In Clemson, botanical landscapes, waterfront trails and cultural offerings come together. Those choosing the city as a travel destination can start by considering whether nature, campus history or art should shape their stay. These different focuses offer concrete starting points, without dictating a set itinerary.
Garden Landscapes and Nature by the Water
The South Carolina Botanical Garden is a 230-acre preserve for biological diversity. The Natural Heritage Garden includes an extensive 10-acre Piedmont prairie exhibit. Visitors can explore displays of South Carolina’s Barrier Islands, species-rich longleaf pine savannas, 5,000-year-old shell rings, Piedmont granite outcrops and habitats with carnivorous plants. The garden’s displays range from the Barrier Islands to the granite outcrops of the Piedmont, along with habitats for carnivorous plants.
Abernathy Waterfront Park and the Clemson Dikes differ in their defining features. Abernathy Waterfront Park is a nearly 0.5-mile-long linear waterfront park with picnic areas and lake access. At the Clemson Dikes, the focus is on a continuous path running parallel to Lake Hartwell, with expansive views of the lake. Abernathy Waterfront Park is nearly 0.5 miles long, while the defining feature of the Clemson Dikes is the continuous path parallel to Lake Hartwell.
The Snow Family Outdoor Fitness and Wellness Complex is next to Lake Hartwell. It offers opportunities for sailing, kayaking, camping, stand-up paddleboarding, volleyball and swimming. Clemson Parks and Recreation also manages fourteen parks covering a total of more than 100 acres. Facilities found across the city’s parks include fitness and nature trails, picnic shelters, play structures and a pump track.
Campus History and Museums
Fort Hill is located at the center of the Clemson University campus and is listed as a National Historic Landmark. The mansion began as a small, four-room house built in 1802. Tours are offered Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon and from 1 to 4:30 p.m., and Sunday from 2 to 4:30 p.m. Check tour times before your visit.
Another house museum is Hanover House, located in the South Carolina Botanical Garden. The Bob Campbell Geology Museum offers a different perspective: its collection includes more than 10,000 minerals, rocks and fossils from South Carolina and around the world. The museum is open Monday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; check for possible closures on university holidays before your visit.
The Clemson Area African American Museum is located in the former Calhoun Colored School. Between 1949 and the 1970s, the school taught African American elementary school students in Clemson. Today, the museum houses an archival collection of books, documents, artifacts, other cultural objects and oral histories about the lives of African Americans in Upstate South Carolina. Exhibits include semi-permanent displays on history and art history, as well as rotating pop-up exhibits. While the Bob Campbell Geology Museum focuses on minerals, rocks and fossils, this collection is dedicated to the history and lives of African Americans in the region.
Art, Education and Performances
Through curated exhibitions, the Lee Gallery gives Clemson University and the surrounding community access to regional, national and international artists and artworks. Artist presentations and public events complement the exhibitions.
The City of Clemson Arts Center offers arts education for adults and children, as well as programs in various disciplines led by qualified artists. Four studio classrooms are equipped for jewelry making, working with clay, drawing, painting and photography. The offerings combine arts programs with dedicated workspaces and a range of artistic disciplines.
For dance, music and theater, there is the Brooks Center for the Performing Arts, which presents artists from across the United States as well as outstanding performances by Clemson University students. Together with the exhibitions and arts programs, it makes for a cultural focus that encompasses presentations by established artists, student performances and educational offerings.
When looking for a hotel in Clemson, your own interests can guide your search: gardens and parks, waterfront trails, campus history, or art and performances.
Discover more destinations: Easley
For the broader travel overview: Pickens County.
