From St. Helena Island to Beaufort Historic District, discover the history, heritage and natural beauty of Beaufort during your guided tour of the city.
The Beaufort Welcome Center
Start your tour in the Beaufort Welcome Center. Here you will meet your step-on-guide who will show you around Beaufort and the surrounding area.
St. Helena Island
A 15-minute drive from Beaufort, head to St. Helena Island, a Sea Island offering a glimpse into rural Lowcountry life’s past and present including a look at African-American Gullah culture and language. Once you arrive on St. Helena Island, you’ll have the opportunity to tour either Parris Island Marine Base or the Penn Center Historic District.
Parris Island Marine Base
Consisting of 8,095 acres, of which only 3,262 are habitable, Parris Island Marine Base has been making Marines since 1915. See the many monuments and historical sites commemorating generations of Marines throughout history and explore the rich legacy of the United States Marine Corps as well as the exciting history of the Port Royal Region in the Parris Island Museum.
Penn Center and the Penn Center Historic District
One of the oldest historically significant African-American cultural and educational institutions in America, Penn Center is situated in Penn Center Historic District and is the site of one of the country’s first schools for freed slaves in the United States. Learn about the Gullah culture and rich history that lies within the Penn Center and the Penn Center Historic District and visit the York W. Bailey Museum, the first African-American museum in Beaufort County to interpret the history of Penn Center and the Gullah Geechee community in the Sea Islands.
Beaufort Historic District
Your guided tour of Beaufort will come to an end in Beaufort’s Historic District. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1969 and declared a National Historic Landmark in 1973, Beaufort Historic District maintains its character through its impressive collection of prewar architecture. Delight in Federal, Neoclassical and Greek Revival style homes, commercial buildings, and churches as you make your way through Beaufort Historic District. Notable sites include the William Barnwell House, the Robert Smalls House, Tabby Manse and the Barnwell-Gough House.
Shopping and Dining in Beaufort’s Bayfront
After seeing the sights of Beaufort Historic District, you’ll have the opportunity to spend the afternoon exploring Beaufort’s Bayfront area. Delight in the many art galleries, antique shops and modern boutiques, or relax at one of the Bayfront’s fine restaurants or eateries.