Charming homes and churches grace this town, founded in 1711 and located on Port Royal Island. Come here on a day trip from Hilton Head, Savannah, or Charleston, or to spend a quiet weekend at a B&B while you shop and stroll through the historic district. Visitors are drawn equally to the town's artsy scene and to the area's natural bounty and outdoor activities. The annual Beaufort Water Festival, which takes place over 10 days in July, is an over 50-year-old tradition that attracts visitors every year. For a full calendar of Beaufort's annual events, check out www.beaufortsc.org.
More and more transplants have decided to spend the rest of their lives here, drawn to Beaufort's small-town charms, and the area is burgeoning. An authentic Southern town, its picturesque backdrops have lured filmmakers here to shoot The Big Chill, The Prince of Tides, and The Great Santini, the last two being Hollywood adaptations of best-selling books by the late author Pat Conroy. Conroy had waxed poetic about the Lowcountry in several novels and called the Beaufort area home.
Located in Northern Beaufort County, Beaufort is surrounded by sea islands, each unique in their own right, including Lady's Island, Cat Island, Dataw Island, St. Helena's Island, Harbor Island, Hunting Island, and Fripp Island.
