Beaufort County, South Carolina
Beaufort County in South Carolina is an incredible destination to visit. The region has been recognized as one of the best places in America to live and travel. However, Beaufort has so many things to do and see that it’s challenging to determine which direction to start!
Beaufort County is located in South Carolina, bordering the Atlantic coast. It is one of the four counties that comprise the Lowcountry region. It was founded on the 25th of March, 1711. Beaufort is home to less than 12,000 residents. This region is home to over 400 years of culture and history and is dotted with Spanish oaks covered in moss and historic homes dating back centuries.
It is a beautiful place to live because there are plenty of things to do. There are nearly 50 attractions that visitors and residents enjoy, from shopping at Beaufort’s shops to taking a stroll through the Beaufort shops to taking guided tours during your visit.
Beaufort is the home of Hunting Island, a fantastic wildlife sanctuary. It’s the second most-visited beach in South Carolina, with its white sand and blue water.
Popular Facts About Beaufort
The lovely and tranquil Beaufort is awash in natural and historic beauty. However, you may not realize just how unique the natural and historical aspects are. Here are seven interesting facts about Beaufort.
- Beaufort is the second oldest city in South Carolina, behind Charleston. Though the harbor town was ideally located in the middle of the deep and protected Port Royal Sound, the town’s development was much slower than Charleston because of conflicts with indigenous people living in the area and the ever-present threat of attack from the Spanish in Florida.
- The French attempted the first European settlement in the region in 1562 on the nearby Parris Island. They named the colony Charlesfort.
- Charlesfort was a French colony that was only around for one or two years. When the French Navy did not come back to resupply the struggling soldier-settlers, they revolted, built their vessel, and returned to France using sails made from bed sheets.
- Port Royal Sound was the first U.S. port to launch and build an ocean-going vessel because of the French settlers’ boat.
- It’s not difficult to believe that the French founded Beaufort, and its name is French. However, the English later established it and named it after Henry Somerset, the Duke of Beaufort.
- Beaufort is composed of 68 islands. The town is like a lake when it is at its highest tide.
- Stunning salt marshes surround Beaufort. A quarter of the marshland found on the east coast is located in the Beaufort County area.
Famous Spots and Activities to Try in Beaufort
The second oldest city in South Carolina has beautiful views and a welcoming ambiance. It’s a charming coastal town that is popular with locals as well as tourists. Beaufort in South Carolina, also known as the Queen of the Carolina Sea Islands, offers an ideal escape from the rush and bustle. The laid-back city with more than 13,000 residents is just short of a four-hour drive from Queen City, offering peace and tranquility that tourists long for and locals cherish. So relax in this small sliver of Southern paradise by grabbing sunglasses and taking time to relax.
This charming community on the water is situated on Port Royal Island, South Carolina’s coast Sea Islands. Its documented history spans more than 500 years. Beaufort County was where European colonists first arrived on the North American continents. Many historical places reflect this period, with landmarks such as Beaufort National Cemetery, Beaufort Arsenal, and Santa Elena History Center. The picturesque Beaufort backdrop could look familiar. The charming port city had the lead roles in iconic films such as The Big Chill, The Great Santini, and Forrest Gump. The town remains the center of attention, with Spanish Moss covering the streets and dreamy antebellum-style architecture that hugs every corner.
Beaufort History Museum Beaufort History Museum is the ideal place to begin the process of creating your Beaufort Bucket List. The historical yellow-tinted Arsenal is the perfect spot to start reliving this region’s long and rich past. The history of the Arsenal goes back to 1939. The museum’s newest exhibit showcases the ecology and discovery of the tiny community, early settlement, and modernization.
Shop at the various boutiques, antique stores, and art galleries that are locally owned. Also, there are jewelry shops in renovated 19th-century storefronts. In addition, there are numerous alleyways offering tasty food and shopping opportunities.
Hop on a Southern Rose Buggy Tour to learn about Beaufort’s antebellum and Victorian-style architecture. You can also visit where Hollywood movies have been filmed on a 55-minute horse-drawn carriage ride.
Take the opportunity to look at the Beaufort National Cemetery. The 33-acre cemetery was established just two years after the Civil War began. It has since laid to rest many Civil War soldiers than 7,500 and 6,500 others. You can expect a very emotional experience.
Visit Hunting Island, State Park. You can drive just 20 miles to the natural paradise, which occupies an entire barrier island with four miles of beachfront. So get your shoes off and enjoy all the beach offers.
Climb to the Hunting Island Lighthouse. Finally, you can take a deep breath and climb up the 175 stairs to South Carolina’s only accessible public lighthouse. Around 200 climbers come to the historic attraction each day. And even if you’re scared of heights, it’s one of the most stunning sights you’ll ever experience.
Paddleboard on Factory Creek with Higher Ground Outfitters. Beaufort has a variety of water-related activities that make a weekend complete. Tim and Hobie’s adorable dachshunds will lead a 2-mile guided paddleboard tour.
Enjoy the sunset with Captain Dick’s River Tours. It is possible to view stunning scenery and wildlife on the Prince of Tides, which holds 24 passengers. Tours are offered Monday-Saturday, beginning at 2 p.m. and noon on Sundays. Evening tours are offered between April and October.
