What is there to do while I am in the Tryon NC area?
There are so many cool places and talented folks in our area that you might enjoy getting to know! With that in mind, here is the start to an ever-expanding list of things to do, places to explore and people to meet in and around Tryon, NC.
Oh, and if you are looking for that special gift, check out our previous post – NC Foothills Online Gift Guide for Offline Shopping
Note: I am happy to add more ideas/resources to the list. Simply send along your ideas to corrie (@) LichtyGuitars.com
Art/Craft in Tryon and the Carolina Foothills
We’re fortunate to live in an area rich with craftsmen and artists. Look to our local galleries for great selections of treasures or look up the individual artists.
- The Millstone Gallery – Landrum
- The Nest Artisan Market art gallery and market
- Lynda Evans Studio – such a talented artist whose specialty is equestrian artwork
- Kim Attwooll – watercolor artist – handmade cards
- Monica Stevenson Photography – stunning limited edition fine art digital prints
- Green River Frame Shop and Gallery – custom framing and original artwork from local artists
- Tryon Painters and Sculptors Gallery featuring cards, jewelry, sculptures, painting and more from local artists
- Thompson Garden Gallery – showcasing local talent, artists and craftsmen, with a mix of items for home and garden.
- Upstairs Artspace – The Upstairs Artspace is a nonprofit contemporary art gallery in downtown Tryon, North Carolina
- Tryon Arts and Crafts – classes, workshops and a lovely gallery that features work of artisans from the Appalachian region in a number of media
- Salamander – offering a wonderful and electric mix of books, cards, art, antiques, music, fair trade crafts, jewelry, hats and handbags.
- William Jameson – Saluda, NC artist
- Richard Nelson – Tryon, NC artist
- Jim Carson – Saluda, NC artist
- Richard Baker – Saluda, NC artist
- Kniticality – yarn boutique, classes
- Doug Dacey Porcelains
- James Cornell Art Pottery
- Erik Olsen Photography – Erik is a brilliant story-teller through digital media. Equine photography, special photo shoots, videography
- Dale Weiler Scuptures
- Heartwood – wood, pottery, porcelain, jewelry, chimes, candles, glass, paintings, sculpture, and much more.
- Kathleen’s Gallery – lovely local crafts
- Dale McEntire – Saluda, NC artist
- Jim Shackelford – Tryon, NC artist
- Saluda Forge – hand forged treasures crafted by Bill Crowell
Book Stores & Libraries – Tryon NC, Saluda NC and Landrum SC
- The Book Shelf
- The Village Book Shoppe
- Goodheart Books – vintage
- Noah’s Ark Book Attic- vintage
- Polk County Library
- Landrum Library
- Saluda Community Library
- Lanier Library– One of only sixteen solely membership libraries left in the country
Tryon Community Websites/Resources
- Carolina Foothills Chamber of Commerce / Carolina Foothills Directory by the Foothills Chamber of Commerce
- Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina
- Explore Tryon
- Downtown Tryon Tourism – Facebook page
- Downtown Tryon
- First Peak at the Foothills – Polk County Tourism – Visitor Guide and Map
- Our Carolina Foothills
- Polk County Community Foundation
- Small Town Tryon NC Guide
- Moving to Tryon
- Visitor’s Bulletin- Fall 2017
Entertainment in and around Tryon NC
Best Food in the NC/SC Foothills
In addition to our local culinary treasures listed below, check out Chef Patricia’s recommendations for foods a bit farther afield.
For the freshest straight from the farm … Polk County Farmer’s Markets
- Personal Chef – Chef Patricia of Tryon offers everything from high-end catering to her popular Grab ‘n Go Weekly meal plan to coming into your kitchen for a lively cooking class.
- Farmers Market – look to every corner of the Foothills and you’ll find seasonal farmer’s markets
- Mill Spring Farm Store
- Huckleberries
- Tryon NC Coffee Co-op
- Lavender Bistro
- Open Road Coffee
- Side Street Pizza
- Caro-Mi
- 10 North Trade Street Cafe
- Stone Soup
- Hare and the Hound
- McGourty’s Irish Pub
- Orchard Inn
- Soulisa’s Fine Thai Dining
- Katie D’s Bagels and Deli
- El Chile Rojo
- El Soreno
- Southside Smoke House
- Southern Delights
- The Harvest House
- Giardinni Trattoria
- The Purple Onion
- The Saluda Grade Cafe
- TJs Cafe
- Bucks To-Go Pizza
- Larkins Carolina Grill
- Southern Manners
- Mountain View BBQ
- Pine Crest Inn
- The Brick Pizzaria
- Green River BBQ
- Wildflower Bakery
- Nature’s Storehouse
Hands-on/ Experiential Learning Tryon
- Visit a Luthier
- Watercolor Class
- Learn to Play an Instrument
- Take a Winery Tour
- Isothermal Community College
- Tryon Painters and Sculptors
- Tryon Arts and Crafts
- House Concert Series (contact Corrie with Lichty Guitars to get on the notification email list)
Instrument Makers Tryon NC
- Jay Lichty of Lichty Guitars – custom handcrafted guitars and ukuleles
- Ben Seymour – dulimers, bouzoukis and more
Tryon Outdoor Activities – Walkabouts, Easy Hikes and more
- The Gorge – America’s steepest, fastest Zipline tour
- Green River Adventures – kayaking, waterfall rappels and more
- Fence – Foothills Equestrian Nature Center
- Pacolet/Foothills Area Conservancy
- Harmon Field
- Disk Golf Course – Harmon Field
- Biking the Foothills
- Landrum Dog Park
- Pearsons Falls
- Polk County Trails
- Green River Game Lands Trails – Map
- Blue Wall Passage – Palmetto Trail
Tryon Equestrian Resources
- Tryon International Equestrian Center
- FEI 2018 World Equestrian Games
- Fence – Foothills Equestrian Nature Center
- Lynda Evans Studio – such a talented artist whose specialty is equestrian artwork
- Monica Stevenson Photography -Monica Stevenson’s fine art photography focuses on a subject forever integral to her life: horses
Tryon Wineries and Local Spirits
- The Bottle – For a fine selection of wine and beer, many of them crafted locally
- Wine Culture in Tryon
- Explore Tryon – Wineries
- WNC Wine Trail
- BottleTree Beer
- Green Creek Winery
- Mountain Brook Vineyards
- Overmountain Vineyards
- Parker-Binns Vineyard
- Russian Chapel Hills Winery
Carolina Foothills Local Services
- Limo Zen – Luxury transportation services in and around the NC/SC Foothills
- Tick-Tock Concierge Services – luxury bespoke personal concierge services to individuals, families and businesses in Asheville, Charleston and through out the southeast.