Aiken, one of the most charming historic towns in South Carolina, was established in 1835 as a railroad town and later became a popular winter colony after the Civil War for the nation’s wealthy elite, especially those passionate about horse sports. Even as early as 1854, the Aiken Hotel was receiving requests for winter reservations numbering over half the town’s total population at the time. And the town of Aiken, South Carolina, still comes alive during the winter season today!

It all started with the Hitchcock family, who were from Long Island but owned 8,000 acres adjacent to downtown Aiken, which they used as a private preserve for fox hunting and general recreation. They invited their wealthy friends to join them during the winter, families such as the Vanderbilts, Goodyears, and Meads, all built “cottages” in town near the Hitchcocks' property and with access to the “Woods.”

Hitchcock Woods is the largest privately-owned urban forest in the country, with 2,100 acres and 70 miles of sandy trails. Grab a coffee or some hot chocolate and come enjoy a walk and a gorgeous sunset in the Woods, the site of The Aiken Horse Show, which has been held here annually in the spring for over 100 years.

In Aiken, you can enjoy a scavenger hunt, of sorts, with the 19 fiberglass Horseplay Horses that are scattered about the area. Can you find them all?

These works of art were a fundraiser the town held in 2003 that was wildly successful beyond what had been envisioned. There were a total of 31 statues that were unveiled at a gala that raised a total of $227,000. The fundraiser was to support the ArtPlay Fund, which provided art scholarships to children and the elderly and one of the organizers had hoped the small town could raise about $50,000! Beyond the money raised by the auction for the statues and the ball, another $100,000+ was raised from sales of Horseplay-related merchandise such as calendars, posters, and notecards that had begun the previous fall.

The statue called "Hav Sum Fun" was auctioned for $23,000, more than any other statue. Tommy Wessinger purchased the horse on behalf of the People’s Community Bank and the Friends of Hopelands and Rye Patch. He donated the statue to the Aiken Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame and Museum.

As Christmas kicks off the winter season each year, Aiken is a must-visit destination in South Carolina during the holiday season.

Be sure to check out the Hoofbeats and Christmas Carols parade, an annual Aiken tradition:

Then ring in the new year at the annual ball drop at the Old Aiken Post Office on Laurens Street, complete with music and hot chocolate!

Aiken, South Carolina has been described as a magical place, and we can totally see why!

Even during the winter months in South Carolina, you can often still enjoy dining outdoors with the milder climate here in this historic South Carolina town.

Take a horse-drawn carriage tour offered by Aiken Horse and Carriage to see for yourself the charm of this town.

If it happens to be cooler than you like, you can always explore the "Aiken Winter Colony" on a Trolley Tour instead.

And while most farmers markets are seasonal, Aiken's is open year-round!

If you love antiquing, don't miss the annual Aiken Antique Show, hosted by The Aiken Center for the Arts and normally held in February.

There are so many options for things to do in Aiken, no matter the season. You'll want to stop by the Visitors Center and Train Museum where you can pick up information and decide which attractions you'd like most to explore. You'll see just why this lovely town became the preferred winter retreat for many all those years ago.

A day trip may not allow enough time to do all that you'd like to experience in Aiken, so book a room at a local hotel and enjoy some time away in this historic city. We think you just could fall in love with this enchanting corner of the state.

Have you ever visited Aiken during the winter season? What’s your favorite thing to do or see in Aiken, South Carolina? Share with us in the comments section below!