If you love adventure and exploring, take an epic road trip to Saluda, NC. It is one of the most unique and breathtaking little mountain towns in Western NC. It sits at the top of the steepest railroad grade in the United States, which is part of its unique history. There are delectable restaurants, a hoppin’ art and music scene, numerous mountain town shops, and great outdoor activities for beginners and experts alike! It is also central to many other unique places to explore, like Hendersonville, Asheville, and Tryon. Keep reading for some great ideas on road trips to Saluda, NC.
5 Amazing Road Trips to Saluda, NC
1. Knoxville TN Road Trip to Saluda NC
Knoxville is around two hours west of Saluda and makes for an excellent getaway. You’re not in the car too long and have plenty of things to see along the way. You can take I-40 or drive down through Seymour to get there. A great place to stop is in the Great Smokey Mountains National Park at the Greenbriar Picnic Area. Have a snack or picnic lunch, and enjoy being in nature before getting back on the road.
After that, head to Asheville and stop at the Biltmore Estate and enjoy site seeing one of the nation’s most prominent homes. Then off to Saluda where you can enjoy picking fruit or flowers at one of many orchards in the area. You can enjoy a weekend in Saluda, a romantic mountain town, and visit other parks like Chimney Rock State Park or DuPont State Forest, hiking the trails and taking amazing photos. And you can see a nearby town, Hendersonville, NC, with many apple orchards and a charming downtown area!
2. Charlotte, NC to Saluda, NC
If you’re coming from Charlotte, NC, or eastern North Carolina, you can stop by the Russian Chapel Hills Winery just outside Saluda. Taste some great wines and take a bottle with you for later! As you continue heading to Saluda, another great place to stop is Tryon, NC. It is another beautiful historic town where you can visit its museum, antique shops, state parks, and points of interest like the Nina Simone Plaza. Then after you’ve explored a bit, head out to Saluda, just minutes from Tryon, where you can stay awhile to explore this stunning historic mountain town and many things to see and do in the surrounding areas.
3. Raleigh, NC to Saluda, NC
If you want to road trip from Raleigh, NC, you’ll want to get an early start! This drive will be a bit longer, but worth all the fantastic things you’ll see along the way! Raleigh is about four and a half hours away from Saluda. You can navigate your drive toward Asheville and decide on some great places to stop there, or you can go through Charlotte and visit some of the areas previously mentioned places if you want to go the Asheville route.
One great place to stop is the town of Marion, near Asheville. You can explore Tom’s Creek Falls, Mount Ida Wilderness Area, or their numerous places to eat, shop, and enjoy learning about the culture of Marion! Another great place is Black Mountain, NC. You can enjoy all the great places to eat or grab a beer and visit exciting places like the Round Mountain Creamery, where you can get a tour, pet some goats, and eat some cheese! Make sure to make an appointment first!
4. Columbia, SC, and Spartanburg, SC to Saluda, NC
if you’re coming from either Columbia, SC, or Spartanburg, SC, some great things to see are the town of Inman, SC. You can stop by the BMW Zentrum Museum and tour the factory or visit the Cowpens National Battlefield Park, where you can take a self-guided tour and learn about some history of the Revolutionary War. Or, if you’re traveling during certain times of the year, they offer live reenactments and exhibits.
5. Other Must-Do Road Trips Around Saluda, NC
Blue Ridge Mountains Drive
The Blue Ridge Parkway starts in Virginia and stretches to Cherokee, NC. You can spend an entire day exploring parts of it by going for a scenic drive or hiking a trail. To add to your road trip, read about one of the most beautiful drives in America!
Day Trips Near Saluda
After you get settled into a great place to stay in Saluda, on one of your days here, you can take a day trip to nearby areas and expand your adventure! One you might love as much as we do is a day trip to Grandfather Mountain. It is a nature preserve where you can explore nature and educational programs, get lunch, and do some hiking!
Road Trip in Style, Stay at The Orchard Inn Bed and Breakfast!
If you love taking road trips, a great way to plan is to pick the best place to stay as your hub and try to visit as many places as possible in the surrounding area! The Orchard Inn is one of the best places to stay in Western NC. We are a stylish bed and breakfast with guest rooms, suites, cottages, and even a restaurant right at the Inn! Enjoy fabulous amenities, a spa, and some gorgeous grounds to hang out and relax while enjoying the stunning views.
Check availability and start planning your fantastic road trip today!
