Overview
Beaufort is a coastal town in the Low Country of South Carolina.
5 sights · 5 things to do · 4 places to eat · 4 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Beaufort
MCRD Parris Island
It is a military base located about 5 mi south of Beaufort. It is famous for being the place where most Marines are trained. Recruits graduate every Friday, with a Marine Day (a day to learn about the Marine Corps) on We…
John Mark Verdier House
Reconstruction Era National Historical Park
The Beaufort area came under the control of the Union Army in November 1861. As a result, it was one of the first places in the United States where emancipated slaves voted, bought property and created churches, schools …
Fort Fremont
The fort and battery is historically significant as an example of late 19th- and early 20th-century military architecture and as one of two surviving coastal fortifications in the United States intact from the Spanish–Am…
Beaufort History Museum
In a 1700s arsenal building.
ARTworks
The arts council of Beaufort, Port Royal, and the Sea Islands This non-profit community arts center has a black box theater, resident artists working in their studios, and an Arts & Travel app guide to the area.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Sep–May. Summer highs reach about 92°F; winter lows dip to about 40°F. Very hot (Jul, Aug) — plan outdoor time for mornings. Wettest: Aug and Jul. (climate data from nearby Golden Corner)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- HHH Hilton Head Airport, Hilton Head Island — 14 mi away. Directions
- SAV Savannah Hilton Head International Airport, Savannah — 37 mi away (major hub). Directions
The closest airport to Beaufort is the Hilton Head Airport (HHH), which is 14.3 mi south of Beaufort (keep in mind you can't go direct). However, the service is sparse. The Savannah-Hilton Head International Airport (SAV) is 37.5 mi southwest of Beaufort. It has commercial service to all of the major U.S. airline hubs. Charleston International Airport (CHS) is 49 mi northeast of Beaufort. It has more commercial service than Savannah and Hilton Head.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 2-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning MCRD Parris Island, The Sands, Cypress Wetlands
- Lunch Magnolia Café, Bakery, and Garden Gift Gallery
- Afternoon John Mark Verdier House, Beaufort History Museum
- Dinner Ladys Island Dockside
Day 2
- Morning Fort Fremont, ARTworks
- Lunch The Fillin' Station
- Afternoon Beaufort River Tours
- Dinner Saltus River Grill
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
Beaufort is located on Port Royal Island, in the heart of the Low Country of South Carolina. The city is renowned for its scenic location and for maintaining a historic character by preservation of its antebellum architecture. The city is also known for its military establishments, being close to the U.S. Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island and a U.S. naval hospital, in addition to being home of the Marine Corps Air Station (Beaufort).
European contact with the Beaufort area traces back to 1514 when Spanish Captain Diego Guilarte de Salazar arrived, becoming the 2nd landing of Europeans in North America. Further, Beaufort was founded in 1711 and thereby lays claim to being the 2nd oldest city in South Carolina, behind Charleston. Much of its architecture from days gone by, like over 70 structures, is preserved on the National Register of Historic Places. During the Civil War, it was captured fairly early by Union forces and, a bit ironically, became a refuge for escaped slaves, after serving so long as a center for slave trade and place of profit for Lowcountry planters.
The city has been featured in the New York Times, and named "Best Small Southern Town" by Southern Living, a "Top 25 Small City Arts Destination" by American Style, and a "Top 50 Adventure Town" by National Geographic Adventure.
Most scenes of the 1994 film Forrest Gump were shot around Beaufort. While much of the plot is set in Alabama with Gump growing up in a fictional town called Greenbow, the visual and cultural themes of the film are typical to the Deep South in general.
Get in
By plane
The closest airport to Beaufort is the Hilton Head Airport (HHH), which is 14.3 mi south of Beaufort (keep in mind you can't go direct). However, the service is sparse. The Savannah-Hilton Head International Airport (SAV) is 37.5 mi southwest of Beaufort. It has commercial service to all of the major U.S. airline hubs. Charleston International Airport (CHS) is 49 mi northeast of Beaufort. It has more commercial service than Savannah and Hilton Head.
