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For those who’re a fan of the film Forrest Gump, then you definitely’ve in all probability already obtained a good suggestion of what Beaufort, South Carolina, appears to be like like. It’s the place many of the film was filmed, and because it’s depicted within the film, it gives tons of rural Southern allure 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 places.
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 right down to the ocean. The drive into the park in direction of the seashore will transport you to a different time one other place.
This, (and Fripp Island) is the realm the place most 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 somewhat scorching for climbing after we visited, however we did get pleasure from a fast stroll on the boardwalk that goes out over the marshlands to a small island and jetty common for households crabbing.
We selected to calm down on the North Seashore part slightly below the well-known Searching Island Lighthouse. We had infinite house to sit down safely and comfortably and a pod of dolphins selected to swim about 100 meters away from us.
Searching Island Seashore rapidly grew to become certainly one of our favourite seashores on the East Coast and ideal for your loved ones getaway.
Usually, you may climb the lighthouse, which is the one one in South Carolina open for climbing. Examine for present circumstances.
There are additionally campsites and rental cabins on this space.
2. Go to Fripp Island
Fripp Island is probably 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 searching present, and we have been completely satisfied to ship her photographs.
It has 3-miles of Atlantic seashore shoreline and lots of unique seashore entrance houses 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 well-liked the extra remoted Searching Island Seashore.
3. Discover Cypress Wetland Park
Positioned on Port Royal Island, Cypress Wetlands is a surprisingly beautiful Beaufort points of interest and the form of hidden shock you need in your Low-country trip.
A brief boardwalk will take you thru the inexperienced swampland framed by cypress bushes and Spanish moss the place you could find camouflaged alligators and turtles and an plentiful and numerous fowl life.
I don’t suppose I’ve ever seen so many birds in a single space. The prolific snowy white egrets stand out probably the most however you may also spot herons, hawks, eagles, owls, falcons, geese, geese, and different migratory waterfowl.
4. Take a look at The Outdated Level Neighborhood
One of the crucial lovely Southern neighborhoods I’ve seen is The Level neighborhood, simply to the east of downtown Beaufort.
It was the residential summer time enclave of the rich plantation homeowners, as their island marshland houses grew to become too scorching and buggy. Their summer time houses 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 may 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 big stay oak draping itself over the entrance backyard and resting nearly on the roof of the home.
5. Take a horse and buggy tour of The Level (Sea Island Carriage Firm)
Regardless that you could have wandered the streets of The Level by yourself, we advocate you additionally do the horse and buggy tour. It’s in all probability finest to do that carriage tour first for an ideal 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 houses as they owed giant sums of taxes once they lastly returned. They didn’t pay them as they felt they might not have houses to return to.
We additionally realized extra in regards to the individuals who as soon as lived within the houses, people who do now, these utilized in films and TV – similar to Prince of Tides and the Huge Chill – and distinctive options just like the Stairs to Nowhere which might be mentioned by locals to be very haunted.
6. Go to Port Royal Sound Boardwalk and Statement 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 it’s possible you’ll want to browse among the previous shops and historic houses. They’re fairly totally different to the Level’s mansions!
7. Search for Sharks Tooth at Sands Seashore
Do you want looking for a needle in a haystack? Nicely you’ll love in search of Shark Tooth on Sands Seashore.
We visited because it was subsequent door to the boardwalk. We grew bored with it after 5 minutes. Your children might find it irresistible. There have been a number of teams of individuals combing the seashore on the riverbank.
My query, “If that is certainly one of common issues to do in Beaufort, and folks come right here every 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 subsequent model of it. I’ll persist with swimming at Searching Island Seashore 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 the perfect 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 certainly one of my favourite recollections 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’ll be able to 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 below the bushes.
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 every day explorations.
Historic Bay Road is stuffed 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 bike owner, joggers, and walkers. I can see how it could be a enjoyable expertise to have in Beaufort in case you cycled the path and loved the altering panorama.
We have been somewhat 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 may expertise this.
We additionally obtained 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 advocate (primarily based on what we noticed) as the higher possibility because it does take you to marshland views that are fairly.
So, discuss to extra locals and the customer heart peeps and see what you may uncover as the perfect spot for you OR simply journey your bikes alongside all the manner.
12. Study Gullah tradition and meals
The Gullah are a bunch 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 could find 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 some of the vital African American historic and cultural establishments in existence at present.
13. Take a dolphin watching boat tour
For those who’re ever brief wandering what to do in Beaufort SC, then discovering a boat tour is at all times place to start out.
