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Aiken Center
for the Arts
The center features regular gallery
exhibits by local, state and regional artists. A variety of
local artists and center members display works for sale
year-round. The center also hosts programs and events
throughout the year and offers instruction in a variety of
mediums. The center has 3 galleries, a gift shop and
classrooms for programs. Allow 1 hour.
*Vehicle restrictions.
Aiken Community
Playhouse
The fifty two year old Aiken Community Playhouse (ACP) is
housed in the Washington Center for the Performing Arts. This
two year old, state of the art facility seats approximately
300, plus the thirty two seat Hospitality Suite/Balcony which
is available for pre and post show receptions, while
maintaining an intimate atmosphere. ACP offers a full season
of comedy, drama and musical plays. Tours available.
Allow 45
minutes to 1 hour for tour.
*Vehicle restrictions.
Aiken County Historical Museum
The museum is housed in a
1931 Winter Colony mansion, one of only two open to the public.
Three floors of exhibits tell the history of Aiken County from
past to present. A one-room school from the 1890's and an 1808
log cabin are also on the museum grounds. Guided tours
available with advanced notice.
Allow 1-2 hours for tour.
Aiken Historic Tour
This guided tour gives visitors a glimpse into the past,
present and future of this historic city. Enjoy a bit of
intriguing folklore and learn about Aiken's historic railroad
and the winter colony influence. Before having a sporting
reputation, Aiken was thought of as a health resort which
brought wealthy Northerners and Charlestonians to spend the
winter months. Later, these same families decided to bring
their horses and thus began the affection of the equestrian
world for Aiken. View historic homes, racetracks, Hopelands
Gardens and Hitchcock Woods, an urban forest comprised of
nearly 2000 acres. Tours depart from the Washington Center for
the Performing Arts in Downtown Aiken. Customized tours
available.
Allow 1.5-2 hours.
*Vehicle restrictions.
Aiken Mall
Shopping mall with over 40 stores including Belks, Dillards
and JC Penny.
Aiken's Historic Downtown
Surrounded by a one of a kind parkway system and bordered
by beautiful beds of flowers, the area offers unique dining
and shopping choices including art galleries, antiques, gift
shops, a brew pub and a variety of restaurants. Downtown is
also home to the Aiken Center for the Arts, the Aiken County
Historical Museum and the Washington Center for the Performing
Arts. Aiken's equestrian district borders the downtown area.
*Vehicle restrictions.
Beech Island Historical Society Visitors and History Center
Renovated
old country store that tells the history of the Beech Island
area. One of the oldest settlements in South Carolina, the
area was known as Savannah Town, a meager trading post, as far
back as 1685. The area grew to become one of the most
important Indian trade centers in the state. A fort was built
in 1716 to guard the western end of the colony. Tours of the
Beech Island area are also available by appointment. Allow
1 hour for center tour.
Dupont
Planetarium
The 45 seat planetarium is equipped with
state-of-the art special effects systems and is augmented by
sundials and telescopes. Various shows are available
throughout the year. Located on the University of South
Carolina-Aiken campus.
Most shows last 1 hour.
Etherredge Center
Located on the University of South Carolina-Aiken campus.
The center's scheduled includes a cultural series,
performances by university students, children's plays and
regular displays in the gallery. Various other performances
and events are also scheduled throughout the year.
Hole-N-One Miniature Golf & Games
Family fun
center with 18 holes of challenging mini golf, baseball and
softball batting cages (all lit for night play), interactive
video and redemption prize arcade, snack bar.
Hopelands Gardens
This 14-acre park was the former estate of Mr. and Mrs. C.
Oliver Iselin. Mrs. Iselin wished that her gardens would be
preserved for the enjoyment of others so she left her estate
to the city. The house was later removed and the area is now
occupied by three reflecting pools. A Touch and Scent Trail
for the visually impaired was developed. The wetlands area is
home to fish and many ducks. The performing arts stage hosts a
concert series May thru Augusta. The gardens are also host to
various other events including a display of Christmas lights.
Also on the property is the Doll House, former playhouse of
Mrs. Iselin's children, and the Thoroughbred Racing Hall of
Fame.
*Vehicle restrictions.
Horse Creek Traditions
Gift shop with
unique gifts including electric trains, collectibles and rush
rocking chairs. Antique cars and trains on display.
Allow 45
min.
Redcliffe
Plantation State Historic Site
1859 Greek Revival
antebellum mansion of James Henry Hammond. Held by the family
through four generations then donated to the State Park
Service in 1975. The house is complete with furniture,
decorative arts and artwork from the various periods of
occupation. Also on the grounds is a nature trail.
Hours tours
last approximately 45 minutes.
Rose
Hill
Historic garden estate located behind walls that enclose an
entire downtown city block. Rose Hill was built in 1900 as a
Winter Colony home. The 10,000 sq ft shingle style residence
exhibits high fashion architecture which broke from lavish
decorative Victorian designs. By melding the home into a lush
landscape, the style intended to suggest a relaxed style of
living. Listed on the
National Register.
Allow 1 hour.
*Vehicle restrictions.
Woodlanders, Inc.
This internationally known facility includes a display
garden and a rare plant mail-order nursery and production
facility. Offered plants are nursery grown from seed or
cuttings taken in the wild, from stock plants or from
specimens cultivated elsewhere. Plant sales may be made at the
nursery only if the plants are ordered in advance.
Allow 1
hour.
*Vehicle restrictions.
*If traveling to the City of Aiken, contact (803) 293-7846 for
vehicle restrictions.
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