With a population of less than 10,000 Darlington may seem like a laidback city. However, it offers tons of unique attractions. Watch a thrilling race at Darlington Raceway. There are also amazing parks and museums where one can simply walk around and relax. So, whether you are traveling alone or with a group, no need to worry about not finding any exciting activities to do here. For every type of activity you wish to do, there’s definitely a place for you. To make the most of your time here, scroll down to find out more about the top 10 things to do in Darlington, South Carolina.
1. Take a walk in Williamson Park
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Posted by Williamson Park on Tuesday, 23 June 2015
Located just a couple blocks away from Darlington Downtown Historic District, the park, which is actually more like a natural reservoir, is home to more than 300 species of plants and animals. Throughout the years, the place had been undergoing some renovations to improve the accessibility to the more reserved areas of the park - with the newest one being the refurbishments of the boardwalks and trails. Makes sure to check out the nature tracks and wildlife sightseeing areas. While having fun, don’t forget to pay attention to the park’s rules and regulations. Alcoholic beverages are definitely not allowed here. The place is open from morning until sunset. While enjoying its beautiful scenery, be careful not to get lost in this 60 acres (24 hectares) of open space.
Williamson Park
Address: 400 Williamson Park Dr, Darlington, SC 29532, United States
Website: Williamson Park
2. Watch a game at Darlington Raceway
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
The legendary Darlington Raceway is a race track for the annual NASCAR Southern 500 race. As such, if it’s possible to pick the date of your trip, make sure to time it during the Darlington NASCAR race to experience the festivity of the event and to catch a glimpse at the superstars of the championship. The best view of the race can only be seen from the best seats, therefore it is suggested that you come earlier on the day of the event. If you want to buy a ticket, check out their official website as they usually offer interesting packages and sales. If you’re not big on going to racing events but are still interested to know about Darlington Raceway, you can visit Darlington Raceway Stock Car Museum which is located in close proximity to the race track. There, visitors may learn about the history of Darlington Raceway and NASCAR Racing.
Darlington Raceway
Address: 1301 Harry Byrd Hwy, Darlington, SC 29532, United States
Website: Darlington Raceway LLC
Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 9am - 5pm (closed on Sat & Sun)
Price: 7.50 USD for adults, 5 USD for military members, and children under the age of 12 are free of charge.
3. Drive a NASCAR race car at Richard Petty Driving Experience
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
If the visit to Darlington Raceway makes you wonder what it feels like to get behind the wheel of a racing car, you should try going to Richard Petty Driving Experience. For those who want to take their NASCAR experience a step further, the establishment offers a real NASCAR racing session on real race tracks. Each session lasts for about three hours, which could be more or less depending on the circumstances. The fun thing is, you can either choose to drive a race car by yourself or sit on the passenger seat and have a crew driving you. There are different speedways that you can choose, so make sure to check the availability of each speedway before you make any booking. Also, remember to bring a valid driving license with you as this is a requirement for anyone who wants to participate.
Richard Petty Driving Experience
Address: 6025 Victory Lane SW, Concord NC 28027
Website: Richard Petty Driving Experience
Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 8am - 8pm; Sun: 8am - 5pm
4. Learn about history in Darlington Veterans Memorial
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
The memorial, which is located at the corner of Main Streets, is dedicated to individuals from Darlington who had given their lives to serve their country. There are two individuals whose statues are highlighted. One of them is James Elliott Williams, an enlisted US Navy Sailor who received the most awards, honors, and medals in US Navy history, and Billy Farrow, a soldier who flew a US warplane in the the war against Japan after the attack on of Pearl Harbor.
