take the drive to Beaufort

Jewel of the Sea Islands

A perfect balance of moss-draped old Southern elegance and vibrant coastal playground, Beaufort offers a wealth of options for an unforgettable day trip. Explore the timeless mystique of its stunning antebellum architecture or discover what has made this small town one of the hottest destinations on the southeast. Your only limit is your imagination.

Visit Historic Downtown

With its main street lined with stores and grid of streets winding away through centuries old homes, Beaufort’s Historic Downtown offers a little bit of everything that makes this town so special. Be sure your visit includes a stroll along Henry C. Chambers waterfront park, popping into the waterfront shops and restaurants along the way.

Take a Carriage Tour

Like any historic Southern town, Beaufort offers a bevy of options for exploration on carriage. Led by knowledgeable guides, these tours not only let you soak in the scenery, they’ll introduce you to Beaufort’s fascinating history. Come for the drama of the city’s years during the Civil War, stay for the chilling ghost stories.

Sample the Cuisine

Beaufort’s culinary scene represents a crosssection of the epicurean traditions that have made this coastal jewel sparkle. Taste the hickory smoke of authentic South Carolina BBQ, dig into a heaping bowl of Frogmore Stew or indulge in something a little more refined at one of the many fine-dining restaurants that dot the town. There isn’t a bad bite to be found.

Visit the Museums

With that rich history comes a wealth of museums, each highlighting a different fascinating aspect of the town’s lore. Inside the old Arsenal building downtown, the Beaufort History Museum examines the city’s early colonial history, its role in the Civil War and its emergence as a coastal destination. Over on St. Helena Island, the Penn Center offers visitors an unparalleled look into the vital history of African Americans in Beaufort. From its time as one of the first schools for the formerly enslaved to its indelible impact on the Civil Rights movement, Penn Center has played a massive role in history while offering a unique way to explore it.

Explore Hunting Island State Park

Just on the other side of the massive swing bridge over the Beaufort River, Hunting Island enchants with its beautiful beaches, pathways winding through serene woods and its historic lighthouse. Spend a few hours exploring or book a campsite and make a night of it.

Savannah’s southern charm

The Hostess City

Just on the other side of the South Carolina-Georgia border lies one of the most remarkable cities in the South, and possibly the world. From the cobblestone streets of the historic district to the lively arts, entertainment and culinary scenes, the Hostess City offers all the excitement of a big city with a small-town charm that’s undeniable.

Explore the Waterfront

Along the grand thoroughfare where the historic district meets the river, River Street is a multi-faceted destination for entertainment. Explore the back alleys and historic storefronts (with a drink in hand if you really want to do it right) or head up the river to the stunning Plant Riverside District, a world-class entertainment complex right on the water.

Visit the Spirits

In addition to being one of the world’s most charming cities, Savannah is one of its most haunted. Book a ride on the Ghosts and Gravestones trolley tour, the Creepy Crawl haunted pub tour or the Savannah Ghost Walks, or grab a table at the famously haunted Moon River Brewing Co., for a close encounter with one of the city’s more ghostly residents.

Take a Riverboat Cruise

The sight of a luxurious paddle steamer has been a hallmark of Southern sophistication for centuries, and Savannah still boasts a fleet that ply the Savannah River for regular tours. Enjoy a dinner cruise, sunset tour or a casino night as you glide past river street, soaking in pure Southern elegance.

Explore Your Artistic Side

The Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) has emerged as one of the leading art schools in the country, and a thriving arts community has spawned around it. Explore student works at some of the school-run galleries or take in the inspiration that abounds in the historic district’s Telfair Museums. Then, enjoy some Broadway-caliber productions at one of the city’s many historic theaters.

Discover the Flavors of the South

While Charleston has long been viewed as the standard bearer for the South’s culinary renaissance, Savannah is quickly gnawing away at their lead. Whether your tastes run toward the elevated sophistication of The Grey, the celebrated hospitality of Lady & Sons or the award-winning fare at Wiley’s Championship BBQ, your next inspiring meal is just a few blocks away. Crave a burger? Green Truck Pub is a must.

Witness Sports, Savannah Style

One of the newest attractions to grace The Hostess City, a Savannah Ghost Pirates game at EnMarket Arena always makes for a fun night out, even if you’ve never been to a hockey game before. And the famous shenanigans of the always-outrageous Savannah Bananas have made them one of baseball’s must-see teams.

Keep Your Eyes Out For These On Your Next Beach Walk

Written by Dean Rowland

Shell collecting is universally popular among beachcombers around the world.

We’re particularly fortunate here on Hilton Head Island to have 12 miles of oceanfront beaches for tourists and locals. And even though the offshore sandbar limits our waves and the number of shells that reach our shore, here’s a look at some shells you will likely find.

Types of shells

The two most common shells on Palmetto state beaches, according to the South Carolina Department of Parks and Recreation, are the bivalve, which have two sections connected by a hinge and are found in oysters and clams. Gastropods, which include whelks and moon snails, are single shells that typically grow in a spiral.

Common shells of both types are:

Angelwing: The angelwing bivalve shell has beaded ribs and is about 4-7 inches long. They are butterfly shaped and delicate.

Atlantic Jackknife: This shell can be up to 10 inches long with sharp edges. It’s covered with a thin brownish green coating and is typically found in sand flats.

Banded Tulip: A sturdy and smooth shell, the banded tulip has 7 to 11 spiral purple-brown lines and fivesix spiral maroon lines. These shells are usually 2½-3 inches long.

Channeled Whelk: This species has a wide channel with a few small beads and is about 5-7½ inches long. Look for it in shallow sandy spots.

Knobbed Whelk: This is the most common whelk found in South Carolina, even though they are found from Cape Cod, Mass., to Cape Canaveral, Fla., S.C. Department of Natural Resources notes. Adult knobbed whelks are usually 5-9 inches and feature low knobs on the shoulder of the whorl with the aperture on the right side.

Lettered Olive: This South Carolina state shell is due to its commonness on state beaches. It’s about 2-1/2 inches long and is smooth, shiny and cylindrical shaped.

Where to find them

The beaches on Sea Pines are loaded with starfish, sand dollars, arrowheads and sharks’ teeth, and the Coastal Discovery Museum conducts beach tours for informative hands-on workshops.

Fish Haul Creek Park and Mitchelville Beach Park are loaded with island history and face Port Royal Sound. One resident reported seeing ark shells, oysters, moon snails, shark teeth, sea pork, crabs, sea stars (formerly star fish), smaller whelk and whole live whelks.

Knobbed whelks, large predatory gastropods, are impressive conical shaped shells we hold to our ears to hear the ocean. These large sea snails vary in size and color and are a joy to behold. Preferring to live on muddy or sandy bottoms, they congregate on oyster and clam beds. The less adventurous can stroll through the Shell Shop in Coligny Plaza on the south end and find hundreds of shells.