kick off your weekend with Karaoke and DJ Joey Vaughn. Whether you're a seasoned performer or just in it for the fun, it’s the perfect way to spend your Friday night.

Thu, Aug 6 · 8:00 PM
Tryon International, 25 International Boulevard, Mill Spring, NC, 28782, United States
via Tryon International Events
Info

Nearby This Week

Short-drive events in Saluda, Landrum, Lake Lure, Columbus, and the surrounding foothills — only this week here, with the full calendar one click away.

Full events calendar

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Community

CITY EVENTS 2026

Listed by City of Landrum Events.

Tue, Aug 4 · ongoing · 4:00 PM
Landrum, SC
via City of Landrum Events
Info

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WED

Community

COFFEE WITH THE CITY

Join us for a casual morning of conversation, community updates, and connection! Stop by, grab a cup of coffee, and chat with city staff about what’s happening in the City of Landrum. We’d love to hear your ideas, questions, and feedback. Everyone is welcome — we hope to see you there!

Wed, Aug 5 · 9:00 AM
Landrum, SC
via City of Landrum Events
Info

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5

WED

Music

Wildflour Pizza Nite & Saluda Music Jam

Listed by Discover Saluda Events.

Wed, Aug 5 · 5:00 PM
Nostalgia Courtyard, 173 E Main St, Saluda, NC, 28773, United States
via Discover Saluda Events
Info

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MusicFree

Karaoke Night Party

Get ready to sing the night away with Karaoke Night at Rumbling Bald! Join us every other Wednesday evening (alternating with Trivia Night) on the Lakeview Terrace from 6–9pm (doors open at 5:30pm). Family-Friendly Hours: 6–7:30pm Bring the kids along for a delightful karaoke hour suitable for all ages. Adults Only After 8pm. Starting at 8pm, the microphone will be exclusively for those 21+. Food and bar service will be available from designated areas on the Terrace. This event is free and open

Wed, Aug 5 · 6:00 PM
Lakeview Terrace, 153 Mountains Blvd, Lake Lure, NC, 28746, United States
via Rumbling Bald on Lake Lure
Info

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Music

Elliot Poston

Meet Elliot Poston, the real deal in modern country music. Hailing from the heart of South Carolina, Elliot is quickly proving why authenticity and hard work are the next big things in the genre. Blending traditional country heart with a powerful, modern sound, his music is a genuine tribute to faith, family, and southern values—the […]

Thu, Aug 6 · 7:30 PM
The Purple Onion, 16 E Main St, Saluda, NC, 28773
via Purple Onion Saluda Events
Info

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FRI

MusicFree

MUSIC AT THE MARKET

Join us for Music at the Market 2026 Come out to enjoy this free community concert series at Cunningham Market Pavilion! Bring your family, friends, and a folding chair, and enjoy a fun evening of live music in downtown Landrum. Small coolers are welcome. No glass bottles. 📍 221 West Rutherford Street, Landrum, SC 🕖 7:00 PM – 9:30 PM

Fri, Aug 7 · ongoing · 3:00 PM
Landrum, SC
via City of Landrum Events
Info

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Local Businesses

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Support the businesses that make Tryon, Tryon — restaurants, shops, galleries, places to stay, long-running anchors, and fresh new storefronts.

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💬

Give local businesses real feedback — not just stars

Share what you loved and what could be better. Feedback goes directly to the owner — private, constructive, and actually useful. No public pile-ons.

Blue Moon Tryon, formerly Trade Street Diner, storefront in downtown Tryon
🍽️
restaurant
Just Opened

Blue Moon Tryon

Photo: Explore Tryon

The former Trade Street Diner reopened as Blue Moon Tryon with an elevated brunch menu, scratch-made dishes, locally sourced ingredients, coffee, and ice cream service.

