On our way back from Tampa, we decided to stop someplace we’d never been before. Our route took us directly by Savannah and Charleston, but since we’d already been to each once or twice, we wanted to explore someplace new. After doing some research, Beaufort, SC, sounded perfect.
It was fairly dog-friendly, which is a big deal for us now that we have Atlas with us. It also had some beautiful waterfront activities, shopping, and a great list of abandoned places to explore. The list was diverse and unique enough to catch my attention over another visit to Charleston.
I’m happy to report that we had a fantastic stop-over in Beaufort and were able to do a lot of great things in just one evening and the following morning.
It was an incredibly relaxing stop, and Atlas had a fantastic time walking around with us and even getting the royal treatment off one of the restaurants’ doggie menus!
Next time you’re in Beaufort (or just looking for the perfect place to unwind), here’s my list of unique and relaxing things to do!
Watch our Beaufort Adventure on YouTube
Stroll Around the Beaufort Waterfront Park
Beaufort’s downtown district is absolutely gorgeous, and that includes the waterfront park.
This park stretches along the bay and connects directly to the downtown marina. Behind it, the downtown area provides plenty of options for food and shopping, including several restaurants where you can enjoy a waterfront view.
There are plenty of grassy areas to spread out in the park, but the brick-paved walkways will also lead you past multiple swings where you can watch the bay, a playground, and an outdoor stage.
I highly recommend walking around the park, then claiming a swing around dusk to watch the sun set over the water. Bonus: Grab a cone from YoYo’s ice cream to enjoy while you wait.
Climb the Port Royal Observation Tower
Just 15 minutes away from the main town of Beaufort, you’ll find the charming waterside town of Port Royal. We didn’t go through much of Port Royal, but we did stop to walk along its boardwalk and climb the wooden observation tower overlooking Battery Creek.
The boardwalk winds through the marshy grass of the coastal creek, providing a gorgeous view of the expansive waterway. At the right time, you can see dolphins, water birds, and more in the area.
During our visit, many locals were fishing from the boardwalk, and we even saw someone reel in a small shark!
At the end of the boardwalk stands the Port Royal Observation Tower, a 5-story open-air deck that offers panoramic views of the waterway around you! It’s a pretty easy climb, and the view from the top is worth the detour, even though we caught it on a rather gloomy day.
Both the boardwalk and observation tower are free and open to the public. They also welcome dogs, which was great for Atlas.
Something to be aware of is that this coastal marsh area floods with tides. When we returned to the parking lot, we noticed that the water had come in around our car. Keep that in mind, and either park on high ground or leave before the tide sets in!
Shop in Downtown Beaufort
You’ll find no shortage of local shops in downtown Beaufort, so you could easily spend several hours just looking for new treasures. There are art galleries, clothing boutiques, book shops, antique stores, jewelers, candy shops, and just about anything else you could possibly want! And the best part is, pretty much everything is locally owned, so you’re sure to find something unique.
I found the shops inside the Old Bay Marketplace to be particularly interesting, especially the McIntosh Book Shoppe, which has an after-hours honor system for buying books.
And from what I understand, several of the nearby towns (including Port Royal) have similar downtown shopping districts. So if this is the kind of activity you’ll enjoy, you can hop from town to town in search of the perfect souvenir.
Visit Abandoned Sites Near Beaufort
There’s something hauntingly beautiful about old stone structures, which is why I couldn’t resist stopping at 3 local historical locations that are no longer in use.
Each of these is open to the public and well-maintained, so don’t worry: you won’t be trespassing! Do be aware that these are privately owned, however, so please be respectful so that these can remain open for others to enjoy.
The Chapel of Ease, St. Helena Island
This small chapel was built in the 1740s as a gathering place for members of the Parish Church of St. Helena, which was located in downtown Beaufort. Because it was hard for the people on the plantations to get all the way into town, chapels of ease like this one gave them a closer place to worship.
This chapel was made with oyster shells and lime, which is what gives it a white color. Sadly, the once-beautiful building was damaged by a forest fire in the late 1800s and never rebuilt. It’s now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Beside the chapel ruins, there is a tiny graveyard, which includes a mausoleum that was originally built for Edgar and Eliza Fripp, who were deeply involved in building the chapel.
