Your Guide to Beaufort, SC

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Featured Vacation Rentals

Amazing home within walking distance to ...

Have fun with the whole family at this chic home. This home is extraordinarilydecorated and very roomy. Every attention to detail has been given. There are 4 sizable bedrooms and 2 sitting rooms for those who work from home. The living room accepts...

  • Beaufort
  • 4 Bedrooms
  • 2 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 8
385 Wahoo Drive

Summary:385 Wahoo Drive - Resort Access and Golf Cart Included!The Space:Welcome to this handsome four-bedroom, three-bath bungalow located on the Ocean Creek Golf Course. This freshly refreshed home will provide you and your family with the...

  • Fripp Island
  • 4 Bedrooms
  • 3 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 8
Quaint Studio Loft in the Heart of Downt...

This unique building is known for its interesting history as the headquarters of James Mcteer "The Vodoo Sherriff" and lies in the heart of the historic commercial district of Beaufort, Located steps from Bay St. known for its stores, stores, art...

  • Beaufort
  • 2 Bedrooms
  • 1 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 4
Near Downtown|Quiet|Historic|King Bed|Pa...

Welcome to your ideal Lowcountry hideaway in pretty Beaufort! This roomy 4-bedroom coastal home is the ideal place for families, friends, military graduations, and calming Southern escapes — all within walking distance of historic downtown...

  • Beaufort
  • 4 Bedrooms
  • 2 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 9
Full Game Room, Pet Friendly, Golf Cart ...

Escape to Heaven on Fripp Island: Discover the tranquility and natural beauty of Fripp Island in our beautiful Song of the Sea vacation rental, a haven designed for relaxation and memorable family memories. Located in the charming Sawgrass Bluff...

  • Fripp Island
  • 4 Bedrooms
  • 2 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 14
Completely Renovated Historic Home in Pe...

Come stay in the heart of downtown historic Beaufort, within walking distance of Downtown Beaufort, the Waterfront Park and our marvelous antebellum Old Point neighborhood. Each floor in our two-story home has its own living room with a sizable...

  • Beaufort
  • 3 Bedrooms
  • 2 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 6

Beaufort Tours & Activities

Group Tour

Lowcountry Oyster Co.

Book online
$100.00 - $125.00

meeting_point: 15823 Bennetts Point Rd, Green Pond, SC, United States description: Have a larger group that is interested in enjoying a tour of our operation? We can accommodate! Bring up to 20 guests out to the farm for the full experience...

Sound Explorer Kayak Camp

Port Royal Sound Foundation

Book online
$400.00

duration: 7 Hours cancellation_summary: Due to limited space and high demand for our Junior Pluff Mudder summer Camps, all payments are non-refundable. Please let us know as soon as possible if you have to cancel your reservation so we can fill your...

SINGO!

Fripp Island Golf and Beach Resort

Book online
$5.00

duration: 1 hour cancellation_summary: 6- hour in advanced meeting_point: CreekHouse min_age: 5 description: Join Us for Singo! ($5 per card) at the Cabana Club Enjoy singing along to your favorite hits, all while competing for a chance to win...

Historic Carriage Tour

Sea Island Carriage Company

Book online
$15.00 - $36.00

description: Rates - Adults: $36 - Military: $34 - Child (Ages 4-12): $15 - Lap Child (Ages 0-3): $Free - Must sit on lap Duration 50-55 minutes About Experience Beaufort's rich history & unique charm on a 50-55 minute...

Sky & Water Study in Acrylic

The Arts Port Royal

Book online
$85.00

duration: 3 cancellation_summary: Full refund for cancellations 24 hours or more before class. Day of class, a gift certificate refund, and no shows, no refund. min_age: 14 group_size: 8 accessibility: Second Floor description: Learn what you can...

Essence Of The Lowcountry Sunrise

Beaufort Photography Tours

Book online
$249.00 - $499.00

description: A MORNING FILLED WITH CHARM, SOUTHERN STYLE! Options - **Semi-Private Tour**: Includes one non-shooting guest at no additional charge - **Private Tour**: (1 -4 Guests) About IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR THE OLD SOUTH, YOU'VE FOUND IT...

