The boardwalk is a fishing pier that parallels the shoreline and provides for a viewpoint to look…read moreinto the marshes and perhaps view some wildlife. And then there's the observation tower, a four story wooden tower. Climb the steps (look out for splinters) and from the top, you can see for miles around the Battery Creek and the mouth of the Beaufort River. Completely free and there was no one else on the boardwalk when I visited in mid-March. [Review 19485 overall - 1057 in South Carolina - 455 of 2023.]

We really enjoyed our hike on this boardwalk. We weren't sure at first what to expect but it was…read morereally nice. The views were beautiful. The boardwalk was really nicely maintained. There were a lot of people fishing off the dock even had little benches for people to be able to fish with, it's a bit of a hike up the steps, but it's not bad

Civil War History…read more Dining at Old Fort Pub is always preceded by our walking tour of the Civil War fort, Fort Mitchel (one L.) Fort Mitchel and other Union forts, together with a superior Union Navy were Key to ultimate Union victory. Old Fort Pub is closed, and visitors to FT Mitchel have decreased. This Fort played a vital role in Coastal defenses.

Fun and Interesting historical presentation on old site of this fort area. Well spoken guide met us…read morenear parking and welcomed us, began discussion readily, sharing Civil war history. We ambled to park benches as he continued, explaining the importance of the area, and fortifications there, preserved as possible despite nearby modern development. His talk was augmented with a second presentor, in character and costume, to explain local sentiments during war times, with good humor and good understanding of historical local, slave and soldier perspectives. Well done! Well appreciated! Give a listen , everyone! Volunteer guides, money supports local history library.

This historic marker sits in front of this gray building that would be easy to overlook. The marker…read moreis on two sides. The front reads, "This one-room frame school, built ca. 1937, was the first separate school building constructed for African-American students on Hilton Head Island. It replaced an earlier Cherry Hill School, which had held its classes in the parsonage of St. James Baptist Church. After the black community on the island raised funds to buy this tract, Beaufort County agreed to build this school." On the reverse, "This was an elementary school with one teacher, with an average of about 30 students. It had grades 1-5 when it opened in 1937, adding grade 6 the next school year. The black community helped pay for maintenance of the school and also supplemented teacher salaries. Cherry Hill School was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 2012." The building is not open to the public but it's still worth a stop to check out and remember what things must have been like for black students before equality came around in the South. [Review 14527 overall, 24 of 2021, number 755 in South Carolina.]

Officially the Richard V. Woods Memorial Bridge and formerly known as the Lady's Island Bridge,…read morethis drawbridge carries US-21 (Business) over the Intracoastal Waterway joining downtown Beaufort with Lady's Island. It was opened in 1959 and is the second swing-bridge in this spot. Yes, it's not the more common "bascule" or "leaf" bridge that raises. The Beaufort bridge is a swing bridge which pivots to allow tall marine traffic to pass. Swing bridges are cool. It's a pretty bridge in a classical sense and it's great that it can be seen from the Sea Island Parkway as you approach from the south and you can also stop along Bay Street (best next to the Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park) to view the bridge. I did not get an opportunity to see it open during my time in Beaufort. The bridge has one lane in each direction and a single protected pedestrian walkway on one side of the roadway. There is no toll to cross the bridge. It is one of two bridges that cross here in Beaufort. The other is the McTeer Bridge about four miles south and it's just a regular boring high bridge that doesn't open. The bridge was used in the movie Forrest Gump. You'll see it at the end of this scene: https://youtu.be/1XRmhoGwgVg [Review 19478 overall - 1050 in South Carolina - 448 of 2023.]

You know why I low key love writing reviews for bridges? Because they pretty much write themselves…read more If the bridge wasn't up to par, then I wouldn't be writing the review. If there's one thing I can say about this bridge is that it's STURDY. I'm no architect, but I can definitely appreciate the STURDINESS of any bridge that I cross. The STURDIER the better, is what I always say, and this bridge really holds its own. As to not come off as sarcastic I actually did some homework on the bridge and found out that is one of the most popular landmarks in Beaufort S.C. It opened on December 17th in 1959, which stands a a huge testament to its STURDINESS, and dependability. The woods Memorial Bridge, which is more commonly referred to by locals as "Woods Bridge" is named in memory of Richard V. Woods 1935-1969. He was a Highway Patrol officer who was unfortunately killed in the line of duty. The bridge was also a stnd in for a bridge that crossed the mighty Mississippi in the classic movie Forrest Gump! So not only is the bridge STURDY as all get out! It's also a movie icon, and a sex symbol when compared to most bridges.

