Top 10 ways to Experience Aiken during Master’s Week!

- Visitors

1. Hole-N-One Days in downtown Aiken:  In between rounds at the Augusta National, visit participating downtown businesses for special offers and events.  For a full schedule of and special offers, visit www.aikendayout.com or www.downtownaiken.com or call (803) 649-2221.
2. Par-Tee in downtown Aiken, Thursday, April 9:  Don’t miss THE Par-Tee in Aiken on Thursday.  Participating shops will be open late and there will be festivities throughout the downtown area.  6:00 pm – until.  For more information, visit www.aikendayout.com or www.downtownaiken.com or call (803) 649-2221.
3. 2009 Barn Tour:  Saturday, April 11, you’ll get a rare glimpse into the everyday lives of many of Aiken’s equestrian and animal enthusiasts.  Not only will you have the opportunity to see these incredible barns, but several variety of horses including mini-horses and polo ponies, a duck pond, donkey, chicken coop, and a carriage collection among other spectacular sites.  All proceeds are to benefit the homeless animals of the Aiken SCPA.  You’ll have the opportunity to visit nine incredible farms for $25/person or 2 for $45.  Tickets are available at the Aiken SPCA Thrift Store at 220 Park Ave. (open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm and Saturday from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm) or the Aiken SPCA located at 401 Wire Rd. (open Monday – Saturday from 11:00 am – 5:00 pm).  For more information call 648-6863 or 648-0091 or visit www.aikenspca.org.
4. Hopelands Gardens:  Wrapped behind a serpentine brick wall and under a canopy of ancient oaks, deodar cedars and magnolias, is Hopelands Gardens.  This was the winter home of Mr. & Mrs. C. Oliver Iselin.  Enjoy the peaceful tranquility of this oasis.  Admission:  Free; Hours:  10:00 AM until sunset.  Located at Whiskey Road and DuPree Place.
5. Aiken Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame & Museum:  Located within Hopelands Gardens (Whiskey Road and DuPree Place), the Hall of Fame celebrates Aiken’s contributions to equestrian sports.  Interested in hearing and seeing more about the equine industry, you won’t want to miss a stop here.  Admission:  Free; Hours:  Weather permitting – For Master’s Week: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday from 2:00 – 5:00 PM.  www.aikenracinghalloffame.com
6. Rye Patch Estate:  This 10 acre estate is adjacent to Hopelands Gardens and was the winter home of Edmund and Dorothy Knox Goodyear Rogers.  Enjoy a walk around this beautiful estate and visit the Rose Garden.  Estate grounds open from 10:00 am – sunset.  Estate house not open for public tours.  Admission:  Free.  Located at Whiskey Road and Berrie Road.
7. The Wetlands and Carolina Bay Nature Reserve:  The Wetlands are a natural border between Hopelands Gardens and Rye Patch Estate and acts as a natural filtration system for rainwater run-off from Whiskey Road.  Enjoy a walk out on the floating boardwalk to see a variety of nature that includes plants, trees, ducks, turtles and fish.  Admission:  Free; Hours:  10:00 am – sunset.  The Carolina Bay Nature Reserve is not a bay in the usual sense.  A Carolina Bay is an oval or roughly circular depression that is common in the lower elevations of the Carolinas.  Come and walk our trails, watch wildlife or just enjoy the pleasure of the woods and water.  Admission:  Free; Hours:  daylight; Located on Price Avenue off of Whiskey Road.  Turn left off Whiskey and go half way down the block and pull into the dirt parking lot on your left.  Walk through the opening in the trees to the reserve.
8. Aiken County Historical Museum:  The Aiken County Historical Museum not only exhibits our varied history, but holds special events and arts shows.  During Master’s Week, the special exhibit is “GOLF!”  The Masters is about Aiken as well as Augusta.  The tradition of the best golfers coming to Aiken to prepare for the Masters has meant that Ben Hogan, Byron Nelson, Bobby Jones, Sam Snead and more have come to Aiken’s famed Palmetto Golf Course.  The Aiken Golf Course was the site of some of the best lady golfers like Patty Berg and The Babe.  The additional courses of today, Woodside, Houndslake, Sage Valley, River, Cedar Creek and more are a golfer’s paradise!  Don’t miss learning about our connection with the world’s greatest golfers!  Admission:  Free; Hours:  Tuesday – Saturday, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm; Sunday, 2:00 – 5:00 pm; closed Monday;  Location:  433 Newberry St., SW.  www.aikencountysc.gov/tourism/museum.htm
9. The Aiken County Farmers Market, listed on the Aiken Historic Register, sells in-season fresh produce.  Goods displayed are laid out on the tables built by farmers and their families over 50 years ago.  The Market, now as then, is a place where produce is sold and conversation and recipes are shared with friends, old and new.  Admission:  Free; Hours:  Monday – Saturday from 7:30 am – 4:30 pm or until farmers are sold out.  Location:  897 Richland Ave., E.
10. “Presenting the Charm, Grace and Elegance of Aiken’s Past”  For those of you desiring more than a casual glance, come and experience our town with its beautiful parkways and shaded streets, its double avenues and historic mansions.  Enjoy a bit of our intriguing folklore, learn about Aiken’s historic railroad and the Original Winter Colony influence.  Pick up this driving tour brochure at these locations:  Aiken County Visitors Center, 113 Laurens St., SW, Holley Bldg., Ste. 107 or Aiken Downtown Development Association (ADDA) at 208-A The Alley.  Brochure racks located outside of office if closed.

For more information during your stay, visit the Aiken County Visitors Center, 113 Laurens St., SW, Holley Bldg., Ste. 107.  Open Monday – Friday from 10:00 am – 5:00 pm.