There are so many fun things to do in Lexington SC, most of which depend on your budget and the purpose of your travel.
Lexington, which is currently the largest town in South Carolina, also serves as the suburb of the state capital, Columbia. The town is presently the second-largest municipality in the greater Columbia area.
According to the Central Midlands Council of Governments, the greater Lexington area had an estimated population of about 23,225 as of 2020 and is considered the fastest growing area in the midlands.
The lakes, parks, museums, trails, and stadiums in Lexington attract many tourists from around the world yearly.
The Lexingtons are a very active set of individuals when it comes down to recreational sporting activities with extensive support from the town government. Generally, most Lexingtons are huge fans of rock and roll.
They also love to bustle about with sightseeing spots, coupled with extraordinary travel experiences.
Best & Fun Things to Do in Lexington, SC
Below are some things to do in Lexington, South Carolina:
1. Engage in Amazing Water activities at Lake Murray
Lake Murray comprises 50,000 acres (200 km) lake and a 500 miles (800 km) shoreline. The lake was named after William Murray, the project head engineer for the group that built a dam in the area.
William Murray was an engineer who was connected to the three (3) year design and construction of the dam, which was under construction from the year 1927 up until 1930, and also risked flooding along the Saluda River by impounding its four (4) significant tributaries: Little River, Limestone Creek, Richland Creek, and Dutch Fork Creek.
The South Carolina Electric and Gas Dominion Energy, now known as the Lexington Water Company, was responsible for building the dam.
Lake Murray is the “boating paradise” for boaters of all kinds. It is a fun thing to do in Lexington, SC, specifically if you are an outdoor enthusiast who takes joy and happiness in doing watersports adventure – from canoeing to kayaking and paddle-boarding, wakeboarding to jet skiing and water skiing, boating, fishing, and many more.
You can take a tour or even a cruise, and generally spend the whole day fishing. You can as well choose to hire a fishing guide here or choose to enjoy a picnic with family and friends in one of the many parks and recreation areas.
Lake Murray is located in Central South Carolina, on the Saluda River.
2. Delight at the Riverbanks Zoos and garden
Just a 15-minute drive away from Lexington, you will find yourself in a whole new world of animals through the Riverbanks Zoo and Garden. Located on a 170-acre (68.8 hectares) site of land, you will find over 2,000 animals, as well as a brilliant and beautiful botanical garden.
At Riverbanks Zoo & Garden, all of a sudden, you are a kid all again as you get stunned by all the different breeds of animals from Africa, Asia, North America, and Australia.
Animals like the Komodo dragons, lions, tigers, kangaroos, and even wallabies, can be found here. You can as well choose to drift through the birdhouse and reptile complex, participate in their camps, learn about conservation and even stop to hear the zookeepers talk.
While the zoo’s smallest visitors (kids) take delight in fun activities in the splash zone, playhouse, and rabbit hole, which they can crawl through, the older kids can enjoy the life-size replica of the Tyrannosaurus rex, a 25-foot (7.6 meters) waterfall, and giant tree houses.
Adults can also experience a peaceful and romantic walk through the plants of Asia, the bog garden, a rose garden, and lots more. The Riverbanks Zoos and Garden is located at 1300 Botanical Parkway, West Columbia, South Carolina.
3. Visit the Peachtree Rock Heritage Preserve
Located at the Peachtree Rock Road in Lexington, the Peachtree Rock Preserve is an example of nature held in its state. The reserve covers over a few kilometers of loop trail, which is best for all skill levels, irrespective of your experience as a hiker.
The park was named after a large rock, the “Peachtree Rock,” that is found in the middle of the preserve, and was formed a very long time ago, soon after the waters of the Atlantic Ocean pulled back.
The water scoured away the base layers of the rock more quickly than the top, creating an inverted triangle shape formation. Unfortunately, in 2013, it collapsed, so the formation is now on its side, but you can see a smaller, similar formation, still standing in the same park.
Here, you will find layers of sandstone filled with fossils of ancient marine animals, longleaf pines soaring over well-maintained trails, and the South Carolina coastal plain’s only natural waterfall, tumbling into a small pool.
