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BEAUFORT, SOUTH CAROLINA – A DELIGHTFUL DAY TRIP ADVENTURE

Where is Beaufort?

Beaufort, South Carolina is lovely southern bayside town located on Port Royal Island, just across the bay from Hilton Head Island and along South Carolina’s Atlantic Coast. It’s a pleasant drive from Charleston, South Carolina some 70 miles to the north or from Savannah, Georgia roughly 42 miles to the south.

Beaufort On The Coast

The small, central Beaufort area along Bay Street where it interesects with Carteret Street near the harbor and Woods Memorial Bridge serves as a convenient focus for a brief and fun visit to the city. From here it’s easy to wander at your leisure and sample a variety of pleasures that Beaufort offers. The area is very walkable and the city tends to be bike friendly.

Ample parking is available in several lots (paid) near the harbor between Henry C Chambers Waterfront Park and Bay Street with other parking available nearby on side streets and parking lots further back from the water.

Beaufort Bay Street Area

5 THINGS TO DO IN BEAUFORT

1 – Shop – Walk – Explore The Streets —

If shopping is your thing you will definitely enjoy exploring Bay Street. Lined with a variety of interesting shops, Bay Street has boutiques which appeal to everyone from the casual tourist in need of the “just right” souvenir T-Shirt to the serious shopper seeking that unique artistic piece for their home.

Enjoy The Lovely Homes

Exercise is good for you in so many ways. And walking (or biking) is a great way to enjoy Beaufort. You can explore the many delightful residential streets, tree lined with palms and tall shade trees dripping with Spanish Moss, north of Bay Street. Alone the way you’ll also be treated to an up close and personal view of gorgeous older, antebellum type homes. (The photo above and those in the slideshow below were taken on Craven Street east from Carteret Street.)

Slideshow Below

Robert Smalls Home – National Historic Landmark

History buffs will also enjoy a walk to the home of Robert Smalls. Now listed as a National Historic Landmark, this was of the home of Robert Smalls. Born a slave, he took heroic military action for the North during the Civil War and later entered politics, eventually becoming a Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from South Carolina. The Landmark Home is located at 511 Prince Street, Beaufort, South Carolina.

2 – Buy Some Great Chocolate —

OK, so I admit it – I love chocolate. What? You too? Well you are in luck because Beaufort has it’s very own specialty chocolate shop just full of locally made chocolate delights – The Chocolate Tree. Located at 507 Carteret Street, The Chocolate Tree is an easy 4 block stroll north on Carteret Street from Bay Street and the Woods Memorial Bridge. And it’s worth the walk. You’re going to love the treats you’ll find there – again – all freshly made at the shop.

The Chocolate Tree also has an interesting footnote in history. If you are a movie fan you may already be indirectly acquainted with the chocolates from The Chocolate Tree. Perhaps you remember the phrase, “Life Is Like A Box Of Chocolates” from the 1994 movie “Forrest Gump”? Well, guess where those chocolates came from. That’s right – The Chocolate Tree. So eat up – you will be in good company as you munch some yummy chocolate from a piece of movie history!

3 – TAKE A STROLL ON THE WATERFRONT –

The Bay Street, waterfront area of Beaufort has a pleasant, small town vib. It’s the sort of place that makes you want to slow down, take a breath and enjoy the local beauty. And there’s no better way to do this than taking a leisurely stroll on the lovely promenade that winds its way along the waterfront of Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park. The path is lined with numerous bench swings where you can rest up a bit as you enjoy the views of the water, boats and harbor.

4 – ENJOY A FINE LUNCH –

When it’s time for lunch you won’t have to look far. Bay Street has a number of great restaurants from which to choose. You might want to check out Hearth Wood Fired Pizza for some pizza, Saltus River Grill for seafood, Q On The Bay for some BBQ or Hemingway’s Bistro for sandwiches etc.

It was a difficult choice but after some personal debate I decided to enjoy my lunch at Plums. It has good reviews and offers a variety of foods which are described as “American Eats” as well as seafood. Lots of inside dining is available but it was a pleasant day so I selected one of their outside tables where I could enjoy the lovely views of the promenade and bay. It’s a great location for a leisurely lunch on a lovely day.

Plum Photo Slideshow Below

Plums Bay Street Entrance
Plums Entry Area
Plums Specials Of The Day
Plums Interior Seating & Bar
Plums Outside Dining Area

AN OFF BAY STREET OPTION – I also want to mention that I have heard from friends that The Shrimp Shack is an excellent restaurant, specializing in shrimp including Shrimp Burgers and Fried Shrimp. It’s not on Bay Street however, and I did not get a chance to visit the Shack. The Shrimp Shack is located on St. Helena island, (1929 Sea Island Parkway, Saint Helena Island, SC). This is roughly 13 miles from the Bay Street area. Simply take Sea Island Parkway – Hi Way 21. It’s about an 18 minute drive but I hear it is definitely worth checking out if you have the transportation and the time.

5 – VISIT THE KAZOO FACTORY –

Now I have to admit, when you think of Beaufort, kazoos are probably not the first things that come to your mind. But that’s all part of the Adventure of Travel – discovering the unknown – the hidden gems of the journey. And KAZOOBIE KAZOOS – the kazoo factory of Beaufort is one of those hidden gems. But be aware, it’s not on Bay street. Located at 12 John Galt Road, it’s about 4 miles west, just off Highway 21. But again, if you have the transportation and the time – you just might want to check it out. After all, when again will you have the opportunity to visit the home of the only maker of plastic kazoos in the United States?

KAZOOBIE KAZOO FACTORY, MUSEUM, AND GIFT SHOP is not a big place but it’s definitely an interesting, quick and quirky visit. If you would like an in-depth study of the kazoo business the factory offers tours at 10 am, 11 am, 1 pm and 2 pm Mondays thru Fridays ( duration – about 45-60 minutes). Tours include a short video as well as a visit thru the factor with explanations of the process. At the end of the tour you get to make your very own kazoo! In addition to their tours, the kazoo factory has a Kazoo Museum displaying lots of kazoo related materials – historical info, old kazoos, and artistic displays made up from a mosaic of colorful kazoos. The front of the factory is devoted to their Gift Shop. Lots of kazoos of all shapes sizes and colors.