Thoroughbred Country

Thoroughbred Country is an area comprised of sprawling countryside, wide open greenspaces and endless opportunities to explore nature.

TStart your adventure by meeting a retired racehorse at Equine Rescue of Aiken. This non-profit organization exists to provide retired racehorses with a safe transition to a second career. Offering tours, volunteer opportunities, summer camps and an array of special programs, Equine Rescue of Aiken sits on over 80 acres of land and houses 50-60 horses at any given time. Equine Rescue of Aiken.

Next up, get out on the water and experience nature up close and personal in a canoe or kayak with South Fork Paddlers. Departing from Bamberg County Boat Landing(s), South Fork Paddlers offers guided trips along the Edisto River May through October. Bring your own gear or rent everything you need from nearby Cope Kayak Company. Paddlers are in for a real treat. The South Fork of Edisto begins as a small stream in Johnston, South Carolina and flows for 105 miles southeast where it meets the North Fork near Branchville to form the Edisto River. Paddlers will wind their way through a beautiful stretch of Edisto’s forks. The blackwater river shaded by a lush tree canopy is narrow and winding and offers some of the most remote stretches of boating in the basin. South Fork Paddlers; 803-300-1972.

Discover South Carolina’s Civil War history by exploring the award-winning interpretive trail at Battle of Rivers Bridge State Historic Site. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this 390-acre historic site includes the Civil War Battlefield, memorial grounds and community building. See where a small force of Confederate soldiers opposed the advance of Sherman’s army and observe the well-preserved earthen fortifications that are the centerpiece of this important battlefield landscape. This historic site is no doubt a must-see when visiting the area. Battle of Rivers Bridge State Historic Site, Ehrhardt.

Incorporate a little bit of education into your trip at the Savannah River Site Museum. During the Cold War, the Savannah River Site (formally the Savannah River Plant) operated as a nuclear materials production facility, producing tritium and plutonium for the hydrogen bomb. See where science meets history in a blend of interactive exhibits as you explore the fascinating origins and ongoing missions of the site at the Savannah River Site Museum in downtown Aiken. Exhibits detail the time period in the community before the plant existed to the Cold War and beyond. Admission is free. Aiken.

Take a walk on the wild side! Don’t miss Eudora Wildlife Safari Park, a drive-through safari experience where visitors can view, feed and even pet exotic animals. Home to around 200 exotic animals, guests can drive or walk through the threemile safari park to view and engage with animals in their habitat. From parrots and lemurs to kangaroos and more, the kids are sure to remember this experience for years to come. Eudora Wildlife Safari Park, Salley, Rainy day in the forecast? No problem! Roll up your sleeves and let the creative juices flow at Bisquecuts & Glazy, a contemporary paintyour-own pottery studio located in Aiken. Offering pottery, canvas and glass fusing, this family friendly activity is sure to entertain groups of all ages. From piggy banks and children’s figurines to plates, platters, vases, home décor and more, guests will delight in creating a one-of-a-kind masterpiece along with a fun memory. Guests are welcome to walk-in or book a class. Bisquecuts & Glazy, Aiken.

Treat the fam to a movie and a little nostalgia. Take a step back in time at The Big Mo (as locals call it), one of only three operating drive-in theaters in South Carolina. Originally opened in 1951 and later closed, The Big Mo was revived in 1999. Offering three screens, all of which have double features, The Big Mo shows new movies and old favorites. The Big Mo, Monetta.