10 N Trade St Suite 2, Tryon, NC 28782
(828) 440-1522
Brunch, coffee, and ice cream; evening coffee and ice cream service until 8pm Thu–Sun
brunchcoffeeice creamscratch-made
Sagrada Lounge & Kitchen exterior in downtown Tryon
🍽️
restaurant
Just Opened

Sagrada

Photo: Explore Tryon

Modern Latin flair in a chic-but-casual downtown dining room. Scratch kitchen, craft cocktails, seasonal ingredients, and reservations strongly suggested.

10 N Trade St, Tryon, NC
(864) 381-7054
Check Facebook / website for current hours
latincraft cocktailsdate nightdowntown
Brooks Tavern logo and tavern branding
🍽️
restaurant

Brooks Tavern

Photo: Brooks Tavern

Neighborhood tavern serving burgers, sandwiches, steaks, soups, salads, craft beer, cocktails, and plenty of classic pub energy just off Trade Street.

10 Oak St, Tryon, NC
(828) 440-1540
Check website / restaurant guide for current hours
tavernburgerscocktailscraft beer
Side Street Pizza & Pasta storefront in downtown Tryon
🍽️
restaurant

Side Street Pizza & Pasta

Photo: Explore Tryon

Long-running downtown pizza and Italian spot known for pizzas, pasta, sandwiches, and easy family-friendly meals right on South Trade Street.

135 S Trade St, Tryon, NC 28782
(828) 859-5325
Mon 11am–9pm; Thu 11am–9pm; Fri–Sat 11am–10pm; Sun 3–9pm; Tue–Wed closed
pizzapastaitalianfamily-friendly
Nana’s Kitchen storefront in Tryon, NC
🍽️
restaurant

Nana’s Kitchen

Photo: Explore Tryon

Longtime Southern comfort-food spot serving homestyle breakfasts, soups, salads, sandwiches, daily specials, and the kind of regular-customer energy Tryon runs on.

354 S Trade St Suite A, Tryon, NC 28782
(828) 859-0305
Mon–Fri 8am–2pm; Sat–Sun closed
breakfastlunchsoutherncomfort food
Baskets of bagels from Katie D’s NY Bagels and Deli
cafe

Katie D’s NY Bagels and Deli

Photo: Katie D’s NY Bagels and Deli

Genuine NY-style bagels in the heart of Tryon, serving breakfast, lunch, deli favorites, catering, dine-in, call-in orders, and curbside pickup.

255 N Trade St, Tryon, NC 28782
(828) 440-1441
Daily breakfast and lunch; check website for current hours
bagelsdelibreakfastlunch
Railside Grill & Bar exterior on North Trade Street in Tryon
🍽️
restaurant
Just Opened

Railside Grill & Bar

Photo: First Peak of the Blue Ridge

Downtown grill and bar in the former Throwbax space, built for casual food, drinks, and neighborly hangouts right on North Trade Street.

62 N Trade St, Tryon, NC 28782
Check First Peak / Facebook for current hours
grillbarcasual diningdrinks
All Good Things Bakery in Tryon
cafe

All Good Things Bakery

Photo: Explore Tryon

Downtown bakery known for scratch-made breads, pastries, cakes, cookies, and sweet treats — an easy morning stop or take-home dessert run on South Trade Street.

289 S Trade St Suite A, Tryon, NC 28782
(828) 440-1018
Tue–Fri 7am–4pm; Sat–Sun 8am–2pm; Mon closed
bakerypastriescakescoffee
Tryon Coffeehouse Co-op storefront and coffeehouse scene
cafe

Tryon Coffeehouse Co-op

Photo: Explore Tryon

Downtown coffeehouse and community meeting spot serving locally roasted coffee, light fare, and a steady dose of Trade Street neighbor energy.

62-A N Trade St, Tryon, NC 28782
(828) 817-8888
Sun 7am–2pm; Mon 7am–1pm; Tue–Sat 7am–4pm
coffeelight farecommunityco-op
Back Alley Boutique and Bud Bar interior detail
🛍️
retail
Just Opened

Back Alley Boutique & Bud Bar

Photo: Back Alley BBB

A boutique, cannabis lounge, and bud bar focused on premium hemp products, education, local makers, and a welcoming community atmosphere.

