Camden, South Carolina
Your Summer Bucket List Has Arrived: 6 Must-Do Local Adventures
A cozy bookstore features red chairs, wooden tables, and bookshelves. On a table in the foreground is a striped “Where’s Waldo?” box and blue flyers, inviting participation in a themed scavenger hunt.

Summer in Camden, SC has a specific kind of magic. The morning air carries the scent of sweet tea and fresh produce, the afternoons call for a serious cold treat, and our historic streets are buzzing with energy. Whether you’re a lifelong resident or rolling into town for a weekend visit, this season is packed with unique ways to experience South Carolina’s oldest inland city.

Here’s a handful of summer adventures to get you started! 👌

Cafe counter with a bright'Summer Specials' menu sign and a cartoon elf cutout in the foreground.
Books on Broad Coffee

Hunt for Waldo All Across Camden

If you love a good challenge (or have kiddos who need to burn off some energy), you’re in luck! Thanks to the folks at Books on Broad and Coffee, the beloved Find Waldo Local scavenger hunt is back. Throughout July, everyone’s favorite red-and-white striped world traveler is hiding in 25 local businesses around town. You can pick up a stamp card at Books on Broad, track him down as you wander the shops, and work your way toward a grand celebration party.

Glass-front gelato display with many flavored ice cream tubs in a shop
Off The Hook Seafood Market
Eight cups of ice cream with different flavors are arranged in two rows on a dark surface. Each cup holds a scoop with varying colors, including white, beige, orange, and light brown shades.
Several tubs of colorful gelato in a display case, featuring flavors with swirls of fruit, chocolate, and creamy textures. The tubs are arranged in rows and partially scooped.

Cool Off with Artisanal Gelato at Off the Hook Seafood Market

After a morning of walking around, you’re gonna want something sweet and refreshing. While Off the Hook Seafood Market is our absolute go-to for the freshest catch, wild-caught shrimp, and local seafood, their hidden summer superpower is their authentic Italian, locally-made gelato. Creamy, perfectly chilled, and exploding with flavor, grabbing a scoop here is a total insider secret for surviving a hot South Carolina afternoon. 🍦

Storefront of Camden Golf Studio with large logos on the windows, a gold golfer graphic on the door, two patriotic bunting banners, and a website URL, camdengolfstudio.com, displayed.
Camden Golf Studio

Take a Swing at the New Camden Golf Studio

Want to work on your golf game without breaking a sweat in the humidity? Head over to 1020 Broad Street and check out the newly opened Camden Golf Studio. 🏌️‍♂️

This premium, climate-controlled indoor simulator lets you play some of the world’s most iconic courses right from the heart of downtown. Whether you’re a seasoned golfer analyzing your swing data or a complete beginner looking for a fun, cool afternoon out with friends, it is a brilliant addition to Camden’s entertainment scene.

A vibrant farmers market scene with people shopping for fresh produce, including cucumbers, bell peppers, and eggplants, under a blue canopy on a sunny day.
Kershaw County Farmers Market
Colorful baskets of green beans, red potatoes, and sweet potatoes are displayed on a table at an outdoor farmers market, with people and other fresh produce in the background.

Shop Fresh and Local at the Kershaw County Farmers Market

Saturday mornings are sacred around here, and that means waking up early to head over to the Kershaw County Farmers Market. There’s nothing quite like browsing the stalls under the warm morning sun. It’s the best place to stock up on locally, juicy summer peaches 🍑, fresh-picked heirloom tomatoes 🍅, artisanal baked goods, and handmade crafts. Plus, it’s a great spot to grab a bite from a local food truck and chat with the farmers and makers who make our community so special. 🧺

A small dog statue with a red, white, and blue hat and bow sits on a stone in a grassy yard. In the background, a memorial plaque is partially visible among green bushes.
A small dog statue wearing a red Santa hat and blue scarf sits on the ground near a memorial sign surrounded by bushes and trees.

Track Down America’s 250th Boykin Spaniel Statues

Camden is famous for the Boykin Spaniel Invasion—a permanent scavenger hunt featuring 12 adorable, miniature bronze puppy statues, modeled by the great-granddaughter of the breed’s founder. 🐶

But this summer, the hunt has an epic twist. In honor of America’s 250th anniversary, these little bronze pups are getting decked out in patriotic style. Grab a clue brochure from the Camden Archives and Museum and see if you can spot all of South Carolina’s favorite state dogs showing off their historic pride! 🌟

Shelves and tables filled with assorted vintage items, ceramics, vases, figurines, lamps, and decorative objects in a well-lit antique store with a rug and chairs in the foreground.
Vintage Collections

Hunt for Treasure Along Camden’s Antique Street

With ten independently owned antique stores, Camden’s Antique Street is a premier destination for collectors, history buffs, and treasure hunters alike. Stay cool while you spend hours browsing an eclectic array of goods, ranging from rare 18th-century furniture and vintage estate jewelry to Civil War-era memorabilia and mid-century collectibles. Chat with our local “stuff-ologists”, who can help you find something specific or something that’s just fun!  

Where Is Your Next Adventure? 🤔

Whether you’re here for a day, a weekend, or you call Camden home, there’s always something fun and unique here to help fill those lazy days of summer. Let us know about your favorite spots and don’t forget to tag us in your weekend photos using #ExperienceCamdenSC!