Camden is South Carolina's oldest inland town, established in 1733 when the colonial township of Fredericksburg was surveyed by order of King George II, making it a 290-year-old town as of 2023. It's seen two name changes, from Fredericksburg to Pine Tree Hill and then finally in the mid-1700s to Camden in honor of Charles Pratt, Lord Camden, who championed colonial rights. The city has seen many other changes through the years, but one thing that it has preserved well is its history and small-town charm. Even today, the population in Camden totals just over 7,900 as of 2021. If you've never visited Camden, South Carolina, it's the perfect place for a day trip.
Downtown Camden is full of wonderful shops, restaurants, parks, and historic sites to visit.
You can start your day in Camden, S.C. with a cup of coffee and a pastry at American Patriot Coffee Company on Broad Street, the only coffee roastery in Kershaw County! If you're not sure which drink to get, try the crowd-favorite bold-roast called Duck Blind.
Head over to the National Steeplechase Museum on Knights Hill Road, the only museum in America dedicated solely to steeplechasing. There couldn't be a better location for it either than in South Carolina's Camden, known as the Steeplechase Capital of the World. This top-rated treasure is on the grounds of the Springdale Race Course and offers fun learning about the sport through a variety of exhibits and displays.
The Carolina Cup Steeplechase race has long been an annual spring tradition in Camden.
Now, if you enjoy escaping to quieter places in nature, you'll want to check out the Camden Riverfront Environmental Park on Bramblewood Plantation Road, which has only been open since 2020 and covers 26 acres, featuring a half-mile meandering waterway, trails, and a riverfront canoe and kayak launch.
Part of a multi-phase project, the trails will eventually connect to a county-wide trail system linking other area parks and trails. Some of its other distinguishing features are a meandering kayak lagoon with waterfall, a 0.9-mile natural surface trail, and demonstration islands for agricultural and wildlife education.
For a bite to eat for lunch, it's back to Broad Street for a Triple Grilled Cheese Sandwich with Bacon and Chili Crunch Ranch from Everyday Gourmet ... or another tasty option from its menu. But we're thinking that the sandwich alone is worth the trip all by itself!
After lunch, it's time for some shopping, and Camden has plenty of it, from cute boutique shops like the Pink Stable ...
... or Victoria Susan Wearable Art to antique hunting along Camden's "Antique Street" (an affectionate nickname for Broad Street).
And for one last culinary treat during your Camden day trip, stop by Broad and Vine on Broad Street, which is a unique wine bar with a 32-bottle self-serve experience in the charming setting of what used to house an old bank that has been lovingly restored. Enjoy charcuterie or a dinner entree with your glass of wine.
What a fun day trip in Camden, South Carolina full of an array of activities! Pick up this great shopping bag that folds for convenient storage when not in use or is perfect for packing for travel.
What's your favorite day trip activity? For another great day trip in South Carolina, check out our feature of the walkable stretch of shops and restaurants in Walhalla.
Subscribe to our newsletter
Get the latest updates and news
Thank you for subscribing!
