Introduction
Clemson is a wonderful place to visit, and there are many things to do in Clemson. The following list includes 21 of the best places to visit in Clemson:
1. South Carolina Botanical Gardens
- The South Carolina Botanical Gardens is one of the best places to visit in Clemson.
- It is a great place to learn about plants, and it has multiple types of gardens.
- There are botanical gardens all over the world, but this one is special because it’s close by and not too expensive.
2. Memorial Stadium
Clemson’s Memorial Stadium is one of the most scenics in college football, with a capacity of 81,500 and a backdrop of the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains. It has hosted many big games and events since its opening in 1942, including every home game since 1981. The Tigers played their first game there against Furman University on October 7th that year—they won 9-0!
It’s also worth noting that two College Football Hall of Fame coaches began their legendary careers at Memorial Stadium: Dabo Swinney and Frank Howard.
3. Fort Hill Plantation
Fort Hill Plantation is a historic site, museum, plantation house, and small town. The historic site is open to the public and has a gift shop.
Fort Hill is located in Clemson, South Carolina. It’s near I-85/I-385 making it very easy to get to if you’re driving to Clemson from another city or state.
4. Bob Campbell Geology Museum
The Bob Campbell Geology Museum is on the Clemson campus, and it has a collection of over 100,000 items. The museum has several exhibits that are open to the public. There are also educational programs for children and adults, as well as a variety of events such as “Rockin’ with Rocks” (a concert series), geology field trips, and more.
The museum is free to all visitors!
5. Larry W. Abernathy Waterfront Park
Located on the Reedy River, this is a great place to walk, run, or bike. You can also stop by to check out the dog park, playground, and splash pad. It has a boathouse where you can rent boats for leisurely river rides or paddleboards for surfing on the water. The boardwalk is another interesting feature of this park that offers great views of Clemson University and downtown Clemson.
6. Doug Kingsmore Stadium
A visit to Clemson is incomplete without seeing the Tigers play at Doug Kingsmore Stadium. The stadium opened in 1942, and it has been the home of Clemson football ever since. It currently seats 81,500 fans, making it one of the largest college football stadiums in America.
The stadium is named after former Clemson head coach Doug Kingsmore, who led the Tigers during their undefeated season in 1948 and coached them to three additional bowl games (one win). Its official name was changed from Memorial Stadium to its current moniker in 1968.
7. Brooks Center for the Performing Arts
The Brooks Center for the Performing Arts is a 1,500-seat performing arts center located in Clemson, South Carolina. The center opened in 1992 and is home to the Clemson University Department of Music. It hosts a variety of events including concerts, theater productions, recitals, and lectures.
8. Saint Andrew Catholic Church
Saint Andrew Catholic Church is a beautiful building that was built in 1854. It’s the oldest Catholic church in Clemson and an example of Gothic Revival architecture. The cemetery at Saint Andrew contains many Civil War veterans from the area, including one who died on Christmas Day 1862.
9. Littlejohn Coliseum
Littlejohn Coliseum is a 10,000-seat multi-purpose arena in Clemson, South Carolina that serves as the home of the Clemson Tigers men’s and women’s basketball teams. The arena was built in 1968 and named after Thomas C. Littlejohn, an athletic director at Clemson University. It has been nicknamed “The Big House.”
10. Hanover House
Hanover House, a historic house museum located in the heart of downtown Clemson, is the oldest building in Clemson. Built by John Brown in 1820 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1970, this two-story brick home features a hipped roof with flared eaves and several chimneys.
The architecture of Hanover House provides an excellent example of antebellum domestic architecture and was influenced by Federalist architectural styles popular at that time. After serving as a private residence until 1937, it was remodeled into offices by business owner Foy Nance. Later used by other businesses including a law office and an insurance agency before being restored to its original condition for use as a house museum featuring furnishings from various periods throughout its history.
11. Old Stone Church
The Old Stone Church is a historic church in Clemson, South Carolina. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on December 21, 1973.[1]
The church was built in 1847 by members of St. John’s Lutheran Church (now Good Shepherd Lutheran Church) who moved from Pendleton County to the Clemson area during the gold rush. The church building served as the congregation’s house of worship until 1884 when they completed construction on a new site. In 1909, when this building was no longer needed for religious purposes it became its current use as a meeting hall and community center.[2]
12. Clemson Area African American Museum
You’ll find the Clemson Area African American Museum at 106 College Avenue in downtown Clemson, just down the street from Clemson University. The museum was opened in 2015 as a part of the African American History Project (AAHP), which is a non-profit organization that aims to preserve and promote African Americans’ contributions to life in South Carolina.
