Things To Do in Beaufort, South Carolina

We discovered Beaufort several years ago and fell in love with this sweet town! Our first trip was a 2019 family vacation to Hunting Island State Park which is about 20 minutes from downtown. We loved everything about the area that we now own waterfront property in a nearby historic area. You can read all about our property here.

The Joy I feel is Indescribable (but I’ll try for you!)

I wish I could fully describe the joy I feel when I am in Beaufort to you, but you will have to check it out yourself! There is so much to do, yet it doesn’t feel like a tourist attraction. The town and surrounding areas still have that lovely, small town feeling.

Although we’ve been coming for years we still find something new to do every time we visit! Of course we have some tried and true spots which I am sharing with you. If you’ve never been to Beaufort, I’ve compiled a short list of our favorites for you so keep on reading.

Beaufort is Full of History and Charm

The town is loaded in history {which I love!} Beaufort is the second oldest town in South Carolina with Charleston being the first. You can spend an entire day just walking the streets of downtown taking in all the beautiful architecture and history. If you don’t feel like walking you can also rent bikes at the Best Western on Bay Street. The Spanish Moss Trail is close by and winds for 20 miles around the beautiful streets.

The homes in this area are truly STUNNING! One of my favorite things to do is go on a slow drive to enjoy the details. There are several large cemeteries that span from literally every major US conflict in history. Downtown you’ll find numerous shops and restaurants, as well as a waterfront park and yummy ice cream shops for the kiddos. If you’ve never had a Sweet Tea Float, you have to swing by Scout Southern Market!

Our Favorite Places to Eat

We love going to Lowcountry Produce for breakfast and brunch. In a converted old post office, you’ll love the atmosphere. A few other favorite restaurants that we visit often are Dockside on the waterfront {I recommend calling ahead!}. Fishcamp in nearby historic Port Royal is another good one and also on the waterfront. One of the best casual restaurants is Johnson Creek Tavern {our kids love looking at all the dollar bills posted everywhere.}

If you want desserts and coffee {who doesn’t?} we love Lowcountry Cider & Superior Coffee. They actually have two locations, one on Bay Street where you can sip waterside and watch the boats go by in the famous swings of the downtown shopping area of Beaufort. The second location is on St Helena Highway which is a super convenient stop on your way to the amazing beach we discovered this summer. You can grab baked goods or ice cream before or after hunting for sand dollars! Tip: Go early if you want cupcakes because they sell out everyday!

Port Royal Boardwalk and Cypress Wetlands

We enjoy venturing into the nearby town of Port Royal. Some of the best spots to visit are the Cypress Wetlands and the Port Royal Boardwalk and Observation Tower. At the Cypress Wetlands, you’ll see alligators, turtles and a wide variety of birds from a safe distance. The best times to go are in the early morning or at dusk and it’s completely FREE. The Port Royal Boardwalk and Tower are truly stunning at dusk. The sunsets from the top of the tower are some of the most colorful we have seen! The kids can even get in the water and play in the sand or you can just stroll the boardwalk.

Beaufort Beaches

We accidentally found a really fun FREE beach location this past summer! On July 4th we were heading to visit one of our regular favorite spots, Hunting Island State Park, but when we got there the park was full and there was a line a mile long. So we drove a bit further to find a turnaround and turned into the Hunting Island Nature Center. 

I noticed a few people with swimsuits and carts walking down a trail so Mark pulled up his maps and we discovered there was a beach there too! And there’s no charge here! There’s also access to the Nature Center with animals to view and walking trails. The walk to the beach was about .6 miles long- so if you try it, I suggest a beach cart to pull all of your things. 

Hunting Island State Park is a really wonderful beach spot too, but not free. You have to pay for a parking pass to get in, but it’s worth it, especially for a day trip. You can even climb to the top of the lighthouse, {which we all highly recommend}. We usually pack our lunches and stay the whole day! They have a nature center, gift shop, restrooms with showers and picnic tables.

Tours and Excursions

These are some things we plan to try on our next visits.

• Plantations Tours
  • To name a few, Magnolia (amazing gardens), Boone Hall, Middleton Place, Mcleod Plantation, and Drayton Hall. They all offer something a little different!
• Kayak Tours (get up close and personal with the dolphins)
  • Beaufort Kayak Tours
  • Beaufort Land’s End Paddling
  • Higher Ground Kayak and SUP
• Boat Tours which leaves from the Marina
  • Beaufort Dolphin and History Cruise
• Fishing Excursions
  • Cast Away Fishing Charters
• Carriage and/or golf cart tours which share more on the the history of Beaufort
  • Southern Rose Buggy Tours
  • Sea Island Carriage Company Tours

I hope you enjoy your trip to Beaufort as much as we do!

XOXO, Brittany