Are you looking at spending a day in the beautiful city of Beaufort, SC? I’m sharing a detailed self-guided walking tour guide, so you can explore this South Carolina city’s most beautiful spots on foot.

Our family spent two amazing weeks on Hilton Head Island in South Carolina, and we loved taking day trips to nearby beautiful Southern cities that were full of charm and history. Beaufort was one of our favorite day trips from Hilton Head Island, and since it was just 35 miles away and less than an hour drive, it was also one of the easiest day trips. While researching the city, I knew that I wanted to explore this historic city on foot with my family, so I spent time mapping out and creating a route for our self-guided walking tour.

This historic walking tour focuses primarily on the Old Point and Bay Street Neighborhoods, which are chalked full of American Civil War history. It takes about 1 hour, although you will want to factor in some extra time to enjoy the Spanish moss trees, take photos of the beautiful streets, and stroll leisurely. I would recommend giving yourself 2-3 hours.

Pro tip: Are you exploring other parts of the beautiful state of South Carolina? Consider booking a local photographer through Flytographer, a company that helps you find the perfect photographer to capture your travel memories. Use my referral link to save $25 on your first photo shoot. After using them 11 times to capture unforgettable memories in destinations like Paris and Hawaii and Edinburgh, I cannot recommend this wonderful company enough!

Bonus tips for families: Consider bringing travel scooters or bikes for your kids. Our 3 year old daughter rode her scooter around this charming city, which allowed her to keep up while our 1 year old rode in his travel stroller. She had a blast, and it allowed us to keep up a good walking pace. If you’re visiting Beaufort during the humid summer months, like we did, be sure to carry plenty of water. If you are going to push a baby or toddler in a stroller, consider bringing along a stroller fan to keep your little one cool.

 

Reasons to Visit Beaufort, SC

Beaufort, SC, is located on the coastal Port Royal Island and is a great destination for United States history buffs, as the city was occupied by the British during the American Revolution and the Union during the Civil War. Many original buildings are still standing today, and the city takes great pride in its beautiful preservation. It is very walk-able, the locals are friendly, and its overall just a very beautiful city to explore. I am excited to share our self-guided walking tour itinerary with you!

Please note that most of these spots are now private residences. Please keep a respectful distance and honor all private property.

Other Ways to Explore Beaufort, SC

If you decide that you would prefer to explore with a local guide, this highly rated walking tour will take you to all the main sites as you learn about Beaufort’s history. It is also very popular to explore Beaufort by horse and carriage, if you prefer to avoid the walk.

 

Where to park in Beaufort, SC

We chose to park our car near the Chocolate Tree, located at 507 Carteret Street. This public street had plenty of parking and was a great starting point for our walking tour of the historic district. It was also fun to return here at the end of our adventure for a few chocolate treats. We headed “The Old Point” neighborhood of Beaufort first.

You might also be interested in: Creative Ways to Capture Travel Memories

Self-Guided Walking Tour of Beaufort, SC

Click here to view walking directions for the first part of this tour (Old Point) on Google Maps!

601 New Street – 1st African Baptist Church

This beautiful church, which is still active today, started in 1863. It served as a school for freed people and then a church during the Reconstruction Era. Robert Smalls (more on him in a minute), attended this church and was baptized here in 1905.

 

511 Prince Street – Robert Smalls’ House

Robert Smalls is arguably Beaufort’s most well-known resident. Born into slavery in 1839, he freed himself (and others) and commandeered a Confederate ship in Charleston Harbor in 1862, where he successfully sailed past the Confederacy into Union-occupied waters. The ship became a Union warship, and President Abraham Lincoln was inspired to accept African Americans into the Union army. After the Civil War, he returned to Beaufort and purchased his former master’s house. He went on to serve in politics, including the two terms in the U.S. House of Representatives. His fascinating story can be read about in the book Be Free or Die: The Amazing Story of Robert Smalls’ Escape from Slavery to Union Hero, which I highly recommend reading before your trip to Beaufort, if at all possible!

 

804 Pinckney Street – John Archibald Johnson House

The John Archibald Johnson House was built in the 1850s and was the elegant home to Dr. Johnson and his wife. During the Civil War, it was confiscated and used as a Union Hospital. It is now privately owned.

 

207 Hancock Street – Elizabeth Hext House

The Elizabeth Hext House is one of the oldest houses in the city with a beautiful river view. Build around 1720, it was considered small of for its era.

 

1 Laurens Street – Tidalholm/Edgar Fripp House

The Edgar Fripp House, also known as Tidalholm, was built as a summer home in 1853 by plantation owner Edgar Fripp. After the Civil War, a Frenchman purchased this home and returned it to its original owner for no payment. The home is featured in the movies The Big Chill and The Great Santini.

Pro Tip: If you’re interested in learning more about the movies filmed in Beaufort, SC, consider booking this walking history and movie tour or this golf cart history and movie tour!

