The Best Things to Do in Beaufort, SC: A Coastal Gem
A historic home and large live oak tree in Beaufort SC
If you’re interested in the best things to do in Beaufort SC, this guide has you covered!
One of the cutest coastal South Carolina towns, Beaufort is small enough to explore over the course of a weekend, but big enough to have something for everyone.
If you love nearby Charleston, SC, you’ll also adore Beaufort’s water views, detailed historic homes, and imposing live oak trees.
Due to its proximity to Parris Island, the location for Marine Corps basic training, Beaufort hosts many military families throughout the year in addition to the usual visitors.
The town’s support of their military neighbors is apparent through signs and American flags around the community.
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Updated 6/2022 | Written 3/2015
Tips for Visiting Beaufort SC: What to Know
How do you pronounce Beaufort SC?
Say, “Bee-you-fort.” The first part should be the sound as the first syllable in “beautiful.”
If you’re from North Carolina, you’ll know that there’s also a Beaufort, NC.
The North Carolina Beaufort is pronounced “Bo-fort,” which can get confusing since both Beauforts are spelled the same!
What is Beaufort SC known for?
Beaufort is known for its beautiful, walkable historic downtown area, its riverfront shops and restaurants, and its quaint Southern charm.
Does Beaufort have a beach?
The town of Beaufort does not have a beach as it is located on a bend in the Broad River. However, nearby Hunting Island State Park has a beautiful beach for visitors to use.
How far is Charleston SC from Beaufort SC?
Charleston SC is about an hour and a half from Beaufort SC.
From Charleston, take Highway 17 south to the intersection of 17 and 21. Turn left onto Highway 21 towards Beaufort. Follow Highway 21 through Burton into downtown Beaufort.
Beaufort is a wonderful day trip from Charleston!
Did you know that the history of Beaufort SC is directly tied to the Civil War?
South Carolina was itching to get out of the Union until tensions escalated into shots being fired on Fort Sumter in Charleston.
Although Charleston gets all of the credit for being the birthplace of succession, the Ordinance of Succession actually first was signed in a house on 113 Craven Street in Beaufort.
The document was then taken to Charleston for dissemination.
Beaufort is one of my favorite stops on my Highway 17 South Carolina road trip! Check out the full itinerary for more travel inspiration.
Your Guide to the Best Things to Do in Beaufort SC
Beaufort's main attraction is, well, Beaufort.
The town has a small historic district, and you'll want to spend the majority of your time wandering around it.
Explore the Beaufort SC historic district on foot.
The historic homes--some of which are notable and some which are just pretty--can easily taken up a few hours of your time.
Pretty garden behind one of the historic homes
The historic district runs along Bay Street in the heart of Beaufort, and is roughly bordered by Highway 21 to the north, Short Street to the east, and Hamar Street to the west.
Within these blocks, you’ll find cute sidewalk-lined streets packed with houses that have been around for 150 years or more.
Most have huge live oaks in their yards, and you won’t be able to take enough photos!
Don't forget to pause at 411 Craven Street, where "The Castle" stands.
In addition to serving as a Civil War hospital and morgue, the home is also supposedly haunted by Gauche, a little person who lived there as a jester at some point in Beaufort's very early history.
By the 1940s, Gauche was a well-known apparition to the family who lived there, showing up to tea parties with the young daughter and communicating with the parents via tapping.
Even today, there are sightings of a small wisp of a man in the backyard, so stop and say hi. I imagine that Gauche gets lonely after centuries of being dead!
Getting your bearings with a quick meander through the main streets is crucial.
Once you’ve accomplished that, it’s time to dive into more of Beaufort SC!
Take a carriage tour of the historic district.
Making a new friend in Beaufort SC
You can see the historic district by a horse and carriage tour in order cover more ground than by foot.
The last time that I visited Beaufort, I went the horse and carriage route, and it was a lot of fun.
There were only 8 people onboard, so it was an intimate tour.
We had a great guide which made the experience even better.
He incorporated little known tidbits of history and invited questions throughout for an interactive tour experience.
And, if you're extra good on the tour, you can line up with the five-year-olds when the tour is over and give the horse a carrot.
This was an opportunity that I couldn’t miss!
Peek into one of Beaufort's historic homes.
The John Mark Verdier House on the corner of Bay Street and Scott Street dates to the first few years of the 1800s.
Once the home of a wealthy merchant, this property is now open to the public 6 days at week (every day but Sunday).
Inside, you’ll be able to see the beautiful detailing and rich adornment that was typical of an upper class family at this time.
