Welcome to Beaufort, SC in the heart of the Lowcountry. Founded in 1711, this charming harbor town located on Port Royal Island boasts exquisitely preserved antebellum architecture and a downtown designated in its entirety as a historic district.
Here is a place abounding in wildlife and natural beauty with rivers, streams, and marshlands where daily life revolves around the ebb and flow of the tides. It is a road less traveled into one of our country’s last unspoiled places, rich in folklore, history, and spectacular beauty.
Tidalhom (The Big Chill House)
Not surprisingly, Hollywood filmmakers adore Beaufort. Its formal houses and gardens bordered by rivers, salt marsh, and sky became settings for films like The Big Chill, Forrest Gump, The Prince of Tides, and G.I. Jane. This grand old Southern town has maintained her magical charms of yesteryear with history and warmth as piquant as her beloved Frogmore Stew.
While the tide surges twice daily to every corner of Beaufort County, it continues to insulate and distinguish the area from other counties within the state. This very isolation has forged Beaufort’s strong and unique character. The tide’s bounty is legendary. Shrimp, oysters, and crabs have sustained this area for generations, elevating Beaufort County to
prominence, and making it the “Jewel of the Lowcountry.” It doesn’t take long to feel the connection between the people, their land, the river, and its history.
Miles of white sandy beaches and tons of outdoor adventures to choose from will round out your visit. Also, just across the swing bridge on St. Helena Island sits Penn Center, one of the nation’s first schools for formerly enslaved individuals, and an important center of Gullah-Geechee culture. There’s a museum on the grounds depicting the unique history of this region.
Beaufort Carriage Tour
Activities in Beaufort
Beaufort sightseeing tours offer an ideal introduction to the area’s rich history. Take a walking tour or horse-drawn carriage tour for a great overview of the town and re-live the past through the narration of professional guides. Many of Beaufort’s historic homes also offer tours, opening their doors to visitors at certain times throughout the year.
Golf
In Beaufort, golf is a way of life for many. With dozens of world-class courses, public links, and championship layouts, the area serves as a paradise for golfers of all skill levels.
https://www.beaufortsc.org/things-to-do/golf/
The Legends at Parris Island – The par-72 course features challenging fairways, tough greens, deep sand traps, and vast ponds. Each of the holes on this scenic course is named after an important leader in Southern history.
Pleasant Point Plantation – regarded as one of the best courses near Beaufort, known for its unparalleled golf experience. Each of the rigorous 18 holes presents a challenge, including deep ponds, large sand traps, and Bermuda grass fairways.
Olde Beaufort Golf Club- The golf club is equipped with a driving range and putting greens for practice. It opened its doors in 1970 and offers 18 holes.
Catching Cobia
Fishing and Boat Rentals
Reel in the big one in Beaufort or get out on the water to relax and enjoy the coast from a whole new perspective. https://www.beaufort.com/activities/fishing-boat-rentals/
Arts and Museums
Beaufort is widely known as one of our country’s most charming art towns, With plenty of artists and artisans who call Beaufort home, the downtown area boasts a number of art galleries and historic museums.
https://www.beaufort.com/activities/arts-museums/
The Pat Conroy Literary Center educates and inspires a community of readers, writers, and teachers. Beaufort honors one of America’s best-loved writers as it continues Pat Conroy’s courageous and generous-hearted legacy as a teacher, mentor, advocate, and friend to storytellers everywhere.
https://patconroyliterarycenter.org/
Relaxing on the Sandbar
Family Fun
Beaufort offers family-friendly fun all year round. This charming coastal town has plenty of activities for children of all ages. Rent a bike, enjoy the beach, explore a state park, or relax on a porch swing overlooking the waterfront. The fun never stops in Beaufort, SC!
~Written by Pat Branning