The Top 5 Reasons to Visit Aiken, South Carolina Now
WRITTEN BY 5 REASONS TO VISIT® EDITORIAL STAFF
PUBLISHED MAY 2018 • 4 min read
A place like no other—Aiken, South Carolina is where you can meander quaint, historic streets and gaze at iconic oak trees, all while experiencing a thriving downtown and culinary scene fit for a foodie.
Source: Visit Aiken SC
1. THE HIKING
Hitchcock Woods is inseparable from the glamorous history of Aiken, South Carolina as a health resort and has long been a haven for hikers and equestrians since the early 1800s. As one of the largest urban forests in the nation, the woods boast 2,100 acres of forestland and 70 miles of sandy hiking trails.
Source: Visit Aiken SC
Hitchcock Woods offers a variety of terrain and for a more challenging uphill trek, head to Harry’s Hill or Chalk Cliffs. To avoid getting lost, click here for a map.
2. THE ART
Art is everywhere in Aiken. Down alleyways, on main streets, in full view on large buildings and hidden in unassuming spots—artistic street murals are everywhere you turn throughout Downtown Aiken, South Carolina.
For a self-guided tour, stroll the sidewalks of Downtown Aiken and discover how the murals have transformed structural canvases into colorful and vibrant tributes to Aiken’s history.
3. THE COCKTAILS & CUISINE
Situated in the heart of Downtown Aiken, Whiskey Alley is known by locals as “Aiken's Best Kept Secret.” With a diverse tapas menu and a cocktail list that takes its inspiration from Creole and Latin influences, we recommend trying the “Good” Cop for your artisanal craft cocktail fix. Concocted with Red Breast 12, St. Germain, Orange Bitters, Expressed Orange and Isaly Rinse—you’ll easily be following all the rules (or breaking them?).
Whiskey Alley in Aiken, South Carolina
Favorite dishes at Whiskey Alley include Charred Spanish Octopus with potato purée and smoked paprika, Angus Beef Tenderloin Tartare with farm egg yolk, as well as House Ricotta Gnocchi, sautéed with grilled escarole, housemade fennel and basil sausage, and parmesan cream.
For those craving something sweet, end your experience with dessert done decadently. Try a Sticky Date Cake with warm brown butter caramel sauce. Hungry yet?
4. THE GARDENS
Wrapped behind a serpentine brick wall and under a canopy of ancient oaks, deodar cedars and magnolias, is Hopelands Gardens. The lazy curves radiating throughout the public garden guide you through an extensive network of paths shaded under 100 year old live oaks.
Bordering the gardens, the wetlands add a tranquil marshland setting with a floating boardwalk to observe nature at its finest. During your visit, be sure to explore “The Dollhouse,” the former playhouse for the children of the family that built the estate and gardens around the turn of the century.
5. THE ARCHITECTURE
Crossways, circa 1815, originally served as the main house for an antebellum plantation. The 19th century former Governor's mansion is a blend of Greek Revival and Late Victorian architectural styles, making for a magical place with distinctive character and unforgettable ambiance.
