Up for a cheap new adventure only a short drive from Greenville, SC that the whole family will love? Tryon International Equestrian Center is only an hour or so from Greenville and a unique experience you will look forward to visiting again and again! We’ll fill you in on where this hidden secret is, what they offer and why you should visit!
When we first heard of the Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC), it sounded cool and we knew we had to go. A beautiful oasis of horses, a carousel, and fun (and cheap) events? Um, yes! So we went and checked out Saturday Night Lights. Total gamechanger. We’ve been so many times now and it really never gets old.
We’ll tell you all about why you should head over the border to the TIEC!.
Looking for more free and cheap things to do? See our 30+ Free/Cheap Things to do Over the Summer for ideas.
What we discovered in Tryon, NC
The forty-five-minute ride to Tryon was like driving across the picture on a postcard. Please note: as you drive up Highway 26, drive the speed limit. Troopers literally tuck themselves along the side of the road in an attempt to catch you speeding. The only reason I know this is because a friend told me. Really, it is. (Wink).
I perked up the moment we arrived. There is a security guard stationed at the gate to answer all your questions. Having never been, we had a lot. Although the festivities didn’t begin until the evening, the kind officer encouraged us to “have a look around.” So we did.
Four words came to mind: Who needs Churchill Downs? As soon as you enter the grounds, there is so much see. We went when there was nothing going on. I can only imagine what it looks like during events! The first thing our little one spotted was the carousel. There were restaurants and food/drink vendors galore. I won’t go as far as to compare it to Disney World but, during an event, Tryon International Equestrian Center could easily be the happiest place in North Carolina.
Before I go any further, allow me to share with you the best part of our journey. It wasn’t the shops, food or horses; nope, my favorite thing was the freshly squeezed lemonade. The real-life lemonade stand was parked right up front (at least it was the day we went) and they squeeze your drink right in front of you. It cost more than a quarter, but was well worth it.
But let me tell you about an event at the TIEC that just may rival some time at Disney – and it’s free except for parking.
Saturday Night Lights at Tryon International Equestrian Center
One of the coolest things about the TIEC is their free Saturday Night Lights program that starts in early summer and runs through October. The 2024 season kicks off May 4, 2024 at 5 pm. You really won’t believe it’s free once you get there and find all the stuff they have for you to do.
Venetian Carousel
The Venetian carousel is a fan favorite and anyone can see why – it’s so pretty. And it’s not just for kids. I’ve ridden it many times and it’s just as fun for me as for my kids. You can ride it as many times as you like at Saturday Night Lights. For free. Yup, just keep riding.
Pony Rides
Saturday Night Lights has had pony rides in the past but not every time we’ve come. It’s pretty hit or miss. So if your kid really, really loves pony rides, maybe just don’t tell them anything about it until you get there and see if they have them that night.
These are wildly popular and they are the first things you’ll see when you enter the facility so get in line right away if you want to do it. You’ll have to sign a waiver and your kid will get fitted for a helmet and get a ride around once or twice in a circle. The horses we saw were really pretty and the staff was great.
Face Painting
When we went opening night of summer 2023, we just fell in love with the face painter – and her adorable daughter- they have there. She runs The Sea Mither Face Painting out of nearby Hendersonville, NC and she is really, really good. Go see her when you go (get in line first thing when you get there).
While everything, even face painting, is free, there are tip jars out there if you want to leave something for a job well done.
Also, if you don’t want to wait in the line to have your face painted, you can sit for some crescent glitter done by the Sea Mither’s daughter, who is just oh-so-cute and does a great job! My youngest daughter went to her and walked away looking pretty awesome with her glitter moon that outlined the side of her face. Happy kid. There’s also sidewalk chalk inside the face painting area, which is great for kids to play with while they wait.
Mechanical Horse, Bounce House & Live Music
Saturday Night Lights really has things for every age. There is a horse bounce house, a mechanical horse (like a mechanical bull you may have seen in a country western bar but for any age!), and a great band. We loved listening to the band while we ate dinner and the kids played with hula hoops and ran and jumped over kid-size horse jumping obstacles.
Food & Drinks
There are vendors with fresh-squeezed lemonade and adult beverages plus places to grab dinner. There are different food trucks every time plus a sushi restaurant, a taco and nachos place (delicious by the way), an Italian restaurant, a diner, and an American grille.
You can sit anywhere you like but we have loved to sit on the green hill on the west side of the stadium because kids can roll down it in between horse jumping. Or you can sit and listen to the band or wherever else you want to sit and eat.
One pro tip during the cooler months of early fall: bring blankets! It gets chilly and we saw so many people with blankets and considered them geniuses. They also looked very cozy. In the General Store, they sell coffee and hot chocolate, which I’d definitely recommend as well.
Horse Jumping Competition
While all the excitement of the free activities is a lot of fun, there is also a pretty incredible horse jumping competition that happens at 7:20 pm during Saturday Night Lights. You can sit anywhere you want in the stadium. I love sitting really close to the arena so I get a good look at the horses as they jump right in front of me.
Let me just say: I know nothing about this kind of competition. Like, zero. What I’ve gathered is that the rider loses points if the horse knocks down one of the bars they have to jump over or goes over the amount of time they have to complete the course. And the winner gets a lot of money. You also cannot be cheering and clapping while the horse is jumping the obstacles but you can cheer after they are done with their run.
All that to say, even though I have zero clue what is happening, I absolutely love it, as do my kids. The horses are stunningly beautiful and agile and just so amazing. We all love watching them.
Parking Fee
Due to rising costs, the TIEC is now charging a $10 parking fee after 4 pm for Saturday Night Lights. If you arrive before 4 pm, there is no charge. They take cash or credit cards.
2024 Schedule
All the free events happen 5-7 pm and then the competition goes from 7:20 pm to around 9 pm.
Here is the 2024 schedule:
- May 4th
- May 11th
- May 18th
- May 25th
- June 1st
- June 8th
- June 29th
- July 6th
- July 13th
- July 20th
- September 21st
- September 28th
- October 5th
- October 12th
- October 19th
- October 26th
Plan your own trip to Tryon International Equestrian Center
In addition to Saturday Night Lights, TIEC hosts a wide array of events that are also open to the public. See the complete TIEC calendar of events. They also have lodgings right there at the equestrian center, which we imagine would be awesome to stay in.
Tryon International Equestrian Center
4066 Pea Ridge Road, Mill Spring, NC
828.863.1000
Would your family love a visit to Tryon International Equestrian Center?
For more things to do near the TIEC, see our Guide to Landrum (a really cool, nearby town)!