 

 

100 Laurens Street – The Oaks

The Oaks was built in 1855 for Colonel Hamilton and was used as a Union hospital during the Civil War. It was returned to its original owner after the war.

Pro Tip: Despite its address, you will not find this beautiful home on Laurens Street. We weren’t able to find it, and after doing more researching after our trip, I discovered that you will find its entrance on a dirt road west of King Street. Here is a photo of the park you will find if you try to map to 100 Laurens Street:

 

501 Pinckney Street – Marshlands/James Robert Verdier House

The Marshlands was built in 1814 and was home to James Robert Verdier, who discovered a treatment for yellow fever. This home is National Historic Landmark because of its well-preserved architecture. It was used as the headquarters for the United States Sanitary Commission during the Civil War.

 

411 Craven Street – The Castle/Joseph Johnson House

The Joseph Johnson House was built in the late 1850s and was used as a Union Hospital during the Civil War. Before fleeing his home in 1861, Johnson hid his silver and china on the property. He was able to pay his taxes after the war and return to his home. There are two olive trees on the property that were brought from the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem. This home is featured in the film Forces of Nature.

 

At this point, you will officially be walking along Bay Street. Some scenes from Forrest Gump were filmed here.

Click here to view walking directions for the second part of this tour (Bay Street) on Google Maps!

601 Bay Street – Lewis Reeves Sams House

The Lewis Reeves Sams House was built in 1852. During the Civil War, it was used as a Union Hospital and as General Rufus Saxton’s headquarters (General Saxton was a Union Army brigadier general who received the Medal of Honor for his role in the defending Harpers Ferry). This home was featured in the film Prince of Tides.

 

600 Bay Street – Stephen Elliott Park (Cannon Park)

This park is located along the water in downtown Beaufort. There are two cannons that were salvaged from a British Ship named the Vigilant during the American Revolution. After the war, the ship was burned and some cannons were set up to defend Beaufort in future attacks, if needed.

 

801 Bay Street – Verdier House/Lafayette Building

This home was built in 104 by French Huguenot John Mark Verdier and was supposedly the first home in the city to have a telephone. This home currently houses a museum, which is open to the public for docent-led tours. For more information and current hours, check out the Historic Beaufort Foundation.

 

713 Craven Street- Beaufort Arsenal/History Museum

The Beaufort Arsenal was built in 1798 to house the Beaufort Volunteer Artillery after the Revolutionary War. It is now the Beaufort History Museum, which you can visit. Find more information and hours on their website.

Pro Tip: You will find free, clean, public restrooms here! My sister traveled to Beaufort recently and was able to pick up a paper map of the city here.

 

907 Craven Street – Tabernacle Baptist Church

Tabernacle Baptist Church was built in the 1840s as a meeting room/lecture house.  It was transformed into a church in 1863. There is a bust of Robert Smalls on the church grounds, and he was buried here after his death in 1915.

 

1113 Craven Street – Secession House/Maxcy-Rhett House

The Secession House was built in 1810 for Milton Maxcy and was bought in the 1850s by Edmund Rhett. It is where the first meeting in favor of secession was held. During the Civil War, it was used as a Union hospital and officer quarters.

1211 Bay Street – Tabby Manse

Tabby Manse is best known for its exterior tabby walls and is one of the last few buildings in South Carolina built in this style. With the exception of its updated kitchen, the home hasn’t been changed since it was built around 1786. In the 1930s, Francis Griswold stayed here and wrote A Sea Island Lady. He was inspired by Tabby Manse and described it in the book, where he referred to the home as Marshlands.

 

1405 Bay Street – Edward Barnwell-Geddes Dowling House

The Edward Barnwell-Geddes Dowling House was used as a Union signal station during the Civil War. Built around 1815, the two brothers who owned it couldn’t stand each other, so they divided it down the middle.

 

915 Port Republic Street – Cuthbart Scheper House

The Cuthbart Scheper House is now the Cuthbart Scheper Inn, where you can stay during your trip to Beaufort. Located along the water, its beautiful architecture and location make the B&B an excellent lodging location. During the Civil War, the home was used as a bakery for the Union troops.

 

Bonus Stop: We are almost to the end of the walking tour, with just one more stop. If you have time, considering strolling further down Bay Street and Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park, where you’ll find lovely swings along the water.

 

507 Newcastle Street – St. Helena’s Episcopal Church

The historic St. Helena’s Episcopal Church was established in 1712 and was originally known as the Parish Church of St. Helena. It was originally linked King Henry VIII’s Church of England. During the Civil War, it was used as a Union hospital. Today, it is an active church with regular Sunday services and events.

 

507 Carteret Street – Chocolate Tree

This brings us the end of our self-guided walking tour of Beaufort, SC! It’s time to head back to your parked car near the Chocolate Tree. Forrest Gump supposedly purchased his chocolates here!

 

Tip for families: Stop by the Kazoo Factory on your way out of town for a fun tour or to buy a souvenir kazoo from their gift shop. My kids are still playing their high-quality kazoos!

 

 

 

 

 

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