North Carolina has some wonderful large cities to visit when you’re up for that kind of pace. Alternatively, the Tar Heel State has a wealth of small towns for when you want to step away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and slow it down a bit. One of them, Saluda, is underrated and most definitely belongs on the bucket list of places to visit in North Carolina.
With a teensy population that has lingered right around 700 for the last decade or so, Saluda will surprise and delight you with the number of options and the sheer variety of things to do when you visit. Spend a day. Spend a weekend. Spend a week. You won’t run out of things to do, that’s for sure. And there’s a charm about a small town that allows you to relax away from the hectic hustle-and-bustle of everyday life.
Let's start with one of the things that set Saluda apart from the rest of the country. Believe it or not, there are many of these qualities, but we're going to focus on one very important one.
It crests right here in Saluda and has a grade that drops a whopping 606 feet in under three miles. It's a rail line that doubles as a roller coaster!
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So maybe you're not a rail fan, but you can't miss this unique mostly unknown feature about Saluda. Not when the track runs right down the edge of Main Street.
Service on this track ceased in 2001 but the line remains and is a deeply rooted point of pride for the locals. The rail line also points to a rich history of transport in the area and how it was connected to the rest of the world during the early days of its settlement.
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Saluda's Main Street shops and restaurants barely cover the length of two city blocks — but every store, every restaurant, every space is filled with a shop, an eatery, gallery, or more that you'll want to check out. Be sure to step into M.A. Pace General Store when you're in town. It's the classic General Store vibe that you always see in movies, but this time you get to star!
It's one of North Carolina's longest-running general stores and opened all the way back in 1899. Once inside, you're sure to feel right at home - and like you've stepped back in time all the way to the late 1800s.
Just up the street is another must-visit: Historic Thompson's Store.
This wonderful store opened in 1890 and, like M.A. Pace, is still going strong. While the vibe here is still quaint and historic, you can also find everything you need on the shop's shelves.
Thompson's is billed as the oldest grocery store in North Carolina. Find all you need here if you're spending a few days or longer and need to stock your kitchen in your rental house.
Pop over to Ward's Grill at the grocery. This 1950s-style diner is a favorite of the locals for breakfast and lunch. The burgers are amazing! You'll feel transported to another time and calmed by the classic comfort food on the menu. Don't miss out on the divine milkshakes.
Pearson's Falls and Glen is located just four miles from downtown Saluda and is a wonderful spot to spend a few hours. Learn more about this gorgeous 90-foot waterfall in this previous article. In Saluda, you can get the best of both worlds. The beauty of the natural world and the vibrancy of small town downtown life.
The 0.9-mile trail to Little Bradley Falls, a multi-tiered 50-foot waterfall, is found just five miles northeast of Saluda's Main Street. Your Instagram is just begging for a shot here.
The trail passes by some ruins as you make your way to the falls. It's usually accessible year-round and in warmer months is popular for cooling your toes in the mountain stream known as Cove Creek. Learn more about this waterfall near Saluda by reading this previous article.
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Take your outdoor adventuring up a notch with a visit to The Gorge Zipline Canopy Tour in Saluda. What could be more fun than climbing and sailing through the gorgeous natural canopy of Saluda, North Carolina?
America's steepest and fastest canopy tour is located right here in Saluda! Enjoy sky bridges, ziplines, high-rise platforms that tower over the terrain, and more. Learn all about the longest, steepest, and fastest zipline in America in our article.
Prefer to go adventuring on the water? Green River Adventures in Saluda has you covered!
Take an exciting kayak tour of the Green River, go on a waterfall trek, and even rappel down the face of a 75-foot waterfall on Cove Creek. The sky is the limit when you're with Green River Adventures! There are adventures for every skill level, so don't fret if you're not feeling up to the dizzying heights of a rock climb.
Oh but, if it's water you seek, we're not done yet! Wilderness Cove Tubing and Campground in Saluda is THE spot to combine your weekend of camping with a weekend of tubing on the river. Pitch a tent. Camp. Tube. Eat. Sleep. Repeat... all weekend long! The campground and tube rentals are located right on the edge of the river!
Open seasonally through the end of October (for cabin rentals), most of the fun at this locale takes place in warm weather months, so be sure to add it to your summer bucket list! If you're spending a long period of time in Saluda consider splitting your time between downtown and the great outdoors to get the most of what the beautiful region has to offer.
If this is your first visit to Saluda, we highly suggest you stop at the Saluda Visitors Center located at 20 W. Main Street.
Here, you'll find even more options for things to do, places to go, restaurants, shops, and more!
Ever been to Saluda, North Carolina? Did you have any idea this tiny town of around 700 residents has SO MANY fun things to see and do? Fire up some feedback in our comments!
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Saluda, North Carolina
CC|September 24, 2022
What else should I know about Saluda, North Carolina?
Saluda has lots of fun community festivals throughout the year. Check their town schedule before planning your trip. You may just be lucky and able to attend the Saluda Arts Festival, Coon Dog Day Festival, Saluda Home Town Christmas, or another engaging, seasonal local party.
