From shopping and spa days to fishing and golfing, Thoroughbred Country offers unique experiences for girls’ getaways and guys’ trips
AIKEN, SOUTH CAROLINA—APRIL 2023—Located just east of Augusta, Georgia and west of Columbia, South Carolina is Thoroughbred Country, an area comprised of sprawling countryside, wide open greenspaces and endless opportunities to explore nature. Bordered by Interstates 20, 26 and 95, this region offers a plethora of unique experiences including historical sites, picturesque downtowns with unique shops, restaurants, museums, one-of-a-kind lodging options and beloved annual events.
Sometimes referred to as “Undiscovered South Carolina,” Thoroughbred Country consists of Aiken, Allendale, Bamberg and Barnwell counties. It’s no secret horses take the top prize in Thoroughbred Country but there’s so much more to experience in Thoroughbred Country beyond horses. Here are a few girls’ getaway and guys’ trip experiences that are sure to be memorable for any group.
For the girls
From art galleries and antique shops to a spa day and interesting dining options, there’s no shortage of activities the girls are sure to love.
No girls’ trip is complete without a little shopping. Start the day with breakfast before hitting the area’s many shops. Make a stop in at The Aiken County Historical Museum’s Gift Store for unique items including jewelry, regional artisan goods, local artwork and more. It’s a treasure trove of one-of-a-kind gifts and shoppers are sure to find something they can’t leave without. Head downtown for a stop at the Aiken Antique Mall. Featuring over 50 dealers, shoppers love perusing fine antiques and hard-to-find vintage collectables. Next, peruse the gift shop located inside Aiken Center for the Arts Gallery Shop for interesting gifts and unique works of art by local and regional artists. The Aiken County Museum Store, 433 Newberry Street SW, Aiken, South Carolina, 29801; 803-642-1500; Aiken Antique Mall, 112 Laurens Street SW, Aiken, South Carolina, 29801; 803-648-6700; Aiken Center for the Arts Gallery Shop, 122 Laurens Street SW, Aiken, South Carolina, 29801; 803-641-9094
Get a lay of the land with a little history of Thoroughbred County at the Arts and Heritage Center of North Augusta, with over 2,000 square feet of regional arts and history, including a permanent interactive history exhibit and two galleries of exhibits which rotate every two months. Make a stop by the Center’s Gift Shop which showcases local crafts ranging from pottery and paintings to coffee and chocolate. Open 10 a.m.- 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 1-3 p.m. the first Sunday of every month.
Arts and Heritage Center of North Augusta, 100 Georgia Avenue, North Augusta, South Carolina, 29841; 803-441-4380
Where to Dine
Thoroughbred Country has a thriving culinary scene offering various cuisines sure to please any palate. Check out New Moon Café for creative comfort food featuring fresh, honest ingredients from around the southeast. With in-house roasted coffee, made from scratch bread, pastries and soups, New Moon Café is a true downtown Aiken gem. A variety of breakfast and lunch menu items available. Open 7 a.m.-4 p.m., daily. New Moon Café, 116 Laurens Street, NW, Aiken, South Carolina, 29801; 803-643-7088
Grab lunch at What’s Cookin’ Downtown for a variety of breakfast and lunch options. Known for their made from scratch biscuits, gourmet burgers, sandwiches and daily specials, patrons will not leave hungry. Outdoor seating available. Open 7:30 a.m.-3 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday. What’s Cookin’ Downtown, 123 B Laurens Street NW, Aiken, South Carolina, 29801; 803-649-1068
Savor homemade Italian-American food from Staten Island, New York, with recipes that have been in the family for more than 100 years at Macaluso’s. Mouth-watering menu items include meatballs, fresh baked bread, chicken parmesan and other traditional Italian favorites, all crafted with a New York influence. Established in 1999, Macluso’s moved from Miami in 2021 to its new home in Aiken and is the only restaurant in the region serving this specialty cuisine. Open for dinner. Macaluso’s, 135 York Street Southeast, Aiken, South Carolina 29801, 803-262-5334
Where to Stay
The Willcox offers a luxe hotel experience perfect for any girls’ getaway. Guest rooms are not only comfortable but also luxuriously appointed, offering a true retreat. Dine at The Willcox’s award winning on property restaurant where meals are unpretentious and delicious. Don’t forget to book a spa day at The Willcox Salon and Spa. With a wide range of spa services delivered in serene, fire-lit rooms, guests are sure to melt their cares away with the help of expert spa therapists. Services are available for overnight guests as well as day visitors. The Willcox offers several hotel packages throughout the year. Click here for current package offerings. The Willcox, 100 Colleton Avenue, SW, Aiken, South Carolina, 29801; 803-648-1898
The Birdnest Inn offers a nice respite for those looking for a traditional bed and breakfast experience. Located in an urban farm environment close to downtown Aiken, golf courses and equestrian competitions, this property is close to nearby attractions yet gives guests the feeling of being a world away. Full of character and charm, each room is named and designated after different songbirds and offers a private bathroom. This beautiful, historic home offers six guest rooms and is well appointed with original art, upscale adornments and an impressive collection of handmade pottery. Guests will also enjoy the property’s pool and pool house as well as a farmhouse breakfast and coffee bar. The Birdnest Inn, 5200 Sizemore Circle, Aiken, South Carolina, 29803, 979-530-3900
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Lookaway Inn in North Augusta, South Carolina is a historic mansion featuring turn of the century charm and elegance. Completed in 1898, this bed and breakfast was once the home of Walter Jackson, brother of James U. Jackson who founded North Augusta. Graciously restored, the property has five bedrooms in the main house and ten courtyard garden rooms, all of which offer large private bathrooms. Guests can expect a complimentary breakfast, air-conditioned rooms, flat screen TVs and loads of southern charm and hospitality. Lookaway Inn, 103 West Forest Avenue, North Augusta South Carolina, 29841; 803-426-1030
Immerse yourself in country living with a stay at Wisteria Cottage. This Blackville, South Carolina, bed and breakfast is the perfect place to unplug and escape from it all. It sits on 25 stunning acres of picturesque land, complete with trails, bird-watching opportunities and a gorgeous garden. The 1940s rustic hideaway sleeps four, with two bedrooms, one bath with a claw foot tub, and a small kitchen. While you’re there, learn how to utilize the plethora of herbs in Ms. Lill’s garden. Wisteria Cottage, 2136 Jones Bridge Road, Blackville, South Carolina 29817; 803-671-5638
For the guys
From golf and fishing to minor league baseball, there’s no shortage of outdoor and recreational activities in Thoroughbred Country.
