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In the event you’re a fan of the film Forrest Gump, you then’ve most likely already bought a good suggestion of what Beaufort, South Carolina, appears like. It’s the place many of the film was filmed, and because it’s depicted within the film, it affords tons of rural Southern appeal and laid-back vibes.
Regardless of being a metropolis, it has a small city vibe that’s removed from sleepy, and also you’ll discover loads of issues to do in Beaufort South Carolina in addition to touring movie areas.
Well-known for its beautiful South Carolina coast and sea islands, antebellum mansions and nineteenth century structure, in addition to scrumptious seafood and beautiful seashores, Beaufort has a lot to supply…
1. Relax at Searching Island State Park
Welcome to an unspoiled forest of palmettos and pines main you all the way down to the ocean. The drive into the park in direction of the seaside will transport you to a different time one other place.
This, (and Fripp Island) is the realm the place lots of the Vietnam Warfare scenes have been filmed for Forrest Gump. You’ll discover as quickly as you enter the jungle on one aspect and the marsh fields on the opposite, the sea-grass wanting suspiciously like rice paddies.
This 5,000-acre protected park has 8 miles of well-maintained trails.
It was just a little scorching for mountain climbing after we visited, however we did take pleasure in a fast stroll on the boardwalk that goes out over the marshlands to a small island and jetty fashionable for households crabbing.
We selected to chill out on the North Seaside part just below the well-known Searching Island Lighthouse. We had infinite house to take a seat safely and comfortably and a pod of dolphins selected to swim about 100 meters away from us.
Searching Island Seaside shortly grew to become one among our favourite seashores on the East Coast and excellent for your loved ones getaway.
Usually, you’ll be able to climb the lighthouse, which is the one one in South Carolina open for climbing. Test for present situations.
There are additionally campsites and rental cabins on this space.
2. Go to Fripp Island
Fripp Island is essentially the most westward of South Carolina’s barrier islands and is subsequent door to Searching Island. We visited as a result of Mum loves the Fripp Island home looking present, and we have been completely happy to ship her images.
It has 3-miles of Atlantic seaside shoreline and plenty of unique seaside entrance properties and lodging, in addition to a Golf resort.
It was busy right here with vacationers and guests zipping round on golf carts over the July 4th weekend. We a lot most popular the extra remoted Searching Island Seaside.
3. Discover Cypress Wetland Park
Situated on Port Royal Island, Cypress Wetlands is a surprisingly beautiful Beaufort sights and the type of hidden shock you need in your Low-country trip.
A brief boardwalk will take you thru the inexperienced swampland framed by cypress timber and Spanish moss the place you will discover camouflaged alligators and turtles and an plentiful and numerous hen life.
I don’t assume I’ve ever seen so many birds in a single space. The prolific snowy white egrets stand out essentially the most however you too can spot herons, hawks, eagles, owls, falcons, geese, geese, and different migratory waterfowl.
4. Take a look at The Previous Level Neighborhood
Some of the stunning Southern neighborhoods I’ve seen is The Level neighborhood, simply to the east of downtown Beaufort.
It was the residential summer season enclave of the rich plantation house owners, as their island marshland properties grew to become too scorching and buggy. Their summer season properties caught the breezes off the river.
Stay Oaks with their dripping Spanish moss drape collectively forming a cover of the streets and a cooler place so that you can stroll and admire the stately antebellum mansion.
Seize a self-guided strolling tour map from the Customer Middle so you’ll be able to study extra of the historical past and tales behind them.
Don’t miss the spectacular views over the marshlands on the finish of among the laneways. Followers of the Huge Chill will love seeing the home from the film.
It was my favourite alongside the one above with the large reside oak draping itself over the entrance backyard and resting virtually on the roof of the home.
5. Take a horse and buggy tour of The Level (Sea Island Carriage Firm)
Though you might have wandered the streets of The Level by yourself, we suggest you additionally do the horse and buggy tour. It’s most likely greatest to do that carriage tour first for a terrific overview of Beaufort!
The commentary brings to life this space by sharing Beaufort’s distinctive historical past throughout the Civil Warfare, because it was one of many solely cities not burned by Sherman’s advancing military.