The museum has two permanent exhibits: “The History of African Americans in Clemson” and “Cultural Traditions.” The first exhibit covers many aspects of local history—including slavery, Reconstruction, and desegregation—through photographs and artifacts on display. It also includes an interactive element where visitors can learn about such topics as how slaves were treated on plantations in Greenville County or what life was like after emancipation for former slaves who moved into town. The second permanent exhibit explores cultural traditions among different groups within Clemson’s black community over time through objects such as quilts and musical instruments.
A rotating exhibit highlights various aspects of African American history each year; past topics include “Black Political Power,” “Post Civil War Era,” and “African American Women.”
13. Lee Gallery
Located in the College of Architecture, Arts, and Humanities, Lee Gallery is a student-run gallery that exhibits works by students, faculty, and artists from around the world. The gallery is open to the public and hosts a variety of events including lectures, workshops, and film screenings.
14. The Esso Club
The Esso Club is a private club, so it’s not open to the public. However, if you are fortunate enough to be a member of the Clemson University community or have friends in the area who can get you invited, this place is well worth checking out.
The history of the Esso Club is long and storied; it was built as an activity center for students in 1933. Today it has become an important part of campus life and culture. The historic building overlooks beautiful Lake Hartwell and offers many amenities including two outdoor pools (one for adults only) as well as tennis courts and hiking trails. In addition to all that outdoor fun, there are also several dining options available on-site including The Grill at the Esso Club which serves lunch daily from 11 am – 3 pm offering sandwiches, salads & more!
15. The Walker Course At Clemson University
A public golf course, the Walker Course is located on Clemson University’s campus and opened in 1931. The course was named after Dr. James F. Walker, who served as the first president of Clemson University from 1889 to 1906.
16. Loose Change
Loose Change is a 24-hour laundromat located in the heart of Clemson. It’s an awesome place to hang out with friends, especially when you don’t have anything else to do.
There are plenty of arcade games and board games that you can play while waiting for your laundry to finish. The bar has a large selection of beer and wine, but if you want something stronger, they also serve mixed drinks! There’s also a small outdoor patio with chairs where you can relax in the sun while enjoying your drink (or two).
17. Sloan Street Tap Room
If you’re looking for a place to enjoy a beer and some good food, then Sloan Street Tap Room is your spot. Located at the corner of Sloan and College Avenue, this bar has a selection of beers on tap that will make any beer lover happy. You can also find cider, wine, and mixed drinks if you prefer something other than beer.
The food here is great! They have an extensive menu with sandwiches including burgers and wings as well as appetizers like fried pickles or wings with various sauces. They also offer pizzas and salads if you want something lighter than a sandwich or pizza.
What makes this bar unique is its atmosphere – it’s relaxed yet fun at the same time with plenty of TVs showing sports games throughout the day/night so there’s always something interesting going on while enjoying your drink or meal!
18. Backstreets Pub & Grill
Located in the heart of Clemson, Backstreets Pub & Grill is one of the best places to eat and drink in Clemson. Serving up a variety of American comfort food, this pub offers delicious food and drinks. The atmosphere at Backstreets is warm and inviting with friendly customer service that makes you feel right at home.
Here are some menu items that you shouldn’t miss:
- Spicy Buffalo Wings – these wings have just the right amount of kick! They’re served with blue cheese dressing or ranch dressing on the side for dipping (your choice).
- Classic Cheeseburger – this burger comes topped with lettuce, tomato, onion, and pickles—what’s not to love? It also comes with French fries or coleslaw (your choice) as well as your choice from a selection of beers on tap (or from bottles).
19. Top of the Tavern
The Top of the Tavern, located at the Clemson University Inn and Conference Center in Clemson, SC, is a popular restaurant and bar that offers great food as well as an incredible view of campus. Visitors to this destination can enjoy drinks while enjoying views of the sunset on top of The Inn’s roof. The restaurant is open year-round so you can visit any time you want during your stay in Clemson!
Some other things to know about The Top of the Tavern:
- There is no bad seat; it depends on what you’re looking for (elevated table height vs lower-level seating). I liked being able to see everyone but also still being close enough to talk easily.
- You’ll have access to three outdoor decks with various seating arrangements for small groups and large groups alike! You could go out there with just one friend or bring 20 people too – there would still be room for everyone here!
20. The Arts Center
The Arts Center is a theater and arts center in downtown Clemson. It has a variety of performances, art exhibits, and classes. The Arts Center is open to the public for free on two different days each week: 1) Tuesdays from 6 PM to 8 PM; 2) Fridays from 3 PM to 7 PM.
You can also visit their website at http://www.artscenterofclemson.com/
21. Stump House Axe Throwing
This is a real-life game of “Knockout,” only with axes instead of softball bats. Stump House Axe Throwing offers a range of games for visitors to enjoy. The most popular is the three-hour sessions, which include one hour each of instruction, throwing, and coaching. Participants can choose between beginner and advanced sessions; the latter will give you more time to practice your throws before moving on to more challenging targets.