Fort Mill

Fort Mill is a suburban town with about 35,000 residents located along the I-77 corridor in the northernmost part of South Carolina between Rock Hill and the city of Charlotte in North Carolina. While Fort Mill is not on most tourists' agenda and is primarily a commuter town, it has a few restaurant options and offers a short day trip to residents of Charlotte and Columbia. It is also infamous for being the main headquarters of Lonely Planet and its guidebooks. == Understand == === History === The town of Fort Mill was established in 1873, taking its name from a colonial-era fort built by the British and a grist mill on nearby Steele Creek. The Catawba Indians made their home in present-day Fort Mill for many years. Scotch-Irish settlers began arriving in the 1750s and 1760s and a small settlement soon developed. Fort Mill grew rapidly in the late 19th century as textile mills were established. After many textile mill shut-downs the town continued to grow rapidly and became a major suburb of Charlotte. === Climate === The Fort Mill area has a humid subtropical climate, characterized by humid summers and cool dry winters. Precipitation does not vary greatly between seasons. July is the hottest month, with an average high temperature of 91 °F (33 °C) and an average low temperature of 71 °F (22 °C). The coldest month of the year is January, when the average high temperature is 51 °F (11 °C) and the average low temperature is 31 °F (−1 °C). In the summer months, afternoon thunderstorms are typical and are sometimes severe containing strong winds and hail. During the winter months, snowfall is fairly light and rare, only occurring on average one to three times. Please note climate information is based out of the Rock Hill/York County Airport. === Visitor information === Rock Hill/Fort Mill Visitors Center, 375 South Anderson Rd, Rock Hill, ☏ +1 803-329-5200, toll-free: +1 888-702-1320, fax: +1 803-329-0145, info@visityorkcounty.com. M–F 8:30AM–5PM, Sa 9AM–2PM. (updated Jul 2017) == Get in == === By car === Fort Mill is located on I-77, just across the state border from Charlotte, North Carolina at exit numbers 83-90. U.S. Highway 21 is also a major road that runs through the town and is accessible from Pineville to the north and Rock Hill to the south. === By bus === The 82x commuter bus operated by Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) between Charlotte and Rock Hill stops at the northwestern edge of Fort Mill. That being said, it's unlikely to be a reasonable way to get to Fort Mill. Not only is its stop far from the main attractions, it's geared towards commuters, so it only goes one way in the morning and the other way in the late afternoon. You're better off driving. == Get around == Fort Mill is a large spread-out town and is best accessible by car. Cycling is allowed, but bike routes are limited to smaller residential streets. == See == Peach orchards 1 Fort Mill Downtown Historic District, Main Street. Fort Mill's historic downtown features a few restaurants and shops centered around historic buildings on a Main Street. (updated Jul 2017) 2 Fort Mill History Museum, 107 Clebourne Street, ☏ +1 803 802-3646, info@fmhm.org. Wednesday-Saturday, 10AM-4PM. (updated Feb 2017) 3 Walter Elisa Park, 345 N White Street, ☏ +1 (803) 547-2273. Local park minutes of Fort Mill's historic downtown offering trails and large wide-open spaces. (updated Aug 2017) == Do == 1 South Carolina Strawberry Festival, 345 N White Street. April 29–May 6. (updated Feb 2017) 2 Fort Mill Community Playhouse, 220 Main Street, ☏ +1 803 548-8102. (updated May 2017) 3 Anne Springs Close Greenway, Adventure Rd, ☏ +1 803-547-4575. Spacious nature preserve with outdoor activities including fishing, horseback riding & hiking. (updated Jun 2017) 4 The Peach Stand, 1325 SC 161, ☏ +1 803-547-7563. Locks spot offering freshly picked peaches, strawberries and homemade ice cream. (updated Jul 2017) 5 Carowinds, 14523 Carowinds Blvd, ☏ +1 704-588-2600. 