After the locals all fled their antebellum mansions in worry, Sherman determined to take them over for this troops and switch them into Union hospitals.
He freed the slaves – of which they far outnumbered the locals – and employed them to work within the hospitals. Many have been capable of purchase their masters properties as they owed giant sums of taxes once they lastly returned. They didn’t pay them as they felt they’d not have properties to return to.
We additionally realized extra concerning the individuals who as soon as lived within the properties, those who do now, these utilized in films and TV – resembling Prince of Tides and the Huge Chill – and distinctive options just like the Stairs to Nowhere which are mentioned by locals to be very haunted.
6. Go to Port Royal Sound Boardwalk and Remark Tower
A simple exercise in Beaufort you are able to do on a overcast day is stroll the Level Royal Island boardwalk, which results in an statement tower.
I loved the view from up right here. You could possibly simply mix this with a go to to Cypress Wetlands and Fish Camp.
There’s a small historic space on Port Royal the place you could want to browse among the previous shops and historic properties. They’re fairly completely different to the Level’s mansions!
7. Search for Sharks Tooth at Sands Seaside
Do you want looking for a needle in a haystack? Properly you’ll love on the lookout for Shark Tooth on Sands Seaside.
We visited because it was subsequent door to the boardwalk. We grew uninterested in it after 5 minutes. Your children might find it irresistible. There have been a number of teams of individuals combing the seaside on the riverbank.
My query, “If that is one among fashionable issues to do in Beaufort, and folks come right here each day, and probably discover sharks enamel, simply what does that say about what number of sharks are within the space?”
No, Jaws was not filmed right here, however in Martha’s Winery. Maybe the following model of it. I’ll stick with swimming at Searching Island Seaside with the dolphins as an alternative.
8. Benefit from the sundown and seafood at Fishcamp on eleventh
Sundown dinner at Fishcamp on 11th on Port Royal Island was our greatest native’s tip.
We get so a lot of our recommendations on issues to do from the locals. They typically know the place to search out one of the best sunsets and how one can pair that with a scrumptious meal!
Fish Camp checked off all of the bins. After a ten-minute wait, we discovered ourselves at entrance row tables within the screened in porch overlooking the shrimp boats. Our seafood dish was recent native and scrumptious – attempt the stuffed flounder.
Our sundown was cancelled after a fast glimpse of its vibrant orange hues and brought over by a dramatic rolling thunderstorm, which surpassed all epicness of a sundown.
It was one among my favourite reminiscences and experiences of our time in Beaufort. To see the uncooked and fierce aspect of Mom Nature could be very humbling.
9. Dine with sundown marina views at Dockside
Simply over the bridge from downtown Beaufort is the Dockside Restaurant on Girl’s Island.
You possibly can sit inside close to giant home windows or within the screened in porch to catch the views over Girl Island Marina and the waterways. There may be additionally outdoors seating for drinks and corn-hole beneath the timber.
Chow down on crab, shrimp, mussels, and domestically caught fish. As Aussies we all know good seafood and I used to be so impressed by the standard of the seafood in Beaufort.
10. Stroll round Downtown Beaufort’s Historic District
It’s straightforward to amble the streets of Downtown Beaufort in between your each day explorations.
Historic Bay Avenue is crammed with native shops and galleries, upscale and informal eating places – many with Beaufort river views and al fresco eating.
The Henry C Chambers Waterfront Park is a well-liked gathering spot and place to walk with views of the marsh islands and intersecting waterways.
11. Bike the Spanish Moss Path
This 10-mile rail to path paved path is a favourite for bicycle owner, joggers, and walkers. I can see how it could be a enjoyable expertise to have in Beaufort if you happen to cycled the path and loved the altering panorama.
We have been just a little underwhelmed, largely as a result of we have been anticipating a path lined with Spanish Moss. Apparently, the path takes you thru neighborhoods the place you’ll be able to expertise this.
We additionally bought caught in a rainstorm so didn’t get to see a lot. We began on the Depot Path Head near downtown and turned proper to go north.
We got here again later and turned left, which we suggest (primarily based on what we noticed) as the higher choice because it does take you to marshland views that are fairly.
