The 27 best things to do with kids in Aiken

Honestly, I stopped into this quiet, hidden gem completely on a whim. My gracious, what a wonderful museum! Several small communities were completely displaced by the Savannah River Site installation; many of the items are saved and on display here. An ENTIRE Pharmacy, complete with Soda Fountain of housed in the basement! It's just a phenomenal time capsule of days that aren't so really long ago. Don't miss this amazing slice of Aiken history!

This is a lovely county historical museum located in a beautiful 1930s "addition" to an older 1800s mansion. Aiken is known for the Winter Colony of the wealthy New York crowd for a period before the turn of the last century. Banksia, the name of the mansion that houses the museum, was a 13000 square foot addition to a previous 3500 square foot home on the property. The museum holds the story of Aiken from it's founding up through the present day. So, whether your a regular visitor to Aiken for the horse culture, or just passing through and wondering what the region is all about, the Aiken Historical Museum is the perfect place to learn.

This is a beautiful house and grounds. It's now a museum but it was once a house for the Howe family. Beautiful

I loved everything about this museum...what a treasure trove if artifacts and beautifully presented...took almost two hours of learning and we could have done more....

What an experience! There is so much to see here from photos, fire trucks, and exhibits…I can’t wait to go on a day when I have more time to wander around and really see everything!

Great local history location to visit while in Aiken area. We enjoyed our self guided tour and the information available in each room of this house/ museum. Plus, a local quilt show was on display the same weekend we were there!! Museum door greeters were very helpful as we entered. We got to know Aiken history a bit better after touring this museum.

This is free to enter!!! Staff was so knowledgeable and friendly! We spent over an hour exploring all 3 floors! Highly recommend!

Several times a year we visit the serenity here. Spring is our favorite. Everyone enjoys the music and lights at Christmas, everyone loves the colors of Fall, but the magic of Spring and all of the turtles, the flowers, the Koi pond and the crisp newness of the promise of our new year, this is my absolute favorite. You can walk the paths, sit on the benches, bird watch fish watch or swing on the swings up on the hill or walk your dog or have a small picnic. The most relaxing place in aiken sc !

Great place to take photos and create memories by feeding fish or visiting the historic parts.

Absolutely amazing. Very scenic and excellent layout. There is an abundance of wildlife. Very peaceful

How fun to find a botanical garden in the middle of Aiken. Enjoyed a picnic lunch there. There's also a horse racing museum there, but wasn't open on the Wednesday we were there.

Beautiful place to walk in nature and among the trees! And see one of the horses.

Very beautiful and peaceful place to take a walk and view history of Aiken. You can bring your dog too. I will go back when the flowers are in bloom. We saw giant coy fish, turtles, big bullfrog and many butterflies and birds. Such a special place for Aiken to have and share for free with visitors.

Had a good walk with family members. The labyrinth is a nice feature.

Interesting place to visit to learn more about thoroughbred racing, winning horses, and the culture of racing. Saw the Christmas lights of Hopelands Gardens, our primary reason for this brief evening visit. Always a wonderful place to stroll and enjoy nature in any season.

The museum is small and the attendant or guide was not able to tell me which or if any Aiken trained horses had ever won the Kentucky Derby...Three stars for the life sized painted horses out front and racing colors painted on the building.

We came because we had seen one of the "painted horses" as we were going down Whiskey Road. We had nicknamed her "Maggie" because of the magnolias painted on her! We were sad that the museum was closed BUT Lisa came up and while she was waiting for someone to come she let us in!! What a glorious time we horse lovers had! The pictures, trophies and atmosphere were beyond description! The GREATEST part of the visit was our interaction with Lisa! She shared so much information and personal history with us! It was awesome that she's been there since she was 5! That's 60 years of memories! We could have stayed for hours!! My sister got Lisa's book and our family will be sharing it!! This will be one of our most treasured memories in our lives! THANK YOU for having the museum! MORE IMPORTANTLY THANK YOU LISA FOR YOUR LOVE OF THE MUSEUM AND THE HORSES, PEOPLE AND HISTORY YOU SHARED!!!

I enjoyed my experience here. I learned a lot about horses and the culture of horseracing. There are a lot of exhibits and timelines to read about. And the museum is located within the beautiful Hopeland gardens. Come with time to walk and explore the grounds!

Good history museum of the history of Aiken and horse racing. Quality place to visit if you are just driving through.

I came to Aiken to visit my father and he took us here and I loved it! We didn't come at the best time of year to see the full potential of all the different plants and flowers, although it was still a wonderful experience. The ponds were cloudy but I think that's just due to the season, and some areas were closed. I hope to come back to visit again maybe in a different time of year, the place was so beautiful, I definitely want to see it again.

It was our first visit to Aiken due to our newly married daughter and husband lives there now. Aiken is a lovely quaint place and I did not know this is "horse country"! The museum was very nice inside and out and also has decorated winning thoroughbreds history, statues, and pictures of beautiful horses. There are beautiful grounds to walk around with fish ponds and bridges too. Nice place to picnic and the people are friendly. Aiken is a well kept city with a comfortable downtown to stroll around.

This was my first visit to the planetarium, and it was a different and enjoyable experience. We came for the Mesmerica show after seeing posts on Facebook that looked interesting. The visuals and music were very relaxing. Kind of like looking through a psychedelic kaleidoscope! I would recommend getting there early or buying VIP tickets for choice seating. We sat in the 2nd row from the top which was pretty good for viewing but still requires a lot of looking up. I can't imagine how the lower seats near the front would strain your neck. All in all, it was a wonderful show and I'd go there again if a future event piques my interest.

Beautifica360 was the worst date idea I've ever got baited into. It was literally a 90's Screensaver with elevator music on top and a British guy to tell you dance and breath. Even worse, they over booked and instead of moving us to next showing they did put these stupid USCA folding chairs which was not only super uncomfortable, but also annihilated our necks looking up to get an idea of the show. Don't waste your time and money going there. There's not a 0 star button on Google but if there was, It definitely would've been my first 0 star review.

We went to the Mesmerica Show at the Planetarium and had a great time. The show was beautiful and relaxing. This was the first time we had been to the Planetarium, but we will definitely go back to see what else they have to offer. It is a nice facility and is handicap accessible as well, which is important for me.

