Before venturing into the horse country surrounding Tryon Equestrian Farms, you should be well acquainted with the Town of Tryon, NC. This small two-square-mile historic town of 1,750 people — known as "The Friendliest Town in the South" — is over 125 years old. Designed with a circular shape, Tryon has blossomed into a small town center of arts-and-crafts.
Situated in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Tryon offers hiking trails, waterfalls and scenic vistas, all within easy reach from its downtown. You can also sip wine at a vineyard, see a musical, visit historic buildings, buy gifts, and enjoy a dressage competition — with free admission and free parking — at the Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC). The town has a unique history of:
Vineyards and wineries
Performing arts
Famous creatives of all types
Equestrian activities
Tryon Vineyards and Wineries
The town was incorporated in the late 1800s as a key stop on the Spartanburg-to-Asheville Railway. Tryon quickly became a well-known resort town. The wine was king here until the prohibition in the early 1900s, but it has strongly resurfaced since the 1990s.
Now, nearly a dozen vineyards are sprinkled among rolling hills of fertile soils. Be sure to visit several of the wineries open to visitors for events and tastings, including:
Burntshirt Vineyards
Mountain Brook Vineyards
Overmountain Vineyards
Parker-Binns Vineyard
Tryon, NC Performing Arts
This small town has an eclectic performing arts history with several theaters, such as the Tryon Performing Arts Center, Tryon Little Theater, and the Tryon Film Theater. Because of the rich history in the fine arts, Tryon is or has been home to multiple well-known figures such as:
Author F. Scott Fitzgerald
Actor William Gillette of Sherlock Holmes fame
Kenneth Lackey, one of the original Three Stooges
Nina Simone, the influential blues musician
A sample of upcoming shows include opera singers, percussion ensembles, Scottish dancers, piano trios, and wind ensembles. Tryon Little Theatre, a community-run non-profit, offers musicals, a detective mystery, and a comedy.
Tryon, NC Equine History
Only locals seem to know the equine history in Tryon before the TIEC opened in 2014. Certainly, the TIEC put Tryon, NC on the map, but the equestrian community was already vibrant when Carter Brown founded the Tryon Riding and Hunt Club in 1925. The non-profit Foothills Equestrian Nature Center was formed in 1984 to preserve green space, but it also provided educational and recreational opportunities linking nature, animals and people. Other equestrian Tryon organizations before the TIEC include:
The Blue Ridge Hunter Jump Association
The Tryon Hounds
The Foothills Riding Club
The Carolinas Carriage Club
The Foothills Equestrian Trails Association
Beyond these organizations, equestrian residences abound in the area. Tryon Equestrian Farms is an exclusive neighborhood, serving families who love the equestrian lifestyle. The rolling pastureland is a treat for people and horses alike. You’ll find a community of like-minded families who share a taste for luxury and open spaces.
Tryon Shopping Options
Although not a large town by any measure, Tryon has a wide selection of independent and unique artisan shops, such as:
Fredericks Jewelry Design Studio
Mills Mosseller Rug Studio
Mountain Trail Soap Company
Saluda Forge & Iron Works
The Nest Artisan Market
A Taste of Olives & Grapes
Antiques' fanatics can enjoy strolling through large warehouses with an assortment of vendors, as well as the smaller shops lining Trade Street. Be sure to visit:
Dark Horse Antique Market
Old Mill Market Square
Tryon Antique Mall & Marketplace
Trade Street Trading Company
Other Tryon, NC Highlights
As a historic resort town, Tryon boasts two architecturally enticing areas — Gillette Woods and Godshaw Hill — perfect for a Sunday afternoon drive, an evening stroll or a morning run. Another nice drive is Highway 176, known as the Pacolet River Scenic Byway. Harmon Field is a great place to:
Enjoy a picnic
Take in the sunshine
Spend quality time with family and friends
You have to experience Tryon, NC for yourself. During your visit to Tryon Equestrian Farms to spot your next home lot, you have to take the short drive into Tryon. If our home becomes your home, you’ll never be bored. Tryon caters to equestrians like you.