Beaufort in South Carolina

Welcome to the beautiful City of Beaufort, South Carolina

Beaufort is a city in and the county seat of Beaufort County, South Carolina, United States. Chartered in 1711, it is the second-oldest city in South Carolina, behind Charleston and is where Jean Ribault and his fellow Huguenots established Charlesfort in 1562.In French, “beau” means beautiful, handsome, lovely, or fine … and after even the shortest of visits, you’ll know both the city and county are aptly named.

Beaufort is located on Port Royal Island on the coast of South Carolina where you can stroll the quaint historical area of downtown while visiting the many shops and restaurants. The waterfront park is the perfect place to take a break as you relax on a swing and watch the boats and wildlife or where you will find the many eating establishments offering waterfront dining. The many antebellum homes offer a glimpse into the historical past of this great city and there are plenty in Beaufort’s 304-acre National Historic Landmark District.

Beaufort has been featured in the New York Times, and named “Best Small Southern Town” by Southern Living, a “Top 25 Small City Arts Destination” by American Style, and a “Top 50 Adventure Town” by National Geographic Adventure. Close to 20 galleries operate within the city, with hundreds of local residents contributing to the arts scene.

If it is a vibrant nightlife you seek, Beaufort has a very active nightlife centered around the downtown area with bands galore and fun loving people. Come and experience true southern charm while you relax with new found friends or just dance the night away under the stars on our waterfront. You might even run into one of the many celebrities that make Beaufort and the surrounding area home.

Beaufort has been the setting or the inspirational setting for several novels by long-time resident Pat Conroy and a popular filming location for major motion pictures, including The Big Chill, The Prince of Tides, The Great Santini, Forrest Gump, Something to Talk About and G.I. Jane. You can learn the history of this beautiful city on any of the many tours available including boat tours of the pristine waterways surrounding the city.

Centrally located between Charleston, SC and Savannah, GA, Beaufort is the perfect destination to jump off for day trips to these fine coastal cities. You get the best of 3 worlds as you are able to experience the beauty and history of the South from your home base of Beaufort. There is never a lack of exciting experiences here in the beautiful LowCountry of South Carolina..