The First Peak of the Blue Ridge is a unique and awe-inspiring area. As you make your way through small, historic towns, the scenery changes from rolling countryside and foothills to foggy mountain valleys and peaks. Take a glimpse at Saluda, Tryon, and Columbus, each holding its own stories, creative community, notable restaurants, galleries, and more. Begin your journey here!
Columbus: Home of the First Peak of the Blue Ridge
Beautiful mountain views play hide and seek along scenic roads around Columbus, NC. This welcoming small town provides a break from the big-city hustle and bustle with a quaint main street and talented artists who gain inspiration from the natural beauty that can be found at every turn. Make the most of your time in Columbus by exploring the Blue Ridge Craft Trails.
Blue Ridge Craft Trails Sites in Rural Columbus
Mother Nature plays muse for potter Doug Dacey of Dacey Porcelains*. His free-formed bowls, vases, wall pieces, platters, and lidded vessels feature textures, lines, and colors inspired by nature. His 10-acre farm, a few miles outside of Columbus, is home to his rustic studio featuring his latest pieces.
Hundreds of instruments began their lives at Kudzu Patch Productions*. Ben Seymour specializes in crafting mountain dulcimers and their musical predecessors like German scheitholt, Icelandic lanspeiel, Norwegian langeleik, Swedish hummel, and French epinette des voges. His studio provides a chance to view the various stages of an instrument’s life.
Reclaimed local wood gets a whimsical new life at BJ Precourt’s* workshop. His folk wood carvings are the expression of stories that come to him at night when sleep is elusive. His hand-carved and painted art includes people, animals, and various details in the story’s tale. Hundreds of these pieces, large and small, are displayed in a showroom and are available for purchase.
Not to Miss
- Museums of Columbus: The two museums in town include the House of Flags and the Polk County History Museum. Both are open Tuesdays and Thursdays (10 am-1 pm) and Saturdays (10 am-4 pm).
- The House of Flags celebrates our nation’s history with a historical collection of over 300 United States, military, state, and international flags dating from 1776 to 1960. Self-guided and narrated tours are available.
- The Polk County History Museum celebrates local and regional history with its collection and preservation of Polk County artifacts. Free admission and a variety of fun exhibits make the past come alive.
- Iron Key Brewing caters to craft beer lovers with their local brewery housed in a historic building that once served as a state prison. A menu of appetizers and classic pub fare shares the spotlight with eight house brews. https://ironkeybrewing.com/
- The Rural Seed Restaurant, a founding member of the Foothills Farm To Fork Trail, celebrates local flavor. Its delicious menu showcases fresh, seasonal ingredients from local food producers and farmers.
- The Fabulous 4th of July Celebration is a long-standing local tradition in downtown Columbus. The family-friendly event features live music, games, food, and fireworks. Check the First Peak events calendar for the latest date and time.
- Looking Glass Creamery* tempts foodies with its homemade award-winning cheeses, hard cider, ice cream, and preserves. The farm welcomes guests with self-guided tours and a shop that sells custom cheese boards, wine by the glass, hard cider, and more.
- Shadrack Holiday Light Show* at the Tryon International Equestrian Center in Mill Spring marks the arrival of the Christmas season. The drive-through light show dazzles with thousands of lights artistically arranged in a stunning display.
- Parker-Binns Vineyard* crafts memorable wines from their 10-acre vineyard planted with over 4,000 vines. Live music, sunset parties, and karaoke make it an inviting stopover.
For information on things to do and places to stay, visit FirstPeakNC.com.
*Denotes stop outside of Columbus city limits.
Saluda: Make Memories in this Mountain Town
Tucked away at the peak of Saluda Mountain, this mountain oasis is a welcoming respite for those seeking a quieter and more purposeful way of life. The town’s historic main street is perched at the top of the famous Saluda railroad grade and boasts an old-fashioned general store, gourmet dining, antique shops, galleries, and more. Spend a day or longer exploring this inviting mountain town with help from the Blue Ridge Craft Trails.
Blue Ridge Craft Trails Sites
Located in Saluda’s charming downtown, Heartwood Contemporary Crafts Gallery features beautiful pieces from across the country and Canada, with a special emphasis on local and regional artists. Open daily, the 1,200-square-foot gallery invites visitors to linger and immerse themselves in the beautiful world of art.
Artist Susan Cannon founded Saluda Moon Glass Studio and Gallery, intending to help locals and visitors tap into their creative spirits. Offerings include monthly workshops and classes for all skill levels and an expansive gallery that showcases Susan’s functional glass, garden art, jewelry, and wall art.
Wood Berry Gallery brings the bold and thought-provoking world of contemporary art to Saluda. Its collections feature pieces from regional and local artists. Their displays appeal to all ages with decorative and sculptural works, often including bright colors and intricate designs.
