Sunsational Sunflowers at The Greenway

Glencairn Garden

May 14, 2013 By Christin M Leave a Comment

Glencairn Garden, an 11 acre botanical garden located in the residential area of Rock Hill near Winthrop University, is a delightful place to spend a spring afternoon. This well planned out garden is a peaceful oasis composed of gardens full of beautiful plants and flowers in vibrant colors. There is a good mix of shady areas and sunny spots, and plenty of paved pathways to take an afternoon stroll.

Peak bloom season is from late March to mid-April and is the most popular time to visit the garden. This is when Glencairn’s prized and numerous azaleas are in their glory. The Come See Me Festival is always scheduled in early April to coincide with Glencairn Garden’s azaleas being in full bloom.

By now, the azaleas have bloomed and faded, but there is still plenty to see at Glencairn Gardens.

The older part of the Garden is towards Charlotte Ave. This part was designed by Robert Marvin in 1958 and includes a shade and water garden, Japanese Bridge, and a Cascade Fountain and Pond. These areas are nicely shaded by mature trees.

The Bigger House, at the corner of Crest St and Charlotte Ave was the home of Glencairn Garden’s former owners and now serves as an information center for the Garden. Originally Glencairn Garden was the 6 acre back yard of the Bigger’s family.

It was turned into a public space in the late 1950s and became the inspiration for the Come See Me Festival, Rock Hill’s annual celebration of Spring. Many inprovements have been made to the Garden in the last 10 years, including an expansion.

Newer parts of Glencairn Gardens include another Cascade Fountain, a Veteran’s Garden, Overlook Plaza, an Outdoor Classroom, and Children’s Garden.

This Saturday, May 18th, the 3rd Annual Bloomfest will take place in Glencairn Gardens from 9am-3pm. There will be music, garden tours, garden-themed vendors, and arts and crafts for kids.

Fridays from 10am-1pm, gardeners from York County Master Gardeners Association are available to answer questions in person at Bigger House or by phone.

Free Classes are taught the first Friday of each month from 11am-noon at the Glencairn Garden Learning Center at 825 Edgemont Ave.

Upcoming classes include:

June 7 – Vegetable Pests
July 5- Know your Beneficial Insects
August 2- Gardening Myths

Stop by Glencairn Garden for a visit soon and see why it is such a popular place for prom and wedding pictures. You might want to take your camera and shoot a few pictures yourself.

Glencairn Garden

www.rockhillrocks.com

725 Crest St

Rock Hill, SC 29730

803-329-5620

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Filed Under: Local Attractions Tagged With: gardening classes, Glencairn Garden, Rock Hill, Rock Hill Parks

Riverbanks Botanical Garden

April 25, 2013 By Christin M 1 Comment

Located across the Saluda River from Riverbanks Zoo, The Riverbanks Botanical Garden may not be as appealing to young children as the animal exhibits, but it is a delight for those who have a fondness for nature, gardening, and flowers. The gardens are literally ablaze with color. Beautiful pinks, vibrant yellows, soft whites, and brilliant purples. Whether it be spring, summer, or fall the Botanical Garden is a sight to see.

Much younger than the neighboring Riverbanks Zoo, the Botanical Garden opened in 1995 and is made up of 70 acres containing 4,200 species of native and exotic plants. The walk across the brick-paved foot bridge expanding across the Saluda River provides some awesome scenic views and photo ops.

You can also park at the Riverbanks Botanical Garden Entrance at 1300 Botanical Parkway West Columbia instead of entering from the Zoo.

Once across the bridge, you can wait for a tram to drive you up to the upper gardens or you can walk on foot. It is about a 3/10 of a mile hike uphill. (Might be best to take the tram up and walk back down.) The tram runs about every 10 minutes.

The tram lets you off right in front of the Visitor’s Center, behind which is a beautiful walled garden. To the right is an amphitheatre. The Visitor Center is quite large, but there’s not a whole lot of interest. ( The bathrooms might be some of the cleanest and least crowded you find so they are worth a stop.) The building appears to be mainly offices and meeting rooms.

Exit the rear door of the Visitor Center and you will be treated to an expansive and beautiful view of the Walled Garden. A canal that expands 300 feet is the focal point of the garden. Cascading fountains spread out along the length of the canal provide visual interest. Most of the plants are well labeled.

In addition to viewing the walled garden, you may also want to take a hike along the Botanical Garden trail system which not only runs alongside part of the river, but passes several areas of historical significance including the location of one of South Carolina’s first water-powered textile mills as well as the place that General Sherman’s troops camped out during the Civil War before marching into and setting fire to the city of Columbia.

Every Thursday evening in the month of May, enjoy live music in the garden from 6 to 9pm. Cash bar and food available for purchase.

Don’t forget to save time to head over to the Riverbanks Zoo where you’ll find elephants, giraffes, gorillas and much, much more.

