Aiken, SC

Downtown Aiken / Aiken's Makin'
It's hard to find a small city filled with charm and gracious living, and a downtown filled with remarkable shops and restaurants. In an age when downtown usually means "down-and-out," Aiken's business district is alive and flourishing! With rarely an empty space, Aiken's Downtown stores take shoppers to fancy diners and delicious adventures.

Starting in the picturesque Alley section, Aiken's many fine restaurants fan out in a remarkable array of style and tastes. Unique shops line the historic streets offering a gallery of surprises.

Aiken's Makin' draws quite a crowd in during the two-day event. Attendance is estimated to be 30,000-35,000 people in our parkways.

Through the years, the event has grown from a mere 50 vendors to 300 as of 2005. Vendors show everything including pottery, woodcrafts, furniture, baskets, stained glass, quilts, clothing, needlecrafts, toys, jewelry, ceramics, art and many others. The one prerequisite is that all items must be handmade. Food has also become a staple at the event. Local restaurants show their favorite dishes. Entertainment is provided in the form of dance routines, vocal performances and live bands. Aiken's Makin' is sure to be a fun event for the entire family, so don't miss out!

Hitchcock Woods
Hitchcock Woods is closely associated with Aiken’s early history as a winter resort and a center of sporting activity. Originally, Hitchcock Woods was part of a much larger tract of land purchased by Thomas Hitchcock and William C. Whitney. In 1939, Thomas Hitchcock and his daughter Helen Clark established the Hitchcock Foundation with the donation of almost 1200 acres of land. Mr. Hitchcock and Mrs. Clark became the first trustees of the Hitchcock Foundation, which was established to protect and maintain the woods for the recreational use and enjoyment by the people of Aiken.

Hitchcock Woods offers visitors the natural beauty and quiet solitude of a unique southern forest located in the midst of an urban area, The City of Aiken. Maintenance of the trails, jumps, bridges. signs, map boxes, as well as protection and management of the natural resources in the Woods, are all directed by the trustees who serve in the same spirit as the founding trustees.