Rutherfordton

Town of Rutherfordton

As the county seat of Western North Carolina's oldest county and the seat of the oldest continuous government in the region, Rutherfordton, established in 1787, has a rich history. That history is reflected in the architecture you'll see on one of the walking tours in North Carolina offered in the downtown historic district, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. But Rutherfordton offers contemporary riches, too. Explore one of the North Carolina children's museums, a variety of independent restaurants, one of the premier women's clothing outlets in Western North Carolina and opportunities for golf in Western North Carolina, in addition to other activities and attractions.

History

In Rutherfordton, many visitors enjoy one of the North Carolina walking tours, which includes a cluster of antebellum homes and historic churches that represent fine architectural examples. St. Francis Episcopal Church downtown has a collection of Tiffany stained-glass windows in one of the North Carolina historic districts on the National Register of Historic Places.

Historic B&Bs in North Carolina

Visitors can sleep in some of Rutherfordton’s history. The Carrier Houses Bed and Breakfast features two Victorian houses side by side, an unusual example of North Carolina B&Bs, and both homes are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Firehouse Inn, which dates to 1925, was City Hall and served as a fire station and a home for the police department. The inn is unique among North Carolina bed-and-breakfasts.

Gem mines in Western North Carolina

The first gold dollar minted in the United States, in 1832, was made in Rutherfordton by the Bechtler family. Today, you can go for the gold yourself at Thermal City Gold Mine, which offers recreational North Carolina gold and gem mining, or pan for gems at Broad River Gems & Mining Co.

Activities in small-town North Carolina

Rutherfordton's friendly charm invites a leisurely pace to explore. KidSenses Children's InterACTIVE Museum downtown is among the children's museums in North Carolina guaranteed to keep your kids happy. Find some Western North Carolina art galleries here as well as the paint-your-own pottery studio Earth, Glaze & Fire, one of the summertime farmers’ markets in Western North Carolina and Hill's Hardware, a family-operated store that dates to the 1940s. Among the independent eateries in town are Legal Grounds restaurant and sports bar, Gregory's and Anna Rose.

Don't skip a trip to one of the North Carolina women’s clothing outlets when you're in town. For women's clothing outlets in Western North Carolina, the Tanner outlet is a premier place for classy clothing.

Festivals in Western North Carolina

Rutherfordton's annual festivals draw enthusiastic crowds. MayFest is one of the NC festivals that offers art, live entertainment and children's activities. The Hilltop Fall Festival in October features a 5k run. The Tour de Pumpkin, the same weekend as the Hilltop festival, highlights cycling in North Carolina. The tour, sponsored by the Rutherford Outdoor Coalition, includes 100k and 50k rides and is among the most popular Western North Carolina biking events.

Golfing in Western North Carolina

Rutherfordton's golf courses provide great North Carolina golfing opportunities. From the Rutherfordton Golf Club to the Meadowbrook Golf Club and the Cleghorn Plantation Golf Club, you have a choice of North Carolina golf courses.