For more history on the Chapel of Ease, check out this article from Explore Beaufort!
Old Sheldon Church
Another fantastic stop is the Old Sheldon Church, which was built in the mid-1700s. Originally called the Prince William’s Parish Church, this Greek-Revival building burned down twice before it was left alone. Once in the Revolutionary War and again in the Civil War.
After the Civil War, locals took any remaining materials inside the building to rebuild their homes, which had also been burned during General Sherman’s “March to the Sea.”
Visitors can come to see what’s left of the ruins now, including a small graveyard that includes the burial site of Colonel William Bull. A fence was recently put up around the ruins as a safety precaution, but you can still see the beauty from beyond the borders.
There are also plenty of soaring oak trees and a couple of benches where visitors can relax.
And something that I found particularly cool was these trees that were growing right around stacks of bricks! I’m not sure if this was natural or if the trees were hollowed out, so they were filled in for support. But either way, they caught our attention!
For more information on the church’s history, check out this article by SC Picture Project.
Fort Fremont Historical Preserve, St. Helena Island
One final place to check out is the Fort Fremont Historic Preserve. This is an old military fort that’s been converted into a public park, complete with beach access, walking trails, and an interpretive history center.
Visitors can walk around the hollowed-out concrete shells that were used to house soldiers, cannons, ammunition, and plot rooms that protected the Port Royal Naval Station and dry dock from invasion. From the top of the compound, you can also see where the cannons sat above the plot rooms.
There are several plaques stationed around the park with information on the fort and what each of these rooms was used for. They also illustrate where the fort had mines and rapid-fire guns stationed on the river.
The fort was decommissioned in 1912 after the Naval Station moved over to Charleston. It’s also on the National Register of Historic Places.
For more about the fort’s history, you can visit the official site.
Where to Stay in Beaufort, SC
You shouldn’t have an issue finding a good hotel or adorable Bnb in Beaufort. If you want something unique and local, go for one of the historic Bnbs!
Unfortunately, our options were a tad limited because we had Atlas, and many places were fully booked. But we still ended up scoring a great spot. We spent the night at the Tru by Hilton, which is a brand I’d never heard of, but I absolutely loved it!
Apparently, it’s a newer line of hotels that are geared toward millennials and people who love all things modern. The rooms are super-streamlined to make the most out of the space, and everything is decorated with bright colors and modern touches.
We enjoyed a super-comfy king-sized bed and were able to pick out a room right near the exit on the first floor. The lobby is also geared toward a specific group and has several different zones, including relaxation and work spaces, a game room, and a breakfast area.
It’s also pet-friendly and includes a free breakfast.
I was very happy with everything and will definitely be looking for Tru stays in the future!
Closing Thoughts on Beaufort
We loved our stopover in Beaufort, SC. It was just the right amount of relaxation, paired with a good dose of walking and scenic drives. (I can’t get enough of those mossy oaks!).
If we’d had the time and energy for adventure, I’m sure we would have had a blast with some water sports. But for a rest day, it was exactly what we needed.
My favorite part was definitely exploring those old ruins, but I also loved the vibe in downtown Beaufort. Everyone was very friendly, and quite a few people stopped to pet Atlas and chat with us.
I definitely wouldn’t mind a return trip.
What are your thoughts on these places? Would you stop to enjoy the Beaufort area?
If Charleston and Savannah are more your speed, be sure to check out my guides on both cities for great activities.
- No Trip to Charleston is Complete Without…
- Get Your Free Guide to Touring Charleston’s French Quarter
- Everything You Need to Know About Middleton Place
- How To Spend A Perfect (& Pet-friendly) Weekend In Savannah
- How to Explore Savannah, GA for $10: A One-Day Itinerary!
- Old Fort Jackson: A Fascinating Glimpse of 1800s Military Life
- What to See on Skidaway Island’s Most Popular Trail
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Thanks so much for stopping by, and I hope you’ll be back for more adventures.
Happy travels!
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