Beaufort and its sea islands are located along the coast of South Carolina on the Intracoastal Waterway. Enjoy dropping your boat in the water to fish and shrimp or just for a relaxing afternoon at a sandbar at low tide. No boat? No problem. Hop in the car and head to Hunting Island State Park, located between Harbor and Fripp, and enjoy the day at the beach, just don't forget to stop at the Shrimp Shack on the way there. Downtown Beaufort offers a variety of shops, restaurants offering fresh local seafood, and bed & breakfasts for a cozy stay. Make oyster roasts and Frogmore Stew a breeze with local seafood from Sea Eagle Market or Gay Fish Co.
Enjoy Waterfest, a 10 day festival that happens every July right in the heart of downtown. Immerse yourself in the rich history that Beaufort has to offer, it is afterall the second oldest town in South Carolina. Take a carriage tour through The Point and see the historic homes, many of which have been converted to Inns. Take a drive to St. Helena Island and explore the Gullah culture, or drive through Land's End, an area full of Civil War History. Beaufort County is home to many working plantations producing row crops and preserving the land for wildlife. In Yemassee, which sits in the heart of this plantation rich area, you'll find the Old Sheldon Church Ruins - a beautiful church that was burned during the Revolutionary War, rebuilt, and burned again almost 100 years later by General Sherman. Just beyond the ruins, you'll find an active Amtrak train station.
Here you'll likely see some recruits departing the train and heading to Paris Island or the Air Station. If you hear something while in town, look up, it is likely one of our F/A-18s running flight patterns. Locals refer to this as "the sound of freedom." If you're hungry, stop by Harold's Country Club, a best kept secret spot serving up southern food and hospitality. Have everything at your fingertips while still feeling that small town charm. Beaufort is a wonderful place to visit and an even better place to live.
