9 Reasons to Discover the First Peak of the Blue Ridge in Tryon, Columbus and Saluda, NC

You might come to the First Peak of the Blue Ridge for the beautiful mountains and countryside views, but you’ll end up staying for the small-town charm, unique B&Bs, wide selection of shops, festivals and events, and locally made cheese and wine.

Wine, Cider and Cheese

Parker-Binns Vineyard

Wine, Cider and Cheese

The southeast corner of Polk County is filled with agriculture and mountain views. Make your own tour with a couple of stops in one day, or experience them all in a weekend. Start with a hard cider, cheese and ice cream tasting at the farm store on Looking Glass Creamery’s 200-plus acre dairy farm, then explore the nearby wineries, all with their own style and beauty: Mountain Brook Vineyards, Overmountain Vineyards and Parker-Binns Vineyard.

 

Tiny City of Saluda

Downtown Saluda

Tiny City of Saluda

Pick up a walking tour map and walk the three-block downtown through the designated historic district. Don’t let the size fool you – the historic buildings across from a famous railroad line are full of thriving businesses. Start your day with coffee and a croissant from Wakey Monkey Coffee Café, stroll through the exhibits full of train tales at the Saluda Historic Depot, or enjoy a fantastic meal and live music at the Purple Onion.

 

Columbus’ Small-Town Charm

Downtown Columbus

Columbus’ Small-Town Charm

Columbus and its one-block historic downtown are best known for good food, museums and serving as the county seat. Spend your morning on Openroad Coffee's porch while enjoying a seasonal coffee (think a caramel apple chai in fall and an Almond Joy latte in winter) and an organic pastry. Then indulge in dinner at Mountain View BBQ and a night cap at Iron Key Brewing Company.

 

Downtown Tryon

Downtown Tryon

Downtown Tryon

Take in the arts during a walk down Trade Street, Tryon’s historic main street. The Nest Artisan Market is a delight for the senses, featuring handmade art, gifts and home décor. After shopping, stop in for a drink at Brooks Tavern, tucked into the lower level of the same historic building. Down the street, the independently owned and lovingly restored Tryon Theatre has been showing films since 1938.

 

Local Icons

Nina Simone mural

Local Icons

Nina Simone was a child musical prodigy born in Tryon in 1933, and she would later become recognized worldwide as an artist and activist, transcending genres and generations. Her life is featured in several places around town, including a statue and mural. On the fictional side of things, Morris the Horse – a giant red and black hobby horse that pays homage to Tryon’s olden days when wooden toy horses were produced in the town and shipped all over the country – overlooks Tryon and watches the goings on. You’ll find him at the corner of Trade and Pacolet streets.

 

Soothing Water Scenes and Scenic Drives

Lake Adger

Soothing Water Scenes and Scenic Drives

To lean into lake life, Lake Adger provides the ideal environment for kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding and fishing on a quiet lake surrounded by mountain views. Don’t forget to bring your own gear to get on the water! Or drive to the top of White Oak Mountain and right past Shunkawauken Falls to enjoy water views from a higher perspective.

 

Festivals and Local Events

Earl Scruggs Music Festival at Tryon International Equestrian Center

Festivals and Local Events

The area’s signature venues are favorites even without special events, but they frequently add on to their fun. The Tryon International Equestrian Center and Resort hosts large concerts, festivals and top equestrian competitions surrounded by shops, restaurants and mountain views; the Foothills Equestrian Nature Center, aka FENCE, includes walking trails and mountain views on its 390-acre nature preserve that hosts a variety of events such as free concerts and equestrian events; and Rogers Park in Tryon is a stone amphitheater that holds performances in a shaded, creekside setting a block from Main Street.

 

One-of-a-Kind Local Lodging

Saluda Inn

One-of-a-Kind Local Lodging

This area is known for small-town hospitality, and that means charming, locally owned lodging is in abundance. The recently restored Saluda Inn and the Orchard Inn & Spa share the history of Saluda while offering solitude with a side of luxury. These unique inns are in addition to the hundreds of large or small, rustic or high-end vacation rentals in the area that often sport views of lakes, rivers or mountains.

 

Outdoor Adventures

Outdoor Adventures

Get your heart pumping as you fly through the treetops of an old growth forest on a canopy zip line course with The Gorge. As one of the steepest and fastest zip line tours in the country, its 11 segments cover a lot of ground. The three-plus-hour trip starts at the top of a mountain and descends more than 1,000 feet to the river gorge below. Or try the new Quick Flight tour; the one-hour trip includes three zip lines followed by a short hike.

 

This article was produced in partnership with First Peak Visitor Center.