Clemson, South Carolina: Main Street, Things to do on College Avenue
Sitting right in the heart of Clemson is College Avenue, also known as Clemson’s “downtown” or main street. This main street is a hotspot for fun activities offering restaurants, coffee shops, Clemson apparel shops, and a few boutiques. If you are on the hunt for a new wardrobe and want a full shopping day- this is not the place for you. Although it is charming and fun, the street is centered around “all things Clemson Tigers” which is great for watching sporting events and spending a Saturday walking around.
Hotel and Where to Stay for a Clemson Football Game
Clemson’s downtown main street is centered around Clemson University which is only a few steps away from College Avenue. As Clemson sporting events have such a high fan base, hotels book up almost a year in advance. If you are looking to stay in a hotel within walking distance of the stadium, in the heart of gameday madness, and want to stay in a luxury spot- The Shepherd Hotel is the place for you. As you walk in you are greeted by the sweetest workers. Delish Sisters is their restaurant on the main level, and trust me- it is delish. This is a great spot to grab lunch, get coffee, do some work, or get a drink at their rooftop bar with views of the main street. There is a 3-night minimum stay which works perfectly for a gameday weekend. The best part is that there is complimentary valet service and the stadium is within walking distance so you won’t have to fight for parking spots!
Parking can be a hassle downtown. There are parallel parking spots that go from 1-3 hour limits. These are free, but they WILL give you a ticket if you go over time (it has happened to me one too many times). To avoid this, park at the Keith Street Parking Garage! It is cheap and gives you peace of mind about possibly getting a ticket.
Downtown Clemson Sit-Down Restaurants
There are so many restaurants to choose from when walking around downtown Clemson. But, they all serve the same food- bar food. If you are looking for a nice Italian dinner or some yummy hibachi, you need to drive at least 5 minutes off the main street. Clemson is known for catering to its college-age customers and for having restaurants with at least 10 TVs inside to watch the big games. My favorite restaurant is Clemson sports-oriented is Evolve Kitchen. They have great tacos, hamburgers, salads, and wraps and is not catered to Clemson Sporting events. This is a family-friendly restaurant and one of the nicer spots on College Ave. The Shepherd Hotel also has a great selection of food for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It is on the more expensive side, but is nice to dress up once in a while, grab a fancy dinner, and sit on the rooftop afterward to watch the sunset. My favorite restaurant is not in the heart of College Avenue, but still on the same street: Walk On’s. The menu is long so there is something for everyone. This is a fun atmosphere as they have TVs, outdoor seating, and helps you get away from the Downtown traffic.
Where else would you want to watch a Clemson Sporting event other than Clemson? If you don’t have tickets to the big game don’t be upset because Main Street is just as fun (in my opinion). The two places I love to watch the games are Study Hall and Tiger Town Tavern. Study Hall has a great rooftop area and plenty of TVs to watch from any angle. Tiger Town Tavern, also known as Triple or TTT, has an outdoor patio. This restaurant is known for its “pickletini”, yes a pickle martini. Give it a try!
Clemson Downtown Main Street Shopping
Clemson’s main street does not have a lot of shopping options other than Clemson gear shops. The three that it does have are great and I’ve gotten a lot of clothes from there. The Fizz is catered to a younger crowd and is more on the expensive side. True Orange Boutique has clothes for women of all ages with the pricing being very reasonable. Lastly, Stripes is by Spill The Beans just around the corner off College Avenue. Stripes has the coolest T-shirts and vintage apparel you can’t find anywhere else. I have never bought anything from there, but it’s fun to look at!
The one Clemson gear shop you should stop into is Tiger Town Graphics where everything they sell is designed by Clemson students.
Clemson, South Carolina: Downtown Main Street, College Avenue
Downtown Clemson on College Avenue is a hotspot for immersing yourself in the local Clemson Spirit. Everything is revolved around the infamous Clemson Tiger. Whether you are looking to enjoy a meal at any of the restaurants, grab a coffee, or shop for Clemson gear, there is something for everyone here. For those visiting town, the Shepherd Hotel is a must-stay place. While the street itself is more about the Clemson Tiger experience than expensive shopping, it provides a charm that everyone needs to experience (especially if you are a Clemson Tiger Fan).