After the family moved out in the mid-1800s, the property changed hands many times and was, at various times, a barber shop and restaurant.
Since the early 1970s, the home has been under the care of the Historic Beaufort Foundation, who now organizes the volunteer-led tours.
Learn more here.
Learn about Pat Conroy's contributions to the Lowcountry.
If you’re a literature nerd like I am, you won’t want to miss this tour!
Author Pat Conroy
Pat Conroy is a Lowcounty author who is best known for his sweeping novels set in coastal South Carolina, such as The Prince of Tides and The Water is Wide.
After Conroy passed away in Beaufort in 2016, the community came together to create a lasting memorial to this beloved author.
The Pat Conroy Literary Center on 601 Bladen Street is a great place to start learning about his life and works.
Here, you can buy his books, see displays on his life, and hear more about how he changed this small town forever.
Afterwards, hop onto a Pat Conroy tour of Beaufort, which takes visitors around to the places where Conroy lived in Beaufort and key Beaufort filming locations from his movies like Prince of Tides (1991) and The Great Santini (1979).
Explore the natural beauty of coastal South Carolina.
This part of South Carolina is filled with amazing flora and fauna.
Try your hand at kayaking or fishing in the Broad River.
If you’d like a guided fishing charter, those are available through Bay Street Outfitters.
They offer half, 3/4th, and full day fishing charters where you’ll be able to bring home the daily catch for a fish fry!
If you’ve never held a fishing reel in your life, start with the Fishing School classes (also offered by Bay Street Outfitters).
Get more details here.
You can take a peaceful tour of the local waterways via a kayaking tour.
Several outfitters in Beaufort offer this service, including Beaufort Kayak Tours and Beaufort Lands End Paddling.
Go shopping in Beaufort.
There are also some adorable shops in the downtown area, so leave time in your itinerary to check those out.
The Beaufort Candy Shop on 103 W Street Extension offers a dizzying array of candy options, perfect for anyone with a sweet tooth!
At Scout Southern Market at 709 Bay Street, you can shop for casual home decor, stationery, glassware, and apparel.
Don’t forget to grab a signature Sweet Tea Sorbet at their sweet tea bar onsite.
Rustic Pup at 724 Bay Street is your doggie destination of choice in Beaufort.
Here, you can shop for toys, leashes, and treats for your best furry friend.
If you’d like to take some a bit of Beaufort history, head to Bachelor Hill Antiques at 206a Carteret Street.
They have all sorts of unique finds here.
Sit a spell in the bright red rockers outside once you’ve found a treasure or two.
Barefoot Bubba’s at 828 Bay Street will get your family ready for a great day out at the beach.
You can find apparel, flip flops, beach hats, boogie boards and more. The employees also serve up Hershey’s ice cream for a quick treat.
Bay Street Outfitters is a one-stop stop for anyone looking to explore the waters of the Lowcountry.
You’ll be spoiled for choice in the large tackle and bait section, and you can also stock up on fishing shirts, poles, and more.
Monkey’s Uncle at 909 Bay Street will be your kids’ favorite place in Beaufort!
Located at 909 Bay Street, this cute store is packed with stuffed animals, toys, and crafts to keep your kiddo busy.
Learn more about Beaufort's military history at Beaufort National Cemetery.
One of the 155 national cemeteries, this tranquil resting place dates back to 1863.
Like many of the other national cemeteries in this region, it was created out of a need in the Civil War. The area had so many unidentified dead from Confederate prison camps that the army decided to create Beaufort National Cemetery.
In addition to the cemetery’s unknown Union soldiers, the property is also the final resting place of the black men serving in the 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment.
If you’ve seen the movie Glory (1989), you’ll know the inspiring story of these men at their final battle in Charleston.
Another notable person buried here is Pat Conroy’s dad, Colonel Donald Conroy, who was known as “The Great Santini.” This nickname is also the title of one of Pat Conroy’s most famous books and the movie adaptation.
Soak in the coastal wonders at Hunting Island State Park.
Hunting Island State Park Visitors Center
South Carolina’s most visited park is located 25 minutes from downtown Beaufort SC, and it is well worth the drive.
At this beautiful place, you can hike, fish, kayak or camp. There’s also a historic lighthouse to explore and a driftwood beach to explore.
Don’t forget to stop at the visitors center to pick up a map, view the exhibits, and plan your day.
>> EXPLORE MORE OF WHAT HUNTING ISLAND STATE PARK HAS TO OFFER. <<
Catch a drive-in movie.