I came here for the first time with my husband and in laws for one of the public shows! We reserved tickets online for a 7pm Saturday show, and we're glad we did. Our show was completely full! We saw the "To the Moon and Back" production, which was awesome! It's a great experience for both kids and adults. After the show we went up to the telescope on the roof where James educated us on Mars the moon in several other planets! We will definitely be back again! If you've never been, we highly recommend visiting!

Mesmerica is trash. Somebody button jammed a bunch of AI generated hippy fractal art and made a slide show. None of the “lights” or shapes swell or change with the music. Nothing is synchronized. It’s literally a slide show with some steel drums and wind chimes. The transitions are jarring or just a simple fade out. The mildly psychedelic images just shift a bit for an average of 10 seconds. But if you blink don’t worry! You’ll see that one again in about 5 minutes. Seats were also not built for the screen. And the projectors are shining in your periphery the whole time. What a cash grab. Waste of money. Oh and some silly British voice tries to hypnotize you.

It's a good experience, it provides lots visuals and information for free, and you can use the observation tower if it's open for free. The kids will enjoy movies on the dome, but if you can tell the difference between HD and SD then it would be cool for 5 minutes. Besides that the facility is clean and the staff is very friendly and helpful. If you're in that area and into earth, planet in the stars, it'll be worth your time.

The planetarium has very good equipment, but the show we saw tonight "Special Effects Extravaganza" was mediocre at best. I have been to a few good planetariums that had really good presentations even though their equipment wasn't top notch. This planetarium had incredible equipment, but the show was pretty weak. The telescope on the roof was pretty cool although smaller than I expected for such a large dome.

We really enjoyed our first time here. Very nice atmosphere. Nicely greeted. The food was delicious!!! I had the special....eggplant and veal parmesan with pasta and my husband had a pasta and sausage dish. Next time I will ask for less sauce but it was good. The calamari could have been crunchier but still had a good flavor. We will definitely be going back!!!

An old friend of mine invited me out with her husband while I was visiting Aiken. She recommended casa Bella as it was one of her husband's favorites and since I had not had Italian for quite a while it was perfectly fine with me. Located in downtown Aiken Casa Bella is literally a repurposed house serving final Italian cuisine. The restaurant has a wonderful wine list and if you don't know what to have with dinner, the server will be more than happy to provide a suggestion. We started dinner with calamari and mushroom fries, which are a large portobello mushroom 10 into strips lightly breaded and fried. Both excellently done. I ordered lasagna, my friend ordered veal Marsala, and her husband had a special of the day chicken with dehydrated tomatoes and peppers. The veal and chicken dishes were well received. I am the other hand was slightly disappointed with the lasagna. Although a very healthy portion with a lovely sauce and lots of meat, there's an apparent lack of cheese. Look at the photograph and tell me you see any ricotta. I didn't see any of the wait staff nor our waiter for quite some time after lasagna had been placed in front of me. So I continued on with eating and by time our waiter showed up I was well through halfway done and didn't bring up the matter. Overall, dinner was well received by all and conversation catching up on old times and discussions of current affairs made up for lack of cheese. This is nothing to not recommend or find fault with the restaurant, and I would consider returning, if I get back to Aiken.

Would say it was a 5 star experience, I got something to try that was not to my taste, but it was me branching out. The risotto was phenomenal the veg of the day was green beans and they were well seasoned and crisp. The potato soup was good enough to be a stand alone meal, and the bread with the oil and roasted garlic paired well with everything. The show stopper was really the crème Brûlée, with a nice cappuccino to accompany. It had a excellent crust, and was simple and delicious. Want to comment on our server. He was also wonderful.

What a great restaurant, I had spaghetti and meatballs and my wife have pasta primavera. Both were excellent. And dog friendly on the beautiful patio.

Maybe my expectations were too high? We typically go to another ‘nice-ish’ restaurant when in town but thought we’d try here. Our group of 8 put in a small room upstairs which was nice for privacy and ambiance but HOT. It was at least 10 degrees cooler when we left the room. Our server was patient and did well taking orders and getting checks right. My Veal Marsala was room temperature even almost close to cool (as were most other dishes noted by my dinner mates). We had already waited so long for our food I didn’t want to complain or send back… I probably should have. It was not very flavorful (I’ve had at many restaurants so have a good palate to compare), a tad more chewy than tender and the pasta that came with it just plain noodles. The house salad was fine and bread was highlight of meal. We came, we tried but alas we probably won’t return. I wish I had a picture of food but didn’t want to see rude in front of my dinner party. Perhaps it was an off night- ciao bella.

Arrived at a Saturday night with no reservation so I'm taking that into consideration. However, at the time we arrived, the restaurant was not busy and many tables were empty. We were greeted at sat and told by the hostess that she would be back with menus. It took about 15 minutes for her to return. The entire service experience was mediocre at best. Food: Chicken Marsala was very salty. Chicken picotta was good. Overall, environment was nice, lot of potential given the history but this particular experience left much to be desired.

Loved the steak. I had the Chicken Marsala, not as flavorful as I would have liked but still tasty. Service was good, and timely. We will go back.

Such a variety of trails. Pet friendly, well kept, and clean. Being from out of town, had a little trouble finding an entrance. Thought there would be a large entrance with a parking lot. If there was we couldn't find it.

A fantastic swath of nature. First time visitor to the city and the woods. Dog friendly as long as he/she is on a leash. Well maintained trails, although it is easy to get lost. Would recommend using an app with trail maps if you’re actively trying to find some of the “points of interest.” Seems like for some of the points of interest, you do need to go off trail which I wish there was a little more detail about on the website and/or maps. We had a beautiful little picnic in a little grove of trees and it was so peaceful and secluded. Saw several horse riders during our few hours on the trail, all very friendly. I do not that I would not recommend trying to run on these trails as they are made of sand (unless you want sand training.) There were also *many* portions with lots of poison ivy along the trail edge, so be warned. If you’re going off trail, definitely wear long pants. We had a wonderful experience and will definitely be returning when in town again.

70 miles of trails, endless routes you can take, many cool things along the way. The coolest thing to see here is the Chalk Cliffs along the Tea Cottage Loop Trail. This is an excellent place to visit in Aiken. Detailed maps are provided. Lots if horse poop on the trails, be careful

The Hitchcock Woods is a National Treasure. This 2000 acre equestrian preserve is a wonderful place to visit with ones horse. The Aiken Hounds meet in the Woods Tuesdays at 2:00 PM and Saturdays at 9:00 AM September - March

Beautiful preserved local sc forest, hilly trails to ride quietly, home of the best jumpers...

