Camden is known far and wide as one of South Carolina’s premier antique towns. Head straight to the Camden Antique and Arts District (803/432-2525) downtown to find about two dozen shops, all in close proximity and all with a very keen and serious eye. (Keep in mind many shops are closed on Sundays).

Key purveyors are Andries Van Dam Investment Art and Antiques (914 Market St., 803/432-0850, Thurs.–Sat. 10 a.m.–5:30 p.m.), Camden Antiques Market (830 S. Broad St., 803/432-0818, daily 10 a.m.–6 p.m.), Heritage Antique Mall (113 E. DeKalb St., 803/425-4191, Tues.–Sat. 10 a.m.–6 p.m., Sun. 1–6 p.m.), and Springdale Antiques (951 Broad St., 803/432-0312).

Some artist and artisan galleries within the downtown area worth checking out are the Fine Arts Center of Kershaw County (810 Lyttleton St., 803/425-7676, Mon.–Fri. 10 a.m.–5 p.m.), a three-building complex featuring exhibits and performance space, Philip’s Woodworks (621 Rutledge St., 803/432-5454), The Potter’s Hand (938 Broad St., 803/424-1120), and Olde Gin Woodworks (909 Market St., 803/432-5678).