The city of Aiken South Carolina is located in the southwest part of the state, about 60 miles south of Columbia. Aiken SC has gained notoriety as a stomping ground for horses and their owners. There are two race tracks in Aiken South Carolina and even main roadways with space set aside just for horses. Aiken SC also gained attention in the 19^th century as a getaway for travelers from the north looking for a place to relax, ride horses and hunt.

Today, travelers coming to Aiken SC still come to hunt and relax, but the town is now better known for the excellent golf in Aiken South Carolina. Although golf in Aiken South Carolina can"t compete with South Carolina towns like Hilton Head and Myrtle Beach in terms of the number of golf courses, there are still some excellent courses found throughout Aiken South Carolina.

One such course is the Rose Hill Aiken South Carolina course. When it comes to golf in Aiken South Carolina, this is one of the top choices for many vacationers who come to town. Rose Hill Aiken South Carolina was designed by Gene Hamm and is an 18-hole course which is open during daylight hours throughout the year. Rose Hill Aiken South Carolina also has a driving range with 16 spots for golfers to practice their drive before or instead of heading out on the course itself. This course for golf in Aiken South Carolina charges around $55 per person for green fees and has a club house onsite selling golfing equipment.

South Carolina Map

In addition to golf, another popular attraction in Aiken SC is the annual racing tournament held each year in March, known as the Aiken Triple Crown. This is a three week event featuring a number of horse races and supplemental events. Tickets for the event can be purchased in person or over the phone. If you just can"t get enough horse entertainment, you can also head over to the Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame, housed in an old carriage house and open to the public for touring during the summer on the weekend, from 2 to 5pm (June through August). The museum feature memorabilia and other interesting information about racing, and admission is free. The museum is found on the grounds of the Hopeland Gardens, which are a large set of gardens with small ponds, stone fountains and a nice collection of native trees and plants. Although the gardens are open year round, spring and summer are the best times to go if you want to see the gardens in full bloom. This is also a great place for a picnic.

Another great attraction is the Aiken County Historical Museum, located downtown in the heart of the historical district. The museum is open during the week from 9:30am to 4:30pm, and on Saturday and Sunday from 2 to 5pm. The downtown historical area is one of the most popular places to stay among Aiken hotels. Many antebellum buildings can still be found standing tall in the historical district, and many of these have been restored to serve as hotels and bed and breakfasts.