Riverbanks Botanical Garden

1300 Botanical Parkway

West Columbia, SC

Filed Under: Local Attractions, Road Trips, Things To Do Tagged With: botanical garden, Columbia SC, family fun, Riverbanks Zoo, things to do

Riverbanks Zoo

April 22, 2013 By Christin M 1 Comment

Riverbanks Zoo and Botanical Garden in Columbia is a day trip like no other and is sure to delight all ages. Just an easy drive south on I-77, Riverbanks Zoo, located along the banks of the Saluda River in Columbia, can be reached in well under 90 minutes from the Fort Mill area. This highly acclaimed zoo has been around for many decades and has really blossomed through the years.

Everyone who visits Riverbanks Zoo seems to really appreciate the size of the zoo- it’s just right. The entire zoo and botanical gardens take up 130 acres, but the animal exhibits are arranged in close proximity to each other making everything easily accessible. An easy to navigate zoo is a big plus, especially for people with small children and you can see just about everything you want to see in a few hours (even though there are around 2,000 animals) if you stay on task and don’t dawdle.

Admission is reasonable compared to equivalent attractions: Adults $11.75, Children 3-12 $9.25, and 2 and under free. Discounts are given to military families with military ID, seniors over age 62, and groups of 15 or more who register at least 2 weeks in advance.

A few activities in the zoo do cost extra including Giraffe feeding (highly recommended at $2), rock climbing wall ($3 per child), sky walk ($7), and the carousel. Unlimited daily rides passes can be purchased for $20, but this does not include admission or the sky-high safari.

If you go to Riverbanks Zoo during peak season (Spring Break, summer, a nice fall or spring weekend), it’s best to get there early. Riverbanks Zoo receives over 1,000,000 visitors each year. On our recent visit the ticket line extended way out into the parking lot when we left the zoo around lunchtime.

TIP- Buy tickets online and avoid the crowds. I also think the Botanical Garden entrance is much less crowded, but it is a little bit of a hike from there to the zoo section.

Unlike some other zoos (the North Carolina Zoo for example) you will get to see the animals up close. When the zoo is crowded, you may have to wait a few minutes to move up to an opitmal viewing point. The Gorilla building can be especially packed, but your patience will be rewarded.

On our recent visit, the gorilla really put on a show, throwing his toys about and running back and forth across the room in violent bursts of energy. Those watching got to witness not only the strength of a gorilla (I was a little worried that the glass partition between him and us might not be adequate) but the quickness and agility with which they can move.

I was a little disappointed to see that the sea lion exhibit has been replaced with kangaroos. Although it is the coolest kangaroo exhibit I’ve seen. You walk right through their habitat, no fences or anything. They were just chillin in the grass. And there are plans to build a new and improved sea lion exhibit sometime in the future.

Other not to miss exhibits are the Giraffes, Elephants, Ostriches, and Penguins. Along with the aptly named Howler Monkeys who inhabit a little island over towards the kids play area. You can hear them screeching from pretty much any area of the zoo. They apparently can be heard up to 3 kilometers away in the jungle. Small kids delight in watching them swing and hang from their prehensile tails.

The Aquarium Reptile Complex and the Birdhouse are both indoor exhibits that can be a good break if the outdoor elements aren’t ideal. Prepare yourself before entering the Birdhouse though. The stench from the penguins is horrific.

But, even on hot summer days there are plenty of shady spots to linger for a while.

There’s a great kid’s play area all the way to the right of the zoo near the river. The play area includes carousel, rock climbing, and a playground. Just a short walk from this area is the footbridge leading over the Saluda River to the Botanical Garden.

As far as food goes, there aren’t many good food choices. The main restaurant is the Kenya Cafe which mainly serves burgers and fries. There are some smaller walk-up food places scattered around the zoo. There is also a picnic area outside the park.

If you think visiting the zoo may be something you’d like to do multiple times a year, consider getting a zoo membership. Individual memberships are $49 for a year and family memberships are $79.

The Zoo also hosts many awesome events throughout the year.

Rhythm and Blooms Music and Art in the Garden will take place Thursdays in May from 6-9pm. This event is free for members and $5 for non-members. Food and cash bar available.

Other Upcoming Events

Brew at the Zoo on August 2 from 7-9:30 pm. Named one of Southeast Tourism Society’s Top 20 Events. Stroll through the zoo and sample a wide variety of imports, domestics, and micros. Listen to live music.

Zoofari on Friday September 27 at 7pm. Savory cuisine and cool cocktails, silent auction, live entertainment, behind the scenes tour and up-close animal encounters.

Be sure to save some time to visit the Botanical Garden on the other side of the river!