Great urban woodland, for hiking, horseback riding, and family outings. Enough space to get lost. Watch out for quicksand. Legit it's in there. Rumored to house a werewolf named Russell. 🤔 so maybe pack some silver bullets with your water bottles and snack.

A peaceful place for hiking. The trails I've walked seem like they were created for horses, but they are certainly passable for foot traffic. Bring good hiking shoes. Some trails have very soft sand in places. Keep flip flops at home. Gouges where trees and brush were cleared from the trails after an ice storm several years ago are still visible and take away from the natural beauty of the woods.

I have been going here for years and the food and service have always been top notch. However, a visit this past Saturday was surprising when I was served an order of yellow tail and mackerel sashimi. I’m including a photo of the dish that was presented but should have never left the kitchen. I thought it was raw chicken and cat food. Our waitress was lovely, it was not her fault but we did learn that the regular sushi chef was on medical leave and whomever was covering had no idea what they were doing. I’ll be back again for sure but am gonna to wait a few months.

Food was good. We had a party of 5, with a dog, so we asked for outdoor seating, we were told they couldn't seat all five of us together because of a "city ordnance". I think they were just to lazy to move 2 tables together. Other restaurants in the area didn't have a problem seating 5 people together

Today my family and I wanted to try something new and we found this cute little place. The inside was clean and neat and when we walked in we were greeted with the friendliest smile from the hostess she was very nice and had great customer service. I didn't quite get her name but I think it was Ary. She wore a skirt and pigtails with bows 10/10 hostess. The inside looked clean and the whole staff were so welcoming. The food was amazing!!!!! I ordered a Greenville roll it was a 10/10 full compliments to the chef. I almost licked my plate clean lol. Overall this place not only has great customer service but good food and an amazing atmosphere. I 100% recommend going.

I will start with the good here, seaweed salad was very large and very good. Now for the bad, the salmon was horrible we got the nigiri, had the Augusta roll I would not get that again and my biggest complaint is having the minimum tip amount for the option was way above what I would normally tip. It was 20%. That's ridiculous for a minimum choice. I don't think we would come back here The food quality was just poor for the fish. The taco was fine.

We ate at takosushi tonight. Everything was amazing. We were in and out in around 45 minutes and Jacob’s service was exceptional

Food was excellent! Combined with the atmosphere of the Alley, this was a great place to eat. My server Jacob did an amazing job, he was fun, polite, and fast. Next time I dine with Takosushi I will be sure to ask for him again.

The pros: the server was very nice, food came out promptly The cons: they offer a gluten free menu but their staff isn’t well educated so be careful! They told me all sushi rolls were GF. I asked if the ones that have tempura in them are GF: no. I asked if the teriyaki sauce used in some is GF: no. I specifically asked the server to make down that I have a gluten allergy for the chef (I end up in the ER vomiting for hours if there is an accident). She said she would but low and behold, a roll with crab used imitation. I asked them to check and see if it had any wheat in it and it did. The chef had to look at the package so I guess he didn’t know either 🤷‍♀️ Surely, that would have been a catastrophe. We would have normally spoken up to management because it’s a big deal but the server did feel bad and was very sweet and attentive otherwise. A suggestion for the establishment would be to get management involved with any allergies or they’re going to end up on the ugly side of someone getting very sick (or don’t offer a gluten free menu!). I don’t think we will be back because the food was … just okay and not worth the song and dance of trying to make sure something is gluten free.

Fun, funky, pizza shop. Great drink selection, and the pizza is delicious. A small 10" is perfect for 1 person. They have some funky pizza's that will knock your socks off. We entered on the back side where the patio is, on Whisky Alley, you cant miss the place with giant mushrooms and the Grateful Dead Dancing beers. It was a Saturday afternoon and it was busy, but there were plenty of tables available. Parking is pretty easy on the street, We were there beginning of March so it was off season. There was a kids birthday party going on while we were there, so we all sang happy birthday. The staff were on top of things and attentive to the table.

Place has gone downhill. I ordered a pineapple and ham pizza for pickup. Went to pay for it with gift card, they wouldn’t even accept it. The topping distribution is the worst I’ve seen. A toddler could put toppings on a pizza better. Some pizza doesn’t even have pineapple on it. I would expect better if I’m paying $30 for the pizza

I ordered the house pizza no tomatoes. I must admit I’m disappointed in the presentation of this pie. The toppings could’ve been distributed evenly across the entire pie. It appears to have been just thrown together.

It's quite a good place to go with friends. Great pub food. Trivia night is Tuesdays and it's fun (especially if you win). It does get loud though, so go on a different night if you want to have a quiet conversation.

I don't go out often because I have bad social anxiety. But Bee was the sweetest most patient and kind server I've ever had. She listened to all my needs and took care of me with a smile that never faded.

The service was great. The pizza was a complete bust. Not hit and cheese not even melted. Ask to see a manager and none would come forward. Got a $10 discount (big deal). Not going back.

The calzone was terrible. Dough was soggy n it had ricotta inside only on one side so most of The calzone was just bread. The marina sauce was very soupy n way too sweet. My friend ordered the same thing and said the same thing. Very disappointed Last time I was there the food was good. We had to chase the waitress down for silverware to eat. Definitely won't go back again

Love the diorama's and the history. The staff was amazing. Highly recommend

We were visiting Aiken to find the home my wife grew up in as a child, and decided to stop off at the visitor center to get a feel for the place. Absolutely the right choice. John and Nancy were so hospitable and knew everything about the town. The visitor center itself is an exact replica of the original train station in Aiken. Built from the plans that were discovered in the original building. I’m a train nut so the fact that the visitor center doubles as a train museum really got my interest. The second floor has phenomenal diorama’s, showing the various towns along the southern railroad at the height of it life. Really well maintained and exceptionally well done. I plan on coming back for train days. Midsomer, when train rides are available in the town celebrates the importance of the rail line that came through here. Lots of history in this town, and definitely worth stopping off at the visitor center to get a feel for what’s available from shopping to museums to nature walks.

The docent was very nice, once she finally came over to help. Took me calling the phone to get her to come over after she saw me standing there for several minutes. Beautiful building, and great resources. I wish they had a map and listing of the trees in the Arboretum.