So, discuss to extra locals and the customer middle peeps and see what you’ll be able to uncover as one of the best spot for you OR simply journey your bikes alongside your entire means.
12. Study Gullah tradition and meals
The Gullah are a gaggle of African American individuals who settled within the Low South. We discovered many of the Gullah tradition was totally on St Helena Island, however you will discover extra details about them within the Penn Middle.
Penn Middle is the positioning of one of many nation’s first colleges for freed slaves and probably the most important African American historic and cultural establishments in existence as we speak.
13. Take a dolphin watching boat tour
In the event you’re ever quick wandering what to do in Beaufort SC, then discovering a boat tour is at all times a great place to begin.
Not solely is it enjoyable, however you additionally get to see among the areas native wildlife.
14. Take a kayak tour of the river
Take a kayak out onto the realm’s rivers and estuaries and witness Beaufort’s magnificence up shut. We now have paddle boards so would like to take them out too!
15. Go to Previous Sheldon Church
In the event you’re a historical past buff or photographer, you’ll love the ruins of this church sitting a fantastic forest of draped timber and Revolutionary Warfare graves.
It was burnt by British troops throughout the Revolutionary conflict, after which plundered by Union troops on the finish of the civil Warfare after it was rebuilt in 1826.
16. Stroll round Beaufort Nationwide Cemetery
That is one of the oldest United States Nationwide Cemeteries. The cemetery dates again to the Civil Warfare period and options meticulously maintained grounds, monuments, and memorials, honoring the sacrifices and repair of America’s navy heroes.
The cemetery is among the few within the South that was particularly established for Union troopers and sailors. As you wander by the cemetery, replicate on their legacy and what these heroes died for.
17. Dine at Plums Restaurant
In the event you’re visiting Beaufort and undecided the place to eat, then Plums Restaurant is a must-visit.
Situated on the riverfront, this charming restaurant affords a comfy and welcoming ambiance, with indoor and out of doors seating. The menu options a wide range of dishes impressed by Lowcountry delicacies utilizing recent, domestically sourced components.
You possibly can attempt native seafood, do-it-yourself soups, and grilled meat dishes.
Plums Restaurant is the right spot to take a seat again and dine on beautiful meals whereas having fun with the peaceable and tranquil ambiance of the riverside space of Beaufort.
18. Tour the Parris Island Museum and The Marine Corps Air Station
In the event you’re fascinated by aviation historical past, then you could wish to go to Parris Island, which is house to The Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS).
The air station has a wealthy navy historical past and performed an important function in World Warfare II, the Korean Warfare, and the Gulf Warfare.
Guests to Parris Island can tour the Parris Island Museum, which is a conflict memorial museum detailing the areas marine historical past. Together with a go to to the museum, can tour behind the scenes of the bottom by advance reservation.
19. Sit beneath the Chocolate Tree
Sit beneath the enduring tree the place Forrest Gump proclaimed, “life is sort of a field of candies, you by no means know what you’re goin’ to get.”
The tree is situated at 507 Carteret St, Beaufort. You might have to queue as much as get a photograph on this iconic filming location.
20. Step again in time at Beaufort Historical past Museum
Beaufort is an beautiful and serene small historic metropolis immersed in a forest of historical reside oaks and surrounded by marshlands, islands, waterways, and the Atlantic Ocean. To not point out it’s South Carolina’s second-oldest metropolis.
The Beaufort Historical past Museum is the right place for historical past buffs to study concerning the wealthy historical past and tradition of this distinctive metropolis in Lowcountry.
The museum options interactive displays, historic artifacts, and informative shows that showcase the realm’s previous, from the primary Native People to the colonial period to the current day.
You possibly can study concerning the Gullah folks, who’ve lived within the area for hundreds of years, in addition to discover the affect of the Civil Warfare and Spanish American Warfare on the realm.
A quick historical past of Beaufort
Again in 1562, the French explorer Jean Ribault claimed the Port Royal Harbor and arrange a settlement on Paris Island.
This makes this space older than Jamestown in Virginia by 45 years and St Augustine in Florida by three years.
Throughout this time interval, the Spanish additionally tried to colonize this space bordering the second deepest pure harbor on the East Coast, and the British got here later.