Not to Miss
- Historic Thompson’s Store has a unique claim to fame as the oldest grocery store in North Carolina. The iconic store–adorned with cheerful red awnings–holds a treasure trove of gourmet foods, fine wines, craft beers, fresh produce, grocery items, a full-service meat counter, and a 1950s-style diner next door.
The Purple Onion serves as a social hub for downtown Saluda with live weekly music, a Mediterranean-inspired menu featuring local ingredients, and locally roasted coffee and espresso. - Pearson’s Falls & Glen is a nature-lover’s haven boasting a short, quarter-mile trail. Native wildflowers, lush ferns, flowering plants, mosses, and a stunning 90-foot waterfall make this a picturesque stop for hikers of all skill levels. (Note that pets are not permitted since this is a botanical preserve.)
Saluda Historic Depot preserves local history with its museum that honors the town and the railroad that once crossed at the top of the storied Saluda Grade, the steepest standard gauge mainline railroad grade in the country. - Saluda Arts Festival heralds the arrival of spring with a bustling art festival on historic Main Street. More than 95 artists participate in the annual event, which showcases a variety of art mediums including paintings, pottery, woodworking, fiber art, jewelry, metalworking, and more.
- Coon Dog Day is a local tradition. Held for more than 60 years, it is an annual summer event in July that goes to the dogs—in the best way possible. The downtown event celebrates man’s best friend with races, a parade, live music, fun and official dog shows, and more.
For information on things to do and places to stay, visit FirstPeakNC.com.
Tryon: A Small Town Bursting with Creativity
Warm and inviting, Tryon, NC, welcomes you to the North Carolina Blue Ridge Mountains. It is a convenient drive from Asheville and Charlotte, NC. Here, time moves at a more relaxed pace, and creativity soars with a robust community of artists, makers, musicians, and craftspeople.
Music lovers will recognize this charming town at the base of the mountains as the birthplace of Nina Simone, the “High Priestess of Soul.” The Nina Simone Plaza in the heart of Tryon’s downtown pays homage to the talented musician. Explore Tryon’s creative legacy with inspiration from the Blue Ridge Craft Trails.
Blue Ridge Craft Trails Sites
Upstairs ArtSpace in downtown Tryon serves as a touchstone for the region’s creative roots. The spacious and welcoming 3,000-square-foot facility is free and open to the public. Find contemporary work, including items created by living artists of the region and outlying areas.
Famous author F. Scott Fitzgerald once frequented a pharmacy and soda counter in downtown Tryon. That storefront is now home to Nest Artisan Market, which showcases paintings, pottery, jewelry, knitting, woodwork, clothing, and more made by local artists and makers.
Tryon Painters & Sculptors has been a local icon for over 50 years. This art and craft cooperative allows members to showcase their work in the gallery and hosts a variety of classes ranging from printmaking and sculpture to pottery and jewelry.
Blacksmith Bill Crowell established the Saluda Forge over 25 years ago. His studio in Tryon allows visitors to see him in action and admire his intricate custom work. A small retail area offers handmade necessities like metal hooks, hardware, brackets, bottle trees, and more.
A penchant for pottery at a young age led to Sam Oliver’s career. Her studio, S. Oliver Pottery, showcases her hand and slab-built red clay pieces adorned with floral patterns and bursts of color. Her working studio displays and sells her functional pottery pieces.
The Tryon Fine Arts Center serves as a home base for the community’s artists and art lovers. The spacious building provides the perfect venue for local performing and visual arts and frequently hosts exhibitions, performances, meetings, and classes for community members.
Established in 1960 as part of a grassroots artist movement, the Tryon Arts & Crafts School (TACS) is a regional center for arts and crafts. Open to the public, the school offers hands-on workshops in traditional and contemporary crafts, youth programs, gallery spaces, exhibitions, and a retail shop.
Not to Miss
- Tryon International Film Festival marks the arrival of fall in the foothills. Held in early October, the event is a cinema lover’s dream with a variety of films and documentaries.
- Tryon Beer Fest, held in early November, celebrates excellent craft beer across the Carolinas. The event features live music, games, great food, and beer from dozens of breweries.
- Tryon Christmas Stroll makes the holiday season extra charming. Held on a Friday evening in early December, the night includes carolers, light refreshments hosted by downtown shops, and a special appearance by Santa.
- Tryon Toymakers & Woodcarvers Shop carries on a historical tradition of a school that dates back to the 1920s with their quaint shop. Their handmade toys and woodcarvings in the original styles celebrate the town’s rich craft legacy.
- Mountain Brook Vineyards* is a 75-acre vineyard and winery that caters to wine lovers. Visitors can sample the latest vintages at one of the Southeast’s largest outdoor tasting rooms, enjoy live music and special events, and take in sweeping views.
- Overmountain Vineyards* specializes in handcrafted, distinctive French-style wines crafted primarily from its estate-grown fruit. Guests can sample its wine in the tasting room or pick blueberries in the summer at its U-pick farm.
*Denotes stop outside of Tryon city limits.
For information on things to do and places to stay, visit FirstPeakNC.com.
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