By road
Interstate 95 passes right north of Beaufort. Beaufort can easily be accessed via the exits for U.S. Route 278 and U.S. Route 17 on I-95.
By train
The Yemassee Amtrak station is served twice a day-once by the nighttime Silver Meteor, which goes down to Miami and up to New York City, and once by the daytime Palmetto, which goes on the same basic route as the Silver Meteor, except it ends at Savannah.
By bus
Get around
See
Historic Beaufort Foundation (HBF) has worked hard to preserve the fabulous architecture you will see, and offers lectures and events throughout the year.
See MCRD Parris Island
It is a military base located about 5 mi south of Beaufort. It is famous for being the place where most Marines are trained. Recruits graduate every Friday, with a Marine Day (a day to learn about the Marine Corps) on Wednesday and Family Day (a day for the families of the recruits to spend time with their recruits) on Thursday. Families are invited to each day, but keep in mind that it is a military base. Families of recruits will need their invitation, a valid driver's license, vehicle registration, and a proof of insurance to be able to enter. Families must also sign in at the Visitor's Center prior to the ceremony. In addition, there is a museum and a golf course, both of which civilians can come to invitation or not.
See Reconstruction Era National Historical Park
The Beaufort area came under the control of the Union Army in November 1861. As a result, it was one of the first places in the United States where emancipated slaves voted, bought property and created churches, schools and businesses.
See Fort Fremont
The fort and battery is historically significant as an example of late 19th- and early 20th-century military architecture and as one of two surviving coastal fortifications in the United States intact from the Spanish–American War era. Today the fort is a Historical Preserve. Only the 10-inch battery, the rapid-fire battery, and the brick hospital built in 1906 survive. All the other structures were made of wood and were demolished at various points before 1989.
Do
Do Taste of Beaufort
This three day festival celebrates Beaufort's culinary treasures. Local restaurants showcase spectacular tasting menus along Beaufort's historic Bay Street. Additional events include an Earth Day celebration, wine tasting, and contests. Musical acts are showcased throughout the festival with free concerts on festival stages and in other venues throughout downtown. The festival takes place in late April and is hosted by Main Street Beaufort, USA.
Do Beaufort River Tours
24-passenger carriage-boat, Prince of Tides, which rides from the Downtown Marina of Beaufort passing through the historic Old Point neighborhood to Pleasant Point Plantation Tour guides provide information for the passengers about the homes, the ecology, and wildlife. Dolphins are usually seen during tour. 1hr 20 min tours for $18, kids under 12 for $12. Daily tours are available, either public or private.
Eat
Eat Magnolia Café, Bakery, and Garden Gift Gallery
The menu offers deli sandwiches made from the finest deli meat, daily homemade soups, and crab cakes. Dine with a view of the scenic bay. It won “Best Bakery”, 2001 Reader’s Choice Award, The Beaufort Gazette’s Reader’s Choice Award, and featured on Carolina Morning News (1999).
Eat Ladys Island Dockside
They make a little honey cornbread there. Such pretty views over the estuary and bay.
Eat The Fillin' Station
More budget priced eatery overlooking the watery channels.
Eat Saltus River Grill
This one should really help to make your pocketbook a little lighter.
Sleep
Stay The Beaufort Inn
In the heart of the historic district. The inn offers activities, fine dining, and close proximity to the Atlantic Ocean.
Nearby
Bluffton
City / town · 7 listings · 17 mi away
Ridgeland
City / town · 1 listings · 17 mi away
Hilton Head Island
City / town · 29 listings · 18 mi away
Tybee Island
City / town · 19 listings · 31 mi away
Seabrook Island
City / town · 32 mi away
Savannah
City / town · 116 listings · 34 mi away
Port Wentworth
City / town · 2 listings · 34 mi away
Kiawah Island
City / town · 7 listings · 37 mi away
My experience
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