A walk through downtown Pickens can become a scavenger hunt if you know what to look for. Turtle sculptures dot the storefronts, public spaces, and local landmarks, giving visitors another reason to slow down. The attraction is called Turtles on the Town, and it offers a different way to explore the town beyond driving along Main Street or stopping for lunch.
For families, the appeal is simple: children have something to search for while everyone explores together. For adults, the turtles provide a reason to notice side streets and places that might otherwise be overlooked. You can make the hunt the focus of your outing or work a few discoveries into a walk through downtown Pickens.
What Is Turtles on the Town?
The City of Pickens describes the project as a walking experience combining art, history, and discovery. Its original brochure lists 13 numbered stops, beginning at the Legacy Square fountain on Main Street. That is more accurate than describing it as exactly 13 individual sculptures, since the first clue names several turtles. The city also provides a separate Touristy Turtles brochure focused on local historical figures.
Download both guides from the official Turtles on the Town page. Keeping the brochures on your phone, or printing them before leaving, will give you the clues and maps without having to search for directions between stops.
Where Should You Start?
Begin at Legacy Square, at East Main Street and Lewis Street. Read the first clue before you start looking, then decide whether you want to follow the original tour or simply find a few nearby turtles. A short hunt can be just as enjoyable as completing every stop, especially with younger children.
Use the brochure’s map to orient yourself and find marked parking areas, then check current signs before leaving your vehicle. Downtown remains a working town with traffic and business entrances. Cross at designated crossings and keep the hunt on permitted pedestrian routes rather than letting a promising clue send children running across the street.
What Will You Find Along the Route?
The original clues connect the hunt with places including the Hagood-Mauldin House, the amphitheater, the museum, and the courthouse. Named turtles include Joab, Brick, Swimmy, Pokey, and Henry. Some clues lead to businesses or locations with access considerations, so do not assume every stop is available at every hour.
Read ahead before committing to the whole route. If a doorway is locked, a garden is closed, or a sculpture cannot be found, continue with the accessible stops. Ask a business or the city for help rather than entering restricted areas. The hunt should feel like an enjoyable walk, not a test that requires finding every turtle to count as a successful visit.
Turn the Hunt Into a Family Activity
Let children take turns reading clues and being the first to search. Take a photograph of each discovery and keep a simple tally, or ask everyone to choose a favorite at the end. Older children can help navigate while younger children look for turtle shapes. These small tasks let different ages participate together.
There is no need to rush. Plan around your group’s energy, weather, and interest in other stops. Bring water on warm days and leave room for a break. Instead of promising a fixed completion time, choose a manageable stretch of the tour and extend it if everyone is still enjoying the search.
Treat the sculptures as public art. Photograph them without climbing on them, moving them, or disturbing nearby plants. If a clue involves a business interior, enter during opening hours and respect the people working or shopping there.
There Is a History Tour, Too
The Touristy Turtles extension introduces figures including Andrew Pickens, Elihu Griffin, James E. Hagood, Joab Mauldin, and J.E. Boggs. It gives visitors another way to connect downtown landmarks with the people in the town’s story.
For more background before your visit, read our article on the Pickens County courthouse. Use the turtle tour as a starting point for questions about the buildings and streets around you, rather than expecting one walk to tell Pickens’ entire history.
Make an Afternoon of It
Combine your search with a meal, browsing, or coffee along Main Street. Our Burning Brick Tavern article offers one option. Check business hours before planning your outing around a particular stop.
If the children still have energy, add Pickens Doodle Park as a separate stop. You can also read about the Doodle Trail’s railroad history to connect another local attraction with the town’s past.
The turtle hunt gives a downtown visit a purpose without requiring an elaborate plan. Start with the official clues, find a few sculptures, and leave time for whatever catches your attention along the way. Which turtle became your favorite? Share a photo or a memory in the comments, and let other visitors know if you encountered a changed or inaccessible stop.
Map and Tour Information
The City of Pickens Turtles on the Town page provides the original walking-tour brochure, the Touristy Turtles brochure, and published clues. Consult it when planning; this article does not confirm that every sculpture remains accessible or in its listed location.
