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Sample Thoroughbred Country
Group Itinerary
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Thoroughbred Country offers
up its best to you. We invite you to come and experience our
history, our attractions, our culture, or food and our hospitality.
LEARN
about the role of agriculture and other industries in the
development of the area and the roles they play today.
EXPLORE
our shops for locally-thrown pottery, hand-stitched quilts, antiques
and more.
DISCOVER
the influence of the railroad and the river as you traverse the many
crossroads of this region.
EXPERIENCE
the easy rhythm of the South and the famed Southern hospitality as
you dine at our restaurants and cafes and rest your head in our
comfortable accommodations.
CREATE
a new memory with a loved one as you experience, explore, discover
and just plain have fun in Thoroughbred Country!
Whatever brings you here, have a wonderful time!
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DAY ONE
Cross the border from Augusta, Georgia and begin your exploration at the Beech Island Historical Society Visitors and History Center. The center is located in a renovated country store that tells the history of the Beech Island area. Beech Island is one of the oldest settlements in South Carolina. Indian trading paths, Fort Moore and Swiss settlers are a few of the things you'll learn about here.
Allow 1 hour.
Travel to Redcliffe Plantation State Historic Site. This 1850 Greek revival antebellum mansion was the home of SC Governor James Henry Hammond. The house was held by the Hammond family through four generations then donated to the State Park Service in 1975. It is complete with furniture, decorative arts and artwork from the various periods. The grounds include interpretive slave quarters.
Allow 1 hour.
Option:
Experience Colonial Times at the Living History Park in North Augusta. Upon request, reenactors in period costume will provide the visitor a firsthand living history experience. This 7.5 acre park with natural springs includes the springhouse tavern, smoke house, meeting house, backwoods cabin and blacksmith forge. The newest addition to the park is the Sensory Garden, one of only a few handicapped accessible sensory gardens for the sight impaired. The total access garden is of the 21st century in a Colonial setting.
Allow 1 hour.
Arrive in Aiken late morning. Meet the Aiken Trolley at the Washington Center for the Performing Arts. Any group larger than 27 will split into 2 groups; half of the group will explore the Aiken County Historical Museum. The Museum is located in Banksia, one of only two Winter Colony mansions open to the public. The grounds house the Transit of Venus Observatory structure, a circa 1808 log home and an 1890's one room schoolhouse. The other half of the group will board the trolley for the Aiken Historic Tour. The City grew up along the Charleston-Hamburg Railway. As Aiken became a bustling railroad town, it began to draw wealthy Northerners and Charlestonians during winter months. Your tour will include a walk through Hopelands Gardens. Hopelands Gardens is a 14-acre public park located at the crossroads of Whiskey Road and Dupree Place. The gardens host a Touch and Scent Trail for the visually impaired, an amphitheater, the Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame and the Dollhouse.
Allow 2 hours.
Please note - during your visit to the historic districts of Aiken, the group will be transported via city vehicles due to motor coach restrictions. All motor coaches must contact the Tourism Supervisor for the city of Aiken prior to bringing a motor coach (803-642-7631).
Enjoy lunch and shopping in downtown. Surrounded by a one of a kind parkway system and bordered by beautiful beds of flowers, this area offers unique dining and shopping choices. The area is also home to the Aiken Center for the Arts, the Aiken County Historical Museum and the Washington Center for the Performing Arts.
Allow 2 hours.
Check into one of our quality accommodations to freshen up before heading out to dinner. Enjoy dinner at an area restaurant and then a show at the Aiken Community Playhouse, the Etherredge Center or the Dupont Planetarium for a night under the stars.
Allow 3 hours.
Option:
Aiken Ghost Tours. A 90-minute guided haunted history walking tour of downtown Aiken.
Option:
Shop Aiken Mall. This mall has over 40 stores including Belk, Dillard's, Sears and JC Penney.
DAY TWO
Partake in continental breakfast at your hotel before continuing further into Thoroughbred Country.
Allow 1 hour.
Travel toward Blackville along US 78, the Discovery Route for the South Carolina National Heritage Corridor (SCNHC). As you travel, you will notice the rail bed that is still evident in many of the small towns. These towns grew up along the Charleston-Hamburg Railway - the first commercial railway in America and the longest commercial railway in the world at that time. Make a stop at the SCNHC Region 3 Discovery Center. Located just outside the town of Blackville, the Center features a train inspired museum which shares the rich history of Aiken, Bamberg, Barnwell and Orangeburg counties. Interactive displays and countless kiosks present the region's diverse history. A gift shop is also available and features local artwork, South Carolina themed gifts, a coffee shop and reading room. Guided tours or self-guided tours available.
Allow 1 hour.
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Next, tour the Agricultural Heritage Museum located next door to the Discovery Center. The Museum interprets the historical and cultural influences of agriculture on the area.
Allow 1 hour.
Continue to Blackville to learn about Mennonite history and culture and the famed Healing Springs. Enjoy lunch at Miller's Bread Basket restaurant. Miller's is a popular stop and offers Amish-Mennonite cooking and salads. No meal is complete without a loaf of homemade bread or a delicious pie.
Allow 1.5 hours.
Option:
Meet a tour guide from Blackville Historical Tours. Tour options include Mennonite culture or stops along the Blackville Heritage Trail.
Travel to Denmark. This darling town offers a variety of shops. The gallery of nationally known artist Jim Harrison, an old fashioned five and dime store, a historic building containing three floors of antiques for sale and a hardware store complete with everything from lumber to fine china can all be found here. As you stroll through the town, note the hand painted wall bulletins and outdoor advertising signage. These are part of the Denmark Sign Project, an outdoor-indoor community display of early 20th century advertising.
Allow 1 hour.
Head to the Little Red Barn Pottery & Art Gallery where artisan demonstrations can be arranged. Formerly the Leigh Banana Case Commissary, this building is steeped in history and culture. The gallery houses the pottery studio of Elizabeth Ringus and her signature Paw Print Pottery, which includes the traditional face jugs. In addition, you will find nature photography, prints and custom framing.
Allow 45 minutes.
Enjoy a delicious Southern meal at the Winton Inn in Barnwell before checking into the Barnwell Days Inn for the night.
DAY THREE
Start your day with continental breakfast at your hotel.
Allow 1 hour.
Travel US 278 to the Salkehatchie Arts Center in Allendale. The center is a retail store that offers a wide variety of art created by artists and crafts people in the region. The Center is located in a two-story house built in the 1920's with an 1870's one-room school house in the backyard.
Allow 1 hour.
Explore Rivers Bridge State Historic Site. Rivers Bridge is a 390-acre Civil War battlefield managed by the State Park Service. The site includes the battlefield interpretative trail and the memorial grounds. It was here that a small band of Confederate soldiers in field fortifications opposed the advance of Sherman's army. The well-preserved earthen fortifications are the centerpiece of this important battlefield landscape.
Allow 45 minutes.
Option:
Spend time at Broxton Bridge Plantation. The plantation consists of two houses dating from 1850 and 1880, and a Civil War battleground complete with battle breastworks.
Allow 1 hour.
Start your day with continental breakfast at your hotel.
Allow 1 hour.
Have lunch at Rachel's before boarding the bus for your next destination. This restaurant is known for its Southern favorites such as fried chicken and macaroni and cheese.
Allow 1 hour.
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Thoroughbred Country offers
an array of experiences that can be tailored to suit the needs of
your group. For more detailed itineraries or assistance in
planning your own themed tour, contact:
Mary Ann Keisler
PO Box 850
Aiken, SC 29802
Phone (803) 649-7981
Toll Free (888) 834-1654
Fax (803) 649-2248
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