Local Guide for Aiken, SC
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