Clemson

City / town · South Carolina

Clemson

Best timeMar–Jun, Sep–Nov
From you
Nearest airportGSP · 37 mi
On this page

Overview

Clemson is a college town in Pickens County, in Upcountry South Carolina.

16 sights · 4 things to do · 10 places to eat · 9 bars & cafés · 7 places to stay

Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage

Best things about Clemson

Mountain View Park at Lake Hartwell

Park along man-made lake created by Hartwell Dam, which supplies hydroelectric power to the area. The lake and nearby forests are maintained by the US Army Corps of Engineers, and there are many places for swimming, sunb…

Old Stone Church

Built by Revolutionary War hero Andrew Pickens, this Presbyterian church is one of the most interesting historical attractions in the Upstate and was the second structure built by the religious community. Although the ch…

Class of 1944 Visitors Center

For thousands of prospective students, special guests and Upstate tourists each year, the Clemson experience begins at the University's Visitors Center. Made possible by gifts from the Class of 1944, the Visitors Center …

Bob Campbell Geology and Natural History Museum

The University's extensive geology collection including meteorites, minerals, dinosaur fossils and the largest faceted-stone collection in the Southeast.

Carillon Garden

A gift to the university during Reunion 1993 by the Golden Anniversary Class of '43. The garden is dedicated as a lasting tribute to the entire class and particularly to those who lost their lives during World War II. It…

Clemson Memorial Stadium

One of the 10 largest on-campus stadiums in the United States.

Plan your trip

Best time to visit & weather

Most comfortable: Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov. Summer highs reach about 90°F; winter lows dip to about 32°F. Very hot (Jul) — plan outdoor time for mornings. Wettest: Jul and Aug. (climate data from nearby Greenville)

Jan: 4.1 in rain4.1"Jan: high 53°F, low 32°F53°32°JanFeb: 3.8 in rain3.8"Feb: high 57°F, low 35°F57°35°FebMar: 4.5 in rain4.5"Mar: high 64°F, low 41°F64°41°MarApr: 4.0 in rain4"Apr: high 73°F, low 49°F73°49°AprMay: 4.1 in rain4.1"May: high 80°F, low 58°F80°58°MayJun: 3.9 in rain3.9"Jun: high 87°F, low 66°F87°66°JunJul: 4.8 in rain4.8"Jul: high 90°F, low 69°F90°69°JulAug: 4.7 in rain4.7"Aug: high 88°F, low 68°F88°68°AugSep: 3.7 in rain3.7"Sep: high 83°F, low 62°F83°62°SepOct: 3.6 in rain3.6"Oct: high 73°F, low 50°F73°50°OctNov: 3.8 in rain3.8"Nov: high 63°F, low 40°F63°40°NovDec: 4.6 in rain4.6"Dec: high 55°F, low 35°F55°35°Dec

Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).

Getting there

  • From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
  • GSP Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport, Greenville/Greer/Spartanburg — 37 mi away. Directions
  • AVL Asheville Regional Airport, Asheville — 54 mi away. Directions
  • TYS McGhee Tyson Airport, Knoxville/Maryville — 102 mi away (major hub). Directions

Clemson Area Transit provides free bus transportation connecting to the surrounding cities of Anderson, Central, Pendleton and Seneca.

Full “Get in” guide ↓

Budget & where to stay

No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.

Sample 3-day itinerary

Day 1

  • Morning Class of 1944 Visitors Center, Carillon Garden, Military Heritage Plaza
  • Lunch '55 Exchange
  • Afternoon Tillman Hall Bell Memorial, The Walter T. Cox Jr. Union Plaza
  • Dinner Columbo's Pizza
  • Evening TD's Food & Drinks

Day 2

  • Morning Old Stone Church, Hanover House, The South Carolina Botanical Garden
  • Lunch Mac's Drive-In
  • Afternoon Bob Campbell Geology and Natural History Museum, T. Ed Garrison Livestock Arena
  • Dinner Pot Belly Deli
  • Evening Loose Change

Day 3

  • Morning Mountain View Park at Lake Hartwell
  • Lunch Todaro Pizza
  • Dinner Mellow Mushroom Pizza Bakers
  • Evening Sloan Street Tap Room

Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.

Food for you

Clemson is home to an unusual number of sandwich shops, this is due to a rumor that the Clemson Subway Sandwich Shop was at one point in time the highest grossing Subways in the world. Clemson also has numerous fast food restaurants on Tiger Blvd as well as many casual and formal restaurants in Downtown Clemson.

Cuisine (tap to filter)

What to ask about, for your diet

    Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder

    Map

    Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.