400-acre amusement park located along I-77 between Charlotte and Ft. Mill. This 398-acre (161-hectare) amusement park that sits on the state line between southwest Charlotte and Fort Mill opened in March 1973. This amusement park has 13 roller coasters and 7 water rides. The entrance is just across the state line on Interstate 77 at exit 90. (updated Aug 2017) Craft Axe Throwing (Axe, Hatchet or Tomahawk Throwing), 112 Academy St, ☏ +1 803-906-9242, fortmill@craftaxethrowing.com. A destination for axe-throwing, tomahawk, and hatchet enthusiasts. Craft beverages are available. Groups and parties welcome. Experts will guide you through axe-throwing, ensuring a safe and entertaining experience for all skill levels. (updated Oct 2023) == Buy == Popular shopping areas in the town of Fort Mill are listed below. 1 Baxter Village, 950 Market St, ☏ +1 803-802-0004. classic downtown street with specialty shops and restaurants. 2 Kingsley Village, Kingsley Park Dr. Unique shopping area with small stores and restaurants (updated Jun 2017) == Eat == Popular restaurants in the town are listed below. There are also numerous local and national chain restaurants along the I-77 corridor in Fort Mill. 1 Hobo's, 213 Main Street, ☏ +1 803 548-4626. Local chain offering build-your-own burgers, milkshakes and draft beer served in an industrial-chic diner (updated Jul 2017) 2 Fish Market, 990 Market St, ☏ +1 803-547-4024. Upscale seafood spot also serving steak and pasta. (updated Jun 2017) 3 Fratelli Pizzeria, 975 Market St, ☏ +1 (803) 802-4449. Casual restaurant serving traditional Italian dishes, gourmet pizza & wine in a bistro-like setting. (updated Jun 2017) 4 Cupcrazed Cakery, 936 Market St Suite #103, ☏ +1 (803) 396-7372. Cool bakery with a playful vibe featuring a daily cupcake selection and classic flavors. (updated Jul 2017) 5 Captain Steve's, 1975 U.S. HWY 21, ☏ +1 (803) 547-2340. Casual seafood restaurant with jumbo portions also serving steak & chicken. (updated Aug 2017) 6 Roasted Oven & Grill, 855 Gold Hill Road Suite #111, ☏ +1 (803) 547-5522. Rotisserie chicken & homestyke fare served in a laid-back spot with an outdoor patio. (updated Aug 2017) 7 Akahana Asian Bistro, 940 Market St Suite #122, ☏ +1 (803) 548-0036. Local hip Asian bistro offering sushi & healthy options. (updated Aug 2017) 8 Toppers Pizza, 400 North Doby's Bridge Road Suite #101, ☏ +1 (803) 547-4100. Relaxed pizza parlor with unique toppings and wings. (updated Aug 2017) 9 Z Bakery and Café, 124 Confederate Street, ☏ +1 (803) 548-5257. Simple, southern cafe featuring eloquent dishes and pastries. (updated Apr 2018) == Drink == 1 Carolina Ale House, 100 Kingsley Park Dr., ☏ +1 (803) 339-1195. Casual restaurant & sports-bar chain featuring American pub fare, a long beer list & a kids' menu. (updated Jun 2017) 2 Mulligan's Bar, 415 U.S. 21, ☏ +1 (803)-548-0044. Local bar featuring bar games and happy hour specials. 3 Towne Tavern at Fort Mill, 2000 SC-Highway 160 West, ☏ +1 (803) 802-2340. Burgers, wings & beer served in a lively spot broadcasting sports regularly. (updated Aug 2017) == Sleep == 1 Hampton Inn & Suites Fort Mill, 1520 Carolina Place Drive, ☏ +1 803 578-2600. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. $199. (updated May 2017) 2 Courtyard Marriott, 1385 Broadcloth Street, ☏ +1 803-548-0156. $199. (updated Jun 2017) 3 Holiday Inn Express, 1655 Carolina Pl, ☏ +1 803 802-0300. $191. (updated Jun 2017) == Stay safe == Fort Mill Police Department, 111 Academy Drive, ☏ +1 (803) 547-2022. (updated Jul 2017) Fort Mill Fire Department, 121 Town Hall St, ☏ +1 (803) 547-5511. (updated Jul 2017) == Go next == Charlotte—hop just across the border to North Carolina's largest city with numerous restaurants, bars and shopping malls with a pristine central district known as Uptown. Rock Hill—Just south of Fort Mill, this South Carolina town offers numerous outdoor activities and quite a few local restaurants in its historic downtown. Pineville—Neighboring Fort Mill, this Charlotte suburb has a large shopping mall and charming downtown.