Twelve Ways to Stay Cool at Tryon International

As the sunshine of summer heats up the Western North Carolina foothills, the comfort and safety of riders, trainers, spectators, and all four-legged friends is a top priority at Tryon International Equestrian Center & Resort (Tryon International, for short). Keep reading below to learn pro tips and explore all the ways you can stay cool this summer at Tryon International!

Take an A/C Break!

There are plenty of locations on property with cold, crisp air conditioning where guests can take a minute and cool off between outdoor adventures. The Promenade vendor cabins (1-16, located adjacent to Tryon Stadium and Rings 1-4) and WNC Main Street (located on the second floor of the International Pavilion) are temperature controlled and give you the perfect excuse to get out of the sun! Bathrooms located ringside, barnside, and front of house are all cooled - no sticky portable bathrooms here!

Enjoy a sit-down, indoor dining experience at one of our on-site restaurants: Roger’s Diner, Campagna Italian Cuisine, Legends Grille, Taco Mundo, Gertie Mae’s or Blue Ginger (both located in the third floor of the Overmountain Lodge), and the NEW Silver Spoon Saloon. Many of our restaurants also feature outdoor covered or shaded seating, so your dogs can come with you, too! For easy grab-and-go options that you can take back to your cabin or barn and eat on your own time, check out Boujee Bowls (NEW!) or the Pony Express Deli in the General Store. 

(Protect and) Treat Yourself

Staying hydrated is key! You can fill up reusable water bottles at any restaurant or at one of several water fountains throughout the facility, including in Legends Plaza, the Show Office, Fitness Wide Open, and in the Overmountain Lodge. Sunscreen, hats and visors, and other protective gear can also be found in the General Store.

While drinking plenty of water is a great start, sometimes a yummy, cold treat just hits the spot, and luckily there are endless options available at Tryon International! Treat yourself to ice cream and cold drinks in the General Store, delicious smoothies at Boujee Bowls or the Pony Express Deli counter, milkshakes at Roger’s Diner, and more fun treats at various food and coffee trucks located throughout the facility. Plenty of cold alcoholic beverages are also available at all onsite bars and restaurants, too.

Indoor Weather

Pickleball with the crew sounding a little too toasty in the afternoon sun? Want to fit in your daily steps, but don’t want to risk a sunburn? Fitness Wide Open is a full-service gym and fitness facility located on the first floor of the International Pavilion, where you can crush your wellness goals and stick to your routine, no matter the outdoor weather. From fun group classes to open gym and pickleball courts access, day and week passes are available to suit your schedule and goals. 

Plus, keep moving with more fun indoor activities at the Silver Spoon Saloon game center! Try your hand at axe throwing, duckpin bowling, a Virtual Reality Escape Room, the Virtual Reality sports simulator (air-conditioned golf game, anyone?), arcade games and more. Don’t forget to join us Friday evenings for free line dancing lessons, too! 

When the show day comes to a close and you head back to your room at the Overmountain Lodge, take full advantage with all of the amenities: “wine down” after a long day at Gertie Mae’s or Blue Ginger Sushi on the third floor (open to the public!), with stunning mountain views; workout indoors at the fitness center or enjoy a cool place to plug in at the media center; and lounge in the spacious lobby or covered patio areas. 

Made in the Shade

Avoiding direct sunlight and staying in shaded or covered areas is a great way to keep cool in hot temps. Luckily, there are many ways to enjoy Tryon International from the comfort of the shade! All arenas feature covered viewing decks for the comfort of spectators, but there’s plenty of shady fun to be found outside the arenas, too. Book a morning trail ride with Tryon Western Adventures to enjoy the wooded foothills scenery in the cool of the morning, explore the White Oak Creek on property behind our Creekside Cabins, head over to the Cleghorn Club pool, or explore local hiking areas with waterfall, creek or lake access. As always - pack the sunscreen and stay hydrated. 

Bonus: Four-Legged Friends

Last but not least, our four-legged friends deserve to be cool and comfortable, too. Horses can enjoy fans located in every stall, with others placed in shaded waiting areas along the bridle paths. Covered wash racks at each barn provide an easy way to cool off between rounds, too. Leashed dogs are always welcome in our outdoor and patio spaces at Tryon International, and covered outdoor seating areas at restaurants ensure their comfort. Check out House of Pawsh in vendor cabin 16 for a self-serve dog grooming station, too!