Loved visiting the Aiken Visitor Center & Train Museum, and had a good time talking with the workers there. Although, I almost derailed their train! 🚆😮 (they were very forgiving, though surprised it was an adult causing problems 😳😝) Turns out the motor can provide too high of power for the train to handle all the curves, so they have a little tape piece to mark how far it can go (I didn't notice at first). It's actually quite fun to make it drive around if you watch out for the speed and track line. They have a little gift shop as well, plus a balcony upstairs with miniature models of trains and such, with lots of information on trains in Aiken. Be sure to sign the guest book y'all! ✍️

Aiken Trolley Tour departs from the visitors center. A very informative two hour tour of the history of Aiken while riding around comfortably..Also included a 20 minute walking tour of Hopelands Garden and the on site Thoroughbred racing museum.

History of Aiken, told beautifully at this center. Lots if information to digest and remarkable dioramas. Staff is extremely nice and ready to help.

Attended a story time there but we have been in the past for just the museum and for a wedding. Always a nice time

Happy, non-assuming little place that could easily be overlooked. Friendly staff, clean digs, delicious grub - what more could you ask for? If you order the Chopped Cheese (and you should), try it with the pimento cheese instead of American. Big fan of the fried okra! They keep the batter really thin, so you actually taste okra rather than breading.

Great food and cool little place. Not what we were expecting but enjoyed our visit. Little different from traditional café as you order and pay then get a number to set on your table. You get your own drinks, silverware, condiments... only reason for a 3 on the service. The waitresses and bussers were great but it was odd getting your own stuff. We both had build your own omelets, food came out really fast and hot. Food was great, nice size omelets with good fillings. Menu little small but has the basics.

What a beautiful, local experience. Hands down, this is the best restaurant with homey vibes in Aiken yet. This place feels nostalgic, I needed a place for inspiration so that I could write again and I found it here! Aiken has always been my home, I was born and raised here. This place is by far the best restaurant I've been to in this area. I love the coffee house music that plays, it's very retro and gives me new ideas and clarity. I had the Spinach Bacon Salad!! It was absolutely AMAZING! If you're going for breakfast, you have to get the grits. I added cheese in mine, they are the best grits I've ever had hands down (and I was raised on grits!). I had the Strawberry Shortcake Cheesecake with my lunch today and it was worth every penny. The prices are beyond reasonably for the amount of food you get on your plate and the quality of each bite. I am not over exaggerating when I tell you, if you're looking for a place to eat that has an "Aiken-feel" and right in the historical part of cozy downtown Aiken, look no further than "What's Cookin'". You're welcome. Oh! I told you so. 😉

We took our family of five (two adults and three children) to What’s Cooking and had a great overall experience. The food was delicious, the service was friendly, and the prices were very reasonable—our total bill came to about $75. I ordered the French dip and was thoroughly impressed. The meat was tender, flavorful, and perfectly cooked—easily one of the best I’ve had. Highly recommend it. My wife had the club sandwich and enjoyed it with no complaints. For the kids, we ordered a grilled cheese, hamburger, and chicken sandwich. Everyone was happy with their meal, except for one of my daughters who thought the chicken was a bit dry. I tried it myself and thought it was delicious. The small side of chili we ordered was also a hit. My youngest daughter even recommended dipping the grilled cheese into the chili for extra flavor—a surprisingly good combo. Overall, What’s Cooking delivered a satisfying, family-friendly meal. We’ll definitely be back and gladly recommend it to others.

My third visit. Some of our friends told us what a great place downtown Aiken was. So, about 4 years ago, a few of us ventured from our hometown of Augusta to see for ourselves. What a joy it had been and for the past 3 years we have made it an annual visit. The food is great, the people at What's Cooking are great and the atmosphere is fantastic. We'll be back next year. And maybe I'll try that rainbow cake!

Absolutely a must visit when visiting Aiken SC. Food and service was great , however being a first time visitor I was unaware of having to get my own silverware and drinks. There were no signs posted about self service and wasn't till my meal arrived and I asked where my coffee was the waitress then kindly explained it to me. Other then that the restaurant was terrific 👍

Absolutely DELICIOUS food. I always order my lunch & buy the prepared Shepard's Pie to take home for dinner the following day. Its always, always, always delicious, BUT this time it was especially good. The service is always amazing, Mac is the best!!

Good bbq. Actually cooked on a real smoker.the sides were great old school cooking. Lima beans..squash casserole. Fried potatoes. Ribs and pulled pork. The star of the day was the fried pork chops really good stuff. My only criticism would be the banana pudding was just pudding with some Nilla wafers crushed on top. Very basic compared to the rest of the buffet.

This is a review of the breakfast buffet. I think it's only on Saturday mornings, but I could be wrong. It's got all the hallmark qualities of a Dukes lunch/dinner buffet: tons of options, good taste, and super clean. They had pancakes, French toast sticks, biscuits and gravy, grits, several different egg casseroles and scrambled eggs, hashbrowns, bacon, sausage links and patties, breakfast potatoes, chicken, a fruit bar, yogurt parfaits, cereal, and a coffee bar. They also have that "good ice." No complaints here--the atmosphere is warm and inviting, the food is fresh, and the drinks were however you wanted them. If you are looking for a fast, in-and-out breakfast that isn't fast food, this is definitely worth a try.

Love it every time we come. Nice environment. Comfortable and spacious. The food is hot and delicious. Great choice of drinks. The staff is so friendly and helpful.

We decided to try Duke’s BBQ while visiting Aiken, based on the many positive reviews. One thing I appreciated right away was the handwashing station conveniently located at the check-in where you pay—such a thoughtful touch! The food selection was impressive, offering everything from classic Southern fried favorites to barbecue chicken, ribs, chopped pork, and all the fixings. There were even three different dessert options and fresh fruit available. I also liked that the price included a drink—no extra charge, which is rare for a buffet-style restaurant. For the price, I felt it was a good value overall. However, if you’re a serious barbecue foodie, the flavor might fall a bit short of expectations. One downside to our visit was that the air conditioning was broken, making the restaurant uncomfortably warm and taking away from the overall dining experience.

