Touring Downtown Rock Hill, SC With a True Local
If you're thinking about moving to Rock Hill, one of the best ways to understand the city is to walk Main Street with someone who actually lives it.
I spent a morning exploring downtown Rock Hill — known locally as Old Town — with local real estate agent Dalice McAda. She showed me some of the places she goes for coffee, dinner, shopping, and a night out, while sharing what she enjoys about living and working around Rock Hill.
Here's what we saw, what Dalice had to say, and what to know if you're considering buying a home in Rock Hill, South Carolina.
Why Buyers Look at Downtown Rock Hill
Dalice pointed to the revitalization of downtown as one of the things that has changed Old Town over the years. In her words, "now it's actually a really great place to come and hang out."
Walking Main Street, you can see the mix of old and new. Restored brick buildings sit alongside newer apartments, restaurants, bars, local shops, public art, and community spaces.
For homebuyers comparing different parts of York County, downtown Rock Hill offers a different experience from nearby communities such as Fort Mill, Tega Cay, and Indian Land.
A Walking Tour of Old Town Rock Hill
The Lighted Art Alley
We started in a brick pedestrian alley strung with lights overhead and lined with large pieces of art.
Dalice says it's especially nice in the evening when the lights come on. From there, you can continue walking to restaurants, bars, shops, and other destinations throughout downtown.
It's a small part of Old Town, but it's a good example of how Rock Hill has incorporated public spaces and art into the downtown area.
Arts Council of York County
Just up Main Street is the Arts Council of York County's Center for the Arts.
Dalice pointed out that it hosts exhibits featuring different types of artwork, including pottery and sculpture, with some pieces available for purchase.
It's another example of how art is woven throughout downtown Rock Hill rather than being confined to one part of the city.
Main Street Children's Museum
Another downtown destination is the Main Street Children's Museum.
Dalice described it as "super cute," with pretend-play areas and activities designed for younger children.
Having destinations like this right along Main Street also shows how downtown Rock Hill combines restaurants and nightlife with daytime attractions and community spaces.
Elsie's and Kounter: Where Rock Hill History Happened
Two of the most interesting stops on our walk share an important connection to Rock Hill's history.
Elsie's is a speakeasy-style bar where, according to Dalice, you'll need the password to get in. It's connected to Kounter, a restaurant located in the building that once housed the McCrory's five-and-dime.
That location played an important role in Rock Hill's civil rights history.
In 1961, a group of young Black men who became known as the Friendship Nine sat at the whites-only lunch counter. After being arrested, they chose to serve jail sentences rather than pay fines as part of the "Jail, No Bail" strategy.
Their convictions were ultimately vacated decades later.
Today, Kounter incorporates that history into the restaurant, allowing visitors to learn about an important chapter in Rock Hill's past while standing in the place where it happened.
You can learn more about the history of Kounter and the Friendship Nine here.
Rock Hill Coffee
Rock Hill Coffee is one of Dalice's favorite places to grab coffee downtown.
She says she often sits outside and works there in the afternoon — at least when the South Carolina heat cooperates.
It's also a good stop if you're spending a morning walking Main Street and exploring Old Town.
The Coca-Cola Mural Alley
Next, Dalice showed me another alley she loves.
One of its most distinctive features is the faded advertising painted directly onto the old brick buildings, including a vintage Coca-Cola sign.
Apartments sit above the street-level businesses nearby, creating the mix of residential and commercial space you'll see throughout parts of downtown Rock Hill.
Shops, Bakeries and Bookstores
One thing that becomes obvious when you walk Main Street is the number of independent businesses packed into a relatively small area.
During our walk, Dalice pointed out a plant shop that also sells wine and hosts events, including a book club.
We passed Amélie's French Bakery & Café, which started in Charlotte before expanding to other locations, including Rock Hill.
Dalice also showed me one of her favorite places to shop for home décor and client gifts, with everything from candles to artwork.
There's also Friends Books on Main, a used bookstore downtown, along with local restaurants where Dalice and her friends regularly meet for breakfast, coffee, and a chance to catch up.
The businesses may change over time, but walking Main Street gives you a much better feel for what downtown Rock Hill is actually like than simply looking at it on a map.
The Gettys Center
We also passed the Gettys Center, another recognizable downtown building.