So, whether hiking, walking, or bird-watching, you can bring your family and even your kids and pets. You only need to ensure that you have your trail maps, with these doable trails even for kids and keep your dogs on the lead for safety.
The Nature Conservancy and South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SC-DNR) co-manage this natural preserve rich in history and culture with its flora and fauna plus unusual geology.
4. Go Walking or Jogging at Dreher Shoals Dam
I guess you might not be interested in lake activities, but you still wish to enjoy the enchanting beauty of Lake Murray. Then, a walk or jog around the Dreher Shoals Dam would do you some good.
The historic Dreher Shoals Dam was the world’s largest embankment dam at its completion in 1930. Originally called the Saluda River Dam and referred to later as the Lake Murray Dam, the Dreher Shoals Dam was built for the original purpose of flood control, hydroelectricity, and water supply.
Meanwhile, in 2005, a 213-feet roller compacted concrete dam was completed as an additional infrastructure at the foot of the original dam to lessen the gravity of an earthquake-caused dam failure.
The path extends 1.7 miles (2.7 km) one way, bringing the total walk to 3.4 miles (5.4 km). Those who prefer walking, jogging, and skateboarding do flock to Dreher Shoals Dam yearly.
5. Enjoy Amazing Concerts at the Ice House Amphitheater
The Amphitheater is a 900-seat venue that consistently hosts different community events and concerts in Lexington. The Amphitheater sits on a portion of land wherein an ice plant was initially opened in 1928, hence its name “Ice House”.
Big acts from the likes of Billy Joel, John Mayer, Alan Jackson, and a host of other famous and renowned artists have, as the story goes “brought down the house” here in recent years with their impressive performances.
The Amphitheater’s numerous shows range from traditional musical performances to motorcycle mini rallies.
Observing visitors usually describe this place as a significant step and catalyst for the revivification of Lexington’s Main Street.
If you are looking for a nice night out, the Ice House Amphitheater is definitely the best option for you.
6. Enjoy Fine Wine at Mercer House Estate Winery
Mercer House Estate Winery is a twelve-acre piece of property in Lexington, SC, and is one of only ten organic vineyards in the United States.
Within this twelve-acre piece of property, you would be thrilled to find five distinct vineyards, all with their unique blends of native grapes, geographic orientation, soil type, elevation, and even sun exposure.
They grow over 50+ grapes, peaches, figs, pears, pecans, apples, blueberries, cherries, kiwis, and nectarines.
Everything produced here is organic, natural, sustainable, and eco-friendly.
Whether your taste buds would go for the Jalapeno Wine Jelly, the Fruit Spiced Coffee Wine, or even the Bloody Mary Wine, you will be stunned at the winery’s traditional Native American techniques in making wine.
7. Spend Some Time at the Virginia Hylton Park
Named after a former Lexington Town Council Member, Virginia Hilton, who did government service work from 1981 to 1998, the Virginia Hylton Park is depicted by its many visitors as a relaxing park with a playground, trees, covered pavilions, and picnic tables.
You would surely enjoy some quiet time listening to birds and watching the swaying trees.
Plans are currently in progress for the renovation of the park with an additional 8.25 acres to the current size of 6.25 acres to upgrade the park and provide Lexington with a social, recreational, and playful space for all ages.
Walkways and streams wander through the park, and there is even a unique playground for children with disabilities to make sure that everyone’s included in the fun.
8. Visit the Lexington County Museum
Located in the Historic District of Lexington is the Lexington County Museum, with an array of 36 historical houses and outbuildings within the seven-acre property, the Lexington County Museum is more of a small village of historical architecture, slipping you down through the history of Lexington’s German and Swiss heritage during the Colonial and Antebellum periods.
While the museum is not being opened on major holidays, holiday weekends, or Mondays, tours are offered Tuesday through Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm.
The museum is guaranteed to take you back in time to the 18th century until the Civil War. You can drift among the buildings built over 100 years ago, most remarkably, the John Fox House – this two-story, ten-room house that was earlier a plantation house.
Now, furnished and decorated with period pieces, you could imagine what life was for the people who resided there in the 19th century. You can also see locally manufactured artifacts such as quilts, furniture, and pottery.
