Perched on a gentle rise overlooking pastures and rolling hills, this 1838 farmhouse in Flat Rock was once home to Pulitzer Prize-winning “poet of the people” Carl Sandburg and his wife, Lilian. When the Sandburgs purchased the property — known as Connemara — in 1945, its airy rooms, broad porch, and mountain breezes offered the solitude that the writer craved and the land his wife needed to raise her beloved dairy goats. Both desires were fulfilled across the farm’s 200-plus acres, a refuge where Sandburg published more than a third of his works. After his death in 1967, Lilian sold the land and donated everything on the property to the National Park Service to preserve her husband’s legacy. Today, visitors can explore rooms that still look much the same as the Sandburgs left them — with original furniture, lamps for late-night work, and shelves of books reflecting boundless curiosity — stroll the farm where descendants of Lilian’s goats still graze, and experience the best of literature and agriculture in the Blue Ridge.
Connemara was a natural wonderland for their grandchildren, including John Carl. photograph by AP PHOTO/RUDOLPH FAIRCLOTH
“It’s like a well-preserved time capsule,” says Tom Avery, visitor services manager for the Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site, “almost as if the family has stepped out and is ready to come back at any moment.”
Beyond the farm, Flat Rock’s quiet streets, scenic trails, and gardens invite exploration, offering a perfect counterpoint to the creative solitude Sandburg found on these hills. Read on for five activities worth adding to your itinerary — and other must-visit stops along the way.
Take a guided tour through the Carl Sandburg Home. photograph by Tim Robison
Step inside the Carl Sandburg Home, and it’s easy to imagine the Sandburg family at work and play. “The interior appears almost exactly how it looked when they lived here,” Avery says.
Guided tours wind through six furnished rooms, beginning on the ground floor, across the top two floors, and ending on the ground level. In the study, books crowd the shelves, letters teeter in folders, and the typewriter stands ready for Sandburg to strike the next line. Nearby, the front room welcomed friends and family, with Carl playing folk music on his guitar, singing, or sharing stories. “Music was huge in the home,” Avery says. “[The Sandburg’s daughter,] Margaret, played the piano, which is displayed.”
Inside the Carl Sandburg Home, rooms are preserved to look like they did when the family lived there. photograph by Tim Robison
Head outside to explore the pastures and barnyard to meet descendants of Mrs. Sandburg’s Saanen, Toggenburg, and Nubian dairy goats. Then, stretch your legs along five miles of hiking trails that wind through gardens, rolling fields, and mountainside woods. In March, early signs of spring appear: bare trees start to bud, birds return to the pastures, and the soft light of early spring highlights the contours of the hills and fields.
Tours last 30 to 40 minutes and accommodate up to 10 people. Same-day tickets are available only when staffing allows, so be sure to book in advance. For more information, call or check the site’s website.
Visit the Pollinator Garden at The Park at Flat Rock. photograph by Michele Schwartz
Keep the fun going at The Park at Flat Rock. Gentle trails, meadows, and ponds at this 66-acre park offer space to wander, relax on the grass, or simply watch wildlife in the calm of the wetlands. Families will find adventure at the Bryan Playground and Tot Lot, while the picnic pavilion and scenic overlooks provide the perfect spot for a lunch or a quiet moment without the summer crowds.
Check out community theater at Flat Rock Playhouse. photograph by Tim Robison
Then, swap your sneakers for theater seats at Flat Rock Playhouse. From the Vagabond Players’ first performance in 1937 grew a tradition of professional theater, education, and community engagement that continues today.
The only prep for a weekend here this month? Bring your dancing shoes and maybe your best disco moves. From March 13-15 catch Bee Gees Gold: The Tribute, a glitter-drenched celebration of disco and falsettos. “The Bee Gees are iconic,” says Lisa K. Bryant, artistic director. “They perform every great Bee Gees song you can imagine, including some B-sides that super fans will appreciate, along with all the mega hits.
Numbers from your favorite shows and lively routines fill the theater with energy. photograph by Scott Treadway
Then, celebrate a milestone weekend from March 27-20 with Boots-N-Blues. “This will be the first time we’re featuring a blues concert at the Playhouse, and I’m really excited to bring it to our audiences,” Bryant says. Blues legends Mac Arnold, Anson Funderburgh, and rising country star Blake Ellege blend blues and country into a series of performances full of heart, soul, and unforgettable moments. Audiences are sure to leave inspired, moved, and carrying the music with them long after the final bow.
Follow your nose to Hubba Hubba Smokehouse, where smells of smoked pork, brisket, and chicken permeate the air. photograph by Sam Dean
By now, your stomach is calling the shots — and Little Rainbow Row is ready to oblige. Flat Rock’s wink to Charleston, this stretch of restaurants and shops has long welcomed wanderers, shoppers, and anyone looking for a cheerful way to spend the day.
Some you may find? Follow the scent of smoky goodness at Hubba Hubba Smokehouse, which opens for the season around mid-March. As the weather warms and the landscape begins to wake, the smokehouse’s outdoor dining areas become a standout part of the experience. Enjoy slow smoked ribs, tender brisket, pulled pork, and hearty sides while basking in the region’s scenic beauty.
Beyond pizza, don’t miss the pastries and breakfast sandwiches at Flat Rock Village Bakery. photograph by Tim Robison
Keep strolling to find Flat Rock Village Bakery, where the wood-fired oven is always busy turning out made-from-scratch breads — and, yes, pizza. “It can be very busy in Flat Rock in the summer and fall,” says David Workman, owner. “Visiting during this season is a great way to enjoy the beautiful weather, especially since most of our seating is outdoors, so you can really take advantage of that.”
Shop for gifts and art at The Wrinkled Egg. photograph by Sam Dean
Meals lead naturally to meandering — and the Row is perfect for it.
After grabbing something delicious at Flat Rock Village Bakery, wander through the adjoining gift shop at The Wrinkled Egg — a colorful, character filled store housed in a former grocery store that’s anchored this stretch of Little Rainbow Row for decades. The name itself tells a story — inspired by a legendary Rhode Island Red hen known for its “wrinkled” eggs — and the shop’s personality is just as charmingly quirky. Visitors often linger to browse the colorful displays and pick up souvenirs from home goods and paintings and pottery from local artists to clothing and toys. Before you leave, pay a visit to the shop’s two miniature Holland lop-eared bunnies. “The adults love them as much as the children,” says owner Virgina Spigener.
Next door, Dogwood beckons with a curated collection of home goods, gifts, local crafts, and garden items that hint at the coming season. From thoughtful hostess gifts to something special for the cook or gardener in the family, the shop rewards unhurried browsing. Owners Carol Mann Slowik and Tracy O’Connor-McGraw have made the space warm and inviting, encouraging visitors to explore, linger, and maybe even stumble upon the perfect keepsake to remember their day in Flat Rock.
Whether your day starts alongside the friendly goats of Connemara or ends browsing charming shops and eateries, this small town keeps curiosity alive. In March, Flat Rock is brimming with things to see, taste, and explore — and just when you think you’ve seen it all, another adventure is never far away.
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