Last Updated on August 6, 2024
Saluda, NC is a peaceful mountain oasis—perfect for a long weekend—with a picturesque historic downtown surrounded by wilderness and endless adventure. Main Street is a pedestrian’s dream with much to choose from, including working art studios, restaurants, breweries, coffee shops, gift shops, bakeries, and more. The area is also a known destination for road biking in the Southeast. The surrounding mountains have world-famous whitewater, amazing fly fishing, and hundreds of waterfalls within striking distance.
Whether you’re vacationing or stay-cationing, Saluda offers residents and visitors alike many opportunities for fun times and cherished memories. Here’s a quick itinerary for a fun-filled weekend in Saluda, NC.
Friday evening in Saluda, NC
Check in!
Everyone who discovers Saluda is amazed by its authentic small-town charm, its casual pace, and gracious community spirit. And with tourism infrastructure dating back more than a century, the town is more than ready to roll out the welcome mat for visitors.
Saluda offers a variety of lodging options for those excited to be in the heart of Western North Carolina. Choose from a variety of upscale B&Bs such as the Orchard Inn & Spa, walkable to downtown. The inn is an historic structure surrounded by the splendors of nature. The inviting Saluda lodge and spa is the perfect way to relax and get away from it all. And it makes it easy to get to brunch on Sunday (see below).
If you’d rather spend your weekend closer to nature, a mountain cabin at Cabin Fever should do the trick! This eco resort offers seven cozy cabins on 15 acres just minutes from town. It’s a true getaway from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
Admire artisan art
Saluda is home to an ever-growing list of fine artists and galleries to showcase their work. If you love local art as much as we do, you should definitely spend some time perusing the local art galleries in Saluda.
Among them, Saluda Moon Glass Studio and Gallery specializes in kiln-formed fused glass art from award-winning Susan Cannon. Her functional items, garden art, and wall art captivate the imagination. The gallery also doubles as a teaching studio offering a range of workshops led by Susan and other esteemed visiting artists.
Since 1985, Heartwood Gallery has offered 100% American craftwork that is designed for function as well as beauty The gallery boasts one of the best collections of pottery in the region. They also support a wide variety of artisans from across North America working in candles, ceramics, fiber, garden art, glass, jewelry, wood, and more.
Expand your palate
Don’t miss dinner at the Purple Onion, a local favorite located in Historic Saluda, with outdoor dog-friendly dining available and live music on Thursday and Saturday nights. The Purple Onion features a variety of ethnically inspired dishes with an emphasis on the Mediterranean’s simple and healthful cuisine. Choose from starters, salads, upscale entrees, and pizzas. And don’t miss your chance to try one of their craft libations. Their signature cocktails are enjoyable, well-known classics with a Purple Onion twist.
For a more casual dining experience, check out The S.P.O.T.: Saluda Purple Onion Taqueria. Satisfy your cravings for Mexican-inspired favorites, like tacos and burritos, as well as margaritas and craft cocktails. When you move to Saluda, this is sure to become your regular spot for taco night.
Saturday in Saluda, NC
Start the day with a smile
Pop around the corner from Main Street, duck behind City Hall, and you’ll discover Saluda’s premier coffeeshop, Wakey Monkey. They offer something for everyone to enjoy, including an assortment of baked goods like fresh cinnamon rolls, elevated breakfast and brunch items, and a selection of classic sandwiches for lunch. Prep for a day on the trails with their Grab & Go quick bites. Or start with a specialty smoothie made with a wide range of fresh ingredients and add-ins. No monkeying around.
Get outdoors!
Outdoor adventures are limitless in Saluda! Numerous city parks, walking tours, hiking, road biking, swimming, camping, and even zip-lining are within easy reach. Hear that? The Green River is calling your name for world-class whitewater adventures! Take in the scenic gorge by fly fishing, tubing, or kayaking. If you are a cycling enthusiast, stop by Adventure Cycles before heading out on the many year-round trails the Saluda area has to offer.
Located just off Interstate 26 at the border of Henderson and Polk Counties, the town also offers easy access to all the amenities of WNC. Saluda is within driving distance of national wonders like the Green River Gorge, DuPont State Recreational Forest, and Pisgah National Forest.
Shop and stroll Main Street
Trips to Saluda must include a leisurely stroll among the tree-lined streets of lovely Victorian homes. But the main attractions are the many distinctive shops, galleries, and delicious restaurants along historic Main Street. Stop into The Gardener’s Cottage & The Brass Latch to experience the adorable courtyard and pick up the perfect gift.
