5 Family-Friendly Things to Do Around Beaufort, SC
by Daniel Sevcik - October 27th, 2021
Beaufort and Port Royal are charming towns in the Lowcountry, which is home to the Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) and Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD). MCAS is located on the north side of Beaufort, while MCRD is nestled on Parris Island, just to the south of Port Royal. Both historic cities provide plenty of opportunities for a vibrant family life. It’s easy to see why many people retire to the area after a previously being stationed at either base. In no particular order, here are five great family friendly things to do in-and-around the area!
1. Spanish Moss Trail
If you enjoy being outside or various forms of cardiovascular exercise, then the Spanish Moss Trail is a must. This beautiful, paved trail was founded in 2012. The trail is 10 miles long, with multiple trail heads and entry locations at different points. The trail begins in Port Royal and runs through Beaufort, eventually passing by MCAS. At 12 feet wide, you do not have to worry about limited space and tight passing lanes or tight lines with small children. The trail is plenty wide for young children who are walking, learning to ride their bike, or in tow with mom and dad. The trail is frequented by joggers, bikers, skaters, fishers, and walkers who enjoy their time on the path. With scenic coast wildlife viewing and numerous historic points along the way, there are many things to stop and look at for the entire family.
2. Hunting Island State Park and Beach
Do you enjoy camping, beach life, fishing, and nature? Look no further than Hunting Island State Park. Just 30 miles to the north of Beaufort, Hunting Island is home to the only publicly accessible lighthouse in the state. (If you’ve recently watched Outer Banks on Netflix, then you saw the lighthouse in Season 1.) In addition, Hunting Island boasts 100 campsites and 5 miles of beautiful beaches along the Atlantic Ocean. With so much space, there is no shortage of opportunity for the family to enjoy the public land. Further, enjoy the scenic beauty of the park as you drive in. You cannot help but channel images of Jurassic Park as you roll through the park enroute to the various beaches, campsites, and lighthouse.
Admission to the Hunting Island is $8 per adult, $4 per child (6-15) and free for children 5 and under. The lighthouse is also $2. However, you can buy yearly passes (or monthly), which allow you unlimited entry to all state parks in South Carolina. Yearly passes are $99 (for 4 members in a car), but military families can purchase them on base for only $59. One visit to Hunting Island and you’ll be hooked. You will definitely stop back many more times, making the yearly pass money well spent.
3. Historic Beaufort Downtown and Waterfront
The Waterfront in Historic Downtown Beaufort is a great place to take the family. Downtown provides a mix of boutique shopping and dining. A personal favorite of ours has been Hearth Pizza. There are also three different locations where you can take the family for ice cream or froyo (frozen yogurt). The downtown contains a large grassy park where kids can run around and play, and adults can sit. Swings line the waterfront walking path, making for a great spot to relax while enjoying ice cream. On the north side of the Waterfront is a newly renovated playground for kids of all ages.
Additionally, downtown Beaufort hosts many different activities throughout the year. Make sure you check out First Fridays which take place on the first Friday of the month. The Beaufort Water festival is held during the summer and lasts nearly two weeks. Live after 5 takes place on the third Thursday of each month. You can also take a carriage or other tour from downtown to learn about the history and beauty of Beaufort.
4. Day trip to Hilton Head, Savannah, or Charleston
Are you looking for a day trip with something fun and exciting to do? You’re in luck! Hilton Head and Savannah, GA are 40 and 60 minutes respectively to the south. Charleston is just over an hour to the north. Each city is wonderful and provides its own collection of fun and interesting things to do, of which there are no shortages of options. Hilton Head is a well-known vacation destination with gorgeous white sandy beaches. Savannah is a beautiful and historic town in its own right. The Children’s Museum in Savannah provides an outdoor play area where your young children can explore different objects and have a blast. When you travel north to Charleston, make sure you visit Wannamaker County Park in North Charleston. Entry is $2 but there’s 1,105 acres of park and wetland, a waterpark, and even a splash pad for the youngsters.
5. Port Royal
Spend some time in Port Royal at either the Sands Beach or Cyprus Wetlands. The Cyprus Wetlands is a great spot for a low-key night walk with the family. There is about a ½ mile of trail that and bridge that allows you to walk directly through the wetlands. You’ll see many birds (and birdwatchers) along the boardwalk and various other forms of wildlife. Look closely in the pond itself and you’ll likely see some alligators, especially later at night when the temperature cools down.
You can also visit the Sands Beach. The Sands Beach is a great spot to spend time with your kids as they wade into water and play. You can comb the beach to find shark teeth and look across the water at MCRD. You can see dolphins and various other marine life. On one occasion we even saw a baby hammerhead shark! When you’re done with the water, you can head over to the Sands’ Community Beer Garden. From Wednesday through Sunday the Beer Garden has draft beer on top, live music, and often food trucks too.
Whatever adventures you choose to pursue in Beaufort, SC, we hope your whole family will enjoy your time here!
Daniel Sevcik is a military spouse attorney licensed and practicing law in Iowa, Wisconsin, and Illinois. Daniel and his wife, along with their daughter, reside in Port Royal, SC, where his wife is stationed at MCRD Parris Island. During their free time they enjoy being outside, staying active, and cheering on the Iowa State Cyclones and Green Bay Packers. Connect with Daniel on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danieljsevcik/.