9. Pay a Visit to the Corley Street Park
Corley Street Park is alighted along Corley Street, thus the name. The park is a stone’s throw away from the historic Lexington County Courthouse, which continually serves after some 200 years, with the Lexington County Museum nearby.
Being the oldest park in Lexington, dating back to the 1970s, the park holds many old trees. Yet still offers fun and relaxation with its open field for picnics, a small pond with turtles, fishes, ducks, and some frogs, and benches where you can sit by the water as you enjoy the fruits of nature.
Its playgrounds were renovated with a more children-friendly, safer, more appealing fish pond, picnic spaces, tennis courts, and an open area to just stay and chill with either family or friends.
All these were done with the Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation grant in 2011, which amounted to $18,000.
All areas in the park are open from sunrise to sunset all year round except the spray pool, which is only open from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
10. Games at the Lexington Baseball Stadium
If you are a sports person, you would surely love to visit the Lexington County Baseball Stadium as one of the best things to do in Lexington SC for fun.
The Baseball stadium has room for over 3,000 spectators, and fans describe it as an “intimate ballpark experience”.
The Lexington Blowfish is the baseball heroes of the town, and the fans are delighted with every victory made by the summer collegiate team with milestone triumphs held at the Lexington County Baseball Stadium.
At the stadium, you will witness its Wrigley field-style box seats, an air-conditioned hospitality club, lawn seating in the outfield, and other notable local events such as concerts, baseball camps and tournaments, collegiate and high school baseball championships, and more.
You may even be the next champion for the Lexington’s boiled peanut-eating contest done at the stadium and even be awarded a gold trophy.
11. Shopping at the Market at Icehouse
Opened only on Saturdays, from June through September, you and your family can take delight wandering through hundreds of stalls full of locally grown fresh produce from the local farmers.
Here, you can learn the benefits of eating fresh local produce and even support local food production.
The Lexington Police Departments’ help heightened the market’s efforts with its “Coffee with A Cop” program.
The program is a new concept, as officers look forward to sharing a freshly brewed cup of coffee with every passerby. And also, the “Child Passenger Seat Program,” where police officers explain to those who stop by for a free coffee the utmost importance of the child’s car seat safety, which can save lives.
12. Play at Grady’s Pool & Billiard Hall
Crystal, the place’s new owner, has the thumbs up from almost everyone who visits Grady’s, earning a high level of praise from clients, describing her as “an awesome homegirl.”
The pool room frequenters consistently rave about this place with friends.
“Grady’s is run professionally, where you can experience the real game of pool,” says a friendly patron. “The diamond tables are well-maintained, with great staff, I would go every day if I lived closer!”.
Some would even say, “The place is just like the good old times, like walking into a 1975 pool hall with blasting rock and roll music in the background, friendly staff, great tables, cold beer, hot coffee, and great prices”.
13. Network at Lexington Bars
The nightlife of Lexington County is very much alive and well at the clubs.
The TR’s Bar and Grill is a family-friendly diner that transforms into a concert bar in its happy hours.
There’s the presence of great music and good food at its finest, with its Sunday buffet menu that lures a lot of customers who go for essentially casual dining, live entertainment, and buckets of Bud for the fun-loving diners.
You would also get stunned at the various collections of fine beer at the Kraft Draft Brew Pub. Whether dessert beers, aged beers, the robust stout, or those rich dark porters, there is always one that fits your delight.
Then, over to The Dam House, the owners and crew boast that the house is the home for its “DAM Good Beer,” overrunning with draft-style pale ales, lagers, craft beers, and a wide selection of beer and wine options.
Friendly patrons propose the place, with its expert bartenders giving you a surprise with their wonderful concoctions at every visit made.
14. Golfing at LJ’s Par and Grill Restaurant Bar
The LJ’s Par and Grill Restaurant Bar is not just a food place! You can enjoy good food, fun, and live music entertainment while hitting the golf balls at its open target driving range.
You only need to wait a few seconds, and your golf ball is automatically up on a tee, ready for your swing. This is perfect for those who have trouble bending over and placing the tee on the ground.
