My guy has been at the trainers (John Michael Durr) since the end of Dec and I am going out for 8 days to work with the trainer . First time out there. I have a friend that lives there and another there for a month. I got an AirB&B. Flying into Atlanta as it is only a 2 hour drive from there.
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You’ll absolutely love it. Enjoy every minute 
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FYI, it will take you closer to 3 than 2, especially from the airport, but it is a super easy drive! Have a great time, it is such a cute town and great horse town. Have dinner at the Whitney downtown, it’s our favorite!!
Here now! 80° lots of showing, hacking & shopping. Paradise indeed…
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Have a blast! Send updates!
We just got back last week from a trip there, and it was as awesome as always! Jazz on Thursdays at the Wilcox is a must!
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Enjoy! Eat some Takisushi and go to the Alley for me so I can live vicariously through you!
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Have a blast! You are in for a treat, Aiken is wonderful to visit.
For food:
I agree with @CatchMeIfUCan – don’t skip Takosushi… My SO and I had our first dinner date there 11 years ago. The Pizza Joint, right across the street, is also great for a quick slice after chores. Marias for after XC margs… The Track Kitchen, if it is still around, was always popular with my friends. And if you want something with a bit of a fancy environment, Casa Bella is a great place for evening dinner.
I find myself missing my Aiken Krogers even 11 years later!!
Horse-wise:
Don’t skip on riding at Hitchcock Woods if you can – the trails are beautiful and you can see where the “Show in the woods” is. The little training track around HW is iconic and great for a quick gallop. There are lots of great XC venues nearby, Full Gallop, Jumping Branch, and Stable View were my favorite places to school. Holly Berry Farm and The Vista are also great venues. Aiken Training Track is also a fun place to visit and see if you have connections.
Honestly… there is so much to do and see in Aiken horse-wise, 8 days will not be enough.
Let us know how it goes!!
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The airport is on the SSW side of Atlanta so depending on when you arrive… you might be spending some time admiring Atlanta from the freeway. Once you get out of that onto I-20 it’s easy going. Unless I’m headed for Stable View which is on the north side, I usually take 520 down around Augusta and I think it’s 78 over to Aiken.
The candy shop downtown is fun, hand made chocolates. There is also a yoga studio and it’s easy to sign up for classes online.
Definitely plan enough time on the return trip so you don’t miss a flight though! Atlanta traffic is THE WORST.
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I was driving I20 east at 3:00 and it took an hour to get out of town but once out, the speed limit must have been 90 because that was what everyone was driving!
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I have a friend that lives here that wanted to go to dinner. I said Mexican with a good Margurita so she suggested Takosushi so I guess that’s where we’re headed Wed.
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Another fantastic newer local place is Cabanas Salvadorean Restaurant. It’s basically across the street from Highfields. I hope you’re having a great time! We live here and it is horse paradise. Will be an action packed weekend coming up with the Eventing Showcase and Sporting Days HT. I hope you get to catch some of that fun. We’ll be at both.
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Unfortunently heading home Sat but my guy is competing at Sporting Days.
Aiken rocks!! I love it here and the weather has been awesome lately!! Lots of good eating here: Polo Grounds (coffee, crapes), New Moon Cafe (wonderful food with a hole in the wall vibe), Aiken Brewing Company, Fuse, Takosushi…The Whitney, Prime Steak, Casa Bella…Aiken Seafood. For low country boil try JC’s.
Riding wise? Just name something you want to do 
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I am 3 min from JC’s. What do you get?
I usually get the low country boil- comes with shrimp, sausage, potatoes and corn- but sometimes I add muscles or clams if available.
I’ve also bought fish from the case- really good too.
Haven’t had a margarita at Takosushi, but I like Mi Pueblo on Richland for Mexican- they have great margaritas!
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