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8 Cozy Things to Do in Fall in Rock Hill, SC and York County

ByPaige Watts

When the air turns crisp and the leaves begin to change, Rock Hill and the rest of York County, South Carolina transform into the perfect fall getaway. Here are my favorite cozy things to do in fall in Rock Hill.

Kevin and I just spent a romantic autumn weekend exploring Rock Hill’s orchards, trails, and restaurants, and it’s so easy to fall in love with this area! Sipping cider flights at Windy Hill Orchard, cozying up in a hidden speakeasy, and hiking around a serene lake are just a few ways to enjoy the season.

If you want mural walks and history-rich landmarks, cozy restaurants and firepit evenings, then you’ll love these fall activities in Rock Hill and throughout York County. You’ll definitely want to grab a cider donut and stay a while!

A special thanks to Visit York County, SC for hosting us for a fall weekend! As always, all opinions are my own.

Street view of downtown Rock Hill, South Carolina with a historical marker in the foreground, brick buildings, sidewalk cafes, and trees under a clear blue sky.

Fall Activities in Rock Hill & York County

1. Pick Apples at Windy Hill Orchard

An apple tree with clusters of yellow-brown apples among dense green leaves under an overcast sky at Windy Hill Orchard & Cidery in York, South Carolina.
A hand holds a small, sugar-coated apple cider doughnut against a blurred background of apple trees and a sunny sky at Windy Hill Orchard & Cidery in York, South Carolina.
A wooden flight board holds 12 small glasses of hard apple cider in varying shades from deep red to golden, in a casual outdoor seating area at Windy Hill Orchard & Cidery in York, South Carolina.

For some people, fall means pumpkin spice. For me, fall means apple cider! So it’s not really fall until you’ve popped on over to Windy Hill Orchard & Cidery and gotten warm, fresh apple cider donuts and a flight of their hard ciders.

Windy Hill Orchard has been around since 1978. They offer U-pick apples, fresh pressed apple cider, pre-picked apples, apple cider donuts, apple pies, hard cider, and more delicious apple goodies.

A trip to the orchard in the fall is like a full-on festival. There’s live music, games, a pumpkin patch, tractor rides, and lots of apples.

If you do nothing else, I recommend getting a half-dozen apple cider donuts. I also recommend getting their flight of hard ciders so you can try them all and decide which bottle you want to take home (my favorite was the Rusty Gold and Kevin’s favorite was the Gala Peach).

2. Take a Lake Hike at Anne Springs Close Greenway

A tranquil lakeside scene on Lake Haigler in Anne Springs Close Greenway in Fort Mill, South Carolina during autumn, featuring a rippling water surface and a tree-lined shore with foliage in green, red, and hints of orange.
Calm Lake Haigler at Anne Springs Close Greenway in Fort Mill, South Carolina surrounded by lush green trees reflects a blue sky. Wildflowers and greenery are in the foreground, creating a serene natural setting.
Lake Haigler at Anne Springs Close Greenway in Fort Mill, South Carolina bordered by lush green trees with one tree displaying vibrant red foliage. Overhanging branches frame the scene, creating a tranquil autumnal view.
Lake Haigler at Anne Springs Close Greenway in Fort Mill, South Carolina is framed by trees with vibrant orange and green leaves, evoking a calm autumn atmosphere. The water reflects the overcast sky.

Anne Springs Close Greenway is a 2,100-acre nature preserve with trails, playgrounds, pavilions, a restaurant, a children’s farm, disc golf, community garden, mountain bike skills park, dog park, and nature-based educational programing.

There are more than 40 miles of hiking, biking, and horseback riding trails. There is lake access for kayaking, paddleboarding, and fishing. It’s an all around beautiful place to be in the fall.

I recommend going to the Lake Haigler entrance and hiking the 1.8 mile Haigler Loop around the 28-acre lake. This is a nice natural trail that’s not too strenuous, with beautiful views of the leaves changing color across the lake waters.

3. Have a Romantic Date Night at Elsie’s Speakeasy

A foamy lavender cocktail in a coupe glass on a white table next to a menu titled "Elsie's at Kounter." A green bowl with garnishes and a second drink are in the background, as seen at Elsie's at Kounter in Rock Hill, South Carolina.
Elegant table setting with cocktails featuring an orange mint-garnished drink in the forefront. A bowl of olives and nuts sits nearby on a marble surface, as seen at Elsie's at Kounter in Rock Hill, South Carolina

What better date night is there than snuggling up together in a speakeasy? Elsie’s at Kounter is York County’s first speakeasy, and you and your partner can sip on prohibition-style cocktails in a hidden backroom that requires a secret password to enter.

Check their socials for the day’s feature (that’s your password; don’t worry, they have a hint at the shop if you forget) and head into Elsie’s Retail cheese and charcuterie shop. Once you’ve given the password, you’ll enter through a secret door (the freezer isn’t what it seems!) and find Elsie’s Speakeasy.

The vibe of Elsie’s is classically vintage. It’s named for Chef Rob’s grandmother, and all the decor is his family’s heirlooms. The space is small and narrow, so it’s definitely an intimate feel.

I recommend the Lavender Dream. They also do a little cocktail competition between the bartenders where they create something new around the same type of alcohol, so you can get a unique creation every month. When we visited, the alcohol was Scotch and Kevin tried their Smokey Mountains cocktail.