    Understand

    Although there are nearly 20,000 permanent residents, people who visit are typically students, family of students or college football fans. The busiest time of the year is typically on Saturdays of Clemson Tigers football home games (September–November). In 2015, the Princeton Review named Clemson as the #1 college town in the United States when it came to the relationship between college students and full-time residents. While it is a smaller town, there are numerous restaurants, shops and activities.

    Get in

    By bus

    Clemson Area Transit provides free bus transportation connecting to the surrounding cities of Anderson, Central, Pendleton and Seneca.

    By car

    • US Highway 76 (Clemson Blvd) enters Clemson from the east at Exit 19B on I-85 in South Carolina.
    • US Highway 123 (Tiger Blvd) bisects the city running north to south allowing for travel from Greenville 30 miles (48 km) to the north and Seneca 10 miles (16 km) to the south.

    By train

    Amtrak's Crescent connects Clemson with the cities of New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington, D.C., Charlotte, Atlanta, Birmingham and New Orleans The Amtrak station is situated at the intersection of Tiger Blvd and College Avenue.

    Go Clemson railway station

    📍 1105 Tiger Blvd⚠ Last checked Aug 2020 — confirm before you go
    MapsWebsite

    Get around

    By bus

    Clemson Area Transit, sponsored by the City of Clemson and Clemson University, this bus line is not only fare-free, it also does not generally suffer from many of the problems that plague larger city bus systems (schedule delays, sketchy clientele, dirty buses, etc.) For this reason, the CAT bus system is one of the best public transit systems in the entire nation. Several larger cities have come to Clemson to observe the system, which even carries many university students and well-to-do professors to class. Clemson Area Transit covers many major destinations, including most of the area's hotels, motels, and most major eateries. For the traveler on a budget, or even those not on a tight budget, the CAT bus system may be the way to go. It covers the campus and surrounding cities, including Anderson, Central, Pendleton and Seneca. Travelers on the CAT bus going to Anderson can, upon transfer, obtain a fare-free day pass to the Electric City Transit system which serves the city of Anderson.

    By car

    • SC State Highway 93 (Old Greenville Hwy) is the de facto boundary between Clemson University and City of Clemson. The road is 4 lanes without a middle turn lane and provides no public parking.
    • SC State Highway 133 (College Ave) begins at the intersection with Old Greenville Hwy at the border of Clemson University and intersects with Tiger Blvd less than a mile to the north. College Ave is home to many of the Clemson Bars, Sandwich Shops, and Clemson Fan Apparel.

    Parking

    Public street parking exists on both sides of the street for the length of the downtown area. Parking is free 24 hours a day but there is a 1-hour restriction during business hours. The City of Clemson Parking deck is located at the intersection of Keith Street and College Avenue.

    See

    Greater Clemson

    See Mountain View Park at Lake Hartwell

    Park along man-made lake created by Hartwell Dam, which supplies hydroelectric power to the area. The lake and nearby forests are maintained by the US Army Corps of Engineers, and there are many places for swimming, sunbathing, camping, fishing, and hiking.

    📍 340 Mountain View Lane☎ +1 864 624-1120
    Maps

    See Old Stone Church

    Built by Revolutionary War hero Andrew Pickens, this Presbyterian church is one of the most interesting historical attractions in the Upstate and was the second structure built by the religious community. Although the church is no longer in service, there is a cemetery on site that contains numerous old tombstones including those of Pickens and his family.

    📍 101 Stone Circle☎ +1 864 654-2061
    MapsWebsite

    Clemson University

    See Class of 1944 Visitors Center

    For thousands of prospective students, special guests and Upstate tourists each year, the Clemson experience begins at the University's Visitors Center. Made possible by gifts from the Class of 1944, the Visitors Center is a comfortable and educational starting point for exploring the Clemson campus and surrounding areas. The Class of 1944 Visitors Center, located on Alumni Circle, is the front door to Clemson -- a friendly place to get information, assistance and an introduction to this beautiful and historic university and community. Guided hour-long walking tours of the campus are led by the Clemson University Guide Association.

    📍 Alumni Circle🕒 Mon-Fri 8AM-4:30PM, Sat 9AM-4:30PM, Sun 1PM-4:30PM. Closed on all University holidays, and Sundays in May, June and July☎ +1 864 656-4789
    MapsWebsite

    See Bob Campbell Geology and Natural History Museum

    The University's extensive geology collection including meteorites, minerals, dinosaur fossils and the largest faceted-stone collection in the Southeast.

