In South Carolina, we are fortunate to be located within a day's drive to some of the best travel destinations in America. One of my favorite road trips will always be heading towards the Lowcountry with the windows down and the music up. There’s something magical about the Spanish moss and the oyster beds shining, with the seagrass blowing in the breeze as I approach my favorite destination along the South Carolina coast, Beaufort and her surrounding islands.
The town of Beaufort boasts several large festivals such as the annual Beaufort Water Festival in July, the Beaufort Shrimp Festival in October, and the Beaufort Oyster Festival in January. These festivals are great excuses to check out the town for a day trip. When it comes to shopping, there are plenty of options from The Chocolate Tree for sweets to Scout Southern Market (voted one of the best shops of the south by Southern Living Magazine) for home goods, gifts, and the special sweet tea bar. While downtown, be sure to take a break from shopping to grab a bite and head over to Lost Local for their unique spin on Tex-Mex.
While Beaufort has many sea islands around her coastline, my favorites are Harbor Island and Fripp Island. Just a short drive from downtown Beaufort, both Fripp and Harbor provide the perfect atmosphere for a low-key coastal getaway when a day trip just isn’t enough. Harbor Island is the home of Johnson’s Creek Tavern (JCT’s), one of the best seafood restaurants I have ever stumbled upon. Don’t let this little hole in the wall fool you - everything on its menu is fabulous.
Fripp Island is my top pick for property rental for longer stays. With two golf courses, beautiful sandy beaches, an activity center for the kids, three pools, two restaurants, and a food court, you won’t have a hard time staying busy on the island. There are many ways to get around the island including kayak rentals, fishing charters and sunset cruises, but the preferred method of transportation on Fripp is a golf cart, hands down.
Whatever you choose to do while visiting the Beaufort area, chances are you’ll be hooked!