We are always looking for good BBQ, especially on a buffet, and in SC they abound in generally good quality. Most are dressed 'down-home' with a moderate selection. And, in SC a lot of them are called Duke's. Some are related, others are not. I don't know the affiliation of this one. The location is out-of-the-way, the building looks recent and parking is plentiful. The late-lunch crowd was large and energetic and the dining area was crowded. But the staff was very helpful to find seats for us and bring drinks. There was lots of Styrofoam and plastic, on par for the cuisine. The buffet selection was very nice with side including hash and rice, a couple of bean choices and, of course, fresh Mac & Cheese. They had BBQ and fried chicken and I tried both. Large pieces, delicious and very juicy without being sloppy. The pulled pork BBQ and ribs were fresh and very tasty with a decent offering of sauces (although I prefer to taste the meat first). Even with the drive, this Duke's will be a regular for us.

We came down from Ohio to visit family, and we wanted to try Carolina BBQ while we were on our trip. We drove here from Lexington, and it was well worth the 40 min drive. The buffet, food was absolutely incredible, everything was fresh and hot, all the dishes felt like they were home-cooked by someone's grandma. The Manager, April, was incredibly personable and a delight to chat with, as well as the owner who visited our table and welcomed us, and gave us the rundown of the weekend breakfast which sounded fantastic. 10/10 overall experience. Highly recommend, cant wait to go back.

Enjoyed the breakfast today. Many good food choices on the buffet. Variety of egg options was nice and the meats were good. Nice fruit and yogurt options also. Nice weekend treat.

My daughter does weekly private lessons with Ms Sharon. It's mind blowing how much she gets done in one hour! Her skills are growing and I couldn't be prouder! Thanks to all that contribute to keeping this facility running and giving people a way to express themselves through art! 🥰🥰🥰

Always new. Always amazing. Whether a sculpture for wall, jewels for yourself, home or HORSE... Books about local history, current and past🥰. Grab an extra b-day card to add to your stash or a beautiful framed PIECE of original artwork for your home. THIS location seems to anchor the shipping district for this beautiful town❤️ Live, support and enjoy all from AIKEN CENTER FOR THE ARTS😍

We've been to the Arts Center many times and always enjoy the various displays. We have purchased numerous paintings, photos and also a unique sculpture. Today I purchased an interesting necklace to surprise my wife with after today's golf game!

Great artwork and a unique topic to cover with a wide range of styles. One of the artists was there talking to the customers about his work as well as other artist's pieces. Cool experience!

First time we stopped by the Aiken Center for the Arts, and it won't be the last. Very special center offing various art and music classes combined with local artisan's work. Great quality pieces at affordable prices. Guess where I am going to shop for birthdays and Christmas. Highly recommend.

We were not acknowledged by staff at the front desk. They just watched us walk in and out. Don't let that stop you from going to see some great works of art. This is the only reason for the 4 stars.

What a wonderful experience! The art center showcases local artists and their work! The lady I spoke with was very knowledgeable and very helpful! You will not be disappointed with your visit! The photo pictured is by a local artist named deby and this particular jewelry stood out to me so I wanted to share!

100% local character!!!! Greasy Spoon at its finest. Only one person working , she told me she’s been cooking there since 1978!!😁 This place sits right next to the race track and serves a good cooked yo order breakfast. Fun place to go. The walls are covered with vintage photos, news stories and plaques. LOVE the homey feel-when we were told to step behind the counter to “take a cup and get your coffee”.

This place has been around since 1957, and it looks like that! It has a very unique feel to it and definitely is just a hole in the wall, type of shack diner. It's located right smack dab in the middle of Aikens Horse District. It's just a very open floor plan with peeling paint pretty much everywhere. There's a huge amount of history up on the walls dealing with horse racing, especially in the Aiken area. The kitchen kind of gives you a grandma's kitchen feel. We understand that this is a very local Patron restaurant. There was a nice elderly lady working the kitchen and she took our order. Looks like she pretty much makes everything from scratch and told us that since we ordered hot cakes, it would take a while for them to come out. And that was quite true! Matter of fact, 3 other gentlemen came in, ordered eggs and bacon, got their food, ate it, and left before we still got ours. A nice gentleman wheeled our food out to us on a tray and gave us all our food. We were pretty happy with everything, I thought They had some of the best grits I've ever had. Do be aware that: Cash Only Need to bus yourself Can go into the kitchen to refill your water or coffee. If you like divy type places, this is a must go for you. If you're a horse person, it's also a great place to check out. I'm not sure if I would make it a regular, but I could see myself eating here again.

Very unique Aiken experience. A country kitchen located in the middle of the horse district of Aiken. You will mostly find locals but they are all very friendly. Food was good and the horse racing pictures on the wall are interesting. PRO TIPS: - Cash only - Be nice and bus your tables - The "Do Not Enter" sign into the kitchen is optional. Want a coffee refill, go get it

My wife and her horse have been spending Jan, Feb, and March in Aiken for past ten years. This year I came along. She had been singing the praises of the Track Kitchen. The food was good, the service was good, and the ambiance relaxed. Strangers became friends as we sll shared two passions, horses and grits.

Delicious basic breakfast that was perfectly cooked. Lots of memorabilia on the walls to look at. It's a "track kitchen" not fine dining. Go for the food and unique atmosphere.

I went here with my Grandpa many years ago James was my best friend and his wife too! Great food Great owners!

Local history on a plate. Wonderful people serving Aiken's horse district with great food, home level service. Get the hot cakes!

I recently visited Flanigans with a friend, and our experience was a mixed bag. The appearance of the shop was nice, and it seemed clean and well-maintained. However, the flavor selection was limited, with most of the tubs being empty. The customer service was absolutely terrible and unknowledgeable. My friend ordered two hot fudge sundaes, and the dipper opened a can of chocolate sauce and dipped it straight out of the can. When asked if the sauce was hot, the response was "it's pretty warm." The sundae was very bland, with only room temperature sauce and no other toppings. Maybe it was just a bad day, but I'm willing to give them another chance before making my mind up completely. If they can improve their flavor selection, customer service, and attention to detail, they might be able to live up to their potential. Will try again to see if they can do better.

Ice Cream was very good. One of the best waffle cones I had. The only reason for taking a star away was not have my first two choices of ice cream available. To there defense they were very busy and even had a party going on in the back.

Wonderful little jewel! We got a flight of flavors including coconut, chocolate chip, elephant ear, blueberry cheesecake and maple pecan (I think). Our favorites were the blueberry cheesecake and coconut but they all were yummy! Staff was very friendly.