    📍 in the S.C. Botanical Garden🕒 Thu-Sat 10AM-5PM, Sun 1-5PM; other tours by appointment💲 Admission and parking are free☎ +1 864 656-4600
    MapsWebsite

    See Carillon Garden

    A gift to the university during Reunion 1993 by the Golden Anniversary Class of '43. The garden is dedicated as a lasting tribute to the entire class and particularly to those who lost their lives during World War II. It is used for a number of activities ranging from student meetings, traveling games and even weddings.

    📍 the area between Sikes Hall, the Outdoor Theater and Tillman Hall
    Maps

    See Clemson Memorial Stadium (AKA: Death Valley)

    One of the 10 largest on-campus stadiums in the United States.

    📍 Williamston Road☎ +1 864 656-1935
    Maps

    See Robert Muldrow Cooper Library

    Houses more than 1.7 million volumes, documents and reports, along with the papers of many prominent South Carolinians.

    📍 Center Campus🕒 Open 24 hours a day, from 10AM Sun to midnight on Friday. Sat 10AM-midnight☎ +1 864 656-3027
    MapsWebsite

    See The Walter T. Cox Jr. Union Plaza

    A gift from the student bodies of 1997-98 and 1998-99. It is used for a number of activities ranging from student fairs, traveling games and other student events.

    📍 in front of the Edgar A. Brown University Union
    Maps

    See Fort Hill

    The home of John C. Calhoun from 1825 until 1850 and the home of his son-in-law, Clemson University founder Thomas Green Clemson, from 1872 until 1888.

    📍 Fort Hill Street🕒 Mon-Fri 10AM-4:30P, Sat 10AM-noon & 1PM-4:30PM, Sun 2-4:30PM. Closed University holidays💲 An admission donation of $5 for adults, $4 for senior citizens and $2 for children is suggested. Group tours by reservation only☎ +1 864 656-4789
    MapsWebsite

    See Hanover House

    The Colonial home of French Huguenot Paul de St. Julien, which was built in Berkeley County, South Carolina, in 1716.

    📍 in the S.C. Botanical Garden🕒 Sat 10AM-noon & 1-4:30PM, Sun 2-4:30PM; group tours by appointment☎ +1 864 656-2241
    MapsWebsite

    See Memorial Square

    Dedicated to the university in February 1993 as a gift from the Class of '44, The square, features an original life-size bronze sculpture of a student and a soldier sitting back to back, representative of the sudden shift from boyhood to manhood as a result of war.

    📍 in front of Mell Hall
    Maps

    See Military Heritage Plaza

    Features a life-size statue of a cadet and 41 sets of footprints of former Clemson cadets to commemorate the spirit of Clemson's military heritage.

    📍 overlooking Bowman Field☎ +1 864 656-5896
    Maps

    See Outdoor Theater

    A gift from the Class of 1915. The stage is a sunburst of gray, red and beige marble with the year 1915 set in. It is used for a number of activities ranging from pep rallies, outdoor movies and concerts.

    📍 in front of the Cooper Library's reflection pond
    Maps

    See The South Carolina Botanical Garden

    A 295 acre public garden, features several thousand varieties of ornamental plants. Of special interest are the Camellia Trail, Hosta Garden, Conifer and Xeriscape Gardens along with nature-based sculptures and miles of nature and walking trails.

    📍 Perimeter Road🕒 Open 365 days a year from dawn until dusk☎ +1 864 656-3405
    MapsWebsite

    See Strom Thurmond Institute of Government and Public Affairs

    Home to more than 34 tons of papers and memorabilia of S.C. Sen. J. Strom Thurmond, the Graem Yates Collection of Presidential Portraits, the rare book collection, the University Archives and manuscript collections.

    📍 behind Cooper Library☎ +1 864 656-4700
    MapsWebsite

    See Tillman Hall Bell Memorial

    It displays the bell that hung in the clock tower of Tillman Hall for 80 years, "where it faithfully tolled the hours until replaced by the Carillon in 1985." The memorial was erected by the Class of '39 in memory of classmates who gave their lives in the cause of freedom. The memorial also features an Award for Excellence plaque given to the faculty by the Class of '39.

    📍 in the Carillon Garden between Sikes Hall and Tillman Hall
    Maps

    Do

    Greater Clemson

    • Spend a Friday night bar-hopping at Downtown Clemson. (See the Drink section for more)
    • Go Boating on Lake Hartwell, the water temperature is usually perfect in the summer for any kind of on-the-water activity.

    Do Robert Howell Brooks Center for the Performing Arts

    Brings an exciting array of concert, theater, dance, comedy and other live performances to the Clemson community.