While taking pride that this is the best place to practice golfing, LJ’s Par also boasts of having a wide array of delicious food chores on its menu for everyone who wishes to dine on some of the most delicious foods in Lexington.
15. Picnic at Gibson’s Pond Park
Formerly known as George’s Pond, this piece of property was purchased by Murray Gibson in 1934 and was then transformed into a popular recreation area.
This “swimming hole” was long a favorite among Lexington County residents, helping them run away from the hot South Carolina summers for nearly 40 years; in addition to the diving platform found in the park, Murray Gibson added a pavilion, picnic tables, and rental cabins for both local and abroad visitors.
The park, now operated by the Town of Lexington, was closed down in 1972 but was later reopened in 2007 to the public with several significant additions, including a beautiful overlook that provides a unique view of a waterfall rushing over an old gristmill.
It also includes a large picnic shelter, restrooms, a paved trail, and a fishing pier, but swimming is no longer allowed.
On October 4, 2015, when South Carolina became ravaged because of massive flooding throughout the state, the pond’s dam broke down, causing a large volume of water to be released, eventually flooding the area below it, including the millpond & the old textile mill complex.
As of early 2018, the park did undergo renovations; the Town of Lexington worked to rebuild the dam, refilled the pond, and reopened the property to the public.
16. Bodhi Thai Dining
Main Street’s up-and-coming culinary art is a fine-dining spot.
The main purpose of Bohdi Thai Dining is to serve you fresh, exquisite, and exotic cuisine that’s guaranteed to bring you back for a truly authentic experience.
Their “Modern Thai” styling makes out from years of cooking experience and creativity, both locally and abroad.
17. Explore the Fourteen Mile Creek Trail
The Fourteen Mile Creek Trail is a 1.9-kilometer, 10-foot fairy-wide pathway near Lexington, South Carolina, moderately trafficked out and back, and features so many beautiful wildflowers.
The pathways here have bridges, places to sit, designated areas for pets, and an outdoor classroom. The trail is noteworthy for all skill levels and offers many activity options.
Your dogs can as well use the trail but must be kept on a leash.
18. Lexington Old Mill
Lexington’s Old Mill was once known as the home of the Lexington Manufacturing Company in the 1890s. Construction started in 1891 using granite, quarried less than two miles away.
The mill was built on the banks of a pond on the 12-mile creek and was designed to draw power from the water flowing down the creek, whose flowing water tends to power over 200 looms and 7,000 spindles that the mill uses to manufacture cotton goods.
The mill is also well-known to have provided jobs to thousands of families and allowed Lexington to flourish for decades.
The nation’s economy began to change later, sometime in the 1920s, and the mill too changed ownership, and cotton production continued for almost forty years.
In the early 1960s, cotton production ceased, leaving the mill building to serve as a warehouse/boat manufacturing plant. The mill was again converted into a mixed-use development and housed various shops, gym facilities, and restaurants.
You’ll be so surprised at what you will find here; even after 130 years, alongside a historic flood, the old mill still stands strong and still serves the community.
19. The Haven Coffeehouse
The Haven Coffeehouse is a place you may never want to leave once you find your way inside. It boasts of an inviting atmosphere, dynamite eats, and the aromas of coffee brewed in-house.
One of the sincere goals of the Haven Coffeehouse is to make the community a sincere place by approaching their craft and providing a unique platform to serve others – from gathering the seed to the enjoyment the cup brings.
You can cuddle up on a couch with your favorite book or strike up a conversation with a local; either of them would make you feel at home in no time.
20. Pay the Keg Cowboy
Are you in search of the very best in unique high-quality beers from around the country? then I guess it’s time you take out your wallet and go pay the Keg Cowboy.
It’s rare to find the same keg twice here in a single month; they always keep their selection fresh and never dull. Also, its state-of-the-art kitchen provides a dining experience that equally pairs with its weekly beer selection.
Opening from Mondays to Saturdays, though at different time intervals, the Keg Cowboy’s four types of bread and mozzarella are freshly prepared daily. Its Monday night pizza lineup is unquestionably something you would not want to miss.