4. See the Murals in Old Town Rock Hill

"Dreamer", a mural on a building in Rock Hill, South Carolina, showing a child drawing a rocket with an astronaut inside near a crescent moon and stars.
Shepard Fairey Mural in Rock Hill, South Carolina, a vibrant street mural on a building wall, featuring a woman's profile, a white dove on an orange background, and geometric designs on a blue background with the text "Eyes Open, Mind Open."
Vernon Grant Mural at York County Library in Rock Hill, South Carolina, a colorful mural on a brick building depicting a whimsical castle scene with cartoon characters, clouds, and signs, under a bright blue sky.
Freedom Walkway in Rock Hill, South Carolina, featuring a brick wall mural with the words "Liberty and Justice for All," adorned with butterflies and flowers.

Old Town Rock Hill is bursting with color thanks to the downtown’s mural-covered walls (and streets). A few of my favorites include:

5. Walk the Fort Mill Scarecrow Crawl

A festive scarecrow with a painted pumpkin head and straw limbs leans on a barrel beside a “Happy Fall” banner on a vibrant, sunny street as part of the Scarecrow Crawl in Fort Mill, South Carolina.
A skeleton on a red wooden platform is posed to sit on red steps pulling on a beer tap, as part of the Scarecrow Crawl in Fort Mill, South Carolina. In the background are patio umbrellas and a blue sky.

The annual Fort Mill Scarecrow Crawl is a festive display of scarecrows created by local businesses and organizations. The creative scarecrows are installed throughout the month of October, and the public gets to vote on their favorites.

You’ll find the scarecrows lined up along Main Street in downtown Fort Mill, throughout Millstone Park, in Walter Elisha Park, and along S. White Street, Railroad Avenue, and Tom Hall Street. There are over 100 scarecrows to see!

6. Honor the History of the Friendship Nine

Friendship Nine Exhibit in Rock Hill, South Carolina showcasing local civil rights history. Central text reads "Jail, No Bail!" with photos and protest signs.

In 1961, a group of African American civil rights demonstrators from Friendship College sat down at the lunch counter of all-white McCrory’s 5-10-25¢ Variety Store (now Kounter) in downtown Rock Hill. Within minutes of sitting down, the 10 men were arrested.

This was the start of the “Jail, No Bail” movement in Rock Hill. Instead of posting bail for $100, the protestors opted for jail time, costing the city more to house them and garnering media publicity for the nine men who refused bail. They were dubbed the Friendship Nine.

The Friendship Nine spurred similar protest, and many of the Freedom Riders arrested in Jackson, Mississippi refused to pay their fines and instead served sentences.

Inside Kounter, you can still see the original lunch counter and chairs the men sat in; it’s still used for the restaurant’s bar. In the hallway in between Kounter and Elsie’s is an exhibit on the Friendship Nine, from the beginning in 1961 to their exoneration in 2015. And the Freedom Walkway nearby honors their legacy and other local heroes who fight for equality.

7. Have a Cozy Meal at the Best Restaurants

A plate of French toast dusted with powdered sugar, topped with strawberries and blueberries, with a small syrup cup and orange juice nearby, at Poppyseed Kitchen in Fort Mill, South Carolina.
A plate with grilled steak, topped with fresh arugula, resting on creamy sauce alongside colorful garnish, accompanied by a bowl of cheesy corn risotto, from Kounter in Rock Hill, South Carolina.

York County’s local restaurants are the best places for a cozy fall meal. You can get delicious farm-to-table dining for breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner (and sweet treats and snacks in between). Here are a few of my favorite fall restaurants:

You can find more delicious restaurants in York County here.

8. Snuggle in at the Hilton Garden Inn Rock Hill

Hotel room at the Hilton Garden Inn in Rock Hill, South Carolina with two neatly made double beds, bright white linens, a bedside table with lamps, abstract wall art, and a cozy red armchair by the window.

The Hilton Garden Inn Rock Hill is a cozy hotel and the perfect place to stay for fall weekend getaway in York County.

This is where we stayed, and we found it to be a great location between our activities in Rock Hill and Fort Mill. Plus, it’s within walking distance of outlet shops, a movie theater, and classic chain restaurants.

There’s even an on-site restaurant and bar, 650 Tinsley Social, with outdoor patio seating and fire pits. It may be too cool to enjoy the hotel’s outdoor pool this time of year, but a drink by the fire pit is perfect for fall!

Book your stay at the Hilton Garden Inn Rock Hill here.

Fall in Rock Hill Map

Ready for a fall getaway in York County, SC? You can plan out your trip using the map below!

I hope you have a great time this fall in Rock Hill and York County!

Where to Stay in York County, SC

More South Carolina Travel Tips

Find more fun things to do in South Carolina with these top blog posts:

Ready to visit Rock Hill, South Carolina? Plan your trip with these tips.

Cheers!

Paige

8 Cozy Things to Do in Fall in Rock Hill, SC and York County

What are your favorite fall activities in Rock Hill and York County, South Carolina? Let me know in the comments!

Paige Watts is a travel expert and author of What's With Atlanta?, a guide to the quirks and charm of the ATL. A life-long traveler, Paige is dedicated to helping you discover the best things to do in the Southern USA and around the world. Her work has been featured in The Culture Trip, Matador, Newsbreak, MSN, NPR, and countless other interviews and podcasts.

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