Darlington Veterans Memorial
Address: 2 Public Square, Darlington, SC 29532, United States
5. Eat at Raceway Grill
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
A trip to Darlington wouldn’t complete without stopping by Raceway Grill, an iconic eating place that holds a special place in NASCAR fans’ hearts. The place is mostly crowded after the race and packed with visitors and race drivers who are all queuing to get their hands on the restaurant’s specialties. It shouldn’t be difficult to locate this well-known place. If you’re relying on locals as your guide, just ask for a restaurant with the NASCAR car parked atop their roof and they’ll direct you to Raceway Grill. Once you get there, try their best-selling hamburger steaks and skin-on fries which are said to be finger-licking good. The best refreshment to complete any meal here has to be their famous ice-cold beers served in a frosty mug.
Raceway Grill
Address: 1207 Harry Byrd Hwy, Darlington, SC 29532, United States
Opening hours: Tue - Thu: 11am - 9pm; Fri: 11am - 10pm (closed from Sat - Mon)
6. Enjoy the nature areas at Ramsey Pond
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
Looking for a destination that is surrounded by nature? You should consider going to Ramsey Pond. For those who love fishing, this is a good place to hone their skills. The most popular species of fish caught here are blue catfish, channel catfish, and black bullhead. However, even if you are not a fan of fishing or sitting on a boat, you can also have a picnic on the surrounding land. Another name for this reservoir is Ramseys Millpond. It’s the perfect spot to breathe in some fresh air.
7. Dine at Takis Diner
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
This eatery is a must-try if you’re dropping by Darlington. Once you get hold of the menu, you’ll find that most items are Souther dishes - steaks, salads, sandwiches, pork chops, and chicken. Some of their must-order food items are cheeseburger club sandwich and Greek salad. The place also has ‘50s-themed decorations in its dining room - a jukebox full of old hit songs and pictures of celebrities during that era such as Marilyn Monroe, Elvis, and James Dean.
Takis Diner
Address: 609 Pearl St, Darlington, SC 29532, United States
Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 5am - 9pm; Sat - Sun: 5am - 2pm
8. Enjoy buffets at South of Pearl Restaurant
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Today’s Menu 1/14
Posted by South of Pearl on Thursday, January 14, 2021
The place is originally a home built in 1900. Then, in 2015, the place was rebuilt as a restaurant. The restaurant prides itself on using recipes that have been passed for generations. It also makes its food from scratch. The place offers three types of buffet experience: small, large, and senior. If you think about going here at night, you might want to skip eating a few hours before to make room for dinner as the food in this place is served in a generous amount. Each meal comes with banana pudding for dessert.
South of Pearl Restaurant
Address: 117 Edwards Ave, Darlington, SC 29532, United States
Website: South of Pearl Restaurant
Opening hours: Mon - Wed: 11:30am - 2pm; Thu - Fri: 11:30am - 2pm, 6pm - 9pm (closed on Sat & Sun)
9. Check out historic homes around Darlington County
If you are on the lookout for antique houses with stories, you should check out the multiple historic homes scattered all over Darlington County. One of these historic homes is the Lydia Plantation, a Neo-Classical residential home that has been around since the mid-19th century. The Edmund H. Deas House, home of Edmund H. Deas, a black politician, in 1980. Upon visiting these places, please be mindful and respectful of the current residents of these properties.
Historic Homes Around Darlington County
10. Play golf at Beaver Creek Golf Club
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
Beaver Creek is a golf course with 18 holes. The course, which was designed by Jim Robertson, features a challenging layout that caters to everyone. You’ll find manicured spaces, sand traps, and different-sized greens. It was first opened in 1968 and it is still in operation now. Whether you are an experienced player looking for exciting challenges or just a layman wanting to kill some time, this course is ideal enough for your game.
Beaver Creek Golf Club
Address: 1133 E McIver Rd, Darlington, SC 29532-8103, United States
Opening hours: Mon: 12pm - 7:30pm; Tue - Sun: 8am - 7:30pm
Explore and enjoy your stay in Darlington
A slow-paced town with beautiful nature, plenty of historic sites, festivals, and museums - Darlington is surely a great place to visit. The more you explore, the more you’ll love this place. Plan your trip right and you can expect a great stay here.
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