Food
El Cancun The most authentic and delicious Mexican food you’ll find this side of the border. With it being just a short drive away from campus, it’ll soon become your favorite way to fill your cravings. (And the margarita specials aren’t bad either.)
Location: Cherry Rd. Best: Mexican
Amelie’s Picture if you will; strolling leisurely through the streets of paris on a rainy afternoon. The Eiffel Tower off in the distance as you relax at a quaint cafe. Your waiter brings a cappuccino and menagerie of macaroons to enjoy. Now, instead of dreaming about this picturesque scene, go live it at Amelie’s. Enjoy the coffeehouse vibe with a french twist and improve your study session as you dream a french fantasy. 
Location: Downtown Rock Hill Best: Study spot
Nova’s Have you been watching too many baking shows on Netflix again? Don’t worry, at Nova’s you’ll find a delicious selection of crispy, flakey, buttery thing you’ve been dreaming of.
Location: Cherry Rd. Best: Baked goods
Five & Dine Every weekend from 9a.m.-3p.m. you’ll find a delicious classic brunch and an important history lesson being served at Five & Dine. While enjoying a mix of sweet and savory, of breakfast and lunch, learn about the Friendship Nine. They were a group of students in 1961 who staged a sit in at the lunch counter that previously inhabited the Five & Dine building. The original counter and stools are still on display today.
Location: Downtown Rock Hill Best: Brunch with a side of history
Flipside If you’re looking to show off Rock Hill and have a delicious meal, Flipside is the way to go. Their combination of locally sourced comfort food with an upscaled southern vibe creates the perfect space for you and visiting family to relax, catch up, and convince them you’re doing “just fine” at college.
Location: Downtown Rock Hill Best: Dinner spot when parents come to town
Legal Remedy Brewing This local brewery is just a few blocks up from campus and provides all the delicious craft beers one could ask for. Between brewing their own on site to keeping a wide local selection stocked, you’ll have to just grab a tasting flight to see what suits you best. However, if beer isn’t your thing (or legally can’t be yet) try anything off of their mouth watering, locally sourced menu. It’s all the favorite pub food classics, meant to pair perfectly with a cold beer, but honestly taste just as amazing without one.
Location: Oakland Ave. Best: Surprisingly good pub food
IC Juicy When you need a sweet treat but one that will look great with a filter and a caption, head to IC Juicy. Their rolled ice cream or bubble tea presented in a light bulb will satisfy your sweet tooth while pouring on the likes.
Location: Cherry Rd. Best: Dessert to instagram
The Yolk At first glance, this might seem like just a typical breakfast place with nothing special. Don’t let that fool you. This homey and cozy diner elevators comfort food to be bursting with flavor while being as fresh and local as possible. Anything on their menu from the pecan waffle to home fried seasoned with their own special spice blend will start your day off right.
Location: Mt. Gallant Rd. Best: Breakfast
Shopping
Friends Books on Main If you love paying hundreds of dollars for textbooks, this isn’t the place for you. No, in this bookstore that’s operated by the Friends of the York County Library, all you’ll find is donated goods and nothing over three dollars. If that isn’t your scene, maybe stick to the campus bookstore and leave more for the rest of us.
Location: Downtown Rock Hill Best: Break from overpriced textbooks
The Newsstand Record and Book Store Now if you’re looking for a more recently released title or to expand your vinyl collection, head a few doors down from Books on Main and you’ll find The Newsstand. Their aim is to bring back physical media while providing a place for people to come connect over their favorite artists and authors.
Location: Downtown Rock Hill Best: Bookstore/casual hangout
A Hand Up Thrift Store You’ll be hard pressed to find something in this thrift store over one dollar. When you’re really starting to resonate with the title of “broke college student,” this thrift store has got you covered.
Location: Cherry Rd. Best: Way to budget but make it fashion
Nao Leigh Boutique This chic boutique has got all the latest trends in stock. Beyond that they also have one percent of their entire monthly sales going to a different local charity each month. Let your fashion make a statement while your community reaps the benefits.
Location: India Hook Rd. Best: Way to look and feel good
Events
Windy Hill Orchard Fall is swiftly approaching, so when someone inevitably mentions going apple picking, be ready with the plan for Windy Hill. Just a 30 minute drive away, the Windy Hill Orchard has everything that will get you in the fall mood. We’re talking apple picking, farm animals, games, hay rides, cider donuts, fresh apple juice and apple slushies and much more. In addition windy hill has been producing their own hard cider on site since 1996. Enjoy tastings and on tap ciders at their outdoor cider bar every weekend, and there’s usually live music to accompany.
Location: York Best: Seasonal Outing
Food truck Friday Every third Friday in Downtown Rock Hill expect Fountain Park to be surrounded by a plethora of food trucks. Packed with any food you could imagine in a street festival of deliciousness, Food Truck Friday it the best place to be. Attendees can expect live music, a mesmerizing display from the fountains, and a mingling of the Rock Hill community we don’t usually get to see just on campus.
Location: Fountain Park Best: Exploration of the community
Old Town Farmers Market The benefit of this farmers market is that you don’t just have to buy a bunch of vegetables. There are crafts, local food and drinks and so much more. Additionally you’re supporting local makers,independent businesses and the community around you. The market held on Thursday nights at Fountain Park features all of these things. The market held on Saturday mornings at Legal Remedy Brewing is primarily food based sales.
Location: Legal Remedy Brewing and Fountain Park Best: Place to #ShopLocal
Experiences
Revolutions Bowling, arcade, laser tag, food and drinks; what more could you want? Take a night off and go have some harmless fun to blow off some steam.
Location: Dave Lyle Blvd. Best: Game Night
Escape Rooms We have not one, but two escape rooms to choose from. For your next problem-solving oriented outing, pick between Escape Eight or Mind Games. Take an hour and those you trust the most to work through the clues and try to escape before it’s too late
Location: Escape Eight-Downtown Rock Hill, Mind Games-Cherry Rd. Best: Team (fighting) building
Kate’s Skating Rink Like your night out to have a nostalgic twist? Then spend the evening skating around and imagining the roller rink glory days while possibly practicing your roller disco moves.
Location: Celanese Best: Retro Moment