A day in Aiken, SCI was told that the vibe in Aiken is great if you are either A) a diehard equestrian or, B) a retiree. I am neither of those and I had the best time here! 10/10 will be back. Authorssoldbysav
DestinationsAikenItinerary

Where to Eat & Drink

Park Avenue Oyster Bar & Grill
This is a must for lunch or dinner! Located within walking distance to everything downtown Aiken has to offer, the atmosphere here is wonderful and the food is so good. We went for brunch and I highly recommend the roasted oysters, mother hen sandwich and Bloody Mary.
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Full Moon Cafe
We stopped here for a midday coffee, but they also have a good selection of easy breakfast and lunch options + local art to peruse.
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Vampire Penguin Aiken
If you happen to be traveling with kids, you have to stop here. Vampire Penguin makes gourmet shaved ice - but the texture is more soft like snow than any shaved ice I’ve had before. Go see for yourself!
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La Parisienne French restaurant and bakery
The cutest French pastry and brunch location with a nod to Aiken’s equestrian heritage - think vintage black and white photos of the area’s races, riders and polo matches.
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Where to Shop

Plum Pudding Gourmet Kitchen Store - Aiken, SC
Had so much fun perusing local items here and ended up bringing home some of Charleston’s own Bittermilk Old Fashioned mixer for my bar station.
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A Fox’s Tale
This is not your typical bookstore. If you’re a collector and like used and rare books, you will love it here. We picked up the Works of Edgar Allan Poe from 1904.
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Aiken Antique Mall
A fun mix of vintage and antique items for those who like to thrift and antique shop!
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What to Do

Such a fun way to see the city and get a historical overview at the same time!
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Radioactive Pinball Arcade
Perfect for some nostalgic fun - walking distance to all of the other shops and bars downtown, this arcade is great for friends, families, or date night.
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Aiken County Historical Museum
A beautiful location showcasing everything you could need to know about Aiken!
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South Boundary Avenue Southeast
This is a must in my opinion. South Boundary Ave offers a beautifully scenic drive under a canopy of Oak Trees. This is primarily a residential area and the homes here do not disappoint. It’s also the launching point to get to most of the Horse District.
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Where to Stay

The Willcox Hotel
The service here goes above and beyond, with a variety of room service offerings, like their “hot toddy” turn down.
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