Things to Do in Clemson
Clemson is most recognized as the home of Clemson University. The university’s enrollees make up a large portion of the city’s population, and you’ll find that much of the area’s historical sites, outdoor recreational sites and events are found within the borders of the university campus.
Touring around Clemson is an experience of enjoying nature, history and culture fused together. In the city nestled at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains and on the shores of Lake Hartwell, you’ll find no shortage of things to do.
For anyone visiting the area and curious about Clemson’s attractions, we’ve compiled a list of some the best things to do in Clemson.
Fort Hill Plantation
Image: Clemson University Website
The first item that you shouldn’t miss in your Clemson travel itinerary is a visit at Fort Hill Plantation.
Fort Hill is a National Historic Landmark in the city of Clemson – a former antebellum plantation and home of John C. Calhoun, South Carolina’s pre-eminent 19th century statesman.
Originally built in 1803, Fort Hill is a Greek revival style home willed to the state of South Carolina in 1888 for the establishment of a public scientific and agricultural college. It used to be the parsonage for the nearby Hopewell-Keowee Church, now known as Old Stone Presbyterian Church.
Today, Fort Hill is preserved, restored and open to the public for tours as a library and museum located on the campus of Clemson University.
Brooks Center for the Performing Arts
Image: Clemson University Website
Another “must do” in your Clemson travel itinerary is the rare experience of enjoying a performance at the city’s famous Brook’s Center for the Performing Arts.
Brook’s Center for the Performing Arts is the hub for the performing arts in Clemson City. The facility is an 87,000 square foot theater founded in 1994.
Brook’s Center regularly hosts live music, dance and theater performances by students in the Department of Performing Arts of Clemson University. It also offers performances from visiting national artists. The center houses a 979-seat auditorium, as well as a 100-seat black box theater and a small recital hall.
Clemson University Sporting Events
Image: Clemson Athletics Website
Clemson University’s sporting events are always fun and festive, and a tour of Clemson is incomplete if you will not experience one. Most of the university’s sporting events are done at its Memorial Stadium, locally known as Death Valley.
Death Valley is considered home to the Clemson Tigers’ NCAA Division I football team. It was built in 1942 and has undergone several expansions over the years. It is now the largest stadium in the Atlantic Coast Conference with a seating capacity of 81,500.
Watching the Clemson Tigers at play is an exhilarating experience. The team has a 74% winning percentage at their home court in Death Valley.
The nickname, “Death Valley” dates back to at least the 1950’s. It is said that there used to be a cemetery on the hill that once overlooked the stadium. Hence; the area was given the name, “Death Valley.”
There was also an anecdote about a quote from a competing football team coach who once said that he was “taking his team to Death Valley” where they’d surely lose to Clemson University.
Upstate Scuba
Image: Upstate Scuba Facebook
Clemson has various scuba diving spots to offer and if you are in a thrill for an adventure and would like to try one, a visit at Upstate Scuba is an itinerary you wouldn’t want to miss.
Scuba diving is an exciting, fun, and great adventure. However, it is an activity that requires learning some basic skills and a lot of preparation. At Upstate Scuba you will be taught about the basics of scuba diving and then assist you in a scuba diving experience like no other in various scuba diving sites around Clemson.
South Carolina Botanical Garden
Image: Clemson University Website
If you love nature and are fond of hiking and walking to enjoy the view, a trip to Clemson is incomplete without trail hiking at the famous South Carolina Botanical Garden.
The South Carolina Botanical Garden (SCBG) is a 295-acre garden located inside Clemson University. It features both manicured and natural landscapes which hosts plants and wildlife native to the South Carolina Piedmont ecosystem.
The SCBG was began in 1958. Before, it was just a small plot of land next to Fort Hill. However, in 1992, it was designated South Carolina’s state botanical garden.
The Esso Club
Image: The Esso Club Facebook
Another “must have” experience in your Clemson travel itinerary is a night out with the gang at the city’s famous “The Esso Club.”
The Esso Club is one of the top sports bars in the country. It is a sports bar made famous by fans of the Clemson University Tigers who say that “anyone who has been a student at Clemson University knows that The Esso Club is and always will be a Clemson Tradition.”
The Esso Club began as a small gas station in 1933. Over the years it expanded to what it is today – a nationally recognized sports bar with a panoramic view of both Little John and Death Valley, two famous sites at Clemson.
So, while in the city, don’t miss a night out at The Esso Club. The best time would be after watching the city’s local sports heroes in Death Valley or in Little John.
Clemson Little Theatre
Image: Clemson Little Theatre Facebook
Clemson is a city with a rich performing arts heritage. A trip there is incomplete without a community theater experience.
And what is Clemson’s best community theater to visit? The Clemson Little Theater; nothing more, nothing less.
The Clemson Little Theater is one of the oldest community theaters in the state of South Carolina. It was started in 1931 by friends of the city’s Clemson University. Over the years, its performances and productions were performed in facilities around the campus. Since 1992, however, it found a home in its own theater facility – the Pendleton Playhouse.
So, while in Clemson, don’t miss this once in a lifetime experience. Buy a ticket and watch a performance of the Clemson Little Theater.
Bob Campbell Geology Museum
Image: Clemson University Website
A little less adventurous but equally satisfying experience that you shouldn’t miss in your Clemson travel itinerary is a visit at the city’s Bob Campbell Geology Museum.
The Bob Campbell Geology Museum (BCGM) is a historic and cultural site that houses a collection of thousands of minerals, rocks and fossils from locations in the state of South Carolina and across the globe. It also features an array of unique geological and paleontological exhibits.
The BCGM is located within the South Carolina Botanical Garden so it is best to drop by while you are having your trail hiking there.
Lake Hartwell
Still another adventure that you can include in your Clemson travel itinerary is a fishing and recreation trip to the famous Lake Hartwell.
Lake Hartwell is a man-made reservoir bordering the states of Georgia and South Carolina. The lake is created by the completion of the Hartwell Dam in 1962. Since then, it became one of the largest and most popular recreation lakes in the southeast.
Hartwell Lake is home to fishes like bream, catfish, smallmouth bass, walleye, and largemouth bass. It is therefore a popular fishing destination. The area is also famous for camping, biking trail, swimming, water sports and boating.
Downtown Clemson Bar Hopping
Image: Study Hall Clemson Facebook
While in Clemson, if night life is your thing, you might want to try bar hopping at some of the city’s popular bars downtown. Here are a couple we recommend checking out:
Tiger Town Tavern was opened in 1977 as a pool hall/beer only tavern. Today, it houses a full service kitchen and a full service bar. It also operates the first private club in downtown Clemson.
TD’s, on the other hand, is a famous college bar in downtown Clemson voted as one of the best in the United States by Business Insider. It boasts of having the best food around and the best atmosphere to match.
Study Hall is one of the most popular Clemson hangouts. It prides itself with the hospitality and ambience of fun and enjoyable conversations with friends.