We had our daughter's birthday party here in May, and it was amazing! The staff were helpful and kind. They even helped me set up our decorations! The party area was clean and had plenty of seating, and the kids loved the bounce house. The party was a great price, too. Everything was communicated clearly and they answered every question we had. I really appreciate that they have dairy free options as well! We will definitely be coming back :)

The shop is a charming, old house with squeaky hardwood floors. Delicious ice cream served with a smile.

I love this place. The ice cream is great, and everyone is always so nice

Good value. Good quality ice cream. Lots of space inside and out to sit and enjoy it.

Perfect for toddlers and kids under 8.

The fields are clean. They fenced in the fields which results in less chasing the ball and downtime. The latrines were clean. They hav a small splash pad. It also has a nice walking trail around some of the fields. It was a great experience.

Fields are in great shape majority of the time. I like how the playground is inside of the circle of fields. Keeps the kids close to you while watching games. Men's restrooms were nasty. Smelt like fermented pee.

One of the best parks in the area. Lovely place to just sit and enjoy the weather. Always something going on out here. Sports and family everywhere. Great place to just park and enjoy the marvelous view.

Great for walking or jogging. Its about .8 miles around the soccer field area. Not heavily congested w/people. Bathrooms are currently open. Very well kept/maintained. Pets welcome as long as they're on a leash. My new exercise spot.

Nice and lots of fields. Nice batting cages.

Worse park I’ve been to and we travel all over the country to play. My child got hurt on the mound due to poor field management.

I grew up at this park. My kids now love the Zipline and lg merry go round. It's often busy so going early in the day is good.

Nice playground to bring the kids to; basketball, racquetball, & tennis courts here too 😀 Picnic tables & benches on site. Also, has soccer field and jogging/walking path.

What a wonderful park! Fabulous walking for our German Shepherd dog, Norman - complete with a doggie water drinking fountain :D Beautiful park, friendly people. They have a lovely play area for children and even an outdoor work-out area!

I love visiting Virginia Acres when I'm nearby in the South Boundary Carolina Bay Area. I regularly walk there when I visited it has a city park with play grounds and a beautiful place to sit back and relax. It is a 46 acre park with inside gym, basket ball court, tennis court outside, trails, and locker rooms on inside.

Went here for memorial day and had a hard time because of the heat. The kids hand my boyfriend Squirrel had a blast and that is all that matters. Thanks you guys for such a lovely place for a picnic

So much fun for every age!

Fantastic park with lots to do. Playground is very nice with activities adults can do with their children and some creative structures, the trail has a lot of shade due to the many beautiful trees, and the community center has great staff and tons of activities and programs that look like a lot of fun for all ages. The disc golf course is very accessible to new players while having challenge for seasoned players.

The food was so good, we completely forgot to get pictures while it was still mostly on the plate! The Boardwalk is the best cheesesteak in the region, and the Sidewinder Fries were life changing. The onion rings had a perfect batter to onion ratio. Great friendly service from the ladies working the front of house. No complaints there. As for the dining room, we loved the music, local decor, and overall easygoing and un-pretentious vibe. 5 stars is not enough for this spot. We will definitely be back from Augusta!

Service was very good, friendly and quick. Not a huge menu but a decent variety of sandwiches, and some salads. Not a lot of tables but enough for mid week lunch time. The sandwiches were tasty!

Came in during lunch and got the Broadstreet sandwich and the onion rings and got them To-Go. I had not heard anything about the restaurant but google recommended it to me as I had been eating at places in the area. The restaurant was busy but my food came relatively quick. When I got back to my office I was surprised to see how well wrapped the food was and how warm it still was. The sandwich was awesome and just enough food to not be stuffed. After the sandwich I was a little sad because I didn't expect my onion rings to be good, but they were! they were very well cooked and the breading was light. The sauce was perfect! I took the suggestion of the 20 something dark haired waitress behind the counter. I was not disappointed! Staff was nice but it was obvious the restaurant was busy. Loved the place will definitely bring my wife here later.

Oh my. This was a good meal. I initially had my doubts about "just another sandwich shop" but I was converted today. This is a great place to eat. Flavors were on point and the portions were really good. Highly recommend the "Maxwell w/ pastrami". I will be back and they can have all my monies.

Came in on a Tuesday (5/24) at lunchtime. You order at the front, then get a table, and they bring it to you when it is made. The sandwich I got was hot and tasty. (The pacer with pastrami and bacon) The fries were good, too. It has a nice small town sandwich shop atmosphere. If you are looking for a good sandwich with a friendly service, definitely come here.

Our first visit here and we were so pleased! Serving sizes are huge and all of the food was 💯. We had such a lovely interaction with the counter staff and felt right at home. Can’t wait to bring our kiddos back with us next time! They have indoor and outdoor seating options and it’s in a great walking area so you can walk off a bit of all that tastiness after.

Incredibly delish sandwiches and fast and friendly service!

First of all, I love movies! I've been going here since I retired to Aiken over 12 years ago. It's not huge, but with 8 theaters it does have a good selection of current movies. Their popcorn is good and it's clean and friendly there. When they upgraded some years ago, I don't remember what year, the new seating was a great improvement. They are very comfortable, with good spacing and legroom. When we feel like driving to Augusta, then we'll go to Riverwatch. But the Regal Aiken right here close to home is a fine experience for any movie lover.

We watched "Roof Man" in theatre 2, a week ago. Wife and I were the only people watching the movie. The picture on the screen was not up to par. Fuzzzy at the best. Informed the staff. Nothing changed. Sent an email to Regal. No reply.

Very small and quaint theater. The movie started at 9:30pm and they began playing the ads/commercials right at 9:30pm. They didn’t have pretzels available. The menu was pretty small. One water was $7. Wished they had more affordable options. My son lost his phone and they went out of their way to find it and return it the next day. Awesome staff! ❤️

They seem to be missing all of the best seats in every theater. You know how everyone always wants to sit in the middle of the screen at the movies to get the best view? Well this theater decided to keep that area empty and shove all the seats to the edges of the theater. I genuinely have never seen a movie theater layed out this way, I do not think the people who built it or run it have ever attended a movie anywhere else, or they would realize that removing the best seats that customers usually compete for is not a good business model. Would not recommend or return.