After a "destination lunch" in Yemassee SC, our server asked if we were seeking history. Replying…read morethat it was an interest, they suggested going just six miles down the road. Yes! Six miles and 250 years earlier, we drove into a hauntingly beautiful open grove of ruins did we go! Park off the street easily. Off street parking with no sidewalks or crossings, then you'll walk into history. Burned once by the British in 1777, rebuilt, then burned one more, and final time by Sherman's mary in the civil war, as he rained terror on these rural folk, returning from conquering Savannah in the final years of the civil war. Some people remain behind in the graveyard, so please be respectful during your time here. It's silence and magistry will stay with you. The old water pump still delivers cold, sweet spring water, so have some before you go. Bring a cup (no waste cans!), or go old school and use your hand. The sadness comes from knowing that these bricks were made by slaves...

My wife and I visited here on an anniversary trip from a recommendation of a friend. It's about 50…read moremiles from Charleston SC but was well worth the drive. We were the only ones there. It's a historic site known as Prince William's Parish Church. Built between 1745 and 1753 in the English Georgian style with Roman Tuscan or Doric elements, it served as a chapel of ease for the parish. The church has a dramatic history, traditionally believed to have been burned twice: first by the British in 1779 during the Revolutionary War and again in 1865 by General Sherman's forces during the Civil War, leaving only its massive brick walls. However, a 1866 letter by Milton Leverett suggests the church was not burned in 1865 but instead gutted for materials to rebuild homes destroyed by Sherman's army, challenging the traditional narrative. I'd highly recommend a trip here if you are in the area and like things like this.

With so many Civil War historical markers, it was a pleasant surprise to find one that points to a…read moreRevolutionary War battle. The faded marker reads, "Near the old halfway house, in the vicinity of Grays Hill, on February 3, 1779, a force of South Carolina Militia, Continentals, and volunteers, including men from Beaufort, under General William Moultrie, defeated the British in their attempt to capture Port Royal Island." The battle was one of the few land battles in South Carolina where Patriot forces claimed a clear victory. British troops under Major William Gardner had landed near Beaufort with the intent to reassert control over the region and rally Loyalist support. In response, Brigadier General William Moultrie led a hastily assembled force of South Carolina militia and Continental troops to intercept them. The two sides clashed near Gray's Hill on Port Royal Island, with the Patriots using artillery and local knowledge to their advantage. Despite being outnumbered and less experienced, Moultrie's men held their ground, forcing the British to retreat to their ships after several hours of fighting. The victory bolstered Patriot morale and helped secure the Beaufort area for the remainder of the war. It disrupted British plans to regain a foothold in the South Carolina Lowcountry. The graves of two British soldiers killed in the battle - Lieutenant William Calderwood and Ensign John Finley - are located in the cemetery of Saint Helena's Church in Beaufort. It is marker number 7-5 and it was erected by the Beaufort County Historical Society. [Review 1323 of 2025 - 1320 in South Carolina - 24875 overall]

It is smaller but nice the vibe- it has Beaufort historical things there -…read moreStaff is knowledgeable and friendly There is parking but it's usually full- I park At city lot and walk up. They have a few computers to use

Five stars for a comfortable library where I was able to connect and get some online work done…read more This is a big library (certainly bigger than McClellanville but not as big as Mount Pleasant) but it absolutely had everything I needed today. It would be nice if the parking was free, but I guess too many people were parking in the library lot all day and going elsewhere. I found a work carrel where I could plug in both my laptops, though it was a bit of a stretch to the power outlet (I need to start carrying a small power strip!) but quiet. I took a Zoom call or two here without disturbing anyone and still got a bunch of work emails done. Lots of books, DVDs and reference materials. Of course, you need to be a local resident to borrow any of that but anyone is allowed to use the library and the wifi is free for anyone to use. [Review 19473 overall - 1045 in South Carolina - 443 of 2023.]

Told the lady, Trudy, that I my parking lot pass ended at 4pm. She sold me a carriage ride and told…read moreme it was 45 minutes, beginning at 3pm. She must be brand new and inexperienced. The carriage owners Said the always ran late and the ride was always 50-55 minutes. When I returned to get a refund, she tried to correct herself in front of her boss.

My wife and I always make a point of going to the visitors centers when we visit a new town and we…read morewere so glad we did in Beaufort. The lady who was attending there, I'm ashamed to say I don't recall her name, was absolutely fascinating and a wealth of information on the local history and the role the Gullah played in Beaufort and the south's history. Highly recommend you stop by and are fortunate enough to run into this great southern lady.