Beaufort SC: Charleston’s charm without the crowds

“Charleston may get most of the attention when it comes to South Carolina’s many cities, but the history, culture, and (of course) Southern charm that make it so special can also be found in smaller and less expensive places in the region,” says Travel + Leisure in its recently published article and guide to Beaufort SC.

“If you’ve ever watched ‘Forrest Gump’ or read anything by the late author Pat Conroy, you may be familiar with Beaufort, a harbor town on Port Royal Island. Its narrow streets, oak trees, and historic district that pre-dates the Civil War are similar to those in Charleston, but Beaufort is remarkable and magical in its own right. Plus, it doesn’t draw the same crowds that tend to flock to [Charleston],” it added.

Yes, Beaufort SC is getting more accolades, and we couldn’t be happier.

In its article, the popular travel & tourism website made sure to let everyone know that you can avoid the one single thing that turns people off from visiting a particular place.

No, not paid parking.

It’s the crowds.

Beaufort does get some 3+ million visitors every year but the good thing about the area is that everything is spread out. Between Hunting Island, downtown Beaufort, Parris Island and the many points of interest in between, we don’t get throngs of visitors all gathered in one place. Well, unless it’s the annual Water Festival.

Hunting Island beach and state park receives over 1 million visitors each year all on its own, and we can see why. There will be days where the park closes its gates and you have to wait in line to get in.

Fripp Island is sometimes bursting at the seams with visitors. But for a popular, beautiful destination resort island, that’s to be expected.

But, other than Hunting Island or Fripp, you won’t find anything else that has the “busyness,” comparable to Charleston.

You’ll enjoy Beaufort SC without the crowds…but it’s so much more than that.

In it’s article, Travel + Leisure is sure to tell some of Beaufort’s history; highlights getting out on the water; lets you know you’ll most likely see dolphins and touts the National Historic District designation that downtown was blessed with back in the 1960s.

It also points out the connection that Beaufort has to the literary and art worlds; Pat Conroy’s legacy and the trove of bookstores and abundant art galleries in town.

Also getting a big nod in the article are our restaurants, the sea island Gullah culture and Penn Center, local farms and farmers markets, as well as our beautiful bed and breakfasts.

The accolades really have been pouring in for Beaufort recently, and we couldn’t be more proud.

Just last month, Trips To Discover named Beaufort the Best Summer Vacation Destination in South Carolina. It has also named Beaufort one of the Most Friendliest Towns in the U.S. and one of the 20 Most Beautiful Small Towns in the U.S.

In 2022, Southern Living magazine named Beaufort the #1 Best Small Town in the South.

We’ve also recently been named one of the 25 Best Small Towns in America by Architectural Digest; the Most Charming Small Town in South Carolina; one of the Cutest Towns in the U.S. and the Most Quaint Town in South Carolina.

In addition to those, Southern Living magazine 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.

That’s an awful lot of accolades for such a small town.

That should tell you something that most of us already know.

Beaufort is special.

Plan your visit and find out for yourself.

You’ll enjoy Beaufort SC, without the crowds.

Read the full article in Travel + Leisure here.