Things to Do in Aiken, SC: Costs, Hours, Kids, Dogs

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Things to do in Aiken: 16 picks, from the town's and each operator's own pages, with hours, costs as published, and notes for kids, dogs and rainy days. 2 list free entry.

Picks16each with a source
Free Entry2as the operator states
Rainy Day5indoors
Kids or Dogs Noted5 / 2only where stated

Pick by Your Situation

Quick Picks

Rainy Day
Aiken Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame and Museum, Clifford S. Gerde Carriage Museum, Aiken Visitors Center and Train Museum and 2 more
indoors
Free
Aiken Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame and Museum, Hitchcock Woods
free entry
With Kids
Hopelands Gardens, Aiken Training Track, Aiken Trials (Aiken Training Track) and 2 more
kid notes from the operator

Historic Sites

Inclined Plane (Replica)
A replica of the inclined plane from the first railroad in the South (1830-1833) with recreated tracks, a patio, a wooden Engine House frame and information kiosks. source
Where
Aiken, SC

Museums

Aiken Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame and Museum
FreeIndoors
Hall of Fame for Aiken-trained national champions, with trophies and photographs of riders, polo players and steeplechase riders and a large collection of Englehard trophies. source Official site
Hours
Tuesdays-Fridays 2-5 pm, Saturdays 10 am-5 pm, Sundays 2-5 pm
Cost
Admission is free
Where
135 Dupree Place, within Hopelands Gardens, Aiken, SC
Clifford S. Gerde Carriage Museum
Indoors
Horse-drawn carriages of the 19th and 20th centuries, including a three-seated surrey (1900), in a restored garage/stable. source
Hours
Sundays 2:00-5:00 PM, March-November
Where
135 Dupree Place, Aiken, SC
Aiken Visitors Center and Train Museum
Indoors
Visitors Center downstairs; upstairs a train museum with nine HO-scale dioramas of towns along the original South Carolina Canal and Railroad Company route as they were in 1916. source
Where
406 Park Ave. SE, Aiken, SC
Aiken County Historical Museum (Banksia)
Indoors
A museum in one of Aiken's Winter Colony cottages (32 rooms, 15 bathrooms and a full-size ballroom) with frequently changing exhibits. source

Parks

Aiken State Park
A 1,000-acre state park on the South Edisto River with canoeing, fishing, picnicking, camping and hiking trails, built by an African American detachment of the Civilian Conservation Corps. source Official site
Cost
$2 adults, $1.25 SC seniors, ages 15 and younger free
Where
1145 State Park Rd., Aiken, SC

Gardens

Hopelands Gardens
A 14-acre estate opened in 1969 as a public garden, with paths under live oaks, fountains, reflection pool, Touch and Scent Trail, labyrinth, gazebo, pond (no fishing or swimming) and wetlands. source Official site
Hours
10am to Sunset
Where
135 Dupree Place, Aiken, SC
Kids
Page says the garden offers experiences for visitors of all ages; 2 swings

Trails

Hitchcock Woods
Free
About 2,100 acres and 70 miles of sandy trails for hikers, equestrians, dog walkers, runners and bird watchers; bicycles and motorized vehicles are not permitted; no trash receptacles. source
Hours
Open 365 days a year, sunup to sundown
Cost
Admission is free
Where
Foundation office: 444 South Boundary Avenue SW, Aiken, SC 29801
Dogs
Dogs must be leashed or under physical control by leash or attached restraint (Aiken County Ord. Sec. 4-30). During Aiken Hounds hunt season, Oct 15-Mar 15, dog walking is not permitted Tuesdays 1:30-5:00 p.m. and Saturdays 8:30 a.m.-12:00 noon.
Aiken Arboretum Trail (Colleton Avenue)
Self-guided tree trail on Colleton Avenue; dial (803) 295-5008 and enter the tree number; Aiken's citywide arboretum covers everything within a 4-mile radius of downtown. source
Where
Trail begins at the Aiken County Public Library, 314 Chesterfield St. S

Tours

Historic Aiken Trolley Tours
Guided trolley tour of historic homes and churches, equestrian sites, the Battle of Aiken, the live oak canopy on South Boundary and a guided walk through Hopelands Gardens and the Hall of Fame (weather permitting). source
Hours
10 am each Saturday; arrive no later than 9:45 am
Where
Departs 406 Park Ave SE, Aiken
Kids
Not recommended for small children due to the length of the tour
Dogs
Pets are not allowed; service animals only

