Location: Saluda
Top Things to do in Saluda
The 10 Best Things to Do in Saluda, United States
Saluda is a city Polk and Henderson counties in the U.S. state of North Carolina. The population was 713 at the 2010 census. Saluda is famous for sitting at the top of the Norfolk Southern Railway's Saluda Grade, which was the steepest main line standard-gauge railway line in the United States until Norfolk Southern ceased operations on the line in 2001. Saluda is close to the South Carolina state line, between Asheville, North Carolina, and Spartanburg, South Carolina.
Restaurants in Saluda
1. The Gorge Zipline Canopy Tour
Overall Ratings
5 based on 280 reviews
Perched on the rim of the Green River Gorge in Saluda, North Carolina - The Gorge is a tree-based zip line canopy adventure with 11 zip lines, sky-bridges, and 3 free-fall rappels - dropping an unprecedented 1,100 feet in elevation through 125 acres of old-growth and protected forest. Tours last 3.5 hours and offer 90 mile panoramic views. Designed by the leaders in the canopy tour industry, The Gorge features hands-free breaking for maximum safety and fun!
Reviewed By Joseph B
I've zipped in Costa Rica, Boone, on a cruise ship, and on an island in the Caribbean and this beats them all. The zips are fast and the views are unreal. The rappels and Skybridge are extras that add to the experience. The guides were great and safety was at the forefront of everything they did. Highly recommend as a great zip experience! Oh, and the hot chocolate in the middle of the tour was nice too.
2. Flat Rock Playhouse
Overall Ratings
5 based on 321 reviews
A popular theater in the town.
Reviewed By 2Old2DieYoung - Pine Bush, New York
We saw the play "Amadeus," a drama. Usually I am not a fan of non-musicals because of my hearing deficit, but we had requested front row seats, and with their fine sound system, I heard well enough. This was a professional production on a much larger stage than I expected for a "playhouse" in the mountains, and the quality of the seating was equally impressive. This not just a summer playhouse, it is a year-round venue, so be prepared to be pleasantly surprised!
3. Pearson's Falls Glen
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 140 reviews
Named after its founder, Charles William Pearson, this 268-acre area of wilderness offers an abundant variety of flowers.
Reviewed By motherchristmas61 - Richardson, Texas
Very picturesque! Great place for a family photo. You pay 5.00 per adult. A little easy, beautiful walk to the falls. You’ll be taking photos on the way there. Lots of moss and small waterfalls. We visited 4 waterfalls, this was my favorite.
4. Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 486 reviews
Home of poet Carl Sandburg and his family. Located on 264-acres in Western North Carolina. The site includes 5-miles of hiking trails, a dairy goat farm and offers daily tours of the Sandburg Home.
Reviewed By Lorenzo1317
I was so disappointed at the Carl Sandburg house, that's right, it's a house, not a home. While the beautiful property , rolling hills, hiking trails, and a few goats are beautiful, you're actually visiting a big empty old house. Not much to see in the home other than a few Smokey the Bear park rangers, some old photo's and a lot of white walls. There is a small bus that takes you up the hill but you would never know it by being at the bottom of the hill, only when the empty bus drives by you as you walk up the long long hike uphill. No, the driver doesn't even stop...but over and over the same empty bus drives up and down the hill ( Our Government at work ! ). The Federal Government has made a boondoggle out of the place. I did enjoy watching government workers shoveling manure in the barn, reminded me of our Congress ! This place is good for outdoor scenery and hiking and it is dog and kid friendly, but if you plan to see how Carl Sandburg lived, forget it. My suggestion would be for the Fed's to give this place to the State or the locals, who dearly loved the Sandburg family.
5. Green River Adventures
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 122 reviews
Specializing with guided whitewater trips from class 1 to class 4 whitewater, waterfall rappelling, stand up paddleboarding, and whitewater kayak instruction. Green River Adventures has trips for all ages, skill, and thrill levels.
Reviewed By wndrwmn - South Carolina
My husband and I zip-lined the Gorge last fall and had a great experience. Green River Adventures is part of the same company/sister company and I knew they'd provide another quality experience.
We had family in town and were interested in taking our group (ages 9-43) on a rafting adventure. We stopped by and talked with one of the guides and he answered all our questions. We booked our tour on-line and were all set for the next day.
We chose the lower river tour (class I&II rapids) and the 9-year-old teamed up in a double kayak with her dad. My 11 year old struggled a bit on her own, but eveyone else did fine in their own kayak. They provide a life-vest, helmet and brief instruction in addition to the boat, paddle and guide. The guide takes pictures along the way that you can purchase afterwards.
It was a beautiful day and therefore, we had to navigate around a little tube traffic, but it wasn't too bad. We moved faster than them anyway :) The rapids were fun and not too wild. We all got stuck a few times on rocks but that's part of the fun. Our guide Keith also pointed out animals and interesting things along the way. Be sure and ask to stop at the rope swing. I think this was my nieces' favorite part!
