Beaufort

Welcome to Beaufort

A classic southern town surrounded by beautiful islands

Beaufort is a town in South Carolina, situated between Savannah to the southwest and Charleston to the northeast. As the second-oldest city in South Carolina, Beaufort is brimming with history dating back to the 1700s. It has strong ties to the military, with access to the Parris Island Marine Corps training site, a naval hospital, and an air station. The town’s historic district highlights some of the most charming homes in Federal, Greek Revival, and Antebellum styles.

What to Love

• Five miles west of St. Helena Island
• Many restaurants to choose from 
• Multiple annual festivals including the Beaufort International Film Festival, the Gullah Festival, and the Annual Festival of Trees
• Only an hour from Savannah and an hour and a half from Charleston
  

Local Lifestyle

Beaufort combines coastal charm with deep roots in South Carolina history. A primarily residential town, Beaufort is surrounded by Sea Islands like Parris Island, Lady’s Island, and St. Helena. Though the town is small with just under 13,500 residents, it stays busy and connected through annual festivals celebrating the local cuisine and culture.

Dining, Entertainment & Shopping

For the best dining in Beaufort, head to the Griffin Market, a Northern Italian restaurant on Carteret Street serving classic dinner entrees and a prix fixe menu on Sundays. When you are craving a fine steak or fresh seafood, Saltus River Grill on Bay Street is known for its upscale atmosphere and high-quality ingredients. Breakwater Restaurant & Bar is perfect for those wanting traditional southern cuisine, and the Old Bull Tavern is a New American style gastropub on West Street.

For entertainment in Beaufort, the USCB Center for the Arts puts on top theater productions, movies, and art exhibitions for locals to enjoy. Concerts and live music are available year-round, with big names featured in the city’s Concert in the Park series. For those interested in local history, Tales of the Lowcountry provides historic and ghost tours for Beaufort residents and visitors alike.

For shopping, Beaufort has a number of quintessential southern boutiques like It’s Retail Therapy and Beaufort Belle Co. For more options, the Beaufort Town Center is a larger shopping mall in town.

Things to Do

Beaufort has multiple annual festivals and events, from the Beaufort Shrimp Festival in October, where visitors can sample fresh-caught shrimp served in unique recipes to the Beaufort Water Festival with arts and crafts, sports, and entertainment.

Beaufort is also home to the Parris Island Museum, as the city is just over 20 minutes away from the Marine Corps recruit depot. Stop by the museum to learn what it takes to become a Marine at Parris Island, where more than 20,000 recruits go to complete boot camp each year. The museum offers tours and Marine Corps paraphernalia, as well as events and programs.

To explore a different kind of history, at the St. Helena Island you can find the Penn Center, which serves as a trade school, retreat center, and now a museum educating the community on Penn’s ground-breaking history.

In addition to its festivals and museums, Beaufort has several parks, trails, and golf courses to enjoy. The semi-private Olde Beaufort Golf Club is considered one of the best in the city, with lush greens and tees that fit all skill levels. 

Schools

Beaufort, South Carolina, is served by the Beaufort County School District.

• Okatie Elementary School, [PK-5], [ranked #1 in the district]
• Riverview Charter School, [K-8], [ranked #2 in the district]
• Coosa Elementary School, [PK-5], [ranked #3 in the district]
• Beaufort Academy, [PK-12], [private college preparatory school]

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