The seats are stained and/ or ripped and floors are sticky dirty. Our shoes stuck to the sticky floors. My family and I could'nt enjoy the movie knowing we were surrounded by filth. The bathrooms were a mess. The whole building needs a good cleaning, or better yet, a complete remodel. We won't be going back.

Nice small theater, can walk in right at movie start and get a ticket.

People at the counter are polite, the parking lot, the lobby, and inside the theater are very clean. Entertaining all the way.

Absolutely zero complaints. This place is stellar. Really great pin selection, and every single playfield is kept up with and cleaned immaculately (I don't think I saw a single streak of coil dust on the pins I played, which was impressive). You have all of the modern Stern and Jersey Jack heavy hitters, but even older sought after pins like Taxi, Indiana Jones, or Creature From The Black Lagoon. Their arcade selection is super solid too, with one of my personal favorites Smash TV. You can tell that the owners are passionate about the arcade and pinball experience, and are knowledgeable on the essential games to have. The more-obscure games that are sprinkled around are much appreciated too, like Baby Pac-Man. Decor and lighting is great, with even a blacklight mural in the back. I could say even more great things, but this review would stretch on. Just go check it out.

This place is absolutely amazing! Beautiful party room, games for all ages, one door to enter and exit for safety especially for kids (besides an emergency exit), and plenty of snacks and drinks to choose from while playing! We will be doing many more kids parties and date nights here!

The most fun my husband and I have had going out after dinner! Nostalgic and alcohol well-priced entry fee and free play of every game! We need more of these; every city, please!!!

A nice time any day of the week! We love the retro games and the newer machines as well. Great atmosphere and wonderful service!

Awesome arcade with so many options including air hockey, shooting games, driving games, and vintage pinball machines. Very friendly staff. The entire place is well kept and clean. They even have snacks and drinks available for purchase. We will definitely be back!

Awesome pinball arcade in downtown Aiken, SC. This arcade was a perfect fit for my retro arcade photoshoot! Fun for all ages! $20 flat rate play all day! Check it out! 🕹☢️

Radioactive Pinball Arcade is a Hidden Gem! f you’re anywhere near Aiken, SC, you have to check this place out! This place is seriously next-level. It’s packed with an awesome mix of classic and modern pinball machines, retro arcade games, and a vibe that makes you feel like a kid again (in the best way). The customer service? SO NICE! The staff was so friendly and genuinely excited to have us there. They took the time to tell us about the space, chat about the games, and made the whole experience feel personal. You can tell they truly care about what they’ve built. Everything was clean, well-maintained, and working perfectly! And let me just say, the John Wick pinball machine? Instantly my favorite. Fast-paced, intense, and just so much fun! I could’ve played that one all night. Whether you’re a local or just passing through, Radioactive Pinball is 100% worth the stop. We’ll absolutely be going back! It was amazing!

Food tastes like homemade. Servers were pleasant. Prices are very reasonable. Family of five dined for under $100 and had plenty of leftovers. Well those of us who were able to stop because the food was so good! The proper plate is an Aiken gem for home style meals!

Incredible food and easy service. Classic cafeteria style service and everything was fresh and delicious. $14 for a meat, 2 sides, a bread (the jalapeno cornbread was excellent) and a drink.

First post in a while. We had the meat and 2 sides with bread and drink. I had the fried pork chop, and my wife had the fried chicken. We both had the collard greens, green beans, and jalapeño corn bread. Both were good, solid comfort type food.

First time here as we were passing through. Service was friendly and prices were good. Food was amazing. Only slight no-no was the friendly young lady with red highlights had no hair covering.

I changed my review from 3 stars to 1 because the other reviewer came on here and bashed the bad reviews. But instead of the owner saying we take all criticism and value all customers he says thank you! Wow, ok sure thanks for nothing. I will never be back. I reported that review since clearly that person has not even ever eaten there, it said so in the review. So I was being nice but in all honesty in MY opinion, my opinion based on MY experience I don’t recommend this place, not worth the money for what you get. I should not have to seek out a better experience, my experience should be great from the start. You could’ve admitted your mistake and apologized but instead you made it seem like it was my fault for having a bad experience. The mashed potatoes and sweet potatoes were the best things we all agreed. The collard greens were too salty. The meatloaf was also salty and burnt looking. The fried chicken was the most disappointing things as my teen got two shriveled pieces and was quite sad about the lacking of meat. The Mac and cheese was dry. The corn bread was thin and had a hard layer on the bottom. All in all we were all dissatisfied and disappointed we spent as much as we did and did not enjoy the taste of the food. The atmosphere is 5 star. The take home menu seems pretty great but we haven’t tried it yet. The food in the bar wasn’t as hot as we would’ve liked and the lighting to see the food at the bar is dim. I feel constructive criticism is helpful especially for new places and I am not being mean I am expressing what we experienced. I rated as a 3 star because they are new and I’m hoping to update it next time we visit. The staff didn’t seem excited to see us (it was not near closing time either). The fact that she gave my teens the oldest most shriveled pieces of fried chicken is why I didn’t rate them higher. ETA- I did not speak to a manager while we were visiting. Your employee on the bar made the decision to give my teens the old dehydrated pieces of chicken when the new bucket had just been delivered to the bar. I forgot to add the employee did this in front of the older gentleman (prob a manager). That man should’ve said no give them the fresh chicken because that old stuff looks bad. He should’ve set the stage right there by using his judgment so his new customers would return. To say we were disappointed is an understatement.

It looks empty. Seats waiting for a crowd. But, don't be fooled. The food is amazing! There is a steady trickle of take-out patrons for the delicious "home cooking," and great staff to assist with selections!

I had an amazing experience ! The food was absolutely delicious, and the customer service was top-notch. Michael and Clary were friendly, attentive, and made sure we had everything we needed throughout our meal. I highly recommend this place for anyone looking for great food and exceptional service. I’ll definitely be coming back!

Staff are NOT friendly! The lady at the front desk accused my son of using someone else’s address, to gain access to the facility. We have lived in Aiken for 5 years, this year my son will attend school in Lexington County, which doesn’t start until August 4th. He explained that he attends school in Lexington which is why he’s not in school today and her first assumption was “he’s using someone else’s address “. City of Aiken hire people who are people and KID friendly.

