A visitor’s guide to wintering in Aiken, South Carolina

Spending time in Aiken, South Carolina during the winter is a great choice. Let me take you on a virtual tour of worthwhile mentions including Horse country, Historic Charm, and we’ll cover one of my key concerns—Aiken’s temperature in February.

Visiting Aiken, South Carolina

Honestly, I chose to snowbird or “winter” in Aiken, South Carolina because I found an amazing Snowbirding Rental. Yep, that was it. The main reason I went to Aiken. Let’s face it, if you’re going to spend an entire month somewhere it needs to fit one’s aesthetic preferences, and I found a gem. Back in Minnesota, as I began to prepare for my Snowbird Adventure, I knew I wanted to check out what the Carolinas had to offer. Mainly due to their proximity to one of my favorite things—a large body of Salt Water.

Aiken’s Temperatures in February

I drove to Aiken from Florida where my body loved the HEAT! I did feel that a few times during my February stay in Aiken. Generally, it felt like a Midwestern Spring.

Mornings would begin in the 40s. A bit misty or cloudy.
Midday the sky was blue, the sun was shining, and 55-62 degrees seemed like the general range.
Evenings cooled quickly once the sun went down and I often dawned my winter jacket when the dusk temps dropped to around 45 degrees.

Towards mid February, the peach trees budded and the magnolias began to bloom. We had a few thunderstorms as well. The really helpful part of Snowbirding in South Carolina was the color green. The grass was still green! And there were enough trees with remaining leaves or needles that it felt quite verdant.

*Barefoot in an Aiken field on a grounding walk.*

Visitors guide to Aiken, South Carolina

*Trailrides with LaDonna thru historic Hitchcock Woods*

Best Horse Trail Rides: LaDonna was a hoot! Regular weekly rides in Hitchcock Woods and on the Beach a few hours from Aiken.

Best Historic Hotel: The Willcox
I was at an Airbnb, but this historic hotel is a fun outing for dinner, drinks or a luxe massage. Sometimes they have a piano bar on Thursday nights. Teddy Roosevelt used to arrive by train and the tracks are still visible in a small gulch behind the property.

Best Work Remote Hack: The Aiken Public Library
Historic building. Used to be the High School. Offered five bookable smaller study rooms great for deep work or work meetings. Featured lots of natural light and comfortable furniture.

Best Breakfast Sandwich: Union Park Coffee
A greek owner and his hometown girlfriend returning from career life in New York City run a “big city style” coffee house. Sounds like they may be opening up a Greek Restaurant as well.

Best Nature Walk: Hitchcock Woods
The largest donated public access long-needle forest (slash park) in the country. If you know about Japanese Shinto culture—I’d say this forest offered “shiiiiing” a very clear and high energy. Maybe this is where western “Forest Bathing” came from.

A few more highlights! We attended the morning tailgate of a local Fox Hunt! Overall, it was amazing being around horses in general—they are truly good for the soul. Horses and riders have the right-of-way in Aiken’s Historic District and the roads are still gravel. We attended a Horse Eventing event. We watched Olympic Eventers jumping horses at Bruce’s Field in 4 minutes and 18 seconds. Crowds cheering. The first place rider from Canada winning $100,000!

Willcox Hotel. Image may be subject to copyright.

Notable Horse Events in Aiken, SC

Grand Prix Eventing:
Generally the first weekend in March.

The Historic Aiken Horse Show in the Woods:
Generally the last weekend in March. Longest running horse show in the USA!

Aiken Polo Season:
Things kick off around April.