    MapsWebsite

    Do T. Ed Garrison Livestock Arena

    A 100-acre complex, it is the showplace for livestock activities as well as industrial and agricultural exhibitions in South Carolina.

    📍 off U.S. 76 near Tri-County Tech☎ +1 864 646-2717
    MapsWebsite

    Do Walker Golf Course

    Clemson's 250-acre, 18-hole championship golf course is gaining a reputation as the country's most accessible course for individuals with disabilities.

    📍 236 Madren Center🕒 open year round☎ +1 864 656-0236
    MapsWebsite

    Clemson University

    Do Clemson Tiger Athletics

    Clemson competes at the Division I level in the following sports: Men's: Baseball, Basketball, Football, Golf, Soccer, Swimming & Diving Tennis Track & Field, Women's: Basketball, Rowing, Soccer, Swimming & Diving, Tennis, Track & Field, Volleyball.

    📍 ticket office is at the southwest corner of Memorial Stadium🕒 Office Hours: Mon-Fri 8:30AM-4:30PM💲 ($-$)☎ +1 864 656-2118
    MapsWebsite

    Buy

    Like most college towns, Clemson is home to numerous fan apparel shops along College Avenue in Downtown Clemson. A few to check out are:

    Eat

    Clemson is home to an unusual number of sandwich shops, this is due to a rumor that the Clemson Subway Sandwich Shop was at one point in time the highest grossing Subways in the world. Clemson also has numerous fast food restaurants on Tiger Blvd as well as many casual and formal restaurants in Downtown Clemson.

    Budget

    Eat '55 Exchange

    Dessert / Ice cream$

    Made possible by a generous gift from Clemson's Class of 1955, the ’55 Exchange is a student run retail operation that sells and serves Clemson’s world famous ice cream and other Clemson produced items, including meat, organic produce, and blue cheese. All revenues generated through the retail center go to support Clemson students and academic programs.

    📍 Hendrix Student Center🕒 Mon-Fri 11:30AM-6PM, Sat 1-6PM, Sun 1-6PM
    Video reviews: Instagram reels · TikTok · YouTube
    MapsWebsite

    Mid-range

    Splurge

    Drink

    Drink Nick's Tavern

    Bar / Café

    Wide selection of obscure beers; one of the few bars in town rarely patronized by the fraternity crowd (see also Sloan Street).

    📍 107-2 Sloan St☎ +1 864 654-4890
    Video reviews: Instagram reels · TikTok · YouTube
    Maps

    Sleep

    Hotels

    Stay Comfort Inn

    Nearby restaurants; 122 rooms, 56 NS, handicap-accessible, 18 suites with whirlpool, tv/vcr, Microwave, wet bar; pool, hot tub, health facilities; meeting room for 130, laundry; coffee shop open 6AM-10AM with complimentary continental breakfast. All major credit cards with special rates for government/corporations, AAA, AARP.

    📍 1305 Tiger Blvd💲 ($~$$)Check-in 4PM · out noon☎ +1 864 653-3600
    MapsWebsite

    Stay Days Inn

    All double, king and queen size rooms, Wi-Fi Internet access, free HBO, copy and fax access, some handicap and NS rooms, free continental breakfast. Major credit cards accepted.

    📍 1387 Tiger BlvdCheck-in 3PM · out 11AM☎ +1 864 653-4411
    MapsWebsite

    Stay Hampton Inn

    Remote TV, some NS rooms, pool, free continental breakfast. Restaurants nearby. Major credit cards.

    📍 851 Tiger BoulevardCheck-in 4PM · out 11AM☎ +1 864 653-7744
    MapsWebsite

    Stay James F. Martin Inn

    Surrounded by the Walker Golf Course at Clemson University. 89 rooms, interior-corridor hotel features 27 luxurious suites and 62 guest rooms, hospitality suite and health club including pool and tennis, restaurant, complimentary continental breakfast. Owned and Operated by Clemson University.

    📍 230 Madren Center Dr☎ +1 864-502-8962
    MapsWebsite

    Bed and Breakfast

    Camping

    Stay Clemson University Outdoor Lab Suites & Cabins

    5 miles from the Clemson University campus, this unique conference center and camp has residential cabins (accommodating up to 10) and suites available for rental from mid-August through May. Discounted rates are available November 1-February 28.

    📍 Off of US Hwy. 76💲 The Outdoor Lab accepts Visa, Master Card and Discover☎ +1 864 646-7502
    MapsWebsite

    Nearby

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