↑

  • Recipe Index
    • Appetizers
    • Main Dish
      • Casseroles
      • Main Dishes: Beef
      • Main Dishes: Pork
      • Main Dishes: Poultry
      • Main Dishes: Vegetarian
    • Salads
    • Soups
    • Sandwiches
    • Side Dishes
    • Desserts
      • Slow Cooker
      • Instant Pot
      • Holidays
  • Travel
  • Fitness & Health
    • health
    • free workouts
    • buy chanelle’s eBook!
    • shop chanelle’s faves
  • Pets
  • Crafts & DIY
  • Lifestyle
    • entertainment
    • home decor
    • productivity
    • style & beauty

  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

  • About Us
  • Terms of Use | Privacy Policy

Eat Move Make

food | travel | lifestyle

  • Recipe Index
    • Appetizers
    • Main Dish
      • Casseroles
      • Main Dishes: Beef
      • Main Dishes: Pork
      • Main Dishes: Poultry
      • Main Dishes: Vegetarian
    • Salads
    • Soups
    • Sandwiches
    • Side Dishes
    • Desserts
      • Slow Cooker
      • Instant Pot
      • Holidays
  • Travel
  • Fitness & Health
    • health
    • free workouts
    • buy chanelle’s eBook!
    • shop chanelle’s faves
  • Pets
  • Crafts & DIY
  • Lifestyle
    • entertainment
    • home decor
    • productivity
    • style & beauty
Home » Travel » The Magical Spaces of Hopelands Gardens in Aiken SC

The Magical Spaces of Hopelands Gardens in Aiken SC

By: Liz  /  Published: September 30, 2020  /  Updated: December 24, 2020  /   Leave a comment

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
  • Share
  • Tweet

Hopelands Gardens is a dreamy 14-acre estate where gently winding paths shaded by century-old live oak trees meander through lush gardens, wetlands, fountains and ponds.

Located just blocks from downtown Aiken and the historic Willcox Hotel but behind a serpentine brick wall, the quiet natural beauty of the gardens affords visitors a peaceful escape and a chance to slow down and just “be”.

bench by pond at Hopeland Gardens Aiken SC

There are both paved and dirt paths to follow and explore, and shade is plentiful thanks to the canopy of magnolias, deodar cedars and the sweeping limbs of the live oaks. I just meandered to my heart’s content.

Magical spaces within Hopelands Gardens

Live Oaks

The live oaks are my favorite part of the gardens; I can’t get enough of them. 

It’s thought they were planted by Hope Goddard Iselin herself while living at what was her winter residence, “Hopelands”. Noted for her philanthropy, she gifted the gardens to the city of Aiken upon her passing.

live oak tree

The Wetlands

I love seeing the cypress trees with their swollen trunks and knobby cypress knees peering out from within the swampy water. The more moisture there is in the area, the more cypress knees are found.

Though the reason for their formation has never been confirmed, experts believe they provide stability for the trees. 

cypress trees in Hopelands Gardens

cypress knees

Labyrinth

The plaque at the labyrinth’s entrance encourages visitors to follow the path to the center then stop, linger and absorb all that the labyrinth and gardens have to offer before retracing your steps.

This is a fabulous family activity for those with small children, but even without them, I found my inner child as I followed the twisted trail. Lots of fun!

labyrinth at Hopeland's Gardens

Reflecting pools

The reflecting pools were built on the foundation site of the original home and they’re lined with beautiful statues and lush landscapes. 

reflecting pond

statue by reflecting pond

The Dollhouse at Hopelands Gardens

‘The Dollhouse’ was their daughter’s playhouse. Can you imagine?

The structure was ordered from a Sears & Roebuck catalog in the early 1900s and still stands.  

Dollhouse at Hopeland's Gardens

window view by Dollhouse

inside the Dollhouse

The Stable

The painted life-size horses in the stable peer out and invite visitors to come over and take a look. Each of the horses has an accompanying sign explaining their importance in Aiken’s illustrious equestrian history.

stables with horse statues

White Tornado mule

Marilyn Riviere’s White Tornado blew away his competition in Aiken’s “Mule Race”.

horse statue in stable

Tobiana, a Polo Hall of Famer, was one of the best-known polo ponies of the era and belonged to Tommy Hitchcock Jr., one of the best polo players who ever lived.

Thoroughbred Museum

Not only can you see Aiken’s thoroughbred Hall-of-Famers here, you can learn more about the equipment used with thoroughbreds and see an incredibly well-done exhibit on famous black jockeys of the area.

Thoroughbred Museum

equipment display at Thoroughbred Museum

inside Thoroughbred Museum

There are lots of other things to explore too, including a touch-and-feel Braille walkway, gazebo, swings, a rock fountain, horse statues and a carriage museum. It’s a wonderful way to spend a morning or afternoon.  

Hopelands Gardens also puts on a fabulous light display over the holidays!

path in Hopelands Gardens

Hopeland Gardens Aiken SC

135 Dupree Pl, Aiken, SC 29801
Open daily 10 am-6 pm
Facial coverings required indoors.
Website

Hopeland Gardens Aiken SC

Plan your getaway to Thoroughbred Country! Get a digital travel guide and check out my post on good eats in the area.

Other South Carolina destinations you’ll enjoy

  • Sonesta Hilton Head Island
  • Old 96 District
  • Rock Hill and York County 
  • South Carolina Festival of Flowers
  • Beaufort, SC
  • Riverbanks Zoo and Gardens
  • Best Bites in Myrtle Beach

Related topics
South Carolina TravelAiken Hopelands Gardens South Carolina Thoroughbred Country

About Liz

Liz is a midwestern mom gone southern (accent in transition). She lives in North Carolina and loves cooking, baking, traveling, movies, crafts, hot and cold tea, wine, pizza and the occasional nap. She also revels in the fact she's a crazy cat lady.

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

recipes in your inbox

Subscribe for the latest updates

Thank you!

You have successfully joined our subscriber list.

.

The Latest

roasted red pepper soup in bowls

Roasted Red Pepper Soup with Potatoes

spicy lemon chicken with lemon sauce

Spicy Lemon Garlic Chicken

plate of black cherry rhubarb dump cake

Black Cherry Dump Cake with Rhubarb

chipped beef on toast

Creamed Chipped Beef on Toast

add dressing to BLT salad

BLT Pasta Salad Recipe (No Mayo)

stacked strawberry grilled cheese panini

Strawberry Grilled Cheese Paninis

Eat Move Make is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon properties including, but not limited to, amazon.com, endless.com, myhabit.com, smallparts.com, or amazonwireless.com.

This means that some posts may contain affiliate links. We earn a small commission when you purchase through these links, which helps us create more great content! Full terms of use here.

Footer

Meet Liz

Hey there, i’m Liz!

I’m the founder of Eat Move Make and a North Carolina mom of two humans and six cats. I love to cook, bake, craft and travel. I’m also addicted to tea (but not sweet tea).

When I’m not creating something in my kitchen, and since my kids are now adults, I’m all about my bucket list of travel destinations and adventures.

recipes in your inbox

Subscribe for the latest updates

Thank you!

You have successfully joined our subscriber list.

.
©2021, Eat Move Make / About / Terms Of Use / Privacy Policy / Site by Pixel Me Designs