Riverbanks Zoo

Main Entrance

500 Wildlife Parkway

Columbia, SC 29210

Botanical Garden Entrance

1300 Botanical Parkway

West Columbia, SC 29169

Zoo Hours: Open 9am-5pm

9am-6pm Sat and Sun from March 29-September 29

Filed Under: Local Attractions, Things To Do Tagged With: Columbia SC, day trips, fun for kids, Riverbanks Zoo, things to do, zoos

Carowinds Opening Soon for 2013 Season

March 3, 2013 By Christin M 1 Comment

This year at Carowinds, you’ll be able to step back in time with the new ‘Dinosaurs Alive’ attraction. This new addition will contain 30 life-sized animatronic dinosaurs set among 5 wooded acres. The attraction will take the place of Joe Cool’s Driving School and will require a $5 entrance fee.

With 1,000+ acres of trails and educational components, it is sure to become a popular destination for area schools. Consoles will be set up in certain areas so that guests can control the movements of the dinosaurs, the largest of which, the Ruyangosaurus, measures 40 ft high and 60 ft long.

The 2013 season begins March 29. Buy you Season Pass today.

A Gold Season Pass includes unlimited visits in 2013 for Carowinds and Scarowinds, free parking, admission and early entry to Boomerang Bay, and food and merchandise discounts. Buy 4 or more Gold Passes for $78.00 each or 6 payments of $13.00.

More information can be found at www.carowinds.com.

Filed Under: Local Attractions Tagged With: Carowinds, Fort Mill things to do

Fort Mill Attractions: Walter Elisha Park

September 13, 2012 By Christin M Leave a Comment

Walter Elisha Park, located in the heart of Fort Mill, is a delightful place to take a mid-day walk or let your children let loose on the playground. This beautiful green space, named after a former CEO of Springs Industries, sits just a few blocks from historic downtown Fort Mill. If you get hungry, take a stroll to Local Dish on Main St for some wonderful southern food.

Walter Elisha Park provides 12 acres of space to stretch your legs and breathe the fresh air. An asphalt walking trail extends around the edges of the park. You can loop around the trail (probably around 1/2 acre in length) to get your exercise or follow an adjoining path alongside Hwy 160 to the Peach Stand and get a cup of Hershey’s ice cream.

Many people think of Walter Elisha Park as the Gateway to the east side of Fort Mill and on a beautiful fall afternoon, the playground is densely populated with playful children and on looking parents.

Several family activities take place at Walter Elisha Park throughout the year including the Easter Eggstravaganza, movies in the park during the summer, and the Strawberry Festival in May.

In just two weeks (September 29) The Humane Society of York County will hold the 3rd Annual Dog Gone Good Times Festival at the park. There will be a dog walk, BBQ for sale, as well as vendors and games.

Walter Elisha Park is just one of the many reasons Fort Mill is a fantastic place to call home.

Located at the corner of N White St and Ardrey St in Fort Mill, SC.

Filed Under: Local Attractions Tagged With: Fort Mill attractions, parks in Fort Mill

Windy Hill Orchard is Open for Apple Season

August 24, 2012 By Christin M 1 Comment

Many people don’t know it, but we have an operating Apple Orchard right here in York County. Owned and operated by Fritz and Catherine Gusmer , Windy Hill Orchard and Cider Mill is a haven for apple lovers. Located just west of York, SC on Highway 5, Windy Hill is an easy drive from Fort Mill.

If you want to pick your own apples, it’s best to visit the orchard on the weekend. Most weekdays pick your own is not an option, but you can still purchase apples and other goodies from the roadside stand. You’ll find pies and butters and fresh pressed cider as well as Windy Hill’s award-winning hard cider. Incidentally, the hard cider can also be purchased at the Local Dish in Fort Mill. Try it. It’s delicious.

I would be remiss if I didn’t add that the real draw at Windy Hill Orchard is the hot apple cider doughnuts. It is with much guilt that I admit that our trips to Windy Hill are usually for doughnuts, not apples. Sure we’ll buy a 1/4 peck bag of apples while we’re there to make ourselves feel better, but the doughnuts are the real attraction.

In fact it was Gusmer’s quest for a true apple cider doughnut that gave him the idea to start an orchard so that he could make his own.

Check the online calendar at www.windyhillorchard.com before you plan a trip. Certain days are full of fun activities for the family such as farm tours, cider making demonstrations, and occasionally Gus himself dresses in character to tell the Johnny Appleseed story.

Windy Hill Apples

Saturday October 20 Windy Hill will be having their annual Apple Festival. Admission is free, but a $7 ticket covers the activities including an apple cider making demonstration, hayride, a fresh doughnut, a cup of apple cider, and a small take home pumpkin or 1/4 peck bag of apples. Plus you get to hear the Johnny Appleseed Story.

Windy Hill Orchard

1860 Black Highway (Highway 5)

York, SC 29745

While in York, you may want to catch an afternoon movie at The Sylvia Theater in downtown York.

And if you need something to do with all those apples, try these recipes:

Whole Wheat Apple Pancakes with Nutty Topping

Coleslaw with Apples

Praline Apple Bread

Filed Under: Local Attractions Tagged With: apple cider doughnuts, apple festival, apples, Windy Hill Orchard, Windy Hill Orchard York