More kudos are coming our way as Southern Living Magazine has just named beautiful Beaufort, SC on the list of The South’s Best Small Towns for 2026.
Southern Living said that this year’s selections have always been special. There’s a reason they appear in the choruses of country songs and the backdrops of Hallmark movies—they have a magic that can sometimes be hard to define.
What is it that makes these pockets of Southern life so unforgettable? Some may say it’s the sun-dappled streets lined with historic homes or the apple orchards hugging the scenic railway. The reasons may vary, but the beauty is always in the details.
Beaufort came in at #8 on the list of 20 small towns. Also, Hilton Head came in at #6.
“Not to be mistaken for its North Carolina cousin, this soft-spoken Lowcountry town blends rich Gullah history with 5 miles of beaches at nearby Hunting Island State Park,” SL said.
“Spend time wandering along the river at Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park or shopping on Bay Street, and then check into a historic inn shaded by the generous arms of an ancient live oak.”
We sure do have enough of those!
In naming beautiful Beaufort one of the The South’s Best Small Towns, the magazine has previously heaped accolades on Hunting Island, Beaufort’s rich and deep history, our churches, our downtown district, Robert Smalls, local historic spots and even some of our local restaurants and shops.
Beaufort came in ahead of some other impressive small southern towns including, Pigeon Forge, TN, Gulf Shores, AL, Anna Maria Island, FL, and Williamsburg, VA, just to name a few, without rubbing it in too much.
The top ten list:
10. Tybee Island, GA
9. Blowing Rock, NC
8. Beaufort, SC
7. Destin, FL
6. Hilton Head, SC
5. Gatlinburg, TN
4. Fairhope, AL
3. Fredericksburg, TX
2. St. Simons Island, GA
1. St. Petersburg, FL
Recently, Southern Living named the Old Sheldon Church ruins one of the South’s most beautiful chapels; named Hunting Island State Park one of the best state parks in the South; and named downtown Beaufort’s Craven Street one of the South’s most beautiful streets.
