Beaufort, South Carolina’s elegant county, is well-known for its historical structures. Some are well-preserved, while others are in ruins. However, this does not limit it to being a destination for curious minds and history buffs. It can also be a romantic getaway for couples to relax on the beach, as well as a family vacation for families to educate their children on provincial history through various museums. It has wetlands for bird watchers, ancient ruins for photographers, golf clubs for luxury lifestyle fans, wildlife parks for nature lovers, and even kayaking and paddle boating for adventurers.
If you’re planning a trip there, let me help you with your travel planning. Just keep reading to find the top sights to see and things to do in Beaufort!
Top things to do in Beaufort, South Carolina
Parris Island
One of Beaufort’s oldest structures and the location of the popular film Forrest Gump. Parris Island is famous for its legend golf course, where you can spend time golfing or strolling along the planes watching others play if you are a golf enthusiast. Parris island is also known for housing the oldest structure of Beaufort parris island lighthouse. Before modern technology took over, the old structure, guided ships away from the harbor and on their way to their destination.
The island is also used on a daily basis by the local military base to train recruits. You can watch them go through their routines by clicking here. It makes for an interesting spectacle that most people never see in their lives. It’s a good place to start your journey by watching interesting spectacles, visiting the locations where the film was made, and walking around the planes on a self-guided tour.
Beaufort National Cemetery
You might be wondering how a cemetery is a good place to visit while travelling to a new location? The value of a place does not only belong to its function, but also historical significance, culture, tradition, the story related to it. Beaufort National Cemetery is the burial ground of more than 18,500 soldiers and their families, both servicewomen and men. It is a resting place of both confederate and union soldiers that passed away during the civil war. Some commanders and majors of legendary popularity are also buried in these grounds. I would not like to point their names out, as every life buried there is an honorable veteran, having equally sacrificed for the good of the country.
This place is famous among tourists who value the historical significance of travel attractions. If you are interested in history, or army, you might find this place inspiring to visit at once.
Stand-up kayaking
It never seems to be enough, no matter how many times one visits natural areas. Do you prefer to spend your vacations boating and kayaking rather than visiting tourist attractions? There’s nothing quite like paddling alone in a canoe and taking in the scenery. As you travel through the serpentine wetlands, you will be surrounded by a local ecosystem of birds and critters. Kayaking is a fantastic option for bird watchers and wildlife encounter enthusiasts alike. Along the way, you’ll come across hotspots of animal activity, which you’ll get to see up close and personal like you’ve never seen before.
Beaufort History Museum
The Beaufort History Museum, which opened in 1937, is dedicated to collecting and preserving historical artefacts and documents related to the Beaufort area. The exhibits trace the region’s history from the arrival of the first Aboriginal Americans to the antebellum, civil war, and revolutionary periods. A primary permanent collection and a secondary temporary correction alternate throughout the exhibition. Throughout the year, the museum hosts a variety of events and guided tours. So, if you’re planning a trip here, make sure to check to see if there are any major events scheduled during your visit.
Spanish Moss trail
Although it is known as most trail, the moss under discussion is bromeliad in reality. Unlike Moss bromeliad makes its food from light, dust, fog and rain elements. If you crave hiking, walking, jogging or just slowly biking through national trails, then this is a place of such scenic beauty that will capture your interest. Just rent a bike from nearby services or take a stroll along through the winding trails enjoying beautiful sights. It will be a pity if I got to take pictures of yourself in this scenic route. Take a selfie for Instagram. Show off to your friends. Make this a memory you will not forget.
Watch bottlenose dolphins
For some tourists, kayaking and paddle boarding are two of the most physically demanding activities. So, how about taking a relaxing tour aboard a cruise ship or a rented boat? One of the best things to do in Beaufort is to watch the sunset from the comfort of your cruise ship, either with a romantic companion or with friends, family, or even by yourself. An outing in the great outdoors never fails to improve one’s mood. From your boat, you can see the well-known Morgan Island. To protect the primate colony, the area is closed to the public. You may, however, be able to observe the monkey herds from afar. It can later be used as a conversation starter with your coworkers.
The most popular reason for visitors to come to this area is to see the amazing Bottlenose Dolphins. You might even be able to observe their hunting strategies or watch them interact in groups. Dolphins are known for their intelligence, so they can be quite interactive.
Port Royal Sound Foundation Maritime Center
Some tourists enjoy adventure, while others enjoy museums, wildlife preservation centres, hiking, biking, and shopping. Those interested in maritime diversity may visit this area to learn more about the local maritime fauna. The prehistoric Megladon jaws can be enquired about at the Port Royal sound foundation maritime centre. There is a gift shop where you can purchase items with a nautical theme. Take some photos, show them to your kids and family members, and you’ll have a great storey.
Cypress wetlands
Do you enjoy watching birds? Perhaps someone is just looking for a chance to see some of the area’s more unusual creatures? One of the best things to do in Beaufort is to watch the exotic bird specimens. Observe the cunning white egrets’ hunting strategies, which are plentiful in the area. This is a swarming zone for birdwatchers, tourists, and residents alike, with falcons, hawks, herons, and owls. Take a stroll along the half-mile walking path. Keep an eye out for alligators and snakes. Make it a thrilling journey. Take a self-guided tour of one of Beaufort’s most popular attractions. It’s a great place to be in Beaufort during the right seasons for explorers, adventurers, and outdoor activity enthusiasts.