Hit the links! With several courses located throughout Thoroughbred Country, there’s ample opportunity to play a round or two while visiting. Book a tee time at The Aiken Golf Club, originally built in 1912 and extensively restored in recent years. This 18-hole, par 70 course was designed by Donald Ross and makes excellent use of pines, sand and waste areas giving players a Pinehurst feeling. The Aiken Golf Club, 555 Highland Park Drive, Aiken, South Carolina, 29801; 803-649-6029
Interested in mini golf? Thoroughbred Country has that too! Check out South On Whiskey for an afternoon of fun. Featuring an 18-hole minigolf course, it’s the perfect spot to cut loose and have some fun with the guys! Looking for more fun? Try perfecting your aim at Woodchuckers Axe Throwing located in downtown Aiken. Throw a sharpened axe at a wooden target 12 feet away and listen for the bell to ring when you hit the bullseye! Choose from one hour, two hour or even 30-minute sessions. There’s plenty of fun to go around! South On Whiskey, 3197 Whiskey Road, Aiken, South Carolina, 29803; 803-643-1715; Woodchuckers Axe Throwing, 208 The Alley, Aiken, South Carolina, 29801; 803-500-2937
Play ball! Nothing says guys getaway quite like a minor league baseball game. Catch the Augusta GreenJackets as they play at SRP Park located in North Augusta, South Carolina. Single tickets and group tickets are available. Visiting during the off season? Not to worry—SRP Park also hosts a myriad of events throughout the year such as concerts, Craft Beer Festivals and more. SRP Park is the centerpiece of the Riverside Village development, a modern mixed-use development with hotels, retail and much more. SRP Park, 187 Railroad Avenue, North Augusta, South Carolina, 29841; 803-349-9426
Fish on! Drop a line at one of the area’s many lakes or rivers. The Savannah River and South Edisto River are excellent places to fish for bream, catfish, largemouth bass and striped bass. Fish along the banks of either river or launch your small watercraft at a nearby boat ramp. Be sure to secure your fishing license beforehand through the South Carolina DNR. For more information on how to obtain your license, click here. Want to explore the Edisto River by guided kayak? Check out South Fork River Trips for more information on organized trips held throughout the year.
Where to Dine
Known for their authentic Neapolitan traditions, Apizza di Napoli is the first and only pizzeria in South Carolina (North Carolina and Georgia, too!) to be honored with the prestigious and distinct Certification of True Neapolitan Pizza from the highly coveted AVPN in Naples Italy. Using quality ingredients imported from Italy, each pie is a true work of art. Formed by hand and cooked quickly in a wood fire oven at 900 degrees, there’s no doubt your pizza craving will be quenched at Apizza di Napoli. Open beginning at 4 p.m., Tuesday, beginning at 11 a.m., Wednesday through Saturday, noon-8 p.m., Sunday, closed Mondays. Apizza di Napoli, 740 Silver Bluff Road, Aiken, South Carolina, 29803; 803-226-0700.
For something a little fancier, check out Malia’s Restaurant in downtown Aiken. Sourcing fresh and ethically produced ingredients, this local favorite has been in business for over 30 years. Patrons can expect a top-notch dining experience featuring international dishes with a Southern flair. Menus change frequently to optimize a pallet of seasonal ingredients. Open for lunch 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m., Wednesday through Saturday and for dinner, beginning at 5 p.m., Wednesday through Saturday Malia’s Restaurant, 120 Laurens Street, Aiken, South Carolina, 29801; 803-643-3086
End the evening at The Alley Downtown Taproom. Featuring 48 taps with a variety of beer, ciders, wine, kombuchas and more, you’re sure to find something that strikes your fancy. Patrons pay by the ounce or pint. There’s also an open food policy meaning you can bring your own bites or have some delivered to you at the Taproom. Enjoy live music on Thursdays, April through November. Outdoor seating available. Open noon-10 p.m., Monday through Thursday, noon to midnight, Friday and Saturday, and noon-8 p.m., Sunday. The Alley Downtown Taproom, 214 The Alley SW, Aiken, South Carolina 29801; 803-226-0344
Where to Stay
Stay among nature at Barnwell State Park. With multiple fully furnished cabins and villas available, guests will enjoy the comforts of home while waking up 100 yards from the park’s upper lake and just 300 yards from the park’s lower lake. For information on booking, click here. Barnwell State Park, 223 State Park Road, Blackville, South Carolina 29817; 803-284-2212
For a more traditional type lodging experience, stay at Stable View Farm. Sprawling over 1,000 acres of gently rolling hills and bordered by canopies of forests, Stable View has become a popular spot for its broad appeal to those looking for a peaceful retreat among some of the area’s most beautiful wildlife. Stable View offers an array of cottages, barn residences, loft like “hunt boxes” and cozy apartments available for short- or long-term stays. RV hook-ups are also available throughout the property. Stable View Farm, 117 Stable View Drive, Aiken, South Carolina, 29801; 484-356-3173