We will be spending one night in Beaufort SC on our trip south and would like some suggestions on how best to spend one day in that area. Dining suggestions would be appreciated as well.

Passed through there last Sept. on the way back to airport. Due to timing, missed one of the guided tours so bought a helpful book and map and drove around. Your eyes will be full looking at the wonderful homes and architecture! You can feel the history and would love to have heard more stories. Volunteer at the church where the graveyard is in the church's front yard with fence around the whole thing was very nice and informative. Beware of unscrupulous tour operators who seemed very competitive to the point where the first one we talked to was not willing to direct us to another when we were not able to wait for her next tour. Turns out, there were others next door and on down the block! Man working in convenience-type store on the main street where we ducked in was just the opposite. He was dressed in a period costume and pictured on the cover of the helpful booklet he sold us. He was sincerely interested in helping us make the most of our quick tour in the short time we had - with or without selling us his book. He also made an honest recommendation which was not necessarily in his best interest on another matter. Spending one night and 2 half days looked adequate to see the area. It was a charming place, but like others can have an odd feeling if you know nothing about what you are seeing! Do the tour first!

I like Beaufort a lot. The Beaufort Inn was nice for dinner and also to stay overnight. Its like a little tiny Charleston. Enjoy!

It did smack of Charleston and Savannah, but due to the distance from them, it doesn't get the same attention.

Skip Beaufort, head a little further south to Hilton Head, beautiful and great ocean front hotels.

Ignore the above poster. Hilton Head is great for a golf, tennis and beach, but has no history or charm. Not what you're looking for.

FORGET Hilton Head the traffic is horrendous. Beaufort is the best place. My favorite is Luthers downtown. Wonderful steaks and it is on the riverfront. Savannah is also very nice with a very large area of historic homes and building plus a wonderful riverfront shopping, dining and drinking area. Charleston is ok but pricey and small. Our family has been here since 1732 and with living all over the US we came back here.

Beaufort is beautiful, to see it coming over the bridge is quite scenic. The Rhett house inn is awesome. I agree with the tiny Charleston sentiment because thats exactly what it remimded me of too.
Ron, since 1732 huh, whats your last name we might be related?