For years, the building housed studio space for local artists. Dalice explained during our tour that those artist studios have since moved out following the sale of the building, with redevelopment planned for the property.
It's another example of how downtown Rock Hill continues to evolve.
McFadden's Men's Shop
One of Dalice's favorite stops is McFadden's Men's Shop, which combines men's clothing with a traditional barber shop.
Dalice especially likes the barber shop. She pointed out the old barber chair and described the traditional experience, including hot towels and straight-razor shaves.
It's the kind of locally owned business that gives downtown Rock Hill much of its character.
Murals, Statues and an Arcade Bar
As we continued walking, Dalice pointed out an arcade bar, playful sculptures along the sidewalks, and murals painted throughout downtown.
"I love all the murals," she told me.
That's something you'll notice pretty quickly when exploring Old Town. Public art shows up throughout the downtown area, sometimes in places you wouldn't necessarily expect it.
Dalice's Favorite Restaurant
Toward the end of our walk, Dalice showed me one of her favorite restaurants in Rock Hill.
And she came with a very specific recommendation: try the Pecan Old Fashioned.
According to Dalice, it's the best around.
Events in Downtown Rock Hill
Downtown Rock Hill isn't just restaurants and shops. Community events are another major part of Old Town.
Dalice mentioned several that bring people downtown throughout the year:
Come-See-Me Festival: A longstanding Rock Hill spring tradition with events held throughout the city.
Rock Hill Pride: An annual event held in downtown Rock Hill.
ChristmasVille: A holiday celebration that brings events, activities, decorations, and a parade to downtown.
Founders Holiday Ice Rink: A seasonal outdoor ice rink in Old Town during the holiday season.
If you're considering moving to Rock Hill, visiting during one of the city's larger events can give you a completely different look at downtown than you'll get on an ordinary weekday.
What to Know If You're Buying a Home in Rock Hill
If our tour has you thinking about Rock Hill, there are a few things worth knowing before you start looking at homes.
Housing Options Vary Across Rock Hill
Rock Hill isn't one single type of housing market.
Around downtown, you'll find a mix of older homes, townhomes, apartments, and redevelopment. Head farther out and you'll find established subdivisions, newer construction, larger properties, and homes with more land.
My Rock Hill, SC Mortgage Guide goes deeper into the area, housing options, and mortgage considerations for buyers looking in Rock Hill.
South Carolina Property Taxes Work Differently
Property taxes are an important consideration when you're comparing Rock Hill with communities across the state line in North Carolina.
South Carolina generally uses different assessment ratios for owner-occupied primary residences and other residential properties, such as second homes and investment properties.
Your actual tax bill will depend on factors including the property's assessed value, local millage rates, eligibility for the owner-occupied assessment ratio, and applicable exemptions.
That's why I recommend estimating the taxes on the specific property you're considering rather than relying solely on what a previous owner paid.
Compare Rock Hill With Nearby Communities
If you're relocating to the Charlotte area, don't assume you need to pick a town before you start looking.
Many buyers considering Rock Hill also explore Fort Mill, Tega Cay, and Indian Land.
You can also browse my Charlotte-area community guides to compare different communities around the region.
Get Pre-Approved Before You Start Shopping
Before you start seriously touring homes, it helps to understand what different purchase prices could mean for your monthly payment and cash needed at closing.
A mortgage pre-approval also gives us a chance to look at your income, assets, credit, debts, and potential loan options before you're trying to write an offer.
If this will be your first home, my first-time homebuyer guide is another good place to start.
Ready to Explore Rock Hill?
If Rock Hill is on your list, Dalice McAda knows the area and can help you explore homes and neighborhoods throughout the Rock Hill market.
Dalice McAda
North Group Real Estate
(704) 840-9225
MCDalice@Gmail.com
DaliceMcAda.com
SC License #119231 | NC License #331633
And when you're ready to figure out the financing side, I'm happy to help you compare mortgage options, estimate the numbers on specific properties, and work through the pre-approval process before you start making offers.
Schedule a mortgage consultation and we can talk through what you're looking to accomplish in Rock Hill or elsewhere in North or South Carolina.
Paul Mattos
Mortgage Broker, Refine Mortgage
NMLS# 2339069
Licensed in North Carolina and South Carolina