My kids have been dying to play in this pool and they have yet been able too. Every time we go, they have it closed or immediately at full capacity. The staff at the insurance area to the pool are rude and do not care. This pool looks so amazing and fun, but I've never even been inside the gate. I managed to get there one time and it wasn't at full capacity and then they closed it for lunch about the time I got the car unloaded and sunscreen on my kids. When I say they do not care. They. Do not. Care

Very fun but the life guards were kind of mean except 2 the maybe 7 the and only those two skilled and everything but other than that it was fun.

You can rent the pool for family events.This picture is old. They have vastly reduced the size of the pool. They put in a slide but have since taken it down. They added a splash pad so now it is only fit for children 8 years or younger. My teens no longer want to go so we will be going to the Aiken recreational pool for now on. I have never given one star but I don’t know who thought it was a good idea to make the pool smaller.

I was looking for something cheap or free to do with my daughter and found this place. 2 dollars for kids. The hours are decent. The pool is clean not overly crowded. The teenage life guards are actually very nice and attentive with the kids. No wild crazy kids either, they all played nice. Highly recommend this park. They also have chairs and tables with umbrellas but not a lot so you might want to bring your own chair. This place would be perfect if they sold snacks like chips and juices.

Awesome place for small children. Very clean and friendly.

Very nice gym. My son plays on a basketball team.

Decent library with a really good collection of materials. The second floor staff is very professional and accommodating. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for the front desk staff which on the past three visits have appeared very unhappy to be there. Hence the three stars. Consider putting best face forward.

Very amazing library, staff are very respectful. Don’t really hear people talking, which is even better.

I love it! The historical relics are well preserved, the dedication of areas to historians, there's just something about hearing the floor creak that brings back old memories.

Beautiful building. Helpful librarians. Wish they had a true genealogy section.

Very friendly and comfortable. Easy pickup and checkout for a book on hold

I've visited this library several times last year of 2023. Public libraries are essential to education Research for school work and access to the Internet with their computers. God bless America. Thank you 🙏

Wonderful place for big and little people. Big choice of books to rent. Very friendly and helpful staff.

This place is a great place to go walking. So peaceful. Don't forget your map though can get turned around.

It's simply brilliant to have such a spacious park right in the heart of town, and with so many trails to choose from, you can go back over and over again! Great for dogs, horses, and humans!

A wonderful urban forest with lots of trails and pretty sights. Be prepared to hike at least 3 miles to see some of the wonders of the park. Can't wait to visit again!

Nice mixed usage trails with many different routes. On this visit it was entirely runners and walkers, saw one group of equestrian riders as I was leaving. Most trails are plenty wide but there are a couple spots where if a horse came through, from the other direction, it could be a problem. Lots of hills and sand, much of which was soft. There is a posted sign for quicksand after heavy rain. Plenty of shade but no services or public restrooms.

Great woods to go hiking in.... And wow look at the horses and hounds.

We walked our dog here daily while in town. It is a beautiful location with great pathways.

Great place to get lost in and enjoy the Flora and fauna. Whether it's a walk with the family or the pup... Always enjoyable. Always enjoy seeing the pups go down into the Sand River Lapping up some water laying down in the stream to cool off. 11-Nov-25 This place is hallowed ground. Both Woody and Bella across the rainbow bridge. 1 yr and 1mth apart. I can't wait to see you babies again.

Had a good time. So nice having a local bowling spot.

Absolutely amazing! Best Bowling ally I have been too. Better then north Agusta or Lexington had to offer 100% recommended for family's or 2 buddy's that want to hang out.

Great staff friendly and personal! well kept lanes never have to worry about downtime! Nice and clean and always a fun crowd usually not very busy for a smaller alley. We go here every week and always have a great time!

One of the nicest alleys I've played. Very clean and orderly, nice staff and friendly people.

I enjoy coming here. Staff are friendly and helpful. Food is fast food style but good.

Family owned business with very impressive attention to detail when it comes to activities for children. I haven't even been but from what I've been told of the field trip he accomadated today I'll be doing all my bowling here from now on.

Had a great time nice staff and great prices.

This is our first camping trip with the family. We are having a nice time. Very Peaceful. Our campsite is nice but Im not a big fan of the sand. Overall price is good and it's a lovely place to spend quality time with family.

We were in space #22 it was a pretty good spot as far as privacy the bathhouse was right across the way it was extremely hot in there when you took a shower you would still be sweating when you finished. The facilities are older but taken care of. The staff was very nice. The park has swimming and very nice picnic areas.

Aiken State Park is fun for a day visit or overnight camping. Bring a kayak/canoe or rent one to take the kayak trail down the Edisto River. The cypress trees are beautiful. Enjoy fresh water from an artisan spring near the kayak launch. Hike a trail or two and then cool off in the small swimming area. No beach but some trees provide shade on the shore. I would recommend water shoes. There is a nice large porch near the park office with lounging chairs and checkers.

Another enjoyable CCC park. The loop drive is one way and returns you back outside the admissions both. The park office building was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps. It has bathrooms, a sitting area the looks over the main pond and play area, and a picnic table. 2 ponds for swimming Memorial Day-Labor Day. Playground has a climbing frame, a single slide and a couple swings. The jungle nature trail was an enjoyable hike but the boardwalk trail is closed. Only the north side of the trail is barred off. The South side, coming from the rest of the park, does not reflect as closed except part of the boardwalk is removed. No signs are posted noting this. The artesian well near the kayak ramp is still cold, clean and refreshing. The Fish Lake Shelter is a cool CCC structure in which we found a nest of baby birds. The campground looks nice and clean. All in all an enjoyable couple hours.

This is a great spot to camp, we've done so twice now in @Ramona_the_airstream . Campground is near, nestled in the pines. Bathrooms are decent, clean, and good hot showers. I love the natural spring there! I fill my water bottle on the way out every time. Delish. Also, we rented kayaks to float the river which is also a really neat experience. There's an easy walking trail from the campground, but that's it. More hiking opportunities would be neat.

This is a great park! We were here for a wedding and everywhere we went was so nice. Grass/walking areas were all well kept, the covered picnic shelters were clean and in good shape, and even the bathrooms clean and stocked. The one-way nature of the park road is a little weird but it is a nice way to ensure you get to see some of the whole park.

Not what I was expecting. Its clean and well maintained. The campground is in a pine thicket and not very secluded, just hot. The "lakes" could be nice but they need some TLC. I won't go back.