Race Weekend in DarlingtonKnown as "The Lady in Black" Darlington Raceway is beloved on the NASCAR circuit. This special place is tucked away in the beautiful Upcountry of South Carolina. Whether you want to camp right at the track or stay nearby, here are some ideas for a fun race weekend in Darlington, SC!Authorskerrieturcic
DestinationsSouth CarolinaItinerary

Friday: Arrive

Darlington Raceway Hall of Winners
This is the ultimate museum for race fans! It has a ton of Darlington history and a lot of cars to look at, but it's closed on the weekends, so arrive earlier on Friday if you want to check it out.
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Takis Diner
Grab dinner at this throwback diner! The '50s-inspired diner is well-known to Darlington regulars, but still a bit of a hidden gem. Enjoy some good old fashioned Southern cookin' and get your pic with Elvis. 😉 They also have breakfat and lunch, a perfect pre-race meal on Sunday, too!
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Stays

Richard Petty Rd Campground
RV or tent camp right at the track! Perfect for tailgating before the race.
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Aloft Florence
Not into camping? This place has that brand new hotel smell in nearby Florence—just opened in 2024.
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Overnight at Riverside Platform Campsite
Another spot to camp just outside of Florence.
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Saturday: Florence

Florence Downtown Historic District
Spend the morning checking out the historic downtown area.
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Lula's Coffee Co
Make sure you grab a pastry and a coffee at Lula's. Ask about the Pecan Trail challenge.
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Moore Farms Botanical Garden
wOnly about 30 minutes from Florence! Stroll through 65 acres of southern botanical beauty.
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Tubb's Shrimp and Fish Co.
Back in Florence, this down-home seafood spot is known to have some of the best fried shrimp you can get in the Upcountry.
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Town Hall
Feeling fancy? Town Hall is a fine dining restaurant that prides itself on farm-fresh, Southern-inspired cuisine.
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Sunday: Darlington

Darlington Raceway
Sundays are usually the big NASCAR event! (Check the schedule, because there are usually races on Saturday, too.) Pro Tip: Bring ear protection! If you forget, they sell ear plugs at the race for about $4. Experienced race fans wear "scanners," headsets that provide ear protection but also allow you to connect to another headset and have a conversation, as well as listen to race traffic. Pre-race: Want to get the full experiene? Purchase pre-race experience tickets to get access! Parking: If you don't decide to camp at the track, there is some free parking for the day of the race, but it is limited. You can purchase VIP and paid parking ahead of time. But bring cash in case you need to find parking off-site. The track is nestled in the backroads of Darlington and there are plenty of people selling parking on their property on the country road leading to the raceway. We parked within a half mile of the track for $20. They also offered a ride on a golf cart for those who needed it.
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Julia Belle's - Florence, SC
After you work up an appetite cheering for your favorite racer, this is perfect place to refuel with some post-race Southern food! Fried catfish, fried green tomatoes, and South Carolina's famous shrimp & grits! Top it off with pecan pie. If the race is later, grab lunch here first!
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