Sometimes you need a quick trip off campus to recharge and relax. Other days you might decide to try a change of scenery when you can’t afford to leave your studies behind. In Flat Rock, N.C., you can have the best of both worlds in one day.
Located about 45 minutes from Furman, Flat Rock has a variety of activities to meet any student’s needs. Stop by the Flat Rock Village Bakery for coffee or tea and a pastry, or a salad, sandwich or pizza. Though the menu offerings aren’t particularly varied, every item is quite satisfying. The bakery also provides the perfect study atmosphere, particularly for those who appreciate the background noises of a bustling café. They provide both cozy indoor seating and a large porch area to enjoy the cooler weather in the fall months.
Just across the street from the bakery is the Carl Sandburg Home, a National Historic Site. Sandburg was one of the great American poets, and his homestead, Connemara, is a picturesque place to explore. Tours of the home, with all of the Sandburg belongings intact, are $5, but access to the grounds is free. Stop by the farm buildings to visit with the goats who roam freely throughout the pasture. Mrs. Sandburg was a prize-winning goat farmer, and some of the goats currently residing on the farm are descendants of her herd.
If you enjoy the outdoors and would like to see the changing scenery that comes with the fall season, then you can take the time to complete a five mile roundtrip hike up to Big Glassy Mountain, which offers a scenic view from the top.
Sky Top Orchard is just down the road from the heart of Flat Rock and does steady business throughout the fall. Apples are available for purchase in all quantities, along with a variety of apple products including cider and doughnuts. They also have large baskets and wagons which gives you the freedom to wander the many acres of apple trees and pick your favorite varieties. Whether you invest the time to pick your own apples or make a quick stop to pick up a bag, Sky Top is worth a visit if you are in the area.
The Flat Rock Playhouse’s Mainstage location is also centrally located. It hosts a variety of theatrical performances throughout the year, ranging from comedies to musicals and concerts. In the coming months, they will be featuring a musical biography of Hank Williams and performances of “The Three Musketeers” and “A Christmas Story.” Student tickets typically cost around $25 with student ID.
Flat Rock, North Carolina has a lot to offer and is only a little further than an hour drive from Furman. Get off campus to study, relax and explore this beautiful area, on your own or with a friend.
