Just 20 minutes from Tradition

Located on Port Royal Island, one of the large Sea Islands along the southeastern coast, Beaufort is one of the few towns in America with an entire downtown area designated a historic district by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The reason so much of Beaufort was preserved to this extent was because it was one of the few Southern towns that was occupied by Union troops during the Civil War rather than destroyed.

A number of the mansions built by wealthy plantation owners also remain today, and many of them can be enjoyed on tours conducted by professional guides.

The walking area of today’s downtown Beaufort also includes art galleries, antique shops and modern boutiques. There are also a growing number of excellent restaurants along with a selection of quick eateries.

The Intracoastal Waterway, the sheltered “water highway” along the East Coast of the U.S., runs right by Beaufort’s Waterfront Park. The park is frequently the site of festivals, concerts and other special outdoor events.