It is no secret that charming Aiken is the best travel location for families with furry ones.  Don’t take it from me, but even Travelocity named Aiken the pet-friendliest city in the Southeast. So, don’t leave Fido behind! Here are fourteen reasons you'll want to bring your pooch with you on your next trip to Aiken!

Aiken is a charming town for Adventurous and leisurely walkers. Explore everything from Aiken’s historic winter colony mansions to beautiful parkways and breath-taking gardens. Here are 11 incredible strolls to get in your daily 10,000 steps. 

The scenery in Aiken, SC is breathtaking in the spring. There's no better time to explore this beautiful city than while redbuds, pansies, yellow jessamine, wisteria, spirea, camellias are all in bloom.  Want to see for yourself? Here are some of our favorite shots from when Aiken comes alive each April and turns into picturesque bliss! 

Aiken’s steep history of polo, carriage riding, fox hunting, eventing, show jumping, horseshows, horse racing and horseback riding continues its tradition to this modern era. If you haven't considered Aiken as a horse riding destination, it's time to saddle up a visit to this stunning town! Here are 11 reasons why Aiken is horse riding paradise.

Antebellum Chocolates began officially in 2015 by James Stefanakos. James’s mother was a director of a gourmet cooking school so James grew up knowing what good chocolate was but after he moved to the Aiken area couldn’t find any good/quality chocolate so decided to make his own. During the summer of 2015 he began selling his chocolates at the Aiken County Farmers Market, with the mission of “Buy a Bar Feed a Child” with part of the proceeds from each bar going toward Golden Harvest Food Bank’s BackPack program. 

It all began with a railroad and a love story… 

Celebrate New Year’s in Aiken …

Whether it’s toasting to the New Year with fine dining, spending the night out on the town or making plans on New Year’s Day, Aiken is the place I want to be!

(Fire Over Aiken photo credit: Josh Rinder)

This year, you don’t have to stress about holiday shopping. That is, by shopping locally. The shops are small and quaint, offer friendly customer service, sometimes food and drinks are on hand, and holiday scents fill the air; and most of all, shopping feels like home.  I find shopping locally to be a relaxing and light hearted pleasure.     

For gift giving ideas, these local FINDS are individually unique for each person on your list– a significant other or a furry friend, a family member, a co-worker or a close friend. 

Locally owned shops are filled with items that you can’t find anywhere else, and it’s sure to become a memorable “gem” or that “most talked about gift.” Shop#aiken4aiken!

It’s officially pumpkin season! The apple spice aroma is in the air and the leaves start to reveal shades of red and amber. I love the sounds of stepping on crunched leaves to the sight of green apple fruit stands. We have once again been blessed with Autumn in Aiken.

It’s obvious that the signs of fall are brewing. That is, with the back to school craze, shorter days, sweaters and boots in stores, and the smell of pumpkin latte spiced coffee, but before you put up your hummingbird feeder and your southern sun-brewed tea from the patio table, slow down and seize the remainder of the summer days! Summer is not officially over until September 22. Check out some of the happenings in Aiken as the summer wraps up. You will not want to miss it!