Last Updated on September 25, 2025 by PorchLightReading
23 Things to do in Beaufort, SC. Family travel guide including free things to see, places to go, and movies filmed in town!
Being only and hour and a half from downtown Charleston, Beaufort, SC, is the perfect place for a family day trip with plenty of things to do and see.
One weekend morning while sipping our morning coffee on the patio, my husband asked what we should do that day. Little did he know that on Thursday of that week I was already scheming our trip for that coming weekend. While grocery shopping I just happened to add plenty of snacks for a picnic. You know, just in case we decided to have an adventure that weekend.
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- Table of Contents; Beaufort, South Carolina
- Things to explore downtown Beaufort
- Where to park downtown
- On the outskirts of downtown Beaufort
- Nearby St. Helena Island places to explore
- Nearby Port Royal points of interest
- 14 Free things to do in the area
And adventure we had! With exploring old church ruins, walking the charming downtown, talking with friendly locals, visiting country stores, and so much more!
Come along on our adventure and plan your own trip with these 23 fun family things to do in Beaufort, SC.
BEAUFORT, SOUTH CAROLINA
Beaufort, South Carolina, was founded in 1711, making it the second oldest town in South Carolina, just after Charleston. The town has many beautiful homes preserved in the antebellum architecture, with wrap around porches, grand staircases, and large Greek columns.
Beaufort’s charming town and southern architecture has made it a popular filming location to include movies such as Forrest Gump (1994), The Big Chill (1983), The Great Santini (1979), and The Price of Tides (1991).
With it’s small town charm, popular films, great restaurants, and friendly neighbors, it’s easy to see why visitors love exploring Beaufort, SC, and the surrounding area.
23 THINGS TO DO IN BEAUFORT SC
It can get a bit confusing on what to see or where to go when you’re not familiar with the area. So to keep it simple I’ve complied a list of things to do in Beaufort, SC, including downtown, places of interest in nearby by Port Royal and St. Helena Island, and free things to do in the surrounding area.
EXPLORING DOWNTOWN BEAUFORT
Downtown Beaufort is stunning with it’s southern charm and small town feel. It’s much smaller than Charleston making it simple to navigate and much easier to find parking! Even though it’s smaller it still packs a punch when it comes to things to do and places to explore.
Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park- This park is the perfect place to start since it’s located right next to a public parking area. The park’s wide sidewalk is right on the water and offers bench swings all along the path for you to enjoy the view!
Playground by the water- At the end of the path is a great playground for children and several places to purchase some ice cream on a warm afternoon. Including YoYo’s Ice Cream, Kilwins Ice Cream, and Southern Sweets Ice Cream and Sandwich Shop.
Beaufort History Museum and Visitors Center- The Beaufort History Museum is located just a couple of blocks over from Henry C. Chambers Waterfront park at 713 Cavern St. Here you’ll learn about the history of this area including Native American History, the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, and all the way to present times.
Admission- General Admission is $8 per adult, with both senior and Active Military discounts. Children under 18 are free of charge. Be sure to check their website for the most up to date information.
Carriage Tours- For carriage (or buggy) tours, you have a couple of options downtown. You can check with both Southurn Rose Carriage Tour Company or The Sea Island Carriage Company. Both tour companies are located downtown and offer great tours full of history and bring you past a few Hollywood movie sites.
Old Point Neighborhood- All the homes downtown are pretty special and if you get a chance to really walk around, you should check out the beautiful antebellum style homes in Old Point Neighborhood with grand staircases and tall Greek columns. It’s like something right out of a movie scene. Oh wait, they literally are.
John Mark Verdier House Tour- Take a tour inside the John Mark Verdier House that was built in 1804. Located in the heart of downtown, this home is listed on the National Register of Historical Places and is the only historic house in Beaufort that is open to the public.
Beaufort National Cemetery- Take a moment to remember the history of our country by visiting the the Beaufort National Cemetery located at 1601 Boundary Street. Here you can pay your respects to the fallen of our great country.
The Chocolate Tree- Craving something a little sweet? The Chocolate tree is one of the most visited shops in downtown and the perfect place to grab a little something to take home.
Downtown Shopping and Restaurants- Be sure to walk downtown and visit a few of their fabulous stores. From antiques, book stores, art galleries, country stores, and more!
Informational Tip *Parking- You can find a fairly large parking area right downtown at the corner of Bay St. and Newcastle St. located at 1006 Bay St. Beaufort, SC 29902. They do charge by the hour, but it’s very reasonably priced. Pay by card at the kiosks around the lot.
OTHER THINGS IN THE AREA
The Kazoobie Kazoo Factory, Museum, and Gift Shop- The Kazoobie Kazoo Factory is a must see for all ages who love a good time. The museum and gift shop are free of charge but they also offer a guided tour with an opportunity to make your own kazoo to take home! Now that’s just a win for everybody. Be sure to check their website for the most current hours of operation. At this time they are closed on the weekends.
Side note- Looking for a song to play your kazoo with the kids? Try “If I were a fish” by Olivia Barton on Youtube. Right at the end they have the perfect kazoo solo you can play along to. Just watch out for one colorful word that starts with the letter d. You can always sing over a little louder.
Old Sheldon Church Ruins- Just outside of Beaufort, South Carolina, is the hauntingly beautiful remains of the Old Sheldon Church Ruins. Built over 270 years ago, this church was set on fire in 1779 during the American Revolution, and later dismantled for building materials during the Civil War. Here you can walk around the old graves and view the grounds and ruins of the old church.
