Looking for the perfect way to spend a sunny day in downtown Spindale, NC? With three miles of the Thermal Belt Rail Trail's (TBRT) 13.5 miles running the length of town, Rutherford County residents (and visitors!) will enjoy hopping on their bikes and exploring this historic trail town.
Spindale House is the perfect 'home-base' for your adventure, with ample free street parking and a new EV charger available to the public. Located in the heart of Main Street, Spindale House serves as a gathering place for all ages. Outside, you can enjoy a picnic while watching children play on the swings or just sitting in the beautifully landscaped gazebo area. The trailhead to the Thermal Belt Rail Trail is located just across Main Street, so grab your bikes, grab your kids and you're on your way.
No matter which way you ride along the trail, you'll experience the beautiful rolling landscapes typical of Rutherford County. Because the trail has been built along the original site of the Southern Railway, the pathways are relatively flat -- which can be a nice change from some of the steep elevation changes found in and around the North Carolina mountains. The trail is a leisurely ride, skate, walk, or run for anyone -- kids and pets welcome! Keep an eye out for new enhancements to the TBRT as they continue to pop up, beginning with the Rutherford County Schools & Watts Water project, scheduled to be finished up by the end of the school year.
After you've finished your ride, you've earned a delicious meal at one of the restaurants that border Main Street around Spindale House. From a slice of pizza to a classic BBQ sammy, there are lots of options for all of you hungry adventurers. Coming soon -- Mill Town Brewing, a new nanobrewery, is slated to open soon in a restored 1926 building just a five-minute walk from the TBRT trailhead. Perhaps a Thermal Belt Rail Tr-ALE would be at home on the menu?