All failed due to the fierce protection of the Yamasee folks, the Native People who lived in these lands. Life was plentiful for them right here and they didn’t wish to depart.
Sadly, as our unhappy historical past goes, the English formally chartered Beaufort in 1711, turning it right into a ship constructing hub and pushing the Yamasee out into North Florida with the Seminoles.
We are able to’t change historical past, however we will study it and acknowledge those that lived as a part of this land as its custodians and the way they suffered.
21. Take the children to the Kazoobie Kazoo Manufacturing unit
Right here’s a hidden gem in Beaufort that the guidebooks received’t inform you about! The Kazoobie Kazoo Manufacturing unit is an immersive museum the place you’ll be able to learn the way kazoos are made by touring the manufacturing facility from begin to end.
Then you may make your personal kazoo to maintain!
The museum itself can be enjoyable and quirky with numerous art work and installations that includes a kazoo. My favourite factor within the museum is a big American flag made out of kazoos!
The place to remain in Beaufort: The Beaufort Inn
As a result of Beaufort is a captivating historic Southern metropolis, your lodging can turn out to be a part of the vacation spot highlights.
We needed our lodging to be distinctive to the Beaufort expertise, so we stayed at The Beaufort Inn, situated a block away from the primary road and river, and the previous Level neighborhood. And it’s solely a brief drive to all different Beaufort sights.
The Beaufort Inn is unfold out over a number of blocks of guesthouses, manicured gardens, and communal sitting areas.
There are a number of choices for the place you’ll be able to keep relying upon your touring group!
There may be the primary pink inn, the historic Smith Wallace Mansion. It was in-built 1897 by William Sidney Smith as a summer season retreat for his household. Kids beneath 12 can not keep on this constructing!
The opposite lodging choices embrace beautiful, restored cottages and houses and vary from Commonplace lodge/inn fashion rooms to these with residing areas and absolutely outfitted kitchens. We had a two-double bed room in one of many Palmetto Courtyard Queen Rooms.
It was stunning on the skin and we had our personal rocking chairs on the porch and sitting space out entrance with views of the quiet and charming Craven Avenue – voted most charming road within the South by Southern Residing Journal!
The rooms have been an ordinary lodge room however fantastically embellished and splendidly snug, with a terrific rest room and bathe.
The Beaufort Inn is one among our favourite lodging stays on the East Coast to this point. We have been impressed by the worth of this Beaufort lodging. This included the next facilities:
- Breakfast coupons every for 3 completely different eating places close by
- Complementary entrance passes to Searching Island State Park – the most effective issues to do in Beaufort SC
- Pool passes to Cat Island Swimming pools
- Free bike rental
Watch our video overview of the Beaufort Inn beneath.
Is Beaufort, South Carolina Price Visiting?
Beaufort is wealthy in historical past and Gullah heritage, Southern Appeal, pure magnificence, and scrumptious native seafood, so sure, it’s value visiting.
There are such a lot of historic, cultural, and out of doors journey experiences in Beaufort, that you just may even discover you’ll be able to’t go all the things you deliberate, which is why it’s a terrific vacation spot to go to as each time you go, there’s one thing new to do.
It was named the South’s greatest small city by Southern Residing Journal in 2024, and we additionally added it as a worthy vacation spot to go to on our greatest USA highway journeys record!
We first visited with my dad and mom in 2010 when Kalyra was solely two and a half, and have been again many occasions since. We nonetheless speak about that highway journey between right here and the opposite Beaufort in North Carolina.
Up there in NC they pronounce it Bowfort (as in bow tie), which is the English pronunciation. Down right here, they pronounce it Beaufort (as in stunning).
What number of days do you want to go to Beaufort?
There isn’t any finish to a unbelievable Beaufort trip, and you would simply keep right here for weeks – or eternally – and take in its historical past and the serenity of its pure magnificence and gradual, candy Low-Nation residing.
However that’s most likely not the way you journey.
We suggest no less than two nights/three days to take pleasure in all the highlights in Beaufort SC. Meaning if you happen to left on a Friday afternoon and returned on Sunday afternoon, you would simply make Beaufort a weekend getaway.
Watch us discover Beaufort, SC
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