Draped in Spanish moss along the Atlantic Ocean stands Beaufort, South Carolina. It’s been called the cousin or litter sister of its neighboring Lowcountry towns Savannah and Charleston both of which are only a little over an hour away and for good reason. It’s undeniably charming yet smaller, making a day or two adventure in Beaufort the perfect amount of time to soak everything up without feeling rushed.

Admittedly, I chose a rainy day in early October, well past the festive energy and apparently, the sunshine of the summer, to venture from Charleston to Beaufort. Even with the dreary grey skies, I could tell Beaufort had something to offer.

Despite the cool drizzle we made our way down to Beau-fort’s waterfront Henry C. Chambers Park. With beautiful views of the water, bridges headed towards the sea islands and ample seating, I can see how this would be a bustling part of town on a sunny day. There are swinging benches, tables, and chairs under the pavilion to enjoy an el fresco lunch or take in the sights.

Walk along the waterfront towards the marina as boats come in and out. While we were there we spotted a scuba diver commissioned to clean the bottoms of boats throughout the marina. Almost jokingly I asked what else he could find but to our surprise he said plenty! Apparently amongst the many reasons people go “black water diving”, the most common is in search of whale vertebrae or megalodon teeth.

If diving into dark murky water isn’t your thing but you still want to enjoy the outdoors, you can walk or bike the 5-mile long Spanish Moss Trail. Or take a guided tour with one of the many companies offering their services; head to Bay Street to have your choice of biking, walking or carriage tour companies.

You can also spend your entire day checking out the little shops tucked up and down Bay Street. Everything from books and gifts to apparel and cooking products and tools to retro gear and home furnishings can be found and purchased if retail therapy is on your to-do… and yes, there’s even a store called Retail Therapy.

Beaufort Is Building Their Food Scene…

While I’ll be the first to admit that I’m partial to the Charleston culinary landscape, Beaufort is working hard to stay in the game. After being drawn to the waterfront park, we turned around to find ourselves with two immediate options: Panini’s On the Waterfront and Hemingway’s Bistro. We opted for Hemingway’s and headed inside to the small, basement restaurant. All cards on the table, it wasn’t what I was expecting but we sat down anyway. The food was simple but good; a rueben for my husband (which he enjoyed) and the special of the day, broccoli and cheddar cheese quiche, for me.

While there we read about and asked others for suggestions for other places to eat. Had we come on a bright summer day our first stop would likely have been to The Shrimp Shack on St. Helena Island. Other recommendations included Panini’s (the place next door), Wren Bistro, Old Bull Tavern (which isn’t open during the day), Hearth Wood Fired Pizza, and Blackstone’s Cafe (for breakfast). We’ve also been told that when in Port Royal, a stop to the 11th Street Dockside Restaurant is a must.

Before we headed out of town we stopped by Motor City Pops to satiate my sweet tooth. This year-round ice pop shop located on Boundary Street hosts a rotating menu of 30+ all natural cream and fruit-based pops. Currently adapting their menu towards more fall-inspired flavors my husband had the Salted Caramel Cheesecake dipped in dark chocolate and graham cracker crust. Take a second to think that through. Feeding my perpetual caffeine addiction, I opted for the espresso pop dipped in dark chocolate. And this isn’t any dark chocolate; owner Suzanne Wilson set on a mission to find THE BEST dark chocolate to complement her gourmet pops. Now she has her chocolate flown in from Germany, and the quality is evident.

Sleeping In Beaufort Is an Escape All Its Own…

Our trip didn’t include an overnight stay but one look around town and I’m making plans to go back and change that. Pictur-esque inns and beautiful bed and breakfasts are plentiful. An-chorage 1770, the oldest and largest Tabby structure still in use, is located just across from the Beaufort River marina, offering intercoastal waterfront views, relaxing porch breezes and easy access to shopping and dining options on Bay Street. Other inns worth noting include The Rhett House Inn, Cuthbert House Inn, and The Beaufort Inn.

Visit for a day to shop and tour the oak-lined estates or spend the weekend island hopping. No matter what you decide to set your sights on, Beaufort is waiting with history, beauty, and the type of energy that only comes from centuries in the making.

By Krysta Chapman