The "Queen of the Carolina Sea Islands" is Beaufort, South Carolina. Beaufort history reaches back to the 1600's, when Barbadian planters, English indentured servants, and religious dissenters arrived to seek new lives. The “Queen of the Carolina Sea Islands” was discovered by the Spanish in 1514 and chartered by the British in 1711. St. Helena's Episcopal Church, a famous Beaufort landmark was built in 1724 and surrounded by grounds which speak of the parish's 279 years of history. During the War Between the States, Federal troops dismantled the church to use it as a hospital, even uprooting graveyard slabs for operating tables. The John Mark Verdier House, built in 1801 in the Federal style, also survived occupation by Union forces. Bus tours of the low country are available so you can experience Beaufort’s charms yourself. The streets of the historic district are alive with horse drawn carriages, rich in civil war history, southern hospitality and elegance.
The "Beaufort style" of architecture is a unique one, which incorporates elements of Georgian and Colonial styles, as well as those of Greek Revival and semitropical Spanish. Designed for airiness and coolness, the Beaufort-style homes resemble plantation homes brought to town (as some indeed were), that were adapted to tolerate the summer heat and dampness of the Lowcountry. The City of Beaufort provide visitors with a wide array of opportunities to relax and take in all that the Lowcountry has to offer. Whether it's paddling down the Beaufort River on a guided kayak tour or listening to the tales of Beaufort's past while taking in the sites of our Landmark Historic District on a horse-drawn carriage you're sure to be delighted with this charming southern town. Shopping is an important activity which visitors enjoy, and Beaufortonians take pride in the eclectic and the upscale offerings in addition to regular retail opportunities providing necessities. Art and antiques are plentiful with an amazing number of local artists represented in the local galleries and shops. Gifts and specialties are unique finds unlike items seen in other locations. The downtown historic district of Beaufort is filled with shops and restaurants all within walking distance of beautiful downtown inns and hotels. Shopping is an area staple and Beaufortonians take pride in the eclectic and the upscale offerings. Art and antiques are plentiful with an amazing number of local artists represented in the local galleries.
Gifts and specialties are unique finds unlike items seen in other locations. The downtown historic district of Beaufort is a walking town where many beautifully restored structures invite visitors into a shopping experience combined with interesting architecture.
With such an amazing variety of family vacation activities to choose from, you and your family will never be bored. Whether you are teeing up for the best round of golf you have ever played, or soaking up the sun on the miles of white sandy beaches, you will soon realize that you are in a place like no other. Beaufort restaurants vary in cuisine from spicy barbeque and traditional Low Country favorites to fresh seafood and fine dining. Beaufort restaurants themselves vary just as much with cafes and local hideaways to oceanfront properties and elegant eateries. Just minutes from the beaches of Hilton Head and Hunting Islands and a short drive from hundreds of holes of world class championship golf, Beaufort something for everyone! Beaufort is home to three major military installations – the Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, the Marine Corps Air Station and the Naval Hospital – vital to the local economy, as well as national security. Parris Island, South Carolina, is among the most famous of the state' s Sea Islands. Its chief claim to fame is the Parris Island Marine Corps Recruit Depot.
Downtown Beaufort
Kayaking
Shrimp Boat Dock
The Parris Island Museum not only pays tribute to the U.S. Marine Corps, it also traces the military history of Parris Island from the 16th century to the present. Among the other attractions at Parris Island are The Legends of Parris Island golf course, an 18-hole military golf course open to the public, and the Charlesfort-Santa Elena National Historic Landmark, which recognizes the French and Spanish colonial sites that existed there in the 1500s. The area has yielded numerous archaeological finds, including Indian artifacts dating back 10,000 years.
There are countless ways you can spend your days and nights in the rich Beaufort area. Some of these include exploring the historic Gullah culture of St. Helena Island, sampling the unique Lowcountry cuisine, or enjoying musical and theatrical productions with a wide array of themes.
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