TRAVEL JOURNAL

TRAVEL JOURNAL CAROLINA Girl

West Palm Beacher Jana Angel is known around town for her prowess in digital media—she’s the host of Living Local TV, director of multimedia creative studio The Posh Theory, and wears the hats of on-camera talent, journalist, content creator, and speaker—but her Southern roots keep her humble. Her charming hometown of Rock Hill, South Carolina, is located on the North Carolina border, so weekend trips to nearby Charlotte, Charleston, Greenville, and Hilton Head were a given. “I love the Carolinas because there is such a variety of experiences in close proximity to one another,” she says. “From the Charlotte airport, you can be drinking cocktails by the ocean or skiing down a mountain within two hours.” Her parents still reside in her childhood home (designed and built by her mother) on Lake Wylie, so she returns regularly to visit them, her godsons, and “the queen matriarch,” Grammie. —Skye Sherman

VIBE Southern charm meets cosmopolitan culture

FASHION ESSENTIALS FOR DAY My go-tos are At Last jeans, a tank from Brooke and Arrow, and Stan Smith sneaks. Keep a blazer on hand—layers are a must in the Carolinas between seasons.

FASHION ESSENTIALS FOR NIGHT For an evening soirée, I slip into a BCBG little black dress with nude Sam Edelman anklestrap heels, then spritz on Mugler Alien perfume and prepare to dance the night away.

HOW YOU LIKE TO START YOUR DAY When my sisters are home, we go to Amélie’s (ameliesfrenchbakery.com) in downtown Rock Hill for a little piece of Paris.

BEST TIME OF YEAR TO GO April is my favorite because of the annual Come-See-Me Festival (comeseeme.org).

BEST SEAT IN TOWN At the rooftop of The Pump House (rockhillpumphouse.com), you can enjoy elevated Southern cuisine atop a renovated historic landmark overlooking the Catawba River.

Lake Wylie, Rock Hill

Freedom Walkway

Pump House

Stan Smith Old Town Rock Hill

Mugler Alien

BEST PLACES TO SHOP Rock Hill has eclectic boutiques and shopping experiences in Old Town, Riverwalk, and Manchester. I always make sure to pop into Overhead Station on Main Street (overheadstation.com) and Angela Woods Interiors & Antiques (awoodsinteriors.com).

WHERE TO EAT Every time I go home, I have to make a reservation at Napa (napakingsley.com) for brunch. Their white cheddar and chive chicken and waffles is a must.

SIGNATURE DRINK Sweet tea, lemonade, and Tito’s vodka

A MUST-DO EXPERIENCE THAT’S NOT IN THE GUIDEBOOKS Rock Hill has become a special place when it comes to welcoming everyone, but frankly, it didn’t start that way. In 1961, The Friendship Nine put Rock Hill on the map when they took a stand against racial injustice by refusing to leave a lunch counter. This historic event is memorialized at local eatery Kounter (kounterdining.com), where diners can learn more about The Friendship Nine and experience the Freedom Walkway (freedom walkway.com) for themselves.