Downtown Tryon, NC
hempboutiquelocal makerslounge
Wild Petunias storefront in downtown Tryon
🛍️
retail

Wild Petunias

Photo: Explore Tryon

Eclectic downtown gift shop and women’s boutique with treasures, trinkets, toys, teas, treats, apparel, accessories, jewelry, candles, cards, pottery, baby gifts, and local finds.

112 N Trade St Suite 6, Tryon, NC
(828) 859-7039
Check website for current hours
giftsboutiquejewelrylocal makers
Mountain Trail Soap Company storefront in downtown Tryon
🛍️
retail

Mountain Trail Soap Company

Photo: Explore Tryon

Downtown shop creating handcrafted artisan soaps, candles, body butters, scrubs, beard oils, shampoo bars, skincare, and gift-ready bath products inspired by the Foothills.

152 N Trade St, Tryon, NC
(828) 440-1494
Check listing for current hours
handmade soapskincarecandlesgifts
Upstairs Artspace gallery exterior
🎨
arts

Upstairs Artspace

Photo: Visit NC

Contemporary nonprofit art gallery with rotating exhibitions, three galleries, cultural programs, and a gift shop — a downtown arts anchor since 1978.

49 S Trade St, Tryon, NC
(828) 859-2828
Check website for current exhibitions
gallerycontemporary artexhibitionsdowntown
Tryon Painters & Sculptors gallery exterior
🎨
arts

Tryon Painters & Sculptors

Photo: Explore Tryon

Member-based visual arts organization founded in 1968, with gallery exhibitions, a gallery store, 2D/3D studios, workshops, and 2nd Saturday live demos.

78 N Trade St, Tryon, NC
Check website for exhibitions and classes
galleryclassessculpturepainting
Ribbon cutting at Carri Bass Photography and Art Studio
🎨
arts
Just Opened

Carri Bass Photography & Art Studio

Photo: Tryon Daily Bulletin

Full-service photography studio and art gallery newly opened on Pacolet Street, with portraits, commercial work, documentary projects, and 4th Friday Art Walk hours.

92 Pacolet St, Tryon, NC
(828) 919-0033
Wed–Sat 11am–5pm; 4th Friday Art Walk 5–9pm
photographygalleryportraitsart walk
80SIX Gallery storefront in downtown Tryon
🎨
arts

80SIX Gallery

Photo: Explore Tryon

Downtown gallery on North Trade featuring a diverse mix of two- and three-dimensional work for collectors, visitors, and anyone who likes discovering something unexpected.

86 N Trade St, Tryon, NC
Check listing for current hours
gallerycollectors2D art3D art
Della Street Tacos logo artwork
🍽️
restaurant

Della Street Tacos

Photo: Explore Tryon

Fresh tacos and Mexican street food, now located inside The Tryon Bottle. A local favorite pairing perfectly with wine tastings on Friday evenings.

The Tryon Bottle, Downtown Tryon
Fri 5–7pm (inside Tryon Bottle)
tacosmexicancasualdowntown
Tryon Bottle storefront in downtown Tryon
cafe

The Tryon Bottle

Photo: Explore Tryon

Wine shop and tasting bar in the heart of downtown Tryon. Free wine tastings every Friday 5–7pm. A gathering spot for locals and visitors alike.

Downtown Tryon, NC
Check website for current hours
winecraft beerdowntowntastings
Tryon Arts & Crafts School building exterior
🎨
arts

Tryon Arts & Crafts School

Photo: Explore Tryon

One of the oldest craft schools in the Southeast. Offers workshops in pottery, weaving, jewelry, painting and more for all skill levels.

373 Harmon Field Rd, Tryon, NC
potteryweavingworkshopsclasses
Tryon Fine Arts Center event artwork
🎨
arts

Tryon Fine Arts Center

Photo: Tryon Fine Arts Center

Performing arts center hosting concerts, gallery exhibits, film nights, arts education, the Signature Series, and community events. A cultural anchor on Melrose Avenue.