Santa Elena History Center allows visitors to step back in time and experience the city’s history. “America’s Untold Story” is where you’ll find the history center that focuses on Santa Elena, a Spanish settlement that was also a 16th-century expedition. The town is situated on Parris Island. You’ll learn about the story’s beginnings through an introduction film before your self-paced tour starts in the main exhibit.
Come along for a self-guided historic church tour. Some of the most famous churches worth visiting include the First African Baptist Church, St. Helena’s Episcopal Church, and St. Peter’s Catholic Church. Get a detailed map of church tours at the Beaufort Visitors Center.
Towns In Beaufort County You Should Visit
Hilton Head
If you want to be a part of Hilton Head, you must take a step back. Although the barrier island covers 42 square miles in size, it can often be an area with a large number of wealthy visitors. However, you don’t have to hurry to keep up with the speed of the residents. They are part Gullah descendants, formerly enslaved people who settled in the area. There are also East Coast mainlanders who call Hilton Head their second home. The world-class fairways and sparkling beaches will leave you feeling like an old-fashioned person. Families with young children will be seen frequently. This isn’t the destination for those looking for a vibrant nightlife scene. But that’s not to say there is no nightlife in Hilton Head. Most evenings can be spent enjoying slow-moving dinners in the evening or enjoying live music along the waterfront. So it’s possible to relax when you’re in Hilton Head.
If you’ve been to the island, you’ll be aware that tennis and golfing are two ways it earned its illustrious reputation. But you could take an entire vacation without using the golf club or a tennis racket. The island contains natural wonders like the Coastal Discovery Museum, the Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge, and 12 miles of beaches. Hilton Head offers many opportunities to experience the low-country wildlife, improve your backhand, or relax on the sandy beaches.
Bluffton
Bluffton’s success and population growth are due partly to its uniqueness which has preserved and respected its history. Most towns have just one building, site, or family story to continue the tales from its past. The story of several American cities has been destroyed by wars, particularly the Civil War, Mother Nature’s destruction, and the desire to rebuild. Bluffton is a different case. The Historic District contains numerous historical landmarks, homes, and locations. Its distinctiveness sets it apart from other municipalities, which is why the Town Council continues to invest in the Historic District.
Although Bluffton still operates in similar manners, the town itself has dramatically changed. Bluffton’s population and landmass have risen significantly over the last several decades. Bluffton is home to around 775 people and covers an area of just 1 square mile. The Historic District Bluffton has over 20,000 residents and covers 54 square miles. Bluffton is South Carolina’s fastest-growing municipality. Bluffton constantly receives recognition, awards, and accolades for its quality of life, low crime rate, and progressive economic development initiatives.
Okatie
Okatie real estate is among the most expensive real estate homes in South Carolina. But, Okatie home prices aren’t as high as the most expensive property in the U.S. Okatie, unlike other towns with a predominant blue-collar and white-collar workforce, isn’t dominated by either. Instead, it is home to an enumeration of blue and white collar jobs. In the end, Okatie is a town that is home to professionals, service providers, and office and sales workers. People living in Okatie work in the fields of health care, personal health services, and sales.
Important to note is that Okatie also has several artists. Okatie is home to more artists, designers, and media professionals than 90% of communities in America. This vast concentration of artists forms Okatie.
It’s a tranquil town since there aren’t many groups of people who tend to be noisy. Okatie is quieter as there are fewer families with children in the home. With their motives, college students and renters can also be noisy. Okatie hosts a few college students and renters. The main reason Okatie is quieter than other places in America is that there are fewer people here. Okatie might be the right location for you if you think trees are good neighbors.
Ridgeland
Ridgeland is situated along the coast of South Carolina. It is a town of a smaller size. Ridgeland is a quaint coastal town located in South Carolina. It is home to over 3,500 people and has two distinct neighborhoods. It is the 93rd largest neighborhood in South Carolina.
Ridgeland, in contrast to other towns that have a majority of blue-collar or white-collar employment, however, is not one of them. Instead, it has a mixed workforce of blue- and white-collar occupations. For example, Ridgeland is where you will find professionals, service providers, office workers, and salespeople. In addition, Ridgeland is home to a significant number of people working in the office, administrative support, maintenance jobs, and food service.
Ridgeland is a place with a nautical feel to it. This is because some areas are surrounded by the ocean, or other tidal bodies, such as the bays or the inlets. Visitors and residents frequently visit these areas to enjoy the view or participate in water-based activities.
In terms of the college degree in Ridgeland, residents of Ridgeland have a lower percentage than the national average. For example, Ridgeland has a 14.00 percent average time of age 25, and 21.84 percent of adults of the middle American community possess a 4-year college degree.
Ridgeland’s per capita earnings were over $17,000, which is very low compared to South Carolina and the country. This equates to an annual salary of $69,000 for a household of four. However, Ridgeland contains both very wealthy and poor people as well.
Ridgeland is a highly diverse city. Ridgeland residents refer to themselves as belonging to a range of ethnic and racial backgrounds. The most significant portion of Ridgeland residents declares their race as Black or African-American. White then follows them. Important ancestries of people who reside in Ridgeland include German, European, Irish, African, and English.
English is Ridgeland’s most frequently spoken language. However, Spanish and Italian are also popular local languages.