The Highway 21 Drive-in is the perfect blend of nostalgia and family fun.
As the only drive-in movie theatre in the South Carolina Lowcountry, people come from miles away to experience this fun way to watch a movie.
The property has 3 screens that show a wide variety of new releases, so check the Highway 21 Drive-in Facebook page to see what’s playing while you’re in town.
The concessions stand serves up standards like buttered popcorn and soft drinks.
Patrons can also get fresh burgers, fries, hot dogs, soft pretzels and nachos.
Eat in your car, or sit at one of the picnic tables in the concession stand.
The Best Beaufort SC Restaurants
You've probably worked up quite an appetite after sightseeing, so head into one of Beaufort’s excellent restaurants for lunch or dinner.
PIN ME!
Rain-n-Bagels on 221 Scott Street serves up freshly made bagels and pastries, sandwiches, and coffee for an all day breakfast/brunch experience.
Plum’s at 904 Bay Street provides Southern comforts like burgers, po-boys, salads and shrimp and grits. It has a wonderful view of the river.
Lady’s Island Dockside at 71 Sea Island Parkway is just outside of the downtown area, but worth the drive. Sit outside on the porch for the best views of the marsh and Beaufort, then dive into the wide seafood selection, grilled steaks, or daily Lowcountry boil.
Lowcountry Produce Market and Cafe on 302 Carteret Street is half delicious local food and half shopping experience. The breakfast and lunch selections are delicious and range from eggs Benedict to large salads. Take home bags of granola, jars of local honey, and flavored oils from the market.
Panini’s on the Waterfront at 926 Bay Street offers up Italian fare like brick oven pizza and paninis.
Don't forget to stop by the Chocolate Tree and take home a few of their delicious treats!
Best Places to Stay in Beaufort, South Carolina
There’s so much to do in Beaufort that you’ll want to stay the night to maximize your sightseeing time.
Plus, it’s such a cute place to spend a long weekend!
Even though Beaufort is small, there is a wide variety of accommodations available for every budget and style.
Below, we’re sharing our favorites in different accommodations categories so you can plan your best Beaufort vacation ever.
Best Budget Hotel in Beaufort
Hilton Garden Inn Beaufort
This 3-start hotel has elevated basics for a budget-friendly stay in Beaufort.
It’s conveniently located halfway between downtown Beaufort and Parris Island Marine Recruit Depot, making this hotel a great base for military families visiting Beaufort.
We stayed here one of the weekends we were in town, and liked how easy it was to access everything in the area, and not just the downtown attractions.
>> Book your stay at Hilton Garden Inn Beaufort here. <<
Best Bed and Breakfast in Beaufort SC
Cuthbert House Inn
(source)
You’ll be able to see this B&B from halfway down the block—it’s that big.
This historic home was once the personal residence of a local planter and dates to the early 1700s.
It started its life in a different location, but was moved to its current location on Bay Street before the Civil War.
Unfortunately, the original family was forced to flee as the Union army occupied Beaufort in the Civil War, and it fell into disrepair until the 1960s.
It was revitalized and placed on the National Register of Historic Places in the 1960s, and eventually was opened into the bed and breakfast it is today.
Guests will love the traditionally appointed rooms and curated daily breakfast menus.
The inn is located on Bay Street, so it’s a short walk to anything in the history district.
>> Book your stay at the Cuthbert House Inn here. <<
Quirkiest Accommodations in Downtown Beaufort
City Loft Hotel
Once a drab, standard motel, the City Loft Hotel was revitalized into fun and funky accommodations.
The external corridors are given an upscale treatment with hurricane-style shutters and billowing white curtains.
The rooms are colorful and luxurious, and they’re quiet despite the external corridors.
Our favorite amenity is the free bikes that guests can use to explore the historic district.
>> Book your stay at the City Loft Hotel here. <<
Best 5 Star Hotel in Beaufort
Anchorage 1770
Splurge on a stay that you’ll never forget at this luxurious hotel in the heart of historic Beaufort SC.
Opt for one of the 4 front rooms that come with an unobstructed view of the river!
You should also plan to have a cocktail on the rooftop to watch the sunsets over the marsh. The onsite restaurant serves up gourmet Southern food, so you don’t need to leave the property for your entire stay.
The hotel offers a variety of custom activities including yoga on the wide porches, local fishing expeditions, and onsite couples massages.
>> Book your stay at Anchorage 1770 here. <<
Which of these things to do in Beaufort SC would be on your must-do list?
