Local Guide for Aiken, SC

Horses in the fields on a farm in Lexington, Kentucky

Aiken, South Carolina is one of the two largest cities of the Central Savannah River Area. Aiken offers many dining, shopping, and entertainment opportunities and is home to a variety of historic sites, a bustling downtown and several of South Carolina’s well known equestrian communities. 

Looking to move? Come visit today and consider making Aiken, South Carolina your new home!

Dining

Whether you are looking for casual dining, a night out on the town, or are just grabbing a drink, Aiken has the place for you! 

Eat

Image Source: The Wilcox website: https://thewillcox.com/dine/

Restaurant at Willcox

100 Colleton Ave. SW, Aiken SC, 29801

Casual, comfortable dining offering innovative and delicious menu options. 

Betsy’s Round the Corner

224 Park Avenue, Aiken SC, 29801

Betsy’s offers full table service with a menu of homemade soups and salads, hotdogs, burgers, daily specials, and more! For dessert, try their frosty shakes or ice cream treats.

Mack’s 

159 Laurens Street, NW, Aiken SC, 29801

The deli, named after owner David Kanga’s daughter Mackenzi, Mack’s offers daily soup and sandwich specials in addition to their traditional deli offerings. 

Malia’s

120 Laurens St, Aiken SC, 29801

Malia’s combines locally and internationally sourced ingredients to create polished American cuisine. 

Sheffield’s at Rose Hill in Aiken

221 Greenville Street NW, Aiken SC, 29801

Enjoy true historic charm with tapas and cocktails, and live music in Rose Hill’s Main House.

TakoSushi

210 The Alley, Aiken SC, 29801

A combination of sushi and rustic Southwestern cuisine. With made from scratch sauces, TakoSushi prides themselves on their down to earth, richly flavored dishes of Mexico and hand-rolled sushi. 

Tailgate Tavern

231 The Alley, Aiken SC, 29801

Features 28 televisions and a full menu restaurant offering items such as buffalo chicken sandwich, firecracker shrimp, shrimp po boy, burgers and sandwiches and more!

The Stables Restaurant

221 Greenville St NW, Aiken SC, 29801

Enjoy a seasonal menu from Chef Jeff Hairston featuring Chicken and Waffles, Nashville Hot Sauce Cast Iron Ribeye, Succotash Bourbon Black Pepper Pork, and Bourbon Black Pepper Glaze, along with live music. 

Dessert

Image Source: Instagram @cyndissweetshoppe

Cyndi’s Sweet Shoppe

146 LAURENS STREET SW AIKEN, SC 29801

A delicious selection of candy, chocolates, and fudges in the heart of Downtown Aiken, SC.

Image Source: Flanigan’s Ice Cream Parlor website: https://www.flanigansicecream.com/our-shop

Flanigan’s Ice Cream Parlor

221 Barnwell Ave NW, Aiken, SC 29801

Hand dipped ice cream featuring a special flavor each month and a variety of flavors each week. 

Aiken Ice Cream

337 Hayne Ave SW, Aiken SC 29801

Small batch, from scratch ice cream featuring unique flavors and mix-ins. 

The Confection Cottage

967 Dougherty Road Aiken, SC 29803

Enjoy cakes, pies, tea, and more from the Confection Cottage, a family-owned and operated bakery and tea room. 

Drinks

Image Source: AIken Brewing Company website: aikenbrewingcompany.com/index.php/gallery

Aiken Brewing Company

140 Laurens St. SW Aiken, SC 29801

Offers variety of everchanging brews and select menu items. 

The Alley Taproom

214 The Alley SW, Aiken, SC 29801

Embracing an ope food policy, The Alley Taproom encourages patrons to bring their own food as they enjoy the beer, ciders, wine, kombuchas, sodas, and coffee.

Whisky Alley

227 The Alley SW, Aiken, SC 29801

Always offering something new with a specials menu prepared daily to pair with the whisky of your choice. 

Solo Vino Wine Parlor

200 Park Ave SW, Aiken, SC 29801

Featuring an upscale and relaxed environment with “the “best” offerings of California Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon wine in Aiken”. 

Shopping

Featuring many local shops, Aiken offers many shopping options.

Image Source: Instagram @bisquecutsandglazy

Bisquecuts & Glazy

949 Pine Log Rd, Aiken, SC 29803

A contemporary art studio for all skill levels with camps, classes, and more!

Image Source: Nandina Home and Design website: https://nandinahome.com/aiken/

Nandina Home and Design

158 Laurens St SW, Aiken, SC 29801

A professional design firm and retail establishment in Historic Downtown Aiken, SC. 

3 Monkey’s Fine Gifts

141 Laurens St SW, Aiken, SC 29801Affordable Apparel

“The perfect place to find just the right gift for any occasion or something spectacular for yourself.”

Agape Chocolates

50 Canal St Suite #8, Graniteville, SC 29829

A small family-owned and operated chocolatier that uses profits to help fight childhood hunger. 

Ginger Bee Boutique

110 Laurens St SW, Aiken, SC 29801

Women’s apparel boutique clothing store. 

What to do

Looking for something to do in Aiken, South Carolina? Whether you’re here for a visit, considering relocating to the area, or you’re a long time resident looking to experience something new, there is no shortage of activities for all ages. You can go for a hike, enjoy live music, or discover the history of our area. Check out some of our recommendations for things to do and places to go in Aiken! 