The trip wrapped up about the time I was getting tired which was perfect! We dried off a bit (yes,you'll get wet but no one went under) and had a drink of water while we waited for transportation back.
Great adventure! Great people! You won't regret it!
6. Thompson's Store
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 42 reviews
Reviewed By Lollypop - Coastal South Carolina, South Carolina
It is an old old grocery store, but they have all you need, fresh produce, wine, beer, and fresh meats, the best homemade sausage, and we bought a frozen chicken pot pie, it was the perfect size and delicious.
They also have various frozen entrees....
Very friendly store clerk too.
7. Heartwood Contemporary Crafts Gallery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 26 reviews
Reviewed By Levannah - Hendersonville, North Carolina
We were surprised to find this little craft gallery along the main street in Saluda during a recent visit to the little town. Heartwood Contemporary Crafts Gallery has an excellent selection of western North Carolina arts and crafts and items from other states as well. The crafts are well presented and the staff are friendly. I enjoy visiting successful local shops that showcase local artisans.
8. Saluda Gem Mine Wicks & Wares
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 21 reviews
Gem Mine on our covered deck rain or shine; find gems, minerals, & fossils playing in the dirt! Open year round (indoor water trough inside during the winter). Always making sure our customers get first rate attention & leave with great souvenirs from their mining experience. Our gift shop includes many finds local and foreign & handmade soy candles by Melisa and awesome handmade natural soaps!
Reviewed By sunrise8 - Charlotte, NC
This place looked very interesting to go into. They had outside where people could pan for gems. There were many gems inside to buy along with natural soaps that told you what they could help heal. There were also soy candles and candle square melters. The candles smelled wonderful. I was reading how the soap there could help those who suffer from psoriasis and was planning to buy some for someone dear to me. The owner was most kind and asked if she could show me how the melted soy candles there help with the same condition. She rubbed some that had been melted on my hand. She told me the story of a young woman who came in her store with that condition and the melted soy candle treatment has made her so much better. The girl came back into her shop and showed her how well it was working. I am hoping it will help the person that we got some for. I found this place to be really knowledgeable in alternative medicines through essential oils as well. A shop worth visiting , felt like I was led there.
9. Green River Cove Tubing
Overall Ratings
4 based on 85 reviews
Reviewed By wendy L - Evanston, Illinois
No one in our family of 7 (ages 14 - 70) had ever tubed a river before, so we just checked out the local listings and all the great reviews in the tourist literature and figured it would be a relaxing 2 hour ride. Be forewarned: this establishment only rents tubes, they do not discuss or prepare you in any way prior to your ride, and no one accompanies you or monitors the activity - you are on your own once you start. And the idea that this is a "calm" experience is totally unrealistic. There are rapids with considerable current in several places, and getting around the rocks proved difficult for several older family members. There are also many low hanging branches and fallen limbs in the water, all of which can prove challenging. My brother in law actually suffered a minor concussion when his tube spun around in the rapids and smacked him into a large tree branch. I flipped over a rock and got sucked under the water and into another fallen branch, causing me to become very disoriented and frightened. Several family members got stuck and had to rely on others to come to their rescue. Mercifully we saw no snakes, but have read, and were told later, that they are common, especially on sunny days, and can be seen not only in the water, but on the shore and hanging from the branches as well. Given that we often had to grab branches for balance this was an awful revelation. I literally called it quits half way, at another business' location, and sat there watching as others came down the river. I saw older people (like myself) struggling and exhausted, and many tubers walking minus tubes, complaining of missing hats, glasses and shoes. Yes, if you understand the nature of this body of water before hand, and are prepared to deal with the dangers, go for it. I am sure many folks enjoy the ride. But families who are novices, like ours, should not go out without proper warnings or instructions. Families with young kids or older adults, or anyone who cannot swim or handle the reality of snakes should give this activity some serious thought. Because of the lack of supervision along the river no one is there to help you if you do get into serious trouble. Owners - please be realistic with your customers. Don't allow unsuspecting families to have a terrible experience because they were not properly prepared. You will still have plenty of customers, but fewer unhappy ones.
10. Big Bradley falls
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 20 reviews
Reviewed By Daniel P
This review is for Little Bradley Falls, located on the south side of Holbert Cove Road. The hike itself is not "difficult" but it feels more adventurous than it really is. There are 2 creek crossings, some areas that get pretty muddy with decent rain, and one or two scrambly bits across rooty/rocky gully's. The entire hike is about 1.5 miles roud trip. The falls at the end are actually quite impressive. The pool at the base doesn't seem like much of a swimming hole but its nice to sit on the rocks around the edge for a while.
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