34 Melrose Ave, Tryon, NC 28782
(828) 859-8322
Box office and event hours vary — check calendar
musictheaterperforming artsconcerts
The Fitzgerald logo artwork
other

The Fitzgerald

Photo: Explore Tryon

Tryon's premier events center and gathering space in the heart of downtown. Hosts live music, private events, and community nights. One of the anchor stops on the downtown wine walk.

Downtown Tryon, NC
eventslive musicvenuedowntown
Tryon Little Theater logo
🎨
arts

Tryon Little Theatre

Photo: Tryon Little Theater

Community theater bringing live drama to Tryon since the 1930s, with seasonal plays, auditions, volunteer opportunities, and performances at the historic Sunnydale venue.

516 S. Trade St, Tryon, NC
(828) 859-2466
theaterlive performancecommunitydrama
Tryon Theatre exterior in downtown Tryon
🎨
arts

Tryon Theatre

Photo: Explore Tryon

Tryon's beloved fully restored historic movie theater right on Trade Street. One screen, first-run films, and the kind of movie experience you can't get at a multiplex. Check the schedule online for current showtimes.

45 S. Trade St, Tryon, NC
(828) 859-6811
Check website for current showtimes
moviesfilmhistoricdowntown
GreenLife Inn at Mimosa in Tryon, NC
🏡
lodging

GreenLife Inn at Mimosa

Photo: Explore Tryon

Boutique bed and breakfast near downtown Tryon in a historic setting, positioned for visitors who want walkable arts, restaurants, equestrian events, and Blue Ridge foothills quiet.

Tryon, NC
Book direct or check listing for availability
bed and breakfasthistoric inndowntown nearbyromantic getaway

Recently closed

A small nod to places that helped shape the downtown mix. If one of these has reopened or changed hands, send us the update form.

K.D.'s Sea Shack

82 N Trade St, Tryon, NC

A seafood spot that brought lobster rolls, crab cakes, oysters, and a little coastal energy to downtown Tryon.

seafooddowntownopened 2022

Reference: Tryon Daily Bulletin / Explore Tryon

The Livery Pourhouse

60 Pacolet St, Tryon, NC

A self-pour pub and community gathering space on Pacolet Street. Local listings still vary, so send an update if there is a new chapter here.

pubself-pourPacolet Street

Reference: Tryon Daily Bulletin / Explore Tryon

Throwbax Bar & Grille

62 N Trade St, Tryon, NC

A retro bar-and-grille concept with live music, TVs, cocktails, and casual comfort food in the former Marengo space.

bar & grilleretrolive music

Reference: Tryon Daily Bulletin

🎙️

The local signal

This Week in Tryon

A weekly podcast covering local events, community highlights, and what’s happening around town. New episodes every Monday morning.

🎧

Episode 3 - “Summer Events Heating up and Lake Lanier Background”

June 2026 · Now live on Spotify

This week: Summer Tracks, TFAC’s Helene storytelling weekend, downtown real estate, budget season, rain whiplash, and Lake Lanier.

🎹 Cultural Heritage

The High Priestess
grew up here.

Nina Simone — one of the most influential musicians in American history — was born Eunice Kathleen Waymon on February 21, 1933, in Tryon, North Carolina. She began playing piano at the local Methodist church as a child, where her talent was so obvious that white patrons of the arts fundraised to send her to study classical piano at Asheville.

She went on to record over 40 albums, become a defining voice of the civil rights movement, and her recordings of “Feeling Good,” “Mississippi Goddam,” and “Ain’t Got No / I Got Life” are some of the most powerful songs ever committed to tape. She took her stage name from the French actress Simone Signoret.

That voice — that defiance, that beauty — started right here, in a town of 1,600 people tucked into the Blue Ridge foothills.