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 Outdated Sheldon Church
For those who’re a historical past buff or photographer, you’ll love the ruins of this church sitting a gorgeous forest of draped bushes and Revolutionary Warfare graves.
It was burnt by British troops throughout the Revolutionary warfare, 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 army heroes.
The cemetery is without doubt one of the few within the South that was particularly established for Union troopers and sailors. As you wander by means of the cemetery, mirror on their legacy and what these heroes died for.
17. Dine at Plums Restaurant
For those who’re visiting Beaufort and unsure the place to eat, then Plums Restaurant is a must-visit.
Positioned on the riverfront, this charming restaurant gives a comfortable and welcoming environment, with indoor and out of doors seating. The menu options quite a lot of dishes impressed by Lowcountry delicacies utilizing recent, domestically sourced substances.
You’ll be able to attempt native seafood, selfmade soups, and grilled meat dishes.
Plums Restaurant is the right spot to sit down 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
For those who’re considering aviation historical past, then it’s possible you’ll need to go to Parris Island, which is house to The Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS).
The air station has a wealthy army 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 warfare 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 below the Chocolate Tree
Sit below the long-lasting tree the place Forrest Gump proclaimed, “life is sort of a field of goodies, you by no means know what you’re goin’ to get.”
The tree is situated at 507 Carteret St, Beaufort. You might must 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 stay 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 in regards to the wealthy historical past and tradition of this distinctive metropolis in Lowcountry.
The museum options interactive reveals, historic artifacts, and informative shows that showcase the realm’s previous, from the primary Native Individuals to the colonial period to the current day.
You’ll be able to study in regards to 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 Individuals who lived in these lands. Life was plentiful for them right here and they didn’t need to go away.
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 will’t change historical past, however we are able to study it and acknowledge those that lived as a part of this land as its custodians and the way they suffered.
21. Take the youngsters to the Kazoobie Kazoo Manufacturing facility
Right here’s a hidden gem in Beaufort that the guidebooks gained’t let you know about! The Kazoobie Kazoo Manufacturing facility is an immersive museum the place you may learn the way kazoos are made by touring the manufacturing unit from begin to end.
Then you can also make your individual kazoo to maintain!
The museum itself can also be enjoyable and quirky with a number of 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 into a part of the vacation spot highlights.
We wished our lodging to be distinctive to the Beaufort expertise, so we stayed at The Beaufort Inn, situated a block away from the principle avenue and river, and the previous Level neighborhood. And it’s solely a brief drive to all different Beaufort points of interest.
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 may keep relying upon your touring group!
There may be the principle pink inn, the historic Smith Wallace Mansion. It was in-built 1897 by William Sidney Smith as a summer time retreat for his household. Kids below 12 can’t keep on this constructing!
The opposite lodging choices embody beautiful, restored cottages and houses and vary from Commonplace resort/inn fashion rooms to these with residing areas and totally outfitted kitchens. We had a two-double bed room in one of many Palmetto Courtyard Queen Rooms.
It was lovely on the surface and we had our personal rocking chairs on the porch and sitting space out entrance with views of the quiet and charming Craven Road – voted most charming avenue within the South by Southern Dwelling Journal!
The rooms have been a normal resort room however superbly embellished and splendidly snug, with an ideal toilet and bathe.
The Beaufort Inn is certainly one of our favourite lodging stays on the East Coast to date. We have been impressed by the worth of this Beaufort lodging. This included the next facilities:
- Breakfast coupons every for 3 totally 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 under.
Is Beaufort, South Carolina Value Visiting?
Beaufort is wealthy in historical past and Gullah heritage, Southern Allure, 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 simply would possibly even discover you may’t go every part you deliberate, which is why it’s an ideal vacation spot to go to as each time you go, there’s one thing new to do.
It was named the South’s finest small city by Southern Dwelling Journal in 2024, and we additionally added it as a worthy vacation spot to go to on our finest USA street journeys listing!
We first visited with my dad and mom in 2010 when Kalyra was solely two and a half, and have been again many instances since. We nonetheless speak about that street 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 lovely).
What number of days do it’s worthwhile to go to Beaufort?
There is no such thing as a finish to a implausible Beaufort trip, and you might simply keep right here for weeks – or without end – and absorb its historical past and the serenity of its pure magnificence and sluggish, candy Low-Nation residing.
However that’s in all probability not the way you journey.
We advocate at the least two nights/three days to get pleasure from the entire highlights in Beaufort SC. Which means in case you left on a Friday afternoon and returned on Sunday afternoon, you might simply make Beaufort a weekend getaway.
Watch us discover Beaufort, SC
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