After Charleston we were on our way to Beaufort, South Carolina. This town was new to us and one we had wanted to visit for a long time…and, thanks to several friends, we had some excellent recommendations!
Where did we stay?
This is one cool, retro-remodeled motel now hotel in the very heart of Beaufort. No need for a car after checking in here.
All the rooms (except for two suites) are the same. Comfortable king bed.The storage was exceptional: lots of drawers (even under the bed) and surface area. The bathroom was huge and again lots of surface area which is SO rare in any hotel bathroom. And there were real GLASS glasses in bathroom and bar area in the room. Two, count ‘em two, fluffy bathmats! Enormous shower, again with lots of surface area for all the bottles. And on and on. I highly recommend this place.
The azaleas all over were just spectacular. White, pink, red, magenta…they were in full bloom! In both Charleston and Beaufort, these shrubs are really magical.
I have to include a quote here from my friend Marian of
Hortitopia blog:
“If you’re a gardener, two days in Charleston, South Carolina, in March is about as good as it gets.”
I have thought about this quote so many times in the last few days and just love it. So true, so true…..
Let’s move on to restaurants. For a town of its size, Beaufort has an unexpected abundance of really good restaurants. For a five day stay we ate in a different restaurant every night and had very fine meals each and every time. Some of the places I recommend are:
Wren Bistro
Saltus River Grill
Breakwater Restaurant
Just looking at the list of restaurants now makes me want to go back! Saltus is right on the riverfront, you can sit outside on a lovely terrace (it was too chilly when we were there) and has a lively bar and many seating options. Our dinner was superb: once again I had a small plate, “Sea Island Shrimp and Creamy Stone Ground Grits.” Is your mouth watering?
View from the pier at Hunting Island.
We took a short ride to Hunting Island State Park hoping to walk the
marsh boardwalk and on the beach and spend some time by the water. The website we went to neglected to say that most of the Park has been closed for months due to Hurricane Matthew last October. They had tremendous beach erosion and the boardwalk trails have been closed since then. Such a shame… but it IS due to open this June so if you go, check ahead. We were only able to go out onto one of the main piers but the wind was so strong we couldn’t stay long!
On the way back up from Hunting Island we drove through St. Helena Island and stopped at The Shrimp Shack for lunch.
I know, I took a picture of the food from the wrong angle!!! But the fried shrimp were probably the BEST we have ever had. No exaggeration. The best. The Shrimp Shack had been recommended by several people who all said it is not to be missed!
A few miles north of that is the Red Piano Too Art Gallery, another “not-to-be-missed” attraction. Colorful, local fun art of all kinds.
And yet another fun expedition:
Cypress Wetlands in Port Royal
It’s a short walk right in the center of Port Royal: boardwalks through the wetlands and paths through the woods. As you look down into the muck aka water, there are lots and lots of turtles. All were covered in some level of green slime and some piled on top of each other! Quite a sight. Then there were a few alligators but the two we saw were small at about 3 feet long. Egrets were in the trees; herons resting. Again, a short but recommended trip.
Here’s a very short video I took of one of the turtles:
The Hotel also has bikes you are free to use. I took short rides every day, and mostly through the adjacent historic area.
The Live Oak trees are wonderful, aren’t they? And oh, that Spanish Moss
One last shot:
Does anyone know what this is? I’ve asked on Instagram but no answers. It was a “wild” vine in the yard/driveway of one of the houses. About 10-12 high and seemed very healthy. If you have an idea, please chime in!
In the fall, which is a gorgeous time (and cooler!) to visit this area, there is the
Fall Festival of Houses & Gardens
sponsored by the Historic Beaufort Foundation
The website doesn’t have complete information yet, but bookmark it if you are interested in attending. There is also a Facebook page.
I hope you have enjoyed your armchair travel!
I have a BIG trip coming up in June but I will keep you in suspense for now. Hint: it involves gardens..
Thank you for sharing! Beautiful and enticing, as always. Always love the “haint blue” ceilings.
Jo Maeder recently posted…CHUCK BERRY, THE AUTHOR, TAKES OUT THE GARBAGE AND MORE
So glad you liked it, Libby. I can tell you appreciate the special place that Beaufort is!
Thank you, Cindy, for all your help! We really enjoyed it…just wish Hunting Island had been open. We met friends at Wren our last day for lunch and it was delightful. We will definitely be going back!
Libby, use one of the plant identifier apps to check out that vine. I have several on my phone. Could it be a Coral Vine? http://www.onalee.com/store.php/onaleeisrael/pd9091721/coral_vine_white_seeds_antigonon_leptopus_alba_pollinator_attractor
No, that’s not it. But I’ll try an app and let you know. Thanks!
Everything I expected the South to be. The architecture is so elegant.
rusty duck recently posted…Paradise Found
I’ve only been to that part of the US once, but your post makes me want to go back. The Mister lived in Georgia for a year and traveled through Beaufort while playing rugby down there. He has fond memories of the area.
As always, I love armchair traveling with you!
Cyndi Murdoch recently posted…Taliesin West
Great to see you the other day. I would love to visit this town.
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It was such fun sharing lunch with you and we are so glad you enjoyed your stay in Beaufort! It is a gem of a town. Next time you have to take the Carriage Ride so you can hear one of the locals tell you all about the homes on The Point! And, another restaurant to visit is Emily’s (although Saltus and Breakwater are our favorites for dinner). Since you like small plates, Emily’s would have lots to offer you. Also, you need to visit Penn Center and the new St Helena Museum!! We look forward to your return visit!!
Hi Anne: We really enjoyed seeing you two also. FB, and social media, is amazing isn’t it? We will definitely be back. I even saw an adorable Airbnb house that looks wonderful, right in town, and just recently renovated. We shall see. But think of us on your trip north ok?
Oh, it looks like you had a really nice time :) Beautiful nature!