Golfing
Golfing is something that people are seen doing in their pictures, whether or not they have ever played the game. It usually shows off the golfer’s luxury lifestyle. The Legend Golf Course, located in Beaufort, is one of the best golf courses in the province. Alternatively, if you’re looking for a variety of challenging courses ranging from easy to difficult, consider joining one of the lady’s island golf clubs. It’s a great way to pass the time if you’re touring with colleagues or friends. Remember to take some photos that you can later post to your Instagram feed or frame and hang in your office.
Best Restaurants in Beaufort
If you’re in the mood for some seafood, Lady’s Island Dockside is usually a good choice. This place is always bustling with activity, with outdoor seating arrangements and a reputation for its dessert and southern seafood specialties. It is well-known for its solo dining, extensive tea and coffee menu, and primary focus on the breakfast menu. Blackstone’s Cafe offers a low-cost, high-quality dining experience. Designed in a historic setting and known for its wood-fired pies, authentic Italian cuisine, and unique craft beers. Pizza is the primary focus of Hearth Food Fired Pizza. There is wheelchair access to the entrance, seating, and restrooms.
Hunting Island Lighthouse
A lot of people enjoy looking down on the scenery from a higher vantage point. Going up the staircase to the top of the old lighthouse and taking in the beautiful views of the coastal region is a great way to spend your trip if you’re looking for some adventure. The lighthouse, which is located north of Tybee Island and south of Charleston, was built with iron plates to make it easier to transport the structure and protect it from corrosion. Traveling around the area at night was difficult, and the presence of an official structure, the lighthouse, in 1859, added to the concerns.
The only lighthouse in Beaufort that is open to the public is the Hunting Island Lighthouse. Residents and visitors alike flock to this location. Especially on the weekends, to enjoy the scenery offered from its top and also to spend the day in recreational activities around the area.
St. Phillip Island
Take a trip to St Philip Island by ferry from Hunting Island State Park. The journey can be just as enjoyable as the destination. Mix with the tourists and learn about the different recreational activities you can participate in. Grab a beer and unwind at the beach, take a stroll along the beautiful shores while listening to music, or participate in the fun activities that other tourists are doing. It is one of the province’s most popular beach resorts. The beach is ideal for families, but it’s also a great getaway for couples. For residents and tourists alike, it can be a romantic date with your special someone or a vacation getaway with colleagues and friends.
Old Sheldon church
You might think that a place in ruins is not a place where people would want to visit. But you’d be wrong. The Old Charlotte Church is one of the most popular tourist attractions. It is not only popular among history buffs, but also among photographers. This structure was built in the 1700s, and only a few stone edifices and foundation pillars with engravings remain today. Tourists come here frequently because it is historically significant. Even if you are not particularly interested in history, but rather in taking unique photographs for your social media or private collection, visiting an ancient ruin is a sure way to create a memorable experience.
Beaufort historic district
If you’ve been looking for the best things to do in Beaufort, you’ll find that it’s a place full of well-preserved historical sites. Ask around or look online for guided walking tours of these ancient structures. Maybe you’d prefer a self-guided walking tour. In that case, look for the location of these structures, the best way to get there, and nearby hidden gems on government websites and local blogs. Cuthbert mansion is an example of a historic building in the Beaufort district. It was built in 1811 and later converted into a bread and breakfast inn. Other examples of similar structures include Gibbs House and Jacob Henry House, as well as antebellum era mansions. It will help you truly understand the rich history related to Beaufort.
Explore the hidden gems
The places to visit and things to do in Beaufort listed above are the most well-known. However, if you are looking for unusual things this place has to offer, let me lead you to one of these underappreciated hidden gems. You may be familiar with a variety of musical instruments, some regal, some noble, some trendy and modern, but have you heard of the kazoo?
The oddballs are the triangle, tambourine, and cowbell, which stand slightly off stage and go unnoticed at parties. The kazoo is the lowest of the lower, barely allowed into the music club. The kazoo, also known as the “Down-South Submarine,” is a noble instrument with noble origins. Similar instruments were long used for ceremonial purposes in Africa before being reworked and transformed into the kazoo in the 1840s by African-American Alabama Vest and clockmaker Thaddeus Von Clegg. The Kazoo Museum, which opened in 2007 and is located at the Kazoobie Kazoo Factory in Beaufort, SC, houses a collection of nearly 200 unique kazoo-related items.
The museum, founded by kazoo retailers and enthusiasts Rick Hubbard and Gayle Andrus, displays “kazoos shaped like famous cartoon characters, electric kazoos, and kazoos that are over 100 years old.” The Kazoo Museum takes you on an engaging journey through one of America’s only homegrown instruments, with the goal of bringing a little more respect to the humble kazoo. If you enjoy music or are interested in musical instruments and antiques, I recommend that you visit this location.