I’ll tell you what freedom is to me — no fear. I mean really, no fear. If I could have that half of my life — no fear.
— Nina Simone

40+

Studio albums

1933

Born in Tryon, NC

🏛️ The Nina Simone Cultural Complex in Tryon honors her legacy with public art, history, and community events.

This Week in Tryon

Every Monday morning, in your inbox.

Events, local business news, community issues, and what's happening around town — no noise, just Tryon.

No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. Local only.

Quick answers

Planning a Tryon visit? Start here.

A practical mini-guide for people searching “things to do in Tryon NC” before they decide where to go, eat, shop, or send an update.

Events
Places
Updates

What is there to do in Tryon, NC this weekend?

Start with the Upcoming Events section for Tryon happenings, then check Nearby for Columbus, Landrum, Saluda, and Lake Lure events that are an easy short drive.

Where should visitors eat, shop, or browse downtown?

The Local Businesses guide highlights Tryon restaurants, galleries, studios, boutiques, and venues, with category filters so visitors can quickly find food, arts, retail, and lodging.

Does TryonFun list free events?

Yes. Event cards call out free and ticketed happenings, and the site intentionally mixes concerts, gallery openings, markets, civic meetings, theatre, equestrian events, and family-friendly options.

How can a local business or organizer send an update?

Use the Submit an event button for calendar updates, the List your business link in the business guide, or the correction form for photos, new openings, civic notes, and other updates.

Is TryonFun an official town website?

No. TryonFun is an independent community guide built to make local events, businesses, and updates easier to find. For official town notices, use the official Town of Tryon website linked in the footer.

Local resource shelf

The useful Tryon links, minus the scavenger hunt.

TryonFun is an independent guide, so this section keeps the official sources, visitor calendars, and correction paths close at hand for residents, visitors, and search engines alike.

Morris the Horse in downtown Tryon
Morris the Horse at the corner of Trade and Pacolet
Morris close up

🐎 Corner of Trade & Pacolet

Downtown Tryon, NC

🐴 Meet the Mascot

Say Hello to
Morris

The white horse standing at the corner of Trade and Pacolet Streets isn’t just a statue — he’s the soul of Tryon. Morris has been watching over downtown since 1928, when a seventeen-year-old named Meredith Lankford built the first version for the inaugural Tryon Horse Show.

The original design came from Eleanor Vance, inspired by the small toy horses that Tryon Toymakers had been crafting since 1915. Lankford and his crew secretly named him “Eleanor” after Miss Vance — never daring to say it out loud in her presence.

He’s been rebuilt five times over the years — lost to fires, weather, and the occasional act of mischief. The name “Morris” came in the early 1980s, from a neighbor named Mary Flynn Moore who simply thought it sounded right. It stuck.

Today, Morris mailboxes appear all over Tryon, the motif lives on the town’s official seal, and every Christmas, locals still sneak out in the small hours to drape a wreath around his neck.

Est. 1885

About Tryon

A small town with outsized soul. ~1,600 residents, 125+ years of history, and more character per square mile than anywhere we know.

🏔️

Blue Ridge Foothills

Nestled at the base of the Blue Ridge Escarpment in the Thermal Belt — mild winters, cool summers.

🐎

Equestrian Capital

Home to TIEC and the Block House Steeplechase, held every year since 1946.

🎵

Nina Simone's Hometown

The High Priestess of Soul began her musical career right here in Tryon.

🎨

Arts & Culture

Fine Arts Center, Tryon Arts & Crafts School, Little Theater, galleries — a town that creates.

🌡️

The Thermal Belt

One of the most temperate microclimates in the Southeast — that's why the wealthy came and stayed.

🍷

Wine & Craft Beer

Local vineyards, Iron Key Brewing, and a wine walk through downtown — a tradition since the 1900s.

Easy to reach, hard to leave

30 mi

Spartanburg, SC

31 mi

Greenville, SC

45 mi

Asheville, NC

88 mi

Charlotte, NC

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Founded

0+

Years of history

0+

Residents