Forbes Travel Guide Blog
Four Southern Towns Worthy Of A Detour
For far too long, popular destinations like Savannah, Charleston and Atlanta have overshadowed their smaller Southern counterparts that are sometimes just an hour’s drive away. Not anymore. Now that word is getting out about the charm and culture of these under-the-radar cities, they’re slowly but surely becoming places to stay rather than towns to pass through. Consider adding these four gems to your next Southern sojourn.
Bluffton, South Carolina
Located just eight miles from Hilton Head, South Carolina, this sleepy town oozes Southern charm and ambience. Though the historic downtown district is quite small, with just a few blocks of Calhoun Street serving as home base for a handful of art venues such as The Filling Station Art Gallery and Maye River Gallery, it’s worth stopping in for a visit to The Cottage Café, Bakery & Tea Room. On weekend nights, it’s difficult to score a table here — entrées like the savory crab and shrimp “gumbolaya” are the reasons why — so plan to arrive early or call ahead. The real draw of Bluffton, though, is the Inn at Palmetto Bluff, a Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star hotel that has 50 elegantly appointed guest cottages and suites. Tucked away on 20,000 acres of mostly untouched wilderness, the large, circa-1800s white manse is the centerpiece of the small town, and boasts cobblestone drives, towering oaks strewn with Spanish moss, and views of the breathtaking Intracoastal Waterway. Later this year, the Inn will host Music to Your Mouth, a culinary extravaganza set for November 19-24 that will feature more than 75 of the brightest local and regional chefs, brewers, winemakers and more.
Source: itsallpink.com
The Top Beaufort, South Carolina Tourist Sites
Beaufort, South Carolina, is a small town with a rich history
located approximately halfway between Savannah and Charleston. The area
was first explored by the Spanish in 1514, but was officially settled by
the British in 1711. Beaufort played a critical role in the Civil War,
hosting the first meeting for secession from the Union. Beaufort was
occupied by Union troops less than a year later and remained under Union
control for the rest of the war. This protected it from being burned
during General Sherman's famous March. Many historic buildings have been
carefully preserved.
Parris Island
Parris Island is a Marine Corps base best known for its Recruit
Training Depot. Visitors are invited to tour the extensive Parris Island
Museum. The second floor focuses on Marine life from 1900 to the
present, while on the first floor, exhibits tell the story of the
island's inhabitants from prehistoric times through the Civil War.
Museum admission is free and guided tours are available. Recruits
graduate virtually every Friday throughout the year, and the general
public is invited to attend. You must show a valid driver's license,
vehicle registration and proof of insurance to drive on base.
Buggy Tours
Beaufort's historic district contains hundreds of elegant homes
that date to the 1700s and 1800s. Movies such as "Forrest Gump" and "The
Prince of Tides" were filmed partly in Beaufort. The best way to take
in the city's history and culture is a tour with a knowledgeable guide.
Buggy tours depart multiple times per day from the waterfront area.
St. Helena's Episcopal Church
St. Helena's Episcopal Church was founded in 1712, and the current
church building dates to 1724. The building was enlarged three times
during its history, retaining the original northeast corner and reusing
many of the bricks from the outer walls. The most recent expansion
occurred in 1842, and the church has been largely restored to its
appearance at that time. There is an old graveyard behind the church.
Visitors are welcome and volunteers are on hand to share details and
trivia from the church's history.
Hunting Island State Park
A beach getaway on a barrier island near downtown Beaufort,
Hunting Island State Park draws more than 1 million visitors per year.
The park's centerpiece is a historic lighthouse that is open for
climbing for a small fee. The park also offers an educational nature
center, guided tours and multiple hiking trails. The nature center loans
rods and reels for use on the 1,120-foot fishing pier. Public boat
access is available.
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