Beaufort Things to Do

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Some of the carriage tours leave from the Downtown Marina parking lot. One of them is Carolina Buggy Tours.

I have not taken this tour, but they look like a neat idea.

The tours last approximately 1 hour. Weekends and summers do require advanced tickets. Otherwise, just show up and see when the next tour goes. Admission: $16, ages 6-12 $7; age 5 and younger free.

I have not taken the tour of this house/museum so I am taking the official information from the website of the Historic Beaufort Foundation,

"..the John Mark Verdier House is one of the finest architectural examples of the Federal Period. Built circa 1800, its antique room settings further illustrate life in Beaufort during the 19th century. Mr. Verdier served in the American Revolution and went on to become a wealthy merchant in Beaufort. Anecdotal evidence suggests that the Marquis de Lafayette visited the house in 1825. The house remained in the Verdier family for over 100 years and has endured many changes and threats during its life, including a proposal to demolish it in the 1940s".

The Historic Beaufort Foundation owns and operates this as the only historic house open in Beaufort on a regular basis.

It is open Mondays - Saturdays, 10:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. Admission is $5.00 for fully narriated tour. Narriated tours begin at 10:30 a.m. and are on the half hour with the last tour starting at 3:30 p.m.

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This church was founded in 1712 . It's wooden alter was carved by the crew of the USS New Hampshire which was stationed nearby during the Reconstruction. During the Civil War the Union Army used the tombstones from the churchyard as operating tables. The balcony inside the church was designated as the seating area for the black slaves in the community. A docent is present in the church Tuesday through Saturday to guide visitors and share the history of this church.

Climb to the top of the lighthouse, which is located in the center of Hunting State Park. This lighthouse, built in 1875, was constructed of cast iron sections, and lined with brick. This construction was designed with the understanding that the erosion in the area may make it necessary to one-day move the lighthouse. Sure enough, in 1991, in order to preserve this light, the state had to moved it from its original location. To accomplish this move, the brick lining was removed, and the huge cast iron sections were taken apart, and then reassembled in its new location more than a mile inland. Unfortunately beach erosion continues in the area, and although the light is not in immediate danger, it is now only a couple 100 yards away from the shoreline. When in use, this lighthouse served as a half way mark between the busy ports of Savannah, Georgia, and Charleston, South Carolina. It also served to warn ships to keep away from the dangerous shoals in the area. Three lighthouse keepers and their families have been stationed at Hunting in the late 1800s, living in a two-story home. The light tower stands 136 feet high, so if you climb to the top, you will have a wonderful view of the ocean and the shoreline below. Be prepared, however, to climb 185 steps to reach the top.

Spend a day at the beautiful Hunting Island State Park. This state park has a beautiful natural beach, which is unfortunately in trouble due to erosion. Even so, it is still one of the most popular beaches in the area, so during hot summer days it may be very crowded. At one time Hunting Island was a popular location for hunting deer, raccoon, and waterfowl. It was from these times that Hunting got its name. Another piece of interesting history is that the island was a common layover for sailors and pirates, including the famous Blackbeard. Of course the pirates are gone, as well as the hunting. Today the natural environment of the park is being preserved. You can enjoy relaxing on the beach, swimming during warm weather, playing Frisbee, as well as other enjoyable beach activities. If you get tired of the beach, take a hike away from the beach on one of the park’s short trails.

this grand residence was built before the revolutionary war by william elliot I. william elliot III lived in this house just prior to the civil war. elliot was violently pro-southern and was in favor of slavery, however he opposed secession and resigned his seat in the senate rather than vote for nullification. during the union occupation of beaufort the elliot home was used as a hospital. in 1876 the famous confederate general and south carolina statesman, wade hamption made a speech to the citizens of beaufort from it's porch.

robert means, a prominent merchant and planter built this home around 1790. the original columns of the means house were replaced by edwin denby, the secretary of the navy under president harding. denby owned this house from 1919 to 1928.

this home was built by thomas fuller, a prominent planter in 1786. this house is also known as the "tabby manse" because it's two foot thick walls are made from tabby, a local building material. tabby is a type of concrete composed of oyster shells and lime mortar. the "tabby" house is considered one of the finest early houses in beaufort.