Aiken-Hitchcock Woods, Bicycling

Hi

We are considering Aiken for Anniversary trip this Thanksgiving weekend. Coming in Fri, back out Sun.

Wanted any info on bicycle riding in Hitchcock woods or in general in area. Basically recreational. Also any nice hiking or pretty areas to see nearby.

Also, any comments on Hotel Aiken would be appreciated. Location looks good as we would like to park car and be able to walk to places downtown.

Thanks

Aiken-Hitchcock Woods, Bicycling

One more question. We are considering the courtyard rooms at the Hotel Aiken and was wondering do these have problems with noise like ones above bar?

We can deal with less that luxurious surroundings as long as relatively clean and not too loud.

We actually like older places with character. And the location really tempts.

Really looking for small area we can walk to eat, stroll around town in evenings, some light shopping, maybe short bicycle rides or even short day trip nearby.

Thanks

Aiken-Hitchcock Woods, Bicycling

The trails in Hitchcock Woods are fairly rough but probably doable if you have mountain bikes. The trail opening nearest the Hotel Aiken is closed right now; there is another trail opening to the Woods around 3 miles away. A nice place for a stroll is Hopeland Gardens, which is an easy bike ride from the Hotel Aiken. It was the gardens of one of the old Winter Colony homes (rich northerners who wintered in Aiken); the owner left it to the city when she died (with the stipulation that the house be torn down; the foundations were turned into a large reflection pool). You also might want to ride your bikes around the horse-training area (several stables there that train racing thoroughbreds; they go out EARLY in the AM to train).

Since it is your anniversary, you might want to splurge and stay at the Willcox Inn, which is only 1 block from downtown. It is pricey, but it is gorgeous. Check out the website: www.thewillcox.com.

There is a bar in the Hotel Aiken that is fairly popular with the college crowd, but since you will be here on Thanksgiving weekend, it should pretty quiet. Hotel Aiken is right in the middle of downtown. Lots of shops, restaurants, coffee shops, etc, within easy walking distance. On the southside of town is the ';developed'; part of town with the chain restaurants, big box stores, etc.

Aiken is a good town for bike riding. Fairly flat in general; most of the streets downtown are wide and easily navigated. There are lots of bikers in Aiken; even a portion of the police patrol on bikes.

Thanks for your reply.

ScottE -

Bike riding is NOT allowed in Hitchcock Woods, sorry to say. But Aiken is good for biking, especially in the area near downtown, like around the library where there are lots of old houses and one-way streets.

Hitchcock Woods is a great place to walk, though, as is Hopelands Gardens.

Have fun.

Thanks for the info about Hitchcock Woods. We will probably check weather to see if we will even bring bikes. May just end up walking around instead.