Highway 21 Drive In Theater- Highway 21 Drive In Theater offers three screens with double features on Friday and Saturday night. They are open year round Thursday through Sunday and have concession that include funnel cakes, hot dogs, popcorn, and more. Bring your kids, well behaved dog, and blankets!
Carolina Cider Company and Clockwise Coffee- Located near the Old Sheldon Church Ruins, you’ll find a cute little store called The Carolina Cider Company. They also have one in downtown Beaufort, but this one is extra charming with their baked goods and handcrafted gifts.
Spanish Moss Trail- The Spanish Moss Trail is a 10 mile long trail that is enjoyed by many. Bikes, joggers, and anyone looking to take a stroll along this paved nature trail is welcome. You can find several different areas to access this trail, one of them including the train depot where you’ll bike, jog, or walk through an old train depot.
NEARBY ST. HELENA ISLAND SOUTH CAROLINA
Hunting Island State Park- Take some time to enjoy nature down at Hunting Island State Park. Relax along the beach to explore one of several nature trails and boardwalks. They also offer fishing, biking, a playground, gift shop, walking trails, equestrian, camping, Hunting Island Lighthouse, and more!
Ferry to Saint Phillips Island- While visiting Hunting Island State Park, ask about visiting Saint Phillips Island. Your adventure will start with a 30 minute boat ride to the island. Once on dry land you’ll take a 3.5 mile tram ride where a guide will give you a history of the island and other important information as you pass wildlife and possibly an alligator or two. The tram will end near the Turner home where you’ll then be able to explore the area and beach on your own.
Saint Helena Parish Chapel of Ease Ruins- On your way to Hunting State Park, be sure to stop by the Saint Helena Parish Chapel of Easy Ruins. This church was built in 1740 but was later burned by a forest fire in 1886. Here you can explore the old ruins and surrounding area. Just remember to be respectful while on the property.
Fort Fremont Preserve and History Center- Fort Fremont Preserve and History Center is a fair distance away from downtown Beaufort, but still an incredibly interesting thing to see and do if you happen to be in the area for a day or two. This fort was built in 1898 to defend the coaling station and dock at the Port Royal Naval Station on Parris Island. Now, you can explore the area on foot and learn a bit more history about the area through their informational signs located around the fort.
- Other things to do in the area
- The Lowcountry Store
- Avenue of Oaks- On Coffin Point Rd.
- Gullah GeeChee Visitors Center
NEARBY PORT ROYAL SOUTH CAROLINA
Cypress Wetlands- The Cypress Wetlands are free of charge to visit and located at 1700 Paris Ave, Port Royal, SC, 29935. Here you can take a few family pictures next to the photo worthy boots before you make your way around the 0.9 mile nature trail and boardwalk. Keep your eyes open to all different types of wildlife in the sky and in the water to include storks and alligators.
Port Royal Observation Tower- Stroll along the boardwalk before making your way up the Port Royal Observation Tower. Take in the panoramic views of Battery Creek and see if you can spot a dolphin or two in the distance. Easy parking area to the right as you come down the road to the tower.
Sandy Beach- Sandy beach is a small beach located just next to this observation tower on the left hand side. It’s a bit less sandy than the name suggests, so just make sure to keep that in mind. The road and parking area to sandy beach has a few pot holes and can be covered by water during high tide. However, it is a great place to look for shark teeth. A small sifter might be helpful, just make sure to cover any disturbance in the sand you might make while looking.
Parris Island Museum- The Parris Island Museum is located a little further out but it is still a great place to stop for anyone who enjoys history. Admission to enter the museum is free of charge but since they are located on a military base, you will need to show the guard at the gate your valid drivers license, registration, and proof of insurance. From there you can continue to the museum and take a self guided tour once inside the building.
FREE THINGS TO DO IN BEAUFORT SC
Let’s break it down a little further. We’ve already talked about downtown Beaufort, Port Royal, and St. Helena Island, but everyone’s budget looks a little different these days. In fact, we’re a picnic in the park kind of family. So here’s a list of FREE things to do in Beaufort, SC, and the surrounding areas.
- Walk downtown Beaufort
- Visit the Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park
- Visit the Beaufort History Museum (This one is NOT free, however, children under 18 are free to visit. And that’s a huge win for large families.)
- Explore the Old Point Neighborhood
- The Kazoobie Kazoo Factory- The museum and gift shop are free of charge. However, they do offer a guided tour for a small charge.
- Beaufort National Cemetery
- Walk or bike the Spanish Moss Trail
- Visit the Old Sheldon Church Ruins nearby
- Cypress Wetlands
- Port Royal Observation Tower and boardwalk
- Sandy Beach (shark teeth, not a large beach area)
- Parris Island Museum
- Fort Fremont History Preserve
- St. Helena Parish of Ease Ruins
- Avenue of Oaks on Coffin Point Rd. (Beautiful road lined with large live oak trees covered in Spanish moss).
Run Forrest run! If you happen to make your way over the Beaufort Memorial Bridge, take a second to look around. You might just recognize this bridge as the bridge Forrest Gump journeys over as he was traveling over the Mississippi River with the reporters gathered around asking why he was running.
Beaufort, South Carolina, is a small town filled with plenty of things to see and places to visit. From shopping, restaurants, and carriage rides, to historical tours, nature paths, boardwalks and so much more! So pack a picnic for the road and start your family adventure.
We’ll see you on our next trip.
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