Nine Beaufort locals share some of their favorite things and their favorite ways to spend time in the Lowcountry & Sea Islands.
We’ve asked a group of locals and they’ve answered. Enjoy exploring these local-approved and local-recommended Beaufort SC spots.
Candice Glover
Singer/songwriter, actress, winner of American Idol Season 12
My favorite place for a bite is…
Luther’s Rare & Well Done in downtown is my favorite place to sit down and have a southern meal. Sub Station and Alvin Ord’s are the best local sandwiches and salads.
My idea of the perfect day in Beaufort is…
My perfect day in Beaufort would be spending time with my family, maybe going on a drive with my brother to downtown…walking on the waterfront and feeling the island breeze. Then getting some YoYo’s frozen yogurt!
What I wish more people knew about Beaufort…
I wish people knew about the rich sense of culture that runs so deep in Beaufort and the surrounding islands. I tell people about Beaufort every chance I get, and I love to give insight on the hidden gems in the city. There’s truly no place like home.
Nick Borreggine
Chef/Owner of Fat Patties restaurant and Salt Marsh Brewing,
and co-creator of the Port Royal Beer Garden
My favorite place for a bite is…
Definitely the ‘Shroomage’ [pizza] at Hearth in downtown. It goes well with a great beer.
My favorite way to spend a day outside is…
Spending some time enjoying some inshore fishing around Trenchard’s Inlet. It’s just the most beautiful place on earth.
One of my best-kept Beaufort secrets is…
How good the tacos are at El Nuevo Vallarta on Ribaut Road in Port Royal. My three kids are hooked, too.
My favorite way to have fun in Beaufort is…
A family day taking the boat to the Beaufort Sandbar and then enjoying lunch at one of our local restaurants. Then it’s off to enjoy an evening of Street Music in Port Royal to have some fun with others in our community.
Melinda Henrickson
Owner, Good Aura, Ecofriendly and ethically made clothing
for the fashionable woman
My favorite place for a bite is…
I have two very favorite spots to eat. Beedo’s on St. Helena Island is a family friendly burger joint with some of the very best burgers in town. They’re BYOB, so we like to meet friends there on Sundays for brunch and sit outside with a bottle of Prosecco. For a true culinary experience, Blacksheep is our go-to. Chef Matt is a gastronomic genius and isn’t afraid to take risks with his menus. Make reservations well in advance (4-6 weeks).
My favorite place to shop in Beaufort is…
My favorite place to shop is Good Aura, of course! The jewelry is exceptionally special because it’s made by women survivors of human trafficking. I love knowing my purchase matters. I also love shopping at Oyster Cay Collection in downtown and finding beautiful handmade treasures from Bali.
My favorite way to spend a day outside is…
My absolute favorite way to spend a day outside is to be on the water. Boating with family and friends and making memories at the sandbars is the best way to spend the weekend here in Beaufort. Also, you never know who you will run in to!
What I wish more people knew about Beaufort is…
What I wish more people knew about Beaufort is that there is so much to do here! Between First Friday in downtown, the many community events we have here, our festivals, wonderful charity events, and the beaches…my calendar is always full!
Nichole Bradley
Owner/Operator, Sea Island Carriage Company
and Savannah Carriage Tours
My favorite place for a bite is…
My favorite place to eat is a bit of a toss up between Hearth Wood Fired Pizza and Lost Local. Hearth’s lasagna is awesome, but sometimes it’s got to be Lost Local’s Gullah taco.
My favorite way to spend a day outside in Beaufort is…
Other than spending time with my horses and meeting visitors to town at the Carriage Company is taking a sunset boat ride with my husband, Nick. We do it all the time and it’s a great way to end a day in the Lowcountry.
One of my best-kept Beaufort secrets is…
One of the best kept secrets about Beaufort is most definitely The Point neighborhood in downtown, however I’m not sure how much of a secret is it anymore. But hey I’m not complaining. That’s where the old historic houses are and there’s so much beauty and history there. It’s one of the reasons I’m proud to run a historic carriage tour, to show everyone our beautiful downtown.
My favorite way to have fun in Beaufort is…
My favorite way to have fun in Beaufort is working, actually. My job as a tour guide/business owner & operator of Sea Island Carriage Company is pretty unique. I love working with my horses as well as the many guests we tote all around our amazing town.
Stephen Murray
Mayor, Beaufort SC/Owner New South Shirts/Curator
Kazoobie Kazoo Museum
My favorite place for a bite is…
I love to eat, so it’s hard to pick only one restaurant in Beaufort. The Old Bull Tavern is my favorite place to have dinner. Hearth for Pizza anytime. Q on Bay for BBQ or wings. And, Bricks on Boundary is a go-to lunch spot.
