I always spend a few weeks with my family at our home in Flat Rock, NC each summer and it’s one of my favorite times of the year. It’s great to get away from the Charleston heat and head to the mountains where we can relax and unwind (although sometimes hard to do with three little ones running around!). Flat Rock has always been a haven for Charlestonians (less than a four hour drive), and is even called the “Little Charleston of the Mountains” as people have been visiting from the Holy City since the early 1800s. That said, I thought I would share some of my favorite places to visit when we’re in town. Enjoy!

You can’t beat the Flat Rock Playhouse. It’s a fun little theater with incredible productions ranging from musicals to comedies and everything in between. (image source)

Hiking Glassy Mountain is a fun thing to do with the kids and of course a great workout. You get amazing views of the region from the top, and they even have a farm up there which my children always love. (image source)

American poet Carl Sandberg spent the last twenty years of his life in Flat Rock, and his home is a lovely place to visit if you have the time. It’s also a fabulous example of Greek-Revival style architecture. (image source)

If you’re getting hungry, let me suggest a little place called Flat Rock Village Bakery… one of my favorites. They make yummy hot cross buns (image source) and the most delicious wood-fired pizza (shown above – image source). In front of the bakery is The Wrinkled Egg – a great little gift shop known for their fabulous care packages.

If antiquing is your thing, Flat Rock and Hendersonville are the places to be. There are lots of amazing shops there, (too many to list!) but I’ve been meaning to check out Needful Things which is a giant antique mall with over 200 dealers. (image source)

Fresh Market is a great grocery store in town and it’s where I get the delicious sunflower bread I use to make my tomato sandwiches.  I stop in every single day! (image source)

Last but not least is the Curb Market, “a Hendersonville tradition since 1924.” Open on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays from 8-2 this market began as a small farmers market and has since expanded to include local crafts as well. You can’t go to Hendersonville without a visit! (image source)