Want to know what to do in Beaufort, SC, on your next vacation? You can take in waterfront views, browse art galleries, bicycle through the historic downtown, picnic at the beach, kayak through glassy waters, and enjoy fantastic Southern fare. Manage and plan every excursion you want to take using this comprehensive 5 Day Itinerary to our gorgeous city. This guided tour is perfect for uncovering the charm of the area through the eyes of a local. Or, plan a trip to your own liking using our complimentary Vacation Guide, which gives insights for wine lovers, nature lovers, foodies, concert goers, and more. The choice is yours: how will you plan your getaway?
Customize Your Trip with Our Vacation Guide
What to Do in Beaufort, SC: Your 5 Day Itinerary
Day 1: Check-In to Cuthbert House and Check out Beaufort
Check-In
Check-In at Cuthbert House Inn is between 3:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. However, if you arrive early, feel free to use our complimentary parking, which is also a short walk from the shops and restaurants of the historic downtown on Bay Street. Our Social Hour is from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. each evening and includes a complimentary drink, appetizers, and conversation.
Dinner at Saltus River Grill
Start your first evening in Beaufort, South Carolina off right with dinner at Saltus River Grill. Take the 7-minute walk down Bay Street and enter the restaurant from the waterfront park to enjoy spectacular views of the Beaufort River as you dine on traditional Lowcountry dishes.
Walk Down Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park
This was taken of the Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park in Downtown Beaufort.
Saltus River Grill is also located on the Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park. So, once you finish your meal, step outside and stroll along the calm waters. Make your way to one of the swing benches, sit awhile, and enjoy gazing at the horizon as boats peacefully cruise across the Intracoastal Waterway.
Complete the Evening at YoYo’s Ice Cream
Celebrate the close of the evening at YoYo’s Ice Cream. Select your favorite flavor and indulge in the sweet treat as you happily make your way to the Inn for a restful night’s sleep.
Day 2: Explore Art Galleries, History, and the Spanish Moss of Downtown
Pick Up Complimentary Breakfast and Bikes
Fuel up for your first full day in Beaufort, South Carolina with a complimentary Cuthbert House Breakfast. Enjoy eggs benedict, our famous orange pancakes with Grand Marnier sauce, or egg frittatas. Then, embark on either a walking tour or a bike ride with our free rentals. We suggest exploring the historic downtown, whose streets are lined with shops and Spanish moss-draped trees.
Explore Rhett Gallery and Thibault Gallery
There are plenty of art galleries to peruse in Beaufort. Some of our favorites include Rhett Gallery, which is ideal for marveling over life-like wooden bird carvings as well as lovely maps and charts. Thibault Galley also contains stunning pieces depicting the local scenery that will make you never want to leave our charming city.
Visit the Chocolate Tree
Make your next stop the Chocolate Tree for a sweet, satisfying dessert. This establishment is famous for it’s a contribution to the movie Forrest Gump. In the film, the main character, Forrest, offers his crush, Jenny, a box of chocolates. These chocolates were in fact made right here at the Chocolate Tree in Beaufort, South Carolina!
Get a Photo-Op at the Old Sheldon Church Ruins
You can’t visit our city without getting a taste of our rich history. Drop off your bikes or finish your walking tour back at Cuthbert House Inn. Then, take a drive over to the Old Sheldon Church Ruins to view these Greek-Revival ruins that stood before the Revolutionary War. This is also a gorgeous spot to capture stunning, Instagrammable photos!
Cuthbert House Tip: Make sure to ask our staff when the best time for a photo shoot at this site is! It can get busy at certain times of the week, which makes snapping the perfect picture more difficult.
End with Dinner at Griffin Market
Upon return, stop by the Griffin Market for a lovely dinner filled with hearty Italian cuisine and fine wines. This is the perfect way to relax and celebrate the close of your second evening in Beaufort, South Carolina.
Day 3: A Day at Hunting Island State Park
Visit Hunting Island Beach
You can easily spend an entire day enjoying the amazing sunny weather at the beach. When you stay at Cuthbert House Inn, you may request to use our beach passes that provide you with free entry to Hunting Island State Park. Make sure you also use our complimentary beach chairs and towels to set up for a full day in the sun. Make your outing that much better when you request a homemade picnic basket to snack on as you catch some rays.
Discover More of Hunting Island State Park
When you’re done at the beach, take a self-guided walking tour of the rest of the park. Visit “The Boneyard,” which is a stretch of sand filled with eroded ghost trees. This breathtaking scenery is perfect for snapping a dramatic picture. While you’re there, also enjoy bird watching, visit the iconic lighthouse, or stop by the visitor’s center to learn more about the trails and wildlife throughout the beautiful land.
Cuthbert House Tip: Ask our staff about the best time to visit this scenic site for the best photo!
Dine at The Foolish Frog
Whether it be for lunch or dinner, the Foolish Frog is a great place to dine near Hunting Island State Park. Taste the flavors of local seafood and southern classics like fresh oysters and crunchy fried okra.
Day 4: A Day on Port Royal
Begin at the Cypress Wetlands Trail
Take a drive to Port Royal to experience the Cypress Wetlands Trail, which is a fantastic destination to explore nature. Walk along the boardwalk and keep an eye out for Snow Egrets and reptiles like turtles or alligators throughout the Cypress Wetlands!
Also nearby is Sands Beach, which is often scattered with sharks teeth! Also, make your way down the boardwalk to the Observation Tower for some amazing views.
Dine at Fishcamp on 11th Street
By now, you may have worked up an appetite. This is a great time to stop in at Fishcamp on 11th Street. Enjoy filling, elegant, Southern comfort food in an upscale setting that is sure to satisfy your tastebuds. It also happens to be the most scenic place to eat in Port Royal!
Kayak with Land’s End Tours
Schedule an exhilarating kayaking excursion back in Beaufort to explore the area by water. Irene will lead you on this guided tour navigating the Intracoastal Waterway while pointing out key landmarks and wildlife. You’ll love the rush of gliding across the salty seas.
Day 5: Prepare for Departure
Get One Last Complimentary Breakfast
By now, you won’t be able to get enough of our complimentary breakfast. Enjoy one more homemade meal before you wave Cuthbert House Inn goodbye.
Make a Final Excursion at the Beaufort History Museum
If you’re not quite ready to leave our enchanting city, we suggest stopping in the Beaufort History Museum. You’ll be transported back in time by intriguing artifacts like Native American tools, historic paintings, and exhibits detailing major events like the Revolutionary and Civil Wars. The exhibits in the Beaufort History Museum play a huge role in preserving the story of how Beaufort came to be.
Book Your Next Stay!
We hope this 5 Day Itinerary on what to do in Beaufort has inspired you to delve into your next adventure. Join us in one of our rooms at Cuthbert House Inn like the Garden Room to stay close to every excursion you plan to take. We look forward to helping you fall in love with Beaufort, South Carolina!