My favorite way to spend a day outside is…
My favorite way to spend a day outside is definitely on my boat with my girls. We love exploring the creeks, sandbars, and barrier islands surrounding Beaufort.
One of my best-kept Beaufort secrets is…
One of the best kept secrets about Beaufort is the many public places to enjoy the water and scenic vistas…like the wooden swing on the Bay Street Bluff. There isn’t a single bad view in all of Beaufort.
My favorite way to have fun in Beaufort is…
I would have to say that my favorite way to have fun in Beaufort is attending one of our many festivals or events like First Friday or the Shrimp Festival. I love seeing our people outside, eating great food, listening to live music and the community fellowship when we come together to celebrate this awesome place we call home.
Campfire Tyler
Musician/Vocalist/Songwriter
My favorite place for a bite is…
Maryland Fried Chicken, of course! It’s the home of delectable, song-worthy fried chicken.
Some of my favorite places for live, local music in Beaufort are…
Hemingway’s, The Fillin’ Station and the Port Royal Community Beer Garden are a few of my favorite places to catch live local music whenever I have a night off from playing live local music in Beaufort.
My favorite way to have fun in Beaufort is…
Sharing songs,smiles and stories with people from all walks of life and adventuring with my daughter. But, I think basically anything in Beaufort can be fun if you have enough fun friends. There’s lots of natural beauty here to explore in this gorgeous, coastal playground.
My favorite way to spend a day outside in Beaufort is…
Well, especially this time of year, nothing beats snacking and enjoying slushies along the beautiful beach at Hunting Island State Park or just hanging out by the pool. Pretty much anything that allows me to submerge myself in water would be my favorite!
Philip Heim
Photographer/Owner, Art of Beaufort Gallery
My favorite place for a bite is…
At dinner, one of my favorite spots to go to is FishCamp on 11th Street over in Port Royal…but I think it’s almost everyone’s favorite, deservedly so.
What is the best view in Beaufort?
There are many award winning views in Beaufort and I couldn’t pick just one, but my favorite views are the sunrises and sunsets. The best spot is the spot that you discover on your own. I enjoy finding ones off the beaten path on our sea islands that most people aren’t even aware of.
What I wish more people knew about Beaufort is…
I wish more people knew that Beaufort is a very patriotic and friendly town with a lot of our military veterans choosing to call Beaufort home. It’s so much more than a typical touristy, beachy town.
Kandace Palmer
Artist/Owner Southern Palette Art Studio
My favorite place for a bite is…
My absolute favorite place to eat is Red Rooster Cafe on Boundary Street. From their fried green tomato BLT (my favorite) to their amazing burgers, I’ve never been disappointed. I highly recommend the kitchen at Red Rooster Cafe.
My favorite way to spend a day outside in Beaufort is…
My favorite way to spend a day outside is to go to Hunting Island Beach, or to paint on my front porch and take in the salty ocean air. I also like to go look for alligators, from a distance, of course. Gators fascinate me, and so do our sea islands.
One of my best-kept Beaufort secrets is…
I’m not sure how much of a secret it is anymore, but I would say Hunting Island Beach. Who would have thought there would be a subtropical paradise right here in ‘lil ol’ Beaufort. This beach is like no other I have seen. Not a single condo in sight, just jungle, sand and ocean! There are a lot of steps to climb up in the lighthouse, but it’s well worth the effort. The view is spectacular and serene.
My favorite place to shop in Beaufort is…
Well, that depends on what I’m after. If I’m looking for something unique or artsy I go to the Low Country Store and Vendor Market on St. Helena Island. It’s a pretty cool place and has lots to choose from. I also pay a visit to The Chocolate Tree to get their chocolate covered strawberries and caramel apples. I always try to support our small, local businesses.
Maria Skrip
Owner, Broker In Charge, RE/MAX Realty
My favorite place for a bite is…
I really enjoy going to the Old Bull Tavern in downtown. Great food and a very cool vibe.
To me, a perfect day in Beaufort is…
An early morning walk along the beautiful downtown waterfront after grabbing a cup of coffee at Lowcountry Cider Company, then heading down to Hunting Island for a beach day.
My favorite place to shop in Beaufort is…
When I’m downtown it’s off to Cabana 22 for unique finds. And, don’t laugh but I am a huge TJ Maxx fan. I love the “hunt” for incredible bargains.