Activity

Image Source: www.visitaikensc.com/whattodo/detail/aiken_arboretum_trail

Aiken Arboretum Trail

314 Chesterfield St. S Aiken SC, 29801

Exploration trail through the most diverse collection of trees found in any municipal location. 

Image Source: Aiken Music Fest on Facebook

Aiken Music Fest

118 Gaston Rd, Aiken, SC 29801

A 6 event music series on Saturday nights featuring local talent followed by headliner bands currently touring the South East. 

Image Source: https://www.visitaikensc.com/whattodo/detail/hopelands_gardens

Hopeland Gardens

135 Dupree Pl, Aiken, SC 29801

14 acre garden with trees, a koi pond, fountains and holiday lights.

Aiken County Farmers Market

115 Williamsburg St NE, Aiken, SC 29801

The oldest county farmers’ market offers vendors with fresh produce, baked goods, meat, honey, dairy products, and handmade products. 

Aiken Equine Rescue

532 Glenwood Dr, Aiken, SC 29803

Aiken Equine Rescue rescues horses that have suffered abuse and horses trained for racing to “re-purpose” their lives. They also work with people and partnering organizations to offer the healing services of horses to those in need. 

Aiken2Escape

2557 Whiskey Rd, Aiken, SC 29803

Locally owned and operated immersive escape game experiences. 

Aiken Trolley Tours

406 Park Ave SE Aiken SC, 29801

Trolley tours featuring historic homes and churches, equestrian sites, the Civil War’s Battle of Aiken and more. 

Eudora Farms

219 Salem Ln, Salley, SC 29137

A drive-thru zoo featuring around 200 exotic animals.

Palmetto Shooting

535 Gary Hill Rd, Edgefield, SC 29824

Premier shooting destination. 

Playland of Aiken

951 Dougherty Road, Aiken, SC 29803

Family Owned indoor playground offering 3000 square feet of play area. 

Vizion VR

955 Dougherty Rd unit b, Aiken, SC 29803

Experience immersion with virtual reality technology. 

Arts & History

With a history as rich as Aiken’s it’s no surprise that the city offers a variety of arts and history museums for residents and visitors alike. Get a dose of culture and check out one of these spots today. 

Image Source: https://aikencenterforthearts.org/contact/

Aiken Center for the Arts

122 Laurens Street, SW Aiken, SC 29801

“The mission of Aiken Center for the Arts (ACA) is to inspire and educate by providing unique visual and performing art experiences for all ages.” 

Aiken County Historical Museum

433 Newberry St SW, Aiken, SC 29801

Under the direction of the Aiken County Historical Commission, this Elegant museum features exhibits on the county’s golf course, local pottery & the Savannah River Site.

A Fox’s Tale

145 Laurens St SW, Aiken, SC 29801

Antique store in Aiken offering hand selected items from all over the country. 

Aiken Art Annex

144 Fairfield Street, Aiken, SC 29801

Aiken Art Annex features three unique spaces dedicated to the arts including The Studio, The Gallery, and The Garden. 

Golf

While Aiken is known for it’s equestrian ties, it is also home to several well-known golf courses. Here are just a few of the communities and clubs that call Aiken, South Carolina home. 

Houndslake Country Club

901 Houndslake Dr, Aiken, SC 29803

Houndslake Country Club offers many membership levels.

Woodside Country Club 

1000 Woodside Plantation Drive Aiken, SC 29803

Woodside Country Club is a private club offering memberships for golf, tennis and pickleball, and social activities. 

Cedar Creek Golf Club

2555 Club Dr, Aiken, SC 29803

Cedar Creek Golf Club offers daily rates and membership benefits. 

Sage Valley Golf Club

2240 Sage Valley Dr, Graniteville, SC 29829

Sage Valley Golf Club is a well known private national membership golf club just outside Augusta, Georgia. 

Education

If you’re working towards a degree, you won’t have to travel far. Aiken is home to two schools and neighboring Augusta, Georgia, just over the river, offers access to additional higher ed options. 

USC Aiken

471 University Pkwy, Aiken, SC 29801

USC Aiken is part of the University of South Carolina System and offers undergraduate degree and master’s degree programs.

Aiken Tech

2276 Jefferson Davis Hwy, Graniteville, SC 29829

Aiken Technical College is a two-year comprehensive college and one of the 16 colleges in the South Carolina Technical College System offering. 

Communities

Cedar Creek

Property Owners Association Office: 2584 Club Drive, Aiken, SC 29803

Cedar Creek consists of custom-built homes on ½+ acre lots located about 30 minutes from Augusta, Georgia. The majority of of the residents are active retires, but the community is open to residents of all ages. 

Woodside Plantation

1419 Silver Bluff Rd, Aiken SC

Woodside is a private, master-planned, gated community. Woodside features 8 differend dining options, 3 onsite medical providers, and is one of only 13 Southern Living inspired communities. 

Three Runs Plantation: 

Sales Office: 125 Three Runs Plantation Drive Aiken, SC 29803

Three Runs Plantation is a popular equestrian residential community in Aiken, South Carolina. 

Anderson Farms: 

Anderson Pond Road Aiken, South Carolina 29803

Anderson Farms features over 600 acres of neighborhoods, walking trails, an equestrian riding and workout ring, a pond with dock access, a community barn and more