Beaufort, South Carolina

In Beaufort, the tide sets the pace. Twice a day the marsh grass along the Beaufort River floods silver and drains to gold, shrimp boats slip past the swing bridge, and Spanish moss sways from live oaks that were already old when the antebellum mansions of the Point were built. Bay Street's shops and cafes open onto a waterfront park where porch swings face the river.

Founded in 1711, Beaufort is South Carolina's second-oldest city, and its layered story of planters, the Civil War, Reconstruction and Gullah Geechee culture is told in its streets and on the Sea Islands around it. It is our Editor's Pick for slow Lowcountry travel any time of year.

Why is Beaufort, South Carolina worth visiting?

Beaufort offers a compact, walkable historic district, deep Lowcountry scenery and nationally significant history, without the crowds of larger coastal cities. It sits roughly between Charleston and Savannah, so it also makes a relaxed base for exploring the region.

The historic district is full of 18th and 19th century homes, many shaded by grand live oaks. The surrounding Sea Islands, including St. Helena, Lady's Island and Hunting Island, add beaches, farms, marsh creeks and Gullah heritage sites.

When is the best time to visit Beaufort?

Spring and fall are ideal, with warm days and comfortable evenings. Winters are typically mild, making Beaufort a pleasant off-season escape, while summers are hot and humid.

• Spring: Azaleas and other blooms brighten gardens and historic homes, and outdoor dining is at its best.
• Summer: Beach days on Hunting Island, boating and paddling in early mornings and evenings, and a lively waterfront.
• Fall: Warm water lingers, humidity eases and the marsh takes on golden tones. It is a favorite season for kayaking and walking tours.
• Winter: Mild weather for strolling, biking and birding, with fewer visitors and holiday decorations along Bay Street.

What are the top things to do in Beaufort?

Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park

Stretching along the Beaufort River beside Bay Street, the park has lawns, a marina, river views and its famous swings. It hosts many of the city's festivals and events.

The Point and the historic district

Walk or take a guided carriage, trolley or walking tour through the Point, where some of Beaufort's largest and oldest homes stand beneath sprawling oaks. Many of the streetscapes have appeared in films.

Reconstruction Era National Historical Park

This national park tells the story of Reconstruction, the period after the Civil War when formerly enslaved people pursued freedom, education and civil rights. Its sites include locations in downtown Beaufort and Penn Center on St. Helena Island.

Penn Center and St. Helena Island

Penn School, founded in 1862, was one of the first schools in the South for formerly enslaved people. Today Penn Center is a cultural center dedicated to preserving Gullah Geechee history and heritage.

Hunting Island State Park

About a half-hour drive from downtown, this barrier island park offers miles of beach, maritime forest, marsh trails and its historic lighthouse. Check the park's website for current lighthouse access.

Where should you eat and stay in Beaufort?

Lowcountry cooking is the draw: local shrimp, oysters in season, she-crab soup, shrimp and grits and Frogmore stew, also known as Lowcountry boil. Bay Street and the surrounding blocks have waterfront restaurants, cafes and casual seafood spots.

Downtown Beaufort is also an easy place to linger: browse galleries and bookshops on Bay Street, watch the shrimp boats come in, or take a kayak or boat tour into the tidal creeks to look for dolphins, herons and egrets. Sunset from the waterfront swings is a nightly ritual for locals and visitors alike.

Lodging includes historic inns and bed-and-breakfasts in the historic district, hotels, vacation rentals on the Sea Islands and camping at Hunting Island State Park.

How do you get to Beaufort?

Beaufort is reached via U.S. 21 from Interstate 95. Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport is about an hour's drive, Charleston International Airport about an hour and a half, and the smaller Hilton Head Island Airport is closer still.

Plan your visit

• Official visitor site: BeaufortSC.org for tours, events, dining and lodging in Beaufort and Port Royal
• History: Reconstruction Era National Historical Park for sites and programs
• Best for: history, Lowcountry food, kayaking and mild winter getaways

Find more Editor's Pick guides in our destinations directory, or browse more historic and cultural travel.