Aiken Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame & Museum

The Thoroughbred Hall of fame showcases Aiken's rich heritage in equestrian sports so well, and Hopeland gardens is an amazing botanical gardens! A real treat to visit when in Aiken.

Interesting place to visit to learn more about thoroughbred racing, winning horses, and the culture of racing. Saw the Christmas lights of Hopelands Gardens, our primary reason for this brief evening visit. Always a wonderful place to stroll and enjoy nature in any season.

The museum is small and the attendant or guide was not able to tell me which or if any Aiken trained horses had ever won the Kentucky Derby...Three stars for the life sized painted horses out front and racing colors painted on the building.

We came because we had seen one of the "painted horses" as we were going down Whiskey Road. We had nicknamed her "Maggie" because of the magnolias painted on her! We were sad that the museum was closed BUT Lisa came up and while she was waiting for someone to come she let us in!! What a glorious time we horse lovers had! The pictures, trophies and atmosphere were beyond description! The GREATEST part of the visit was our interaction with Lisa! She shared so much information and personal history with us! It was awesome that she's been there since she was 5! That's 60 years of memories! We could have stayed for hours!! My sister got Lisa's book and our family will be sharing it!! This will be one of our most treasured memories in our lives! THANK YOU for having the museum! MORE IMPORTANTLY THANK YOU LISA FOR YOUR LOVE OF THE MUSEUM AND THE HORSES, PEOPLE AND HISTORY YOU SHARED!!!

Good history museum of the history of Aiken and horse racing. Quality place to visit if you are just driving through.