Attractions

Aiken Training Track
Privately owned Thoroughbred training track with a 1-mile main track and 5/8-mile training track; training hours 7 am to 11 am; a Clockers' Stand lets visitors watch morning workouts; the historic Track Kitchen serves breakfast through the winter season. source
Hours
Training Hours 7 am-11 am; Track Kitchen 7:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. through the winter season; office 9am-12pm Mon-Fri
Cost
Aiken Trials 2026: General Admission $25 (children 10 and under free); parking $25
Where
538 Two Notch Rd, Aiken, SC 29801
Kids
Aiken Trials 2026: children age 10 and under enter free
Aiken Trials (Aiken Training Track)
Annual race day at the training track; the 83rd running was Saturday, March 14, 2026, gates 10am, first race at noon; the 84th is Saturday, March 13, 2027. source
Hours
2026: gates 10am; opening ceremony 11:30am; first race noon
Cost
General Admission $25; General Admission Parking $25; children 10 and under free
Where
538 Two Notch Rd, Aiken, SC 29801
Kids
Children 10 and under free
Aiken Horse Park at Bruce's Field
Year-round equestrian competition venue hosting a Grand-Prix Eventing Showcase, Aiken Charity Horse Shows and October at Bruce's Field. source
Where
931 Powderhouse Rd SE, Aiken, SC 29803
Polo (Aiken Polo Club, Wagener Polo Club)
Visit Aiken's event list for fall 2026 includes the USPA Constitution Cup 6 Goal (Wagener Polo Club, September 12-27), the Willcox Cup (Aiken Polo Club), October at Bruce's Field Week II (Oct 22-26) and USPA Players Cup 4-Goal. source
Hours
See Visit Aiken event pages
Kids
Events tagged Family Friendly
DuPont Planetarium and RPSEC Observatory
Indoors
A 30-foot dome planetarium with 45 seats; programs usually last an hour; observatory open for telescope viewing after shows, weather permitting. source
Hours
See website for schedule
Cost
See website for ticket prices
Where
Ruth Patrick Science Education Center, 427 Scholar Loop, Aiken, SC 29801

Markets

Aiken County Farmers Market
Described as the oldest county farmers' market in continuous service in the same location in SC; produce, baked goods, meat, honey, dairy and handmade crafts. source
Hours
Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday 7:30-11:30 a.m. (all year); product availability is seasonal
Where
Williamsburg Street area between Park and Richland Avenues, Aiken (per the market's history text)

More Guides Within 15 Miles

Redcliffe Plantation State Historic SiteState Historic Site, about 11 mi

Coming Up Near Aiken

Oct 31Aiken Fall Steeplechase (33rd running)Aiken · about 1 mi
Nov 5–8Experimental Relief (USC Aiken ten-minute play festival)Aiken · about 1 mi
Nov 17Jerron Paxton and Dennis Lichtman (Cultural Series)Aiken · about 1 mi
Nov 26Aiken Turkey Trot 5K and 1-Mile Fun Run (15th annual)Aiken · about 1 mi
Dec 338th Annual Downtown Christmas Tree Lighting (Aiken)Aiken · about 1 mi
Dec 4–556th Annual Christmas Craft Show (Aiken)Aiken · about 1 mi

10 more on the full events calendar.

Events within 15 miles, measured in a straight line to the centre of the event's town. Dates come from our checked events list; confirm with the organizer.

FAQ

What is there to do in Aiken on a rainy day?

Aiken Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame and Museum, Clifford S. Gerde Carriage Museum, Aiken Visitors Center and Train Museum, Aiken County Historical Museum (Banksia), DuPont Planetarium and RPSEC Observatory are indoors.

What is free to do in Aiken?

Aiken Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame and Museum, Hitchcock Woods list free entry on their own pages.

Is Hitchcock Woods free?

Yes. The Woods are open 365 days a year from sunup to sundown and admission is free. source

Can I bring my dog to Hitchcock Woods?

Yes, on a leash or physical restraint. During hunt season (Oct 15-Mar 15) dog walking is not permitted Tuesdays 1:30-5:00 p.m. and Saturdays 8:30 a.m.-noon. source

Can I watch horses train in Aiken?

The Aiken Training Track runs training hours from 7 am to 11 am and its site describes a Clockers' Stand for watching morning workouts. The track is privately owned; call 803-648-4631 to confirm visitor access. source

What We Could Not Confirm

Not confirmed: we looked for these on official pages and did not find them. Check with the town or operator before you rely on them.

Downtown Aiken parking (rates, time limits, lots): cityofaikensc.gov blocks automated fetch; Visit Aiken search found no parking page. Left out.
Hopelands Gardens dog rule: no official city or Visit Aiken text read; left blank.
Aiken official city page (founding, government): cityofaikensc.gov returned a Cloudflare challenge; 1835 charter year taken from Visit Aiken's Inclined Plane page.
Highway names (e.g. I-20) for reaching Aiken: not stated on pages read; fact sheet gives only distances.
Visitors Center hours (other than Saturday opening and phone line hours) and trolley ticket price: not on the page read.
Aiken Training Track visitor access beyond Clockers' Stand description, Aiken Historical Museum hours/cost, Planetarium prices: not found on pages read.

Sources

Read on October 26, 2026. How we check: editorial standards; spot a mistake? Tell us.

Cite this page: It's South Carolina, “Things to Do in Aiken, SC”, itssouthcarolina.com/destinations/midlands/things-to-do-in-aiken-sc/ (updated 2026-10-26). By the It's South Carolina editorial team. Free to quote with attribution and a link to this page; data and tables are licensed CC BY 4.0.

Things to Do in Aiken, SC