Shelby, NC
Give yourself a mountain weekend without driving to the mountains. Welcome to Cleveland County. Want to spend the night soaking in a hot tub at your glamping dome in the woods? You can do that here. Want to wander around quaint downtowns browsing artist shops, antiques, and boutiques? You can do that here, too. Want to spend the day floating lazily down the Broad River in a kayak? We’re three for three. Add in vineyards, casinos, and farm to table restaurants and there’s nothing you can’t do here that you wanted to do in the mountains. Unless you just want to drive further, fight traffic, and battle for parking spaces. Take our Foothills break and see for yourself.
Medium Activity
3 days | 9 stops
Day 1
STOP 1: Veronet Vineyards
Where the foothills begin to ripple towards the Blue Ridge Mountains you’ll find Veronét Vineyards & Winery. This 70-acre estate includes panoramic views of Crowders Mountain along with six acres under vine. Good soils and a sustainable approach allow for a variety of grapes to grow abundantly. Sample a Chardonnay or Orange Muscat. Pour a glass of Malbec or Sauvignon Blanc. Each wine bearing the Veronét name is chosen, blended and aged with the utmost care and passion.
3 HOURS
VIEW LISTING
STOP 2: Broad River Campground
If your idea of “Being Outdoors” is enjoying nature through the panoramic window of your temperature-controlled glamping dome, then we have the place for you. Welcome to Broad River Campground. Spanning over 90 secluded acres, this is not your father’s kind of back to nature. The emphasis here is less about roughing it and more about comfort. RV hook ups, cabins, glamping domes –-take your pick. To say it another way, this place is designed to take the “Mother” out of Nature.
0 HOURS
VIEW LISTING
Day 2
STOP 3: Redbone Willy's
Redbone Willy’s is more than just a general store. Walk up the stairs and through the screen door and your eyes can barely take in all the goodness. Cowboy flannels to your left. Steampunk hats on display to your right ready for you to model. Necklaces dangle from silver boho skulls on the wall. Fresh apple turnover lay on the counter, their aroma speaking directly to your stomach. Redbone Willy’s is not a quick grab and get out kind of store. It’s a place where you can take your time, sipping on a glass-bottled soda as you rock on the porch or challenge a stranger to a game of checkers.
2 HOURS
VIEW LISTING
STOP 4: Back Road Pickers
Back road Pickers is a collection of vendor booths packed with antiques and collectibles. If you want a kids chair in the shape of a small bull. They have it. if you are thinking about a turn of the century desk to pay your bills on. They have that, too. Want to learn how to play the banjo? They can't teach you, but they can sell you the instrument. It's all here for the browsing. You just need to show up with an open mind and a full wallet.
1.5 HOURS
VIEW LISTING
STOP 5: Workshop Vintage Market
No shopping trip to Shelby would be complete without a visit to the largest craft and vintage market in Cleveland County. More than 80 vendors await in Workshop Vintage Market, perfect for shoppers who love to scour, scavenge, and collect repurposed and vintage furniture and home goods. Another bonus? This stop hosts DIY workshops for creative projects like macrame, watercolors, painting and more.
1.5 HOURS
VIEW LISTING
STOP 6: Southern Artisan Spirits
Order up some Smoked Chicken WIngs or a Maine Lobster Roll. Pair it with a Cardinal Barrel Rested Gin. Kick back in a chair outside. Taste. Sip. Enjoy. Repeat. That’s your night at Southern Artisan Spirits. Throw in a sunset view of Kings Mountain, some new tunes, and perfect end to an already amazing day,
3 HOURS
VIEW LISTING
Day 3
STOP 7: Broad River Greenway
About 3 miles south of Boiling Springs you’ll find the Broad River Greenway. This natural area joins more than 20 miles of trails. It's the perfect place for biking, hiking, fishing, horseback riding, kayaking, or perfecting the art of doing nothing as you hang out by the river. The greenway covers 1,500 acres. So bring your outdoor gear and prepare to spend a full day high-fiving Mother Nature.
3 HOURS
VIEW LISTING
STOP 8: Johnny Ray's Smokehouse
Johnny Ray's Smokehouse is farmer and pitmaster owned. They source their meat from their own farm whenever possible. This makes the food fresh and amazing. The ribs come wet or dry with a kick of spice. The fries are hand cut. The mashed potatoes are real, just like grandma's house on Sunday. Show up early and hungry. You will not be disappointed.
2 HOURS
VIEW LISTING
STOP 9: Don Gibson Theatre
Dusk falls over uptown Shelby and the Don Gibson Theatre marquee flashes on revealing the night's live music line up. This historic art deco theatre has graced the town since 1939 and lived through several iterations as the former cotton textile town transitioned to a must-stop on the southeast music circuit. Great artists across the genre spectrum--Wynonna Judd, Edwin McCain, Chubby Checker--take the stage in this 400-seat theatre where the land of rhythm comes to life. Check our event calendar for a list of who will be in town this week.
3 HOURS
VIEW LISTING