Walk into Saluda’s two century-old general stores, and the glossy oil-stained, heart pine floors will stir up memories of times gone by. Opened in 1890, Thompson’s Store is the oldest grocery store in North Carolina. Grab yourself a NEHI from the ice chest, and head on back for a game of checkers with the locals.
Step into history at the Depot
Saluda has long served as a respite from the hectic pace of life. The town is famous for sitting at the top of the Norfolk Southern Railway’s Saluda Grade, the steepest mainline standard gauge railroad line in the country. The three-mile route dropped 600 feet in elevation for every mile, and included 50 curves, some horseshoe. Saluda’s train depot was built in 1903, and the eight passenger trains that came through each day brought 3,000 tourists each year into the mountains. Many people came from as far as Charleston, Savannah, New York, and Chicago.
Today, the Saluda Historic Depot is a train and heritage museum. Pop in and learn about the history of Saluda and how the railroad has been preserved.
Sink your teeth into local BBQ
Bone appetite! You can’t visit Saluda without going to Green River Barbecue. You will know you are at the right place by the cars out front and the line of people waiting for that freshly smoked Carolina BBQ. This folksy barbecue hot spot serves smoked meats by the pound and platter in down-home surroundings. Enjoy everything from beef and ribs to BBQ chicken and smoked turkey. With a large outdoor patio equipped with heaters in the winter and fans in the summer, it makes for a delicious meal year round.
Grab a craft brew
After a day on the river or exploring downtown, unwind with craft beverages at Green River Brew Depot. Locally owned and operated, Green River Brew Depot offers a taste of the countryside in the heart of a small town. The pub offers a carefully chosen selection of fine beers and wines, along with delicious snacks, in a great atmosphere. Have your pup along for the weekend? Two- and four-legged friends can unwind together both inside the taproom and outside on the patio.
Another great option is Eddy’s Tap Room & Grill, Located on site at Saluda Outfitters, Eddy’s is open six days a week. As the name implies, they offer a rotating selection of local craft beers. From the expansive deck, you can enjoy live musical entertainment as you wind down your day.
Sunday in Saluda, NC
Savor farm-to-table dining
Wrap up your weekend of delicious meals over brunch at Newman’s Restaurant at the Orchard Inn. Enjoy fabulous mountain views from every table in the dining room or outside terrace. The serenity of the surroundings, combined with the culinary artistry of the kitchen, is sure to translate to a sumptuous three-course Sunday brunch. Their upscale, farm-to-table menu is built around locally-sourced, organic ingredients that are chosen based on seasonal availability. In fact, many come from the 4,000-square-foot organic vegetable garden on site.
Explore the falls
You can’t leave town before seeing a waterfall! One short but exquisitely beautiful trailhead adventure leads you to Pearson’s Falls. You’ll see plants of remarkable diversity on the quarter-mile trail, including over 300 varieties of ferns, flowering plants, algae, and mosses. Pearson’s Falls and Glen is also a wildlife and bird sanctuary maintained by The Tryon Garden Club.
Bradley Nature Preserve, Saluda Nature Park, and Pulliam Creek Trail are also great places to discover the beauty of nature, as well as great views. Little Bradley Falls is another local waterfall that’s easy to view from the trail.
Plan your next trip to Saluda
Saluda hosts a variety of annual events and festivals around which you can plan a great weekend. The Saluda Arts Festival, held in May, attracts fine artists from across WNC and South Carolina to showcase their art and offer live demos. The Coon Dog Day Festival, held the first Saturday after July 4th, is a celebration of food, live music, a parade, and street dancing. On fourth Fridays through the summer, bring your own chairs or blankets to McCreery Park for the free Top of the Grade Concert Series. And at the end of the year, locals decorate Main Street with lights and holiday decor for the Saluda Hometown Christmas Festival.
Spend every weekend in Saluda, NC!
Saluda, NC is an historic Victorian mountain village at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Since the turn of the 20th century, Saluda has been a favorite mountain destination to escape the sweltering summer heat of lower latitudes. In more recent years, Saluda has experienced a steady growth of people seeking simpler, more peaceful lives. Today, the town of less than 1,000 is home to many artists and craftspeople, and the downtown area is recognized as a National Historic District. Saluda remains a great place to enjoy seasonal beauty throughout the year.
Does that sound like the perfect lifestyle for you? Find your dream home in Saluda, NC now!
