A Weekend in Beaufort, SC: Shopping & Dining in the Historic District

The wind gusts from the Beaufort River pushed the stroller along the boardwalk dangerously close to the white capping water to our right. And to the left, children played and ran through the park acting as if social distancing and wearing a mask were the most natural thing in the world. Parents were just within earshot, because it is the kind of place that you let your children run free in the middle of the day when the sun shines the brightest. This is the scene on a recent Saturday in the Historic District of Beaufort, South Carolina. With its small-town charm, great bites, and unique shopping, you’ll find plenty of things to do in Beaufort, South Carolina any time of the year.

Spending a weekend in Beaufort, South Carolina had never crossed my mind until my mother-in-law bought a beach house there. It’s hard to believe I grew up less than 5 hours from this charming town and never made a visit.

My 7-month old daughter, Lillie Belle, and I traveled from Germany to North Carolina to stay with family for a few months in January. We couldn’t wait to spend a weekend down in Beaufort – where it’s the perfect escape from the cold snowy weather of our home in Germany. I really needed some fresh salt air and to spend some girl time with my mother, mother-in-law, and my niece, Audrey.

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Shopping

I’ve never been a huge shopper. I mean, I’ve been wearing the same clothes for years & tend to be stingy when it comes to buying things not related to travel. But there’s something about this last year (2020) and finding what makes us happy that led me to shop-‘till-I-dropped in Beaufort.  

Related Post: How We Afford to Travel

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We started our Saturday off with a visit through the Old Bay Marketplace (located here) where we found many small shops. Lulu Burgess is a gift & trinkets shop that has great gifts for any special person in your life. They have everything from books and puzzles to t-shirts and souvenirs. Just across from the gift shop is McIntosh Book Shoppe selling used books for great prices. Walking a little further down the alley and on the right, we found Oyster Cay Collection. They have old teak farm tables and cabinets, home accessories, woven mats and more – all handcrafted in Indonesia. Every item is unique, and I loved the feel of the place. You can find them on Instagram here.

Another special shop we found was Island Lavender Co., which hand harvests all their lavender buds and artfully distills essential lavender oil to make over 160 products. They also have delicious chocolate treats and macarons for an afternoon treat!

Our final stop was Monkey’s Uncle toy store that featured some great wooden toys, children’s books, and more.

No matter where you shop in downtown Beaufort, South Carolina, you’ll find friendly and welcoming business owners eager to make your shopping experience pleasurable.

Great Bites

A full day of shopping can lead to a big appetite. Beaufort, South Carolina has a great variety of restaurants along the waterfront. We chose Q on Bay, a delicious barbeque joint with dark wood paneling and high ceilings. Try the Brunswick Stew – you won’t be disappointed!

Be sure to grab a coffee or glass of Prosecco at Common Ground and relax inside their cozy space or outside where there’s a great view of the bay. They have yummy pastries, treats, and gelato for purchase.

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Sights to See

After shopping and dining, you may want to walk off some calories by touring around the historic downtown. There are plenty of guided tours provided either by walking, horse and carriage, or golf cart. Otherwise, taking a stroll through the local neighborhoods is a great free option.

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The Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park is an excellent place to relax in the sun, swing in the swings facing the bay, and get off your feet after a long day exploring. It’s also a great place to let your kids run around or play on the huge playground nearby.

The Beaufort Arsenal is one of several local museums that display war and industrial-era artifacts like the two historic brass trophy guns we saw. The Arsenal was constructed in 1798 with a history tracing back to the Revolutionary War.

Just walking through the historic downtown and checking out the homes is one of my favorite things to do. Be sure to check out the mansion at the end of Craven Street that locals refer to as The Castle. Its history is fascinating. It was built for Dr. Joseph Fickling Johnson and was used during the Civil War as a military hospital. Some believe it is now haunted because the brick outbuilding served as a morgue during the war. It has over 20 rooms; 23 to be exact.

Read more about The Castle here.

Beaches

If you’re spending just a weekend in Beaufort, South Carolina, you’ll probably only have time to visit one (or maybe two) beaches. Hunting Island State Park tops the list with over 5 miles of beach, a saltwater marsh, an iconic lighthouse, and camping. You’ll have to pay an entrance fee, or you can purchase one of a few different passes detailed on their website. My niece even found a few shark teeth and some beautiful shells along the way.

On our way back home, we stopped by Johnson Creek Tavern which sits right on the marsh. They had the best salmon cakes I’ve had in years. The ambiance is great, and the beer was cold.

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The few times we’ve visited Beaufort, South Carolina, it left us wanting more. The sun shines bright and the people are so friendly. We just love visiting my mother-in-law and staying in her beautiful home.

Whether you’re spending a day, a weekend, or a week you’ll find plenty of things to do and see in Beaufort, South Carolina to keep you entertained. Stroll and shop around the downtown historic district, enjoy some fresh seafood or southern barbeque, visit the beaches, or tour the antebellum mansions. Whatever you choose, you’re sure to enjoy your time in family-friendly Beaufort, South Carolina. 

Accommodations in Beaufort

For your convenience, here is a list of hotels in Beaufort. Please consider booking your Beaufort accommodations through the included link. It costs you nothing extra and helps support this website. Thank you!

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