5 Hour Private Charter

Tallboy Fishing Charters

Book online
$850.00

description: Hop aboard Tallboy Fishing Charters with a local Expert! ___________________________________ Rates **Private Charter:** $850 *Up to 6 Passengers* ___________________________________ About the Captain Make memories fishing with...

Valentine's Day Carriage Rides

Brice Herndon Draft Horse and Carriage Company

Book online
$100.00

description: A Fairytale Valentine's Day: Take Your Sweetheart on a Magical Carriage Ride. We will start from the north side of Union Point Park . Each ride is approximately 18 to 20 minutes long. The carriage will comfortably hold 4 adults and...

3 Hour Private Charter

Tallboy Fishing Charters

Book online
$550.00

description: Hop aboard Tallboy Fishing Charters with a local Expert! ___________________________________ Rates **Private Charter:** $550 *Up to 6 People* ___________________________________ Our 3 hour charters are offered between April and...

Eggstra Dive in Egg Hunts at Cabana Club// Resort Guests/Members ONLY

duration: 1 hour meeting_point: Cabana Club max_age: 15 description: Make a splash this Easter with our Eggstra Dive Easter Egg Hunt! Dive in and search for colorful floating eggs filled with surprises. Enjoy looking for eggs in the pool! There will...

Reiki-4-Kids (no class fee)

duration: 90 min. cancellation_summary: Full refunds available up to 24 hours before the class. Within 24 hours, a gift cert. will be issued. No refunds for no-shows. min_age: 7 max_age: 16 group_size: 9 accessibility: Second Floor description: ...

Simple Figure Painting in Watercolor

duration: 3 hours min_age: 14 group_size: 8 accessibility: second floor description: Learn how simple lines, and little color can create the illusion of a human figure. No drawing required. You will also learn how to transfer images for faster and...

Beaufort, SC

Beaufort is a historic waterfront town in South Carolina's Lowcountry, known for its antebellum architecture, moss-draped oaks, and scenic coastal views.

Founded in 1711, Beaufort is the second-oldest city in South Carolina and offers a rich blend of Southern charm and history. Visitors can stroll the walkable downtown, explore art galleries and boutiques, or take a horse-drawn carriage tour through the historic district. The nearby Sea Islands - including Hunting Island, Fripp Island, and Harbor Island - offer beautiful beaches, nature trails, and wildlife viewing, while the town itself is a favorite for boating, kayaking, and enjoying fresh local seafood.

Beaufort features a variety of lodging options, including historic inns, charming bed and breakfasts, and vacation rentals with waterfront views. The area is ideal for those looking to relax and take in the culture, history, and natural beauty of the South Carolina coast. Whether you're exploring Gullah heritage, visiting the lighthouse at Hunting Island State Park, or simply enjoying a quiet evening along the river, Beaufort offers a peaceful and unforgettable Lowcountry getaway.

Beaufort is, at its heart, a small southern town with a big population, that's chock-full of historical sites, a thriving arts scene, and plentiful attractions, which are readily available for curious newcomers to explore. Smaller than its' northern South Carolina neighbor Charleston, Beaufort nonetheless has a far-reaching reputation as one of the most historically relevant and undeniably charming towns along the eastern coastline.

Beaufort SC Waterfront Park

Named by Southern Living Magazine as the "Best Small Southern Town," and featured by both American Style Magazine and the New York Times in recent praising articles, the secret about Beaufort's appeal is clearly out, but visitors can still enjoy miles of quiet waterfront, cool art scenes, or happening downtown streets at their leisure, during any time of the year. An easy day trip that combines the best of the legendary Coastal Carolinas and the modern southern scene, Beaufort, SC clearly deserves its glowing designation as one of the best big little towns in the Lowcountry.

