Searching for that hidden gem? Visit Aiken, one of the “South’s Best Small” towns, named by Southern Living! Aiken draws in vacationers for unique dining experiences, live music, historic inns, eclectic shops, and golf.
Explore Aiken's seafood restaurants, and indulge in some of the city's most enticing dining experiences. Solo Vino offers a high-end seafood experience using the freshest seafood paired with the finest wines. With a boat dock theme, The Bait Shack at JC's Seafood catches the best seafood for your plate. Nestled in the heart of downtown Aiken, Palmetto Seafood Bar and Grill offers southern dishes with Low Country influences. The Variety Restaurant, one of the first local diners in Aiken, offers a variety of large seafood platters. Aiken Fish House and Oyster Bar is a family-owned seafood restaurant and oyster bar specializing in fresh domestic seafood. Featuring a combination of Southern and Gulf Coast cuisine, Tasty Crab House has the tastiest New Orleans Cajun-style seafood. For take-out, Seafood Station #1 is worth the wait for the daily hot fried fish. Lobsters, mussels, and crawfish are local favorites at the Seafood House. Dish into one of Aiken's best-kept secrets at Locals for crab legs and oysters.
What's more delicious than beating the heat with a cool treat? Chill out at the Vampire Penguin for shaved snow. Cool off at Flanigans Ice Cream Parlor for a “flight” of ice cream, and get five flavors at once! Visit the candy store at Cyndi's Sweet Shoppe for the floats, sundaes, and hand-dipped ice cream. Born from a New Orleans tradition of combining smooth, fluffy snow with bold flavors, Pelican’s SnoBalls has over 120 flavors. Marble Slab Creamery ice cream is created with hand-rolled and baked waffle cones. Palmetto Bowls provides a unique, mobile truck culinary experience offering seasonal bowls made with local ingredients and Acai. Eat ice cream and create your own pottery at Bisquecuts and Glazy
HISTORIC INNS AND VACATION RENTALS
Looking for the best places to stay in Aiken while enjoying all the things our vibrant city has to offer? There’s no better place to wake up than in the heart of Aiken’s downtown at Carriage House Inn. Enjoy the luxury suites at 419Hayne in beautiful downtown surrounded by boutiques, live music, and restaurants. If you are looking for a summer getaway with scenic golf views then The Inn at Houdslake is the place for you. Enjoy the south's finest hospitality at The Willcox, voted one of the best hotels in the world, or book a suite at a beautifully restored Winter Colony Estate at Rose Hill.
From boutiques, southern clothing stores, art galleries, and equine-inspired gifts, there are places you will want to check for some fun summer shopping. What's new? Two upscale boutiques have opened under one roof – Maddie P. Boutique and Kels and Faith Company. It is South Carolina based with the trendiest clothes for any occasion! The American Patriot's Shop offers a wide variety of items in a distinctly American flavor: shirts, hats, belts, flags, tumblers, mugs, flasks, and more. For a list of more shops, click here.
SPECIAL EVENTS{image_5}
Summer events are sizzling! Enjoy a round of golf at the Aiken Golf Club, or check out Aiken's Summer golf packages. Stroll through the Alley to listen to Amp the Alley on Thursday nights. Enjoy summer nights under the stars at the Aiken Music Fest. Cool off inside and see a play! The Aiken Community Theatre presents A Doublewide, Texas Christmas on July 15, 16, 21, 22, and 23 at 7:30 p.m. and July 17 at 2:00 p.m. Educate yourself at the DuPont Planetarium and catch one of the special effects shows to learn about the weather, night sky, or a show that takes visitors back in time. The Etherredge Center and Aiken Symphony Orchestra present The Indigo Girls with The Aiken Symphony on September 16th. Known for their folk-rock music, Amy Ray and Emily Saliers, the two halves of the Indigo Girls, are set to appear for the first time in Aiken.
Check out our website for a full list of what to do, where to eat, and where to stay.