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20 Unmissable Things to Do in Beaufort, South Carolina [2026 Update] – Image for illustrative purposes only (Image credits: Unsplash)
Beaufort, South Carolina, served as the primary filming location for the 1994 classic Forrest Gump, lending its oak-lined streets and waterfront vistas to the story of a man who ran across America. The city retains the small-town warmth and coastal ease that made those scenes memorable, yet it offers far more than movie nostalgia. Visitors find a walkable historic core, protected barrier islands, and a food scene built around fresh seafood pulled from nearby waters.
The Forrest Gump Connection
Many scenes from the film were shot in and around Beaufort, including sequences set during the Vietnam War that used the dense palmetto forests and marshlands of Hunting Island State Park. The production captured the area’s distinctive mix of live oaks draped in Spanish moss and open waterways that evoke the rural South. Today, travelers can retrace those steps on self-guided walks or carriage tours that highlight the same neighborhoods and river views.
The Old Point neighborhood stands out as a favorite stop for fans. Its stately antebellum homes provided settings for other productions as well, including The Big Chill. A horse-drawn carriage ride through the area adds context about Beaufort’s Civil War history, when the town avoided destruction and later saw freed slaves purchase many of the grand residences.
Coastal Parks and Barrier Islands
Hunting Island State Park remains one of the most popular escapes, with five thousand acres of trails, a lighthouse open for climbing on most days, and eight miles of shoreline. Beachgoers often spot dolphins close to shore, while boardwalks lead over marshes where families try their hand at crabbing. The park’s campsites and cabins make it easy to extend a visit into an overnight stay.
Neighboring Fripp Island offers a busier contrast with its golf resort and three miles of Atlantic beach. Cypress Wetlands Park on Port Royal Island provides a quieter alternative, where a short boardwalk winds past cypress trees and Spanish moss. Birdwatchers regularly spot snowy egrets, herons, and occasionally alligators in the shallow waters.
Historic Streets and Cultural Stops
Downtown Beaufort’s Historic District centers on Bay Street, where galleries, shops, and restaurants line the waterfront. The Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park offers benches and views of the marsh islands, making it a natural spot to pause between explorations. Nearby, the Beaufort History Museum presents exhibits on the city’s founding in 1711 and its Gullah heritage.
Old Sheldon Church ruins sit a short drive away amid a forest of draped trees and Revolutionary War graves. The site was burned during the Revolutionary War, rebuilt, and then damaged again in the Civil War. Beaufort National Cemetery, one of the oldest national cemeteries, honors Union soldiers and sailors with meticulously kept grounds and monuments.
Seafood, Sunsets, and Easy Adventures
Local restaurants emphasize the region’s seafood bounty. Fishcamp on 11th Street serves fresh catches on a screened porch overlooking shrimp boats, while Dockside Restaurant on Lady’s Island provides marina views and dishes such as crab and locally caught fish. Plums Restaurant on the riverfront offers both indoor and outdoor seating with Lowcountry-inspired menus.
Outdoor options range from dolphin-watching boat tours to kayak excursions on the rivers and estuaries. The ten-mile Spanish Moss Trail attracts cyclists and walkers, though sections near marshland deliver the most scenic stretches. For families, the Kazoobie Kazoo Factory provides a lighthearted factory tour and the chance to craft a souvenir instrument.
Beaufort rewards visitors who linger beyond a single afternoon. Its combination of film history, preserved architecture, and access to quiet beaches creates a destination that feels both familiar and freshly discovered with each return trip.