Beaufort SC

The town of Beaufort was originally founded in 1711, as an integral part of the southernmost colony that originated with early English explorations and settlements. The initial growth of the town, (or rather the colony), was quite slow at first as the region was subject to a number of Native American attacks and threats by competing European settlers, (namely, the Spanish explorers.) After these initial growing pains, however, the city of Beaufort flourished as a shipbuilding center, die in no small part to its easy proximity to the Beaufort River, and later as an elite locale for local Lowcountry planters, who thrived in the booming Indigo and rice industries.

Beaufort SC

This affluent lifestyle would change significantly during the Civil War, when Beaufort was quickly seized and occupied after the Battle of Port Royal, one of the earliest battles of the war, which took place on November 7th, 1861. As a result of this early occupation, Beaufort attracted a large number of escaped slaves during the war, and a local Freedmen's Bureau worked with these new residents well into the Reconstruction period to provide an education and an overall preparation for full independence in the years to come.

Beaufort SC

After the war, the rich plantation era ended, but Beaufort slowly regained notoriety as a phosphate mining center. With the new mining industry, the town was slowly coming back to life until an 1893 hurricane brought the region to its knees, causing massive devastation that took Beaufort a full half-century to recover from. It wasn't until the second half of the 20th century, in fact, that visitors began to trickle into the area, and locals realized their town's inherent potential as a viable tourism destination. Today, the city is thriving with an eclectic mix of modern restaurants and galleries coupled with historic graveyards and historic sites, and visitors have ample room and centuries to explore. From the initial colonization to recent revitalization projects along key portions of the historic downtown, Beaufort, after a long recovery, is clearly a city on the rise.

Beaufort SC

The bulk of the city itself is situated on Port Royal Island, an interior island that features several local towns, (including the town of Port Royal), and which is separated from the Atlantic Ocean by St. Helena Island, Parris Island, and Hunting Island and the Hunting Island State Park. Despite these island borders, the city is essentially surrounded by water, primarily via the wide Beaufort River, which cuts through this mainland region and connects with the neighboring Atlantic Ocean. At a whopping 33.6 square miles in area, (including 6 square miles of water), the population of 12,300 residents or so in Beaufort almost seems somewhat small. In fact, the outlaying portions of the city are relatively quiet, while the downtown area has most of the action with plenty of sites and attractions for locals and visitors alike to enjoy.

Local outdoor attractions like the Beaufort National Cemetery, the Spanish Moss Trail and the Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park will keep visitors smiling at the prospect of staying outdoors and enjoying the scene, while local historical attractions like the John Mark Verdier House Museum, the James Robert Verdier House, the Thomas Hepworth House, and the St. Helena's Episcopal Church add a touch of Beaufort's legacy and long history to the surroundings.

Beaufort SC

Cultural outposts, including a world of art galleries, local theater groups and the USCB Center for the Arts, keep visitors and locals alike thoroughly entertained with one of the most acclaimed arts scenes in the region, while shoppers will find plenty of classic boutiques and treasured antique stores to go around.

Beaufort SC

The dining scene in Beaufort is equally exquisite, with more than 130 restaurants to explore within this Lowcountry area. Local waterfront cafes, barbecue joints, and even southern-style gastro pubs can be found side-by-side on some of the more populated city blocks, and visitors are encouraged to sample the local seafood, (especially the shrimp and blue crabs), for an authentic taste of this coastal town.

For accommodations, the lodgings of choice for most visitors are local hotels, motels, and B&Bs, and there are approximately 20 of these accommodation options within the city limits. With chic loft hotels and antebellum mansions converted into beautiful inns, potential visitors will find a wide variety of lush accommodations that are close to the local attractions, and fit in effortlessly with the laid-back southern atmosphere. There are also a handful of vacation rentals available as well, namely small cottages and townhomes, and travelers heading to the area by sea will find an ample number of marinas to dock for a night or two and enjoy a little inland exploring.

Easily one of the most peaceful and surprisingly varied southern destinations, Beaufort is rising to fame as one of the most accommodating and interesting communities along the East Coast. A small southern city with a big personality, Beaufort is sure to keep visitors entertained and smiling with its coastal atmosphere, gorgeous landscapes, local sights, and general warm southern nature that makes out-of-town guests feel welcome and essentially right at home.

Beaufort Vacation Guides