Have you been dreaming about your next Lowcountry vacation ever since you last left Beaufort? Maybe you’ve been looking for a good excuse to return to the area. With so many new shops, restaurants, and activities in Beaufort SC, not to mention the new and recurring festivals, now is the time to book your next trip to our historic town! Keep reading for our list of favorite new businesses, events, and festivals to choose from this spring and summer.
Reason Number 1 to Return to Beaufort: New Businesses!
Several incredible new businesses have popped up in Beaufort over the last year or two! While our little town has some lovely new shops, restaurants, and activities to choose from, here are a few of our favorite recommendations:
Lost Local
We are delighted by the diverse and growing restaurant scene in downtown Beaufort! There are so many great choices for our guests to enjoy, and Lost Local is a newer restaurant that we love to recommend. Step off of Bay Street into a world of new and exciting local and foreign flavors. Featuring a menu inspired from around the world of fresh, local ingredients, Lost Local is a great spot to grab a cocktail and one (or three) of their eclectic tacos- we love the shrimp tacos of course! As they say, “Arrive lost, leave a local.”
Check out their menu here.
Moss and Hatchet
If you are looking to try something new and exciting for date night or a party, Moss & Hatchet Lowcountry Axe Throwing is right for you! This fun new business is an indoor axe throwing experience that offers the fun of casual throwing as well as world class league competition as an affiliate of the World Axe Throwing league. For just $25 an hour (per person) you get a lane, axes, and a coach to help you reach your potential. So head on in, have some food, mead, beer (or soda/water if you prefer), and throw some axes with them!
Emma’s Earth Shop
Another great new business is Emma’s Earth Shop. The Beaufort location not only sells gems, local art, and amazing gifts but it is also home to Downtown Beaufort’s Golf Cart Tours. Enjoy an hour of Beaufortonian hospitality while riding on a luxury 8-man eco-friendly Golf Cart. Their Historic Beaufort Golf Cart Tour brings Beaufort history to life as you learn about the rich culture of our coastal town, the amazing architecture built here, and local lore from the second oldest town in South Carolina!
Book a tour here.
St Phillips Island Ferry
Departing from the Hunting Island State Park Nature Center, the boat tour to St. Phillips Island is a naturalist-led ecotour along the Story River to the St. Phillips Island dock. They have rangers on staff to greet and welcome you, as well as guide you along your tour.
You’ll have time to beach comb, hike interior trails or simply relax on the beach with a picnic. This excursion is perfect for anyone who has a love of nature and the outdoors. After your ramblings on this pristine barrier island, the tram will take you back to the dock for the return trip to the mainland.
Book a trip for you and your family here.
Reason Number 2 to Return to Beaufort: You May Have Missed Something!
If you were in Beaufort for a short duration, you likely missed all that our beautiful area has to offer! Many visitors spend most of their time in the historic downtown or at the beaches, both great options! However, we have some suggestions for places and activities you may have missed last time:
St. Helena Island
It’s hard to see all of Beaufort in just one trip, so if you missed St. Helena Island on your way to Hunting Island Beach last time, make sure you plan on stopping on this trip! Only five miles from Beaufort, St Helena has an abundance of farms and shrimp docks, the former even offering U-Pick options seasonally. According to BeaufortSC.org, St. Helena, “offers visitors a glimpse into rural Lowcountry life past and present. St. Helena is home to the Penn Center, one of the first schools for the children of freed enslaved persons, and the location of a small rural cottage, where Martin Luther King, Jr. drafted his famous ‘I have a dream speech’.” St. Helena has a fabulous little downtown area with shops, art galleries, and restaurants. Some of our favorites include Beedos Burgers, Shrimp Shack, Foolish Frog, Johnson Creek Tavern, Macdonald Marketplace, and Lowcountry Cider Company.
Beaufort Photography Tours
Did you have a favorite spot during your last trip to Beaufort? Do you wish you had an amazing print to frame and remember your travels here? You may want to book a photography tour!
Combine the knowledge of hidden gems only locals know about with professional photographers and you have Beaufort Photography Tours. The owners, Don and Ruth Lambert are fabulous hosts and they take the guesswork out of finding great Lowcountry locations and offer friendly technical assistance so you take home the images you’re hoping for and memories that will last.
Don and Ruth make sure to get you to the right location for the right light and the right tide. There are several great tour options to choose from, both half and whole day experiences. Pick from sunrise and sunset tours of marshes and beaches, history and live oaks tour, birding and nature tour, or their Best of Beaufort experience.
For more information or to book your tour click here.
Port Royal Farmers Market
Next time you’re in town, come spend your Saturday with the locals at the Port Royal Farmers Market. The market is open every Saturday from 9am to 12pm, rain or shine. You will find fresh, local, seasonal produce, shrimp, oysters, poultry, beef, pork, eggs, bread, and cheese. Plants, ferns, camellias, azaleas, citrus trees, and beautiful, fresh-cut flower bouquets. Check out the fabulous prepared food vendors serving; BBQ, dumplings, she-crab soup, crab cakes, paella, coffee, baked goods, bagels, and breakfast sandwiches.
For more information about vendors and directions click here.
Reason Number 3 to Return to Beaufort: Festivals Are Returning to the Area!
The past few years we have experienced the unexpected cancellations of some of our favorite festivals and events, but 2022 is a great year to return to the Lowcountry and participate in fan-favorite gatherings and new celebrations!
Gullah Festival 2022: May 27-29 2022
The Annual festival of Gullah Heritage and Culture will be returning to Henry C Chambers Waterfront Park, with history workshops, food, music, and arts and crafts. More details
A Taste of Beaufort: May 6-7, 2022
Coming this May, this annual two-day festival of music, arts and seafood will be back at Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park. Come down and enjoy as local restaurants serve up their best menu concoctions in the middle of downtown’s waterfront surrounded by the arts and crafts market, food, live music, and the Crab Crawl 5K race. Admission to the festival is free! More details
Beaufort Water Festival: July 15-24, 2022
Beaufort’s largest annual festival returns, with raft races, shrimp boat tours, parades, fireworks, sports tournaments, concerts, and more! Enjoy 10 days of arts and crafts markets, air and ski shows, the Blessing of the Fleet ceremony and as much Lowcountry cuisine as you can stand. More details
Book Directly with Cuthbert House Inn
Be sure to book your stay at The Cuthbert House Inn for your next trip to Beaufort. We’re happy to help you book your accommodations and secure your passes for any upcoming events in town. Simply give us a call at 843-521-1315 for the best pricing and packages available.
We have so much to look forward to in 2022, and we would love to host you at the Cuthbert House Inn during your stay in Beaufort!
