Wedding & Event Venue near Beaufort, SC

While South Carolina is well known for its beaches and large cities like Charleston that provide tons of activities and experiences, plenty of smaller regions are more than welcoming to visitors. From the northern reaches of the Blue Ridge Mountains to the Atlantic Coast and the Piedmont in between, plenty of activities and history are waiting to be found and discovered throughout this beautiful state.

Walterboro

The town of Walterboro has no shortage of activities and history to discover. It's home to the Walterboro Wildlife Center and Sanctuary, the biggest estuarine sanctuary on the East Coast. Here, people can learn about the history of wildlife in the area, along with visiting the town's historic downtown. A self-guided tour is provided throughout the two historic districts, known as Historic Hickory Valley and the Walterboro Historic District.

Modern shopping and restaurants are also offered, like Barrel House Grille or Castillo's Pizzeria. Arts are also important, with The South Carolina Artisans Center housing folk arts and crafts from around the area, which is open free of charge.

Hartsville

Hartsville is known for Kalmia Gardens, a 35-acre botanical garden open to residents and visitors. Some of the plants on display include different kinds of camellias, tea olives, dogwood, and more. On the site is the house of Thomas E. Hart, which is on the National Register of Historic Places. Hartsville is very open with its assortment of parks for kids and adults, like Pride Park and Centennial Park, along with plenty of bike paths.

The town has repurposed old sites like the Hartsville Cotton Mill into the South Carolina Governor's School for Science and Mathematics, which helps drive education in the area. Local art and artifacts are found at the Black Creek Arts Center and Hartsville Museum. The museum was once a post office with a sculpture courtyard neighboring it.

Most Unique Towns In South CarolinaKnown for its lovely weather, sandy beaches, and refreshing natural activities, South Carolina is an amazing state filled with particular towns featuring amazing historical, cultural, and natural sights.

Landrum

The friendly town of Landrum is near the start of the Blue Ridge Mountains and even close to the North Carolina Border. The nearby Chestnut Ridge Heritage Preserve is a must, with its hiking trails and 1,800 acres of woods to explore. Campbell's Covered Bridge is also well worth a visit, with the creek beneath a wonderful place to swim and splash. Landrum itself has taken plenty of care to keep its downtown pedestrian-oriented, making it both accessible and welcoming for both visitors and residents alike.

Plenty of antique shops like Landrum Eclectics, Savvy Scavenger Antique Mall & Marketplace, Expressions Florist & Antiques, and more are all around town, making any vintage collector or peruser welcome.

Travelers Rest

If any town should be known for its hospitality, it's Travelers Rest. The town gets its name from providing and caring for travelers coming from Greeneville through the nearby mountains up north. Travelers Rest still sells equipment for hiking and other outdoor activities through its many shops. Plenty of nearby hustle and bustle exists through places like the Copperhead Mountain Distillery, Beechwood Farms, and the Bunched Arrowhead Heritage Preserve, where the town shows hospitality to local wildlife.

Enjoy local food from Sidewall Pizza or Farmhouse Tacos, or visit a bar like Shortfield's. Even today, the US Route 276-N helps connect Greenville to the town and further into North Carolina through the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Sullivan's Island

Sullivan's Island is a suburb of the city of Charleston and is right near the entrance of the harbor. The 2.5-mile barrier island is known for its incredible beach getaways and its close-knit community. The Charleston International Airport serves the town, making travel to its beaches quite easy. The town holds a lot of significant history, dating back to the American Revolution with the Battle of Sullivan's Island.

While in the area, be sure to check out Fort Moultrie; it holds plenty of information about the strong military history of the town. The town lighthouse called the Charleston Light, guides ships in at night and has an interesting triangle structure. The beaches on Sullivan's Island are beautiful and untouched, making for the perfect summer vacation. Dining options abound for socializing with the locals, like Poe's Tavern or Dunleavy's Pub.

Pendleton

The charming town of Pendleton welcomes anyone to experience what they have to offer. The whole town and part of the surrounding area is a historic district and has a walking tour map available for anyone who wants to stroll around the many historic buildings dating back to the 18th century. Many of the houses and buildings are still intact, which is how it made it as a whole onto the National Register of Historic Places in 1970.

Buildings like the Bart Garrison Agricultural Museum of South Carolina teach people of all ages about southern farming and agricultural life through hands-on experience. Those who don't want to get their hands dirty can visit the Clemson Little Theatre, which hosts a series of plays. There are even golf courses like the Par 3, which makes use of the open space.

Edisto Beach

Edisto Beach is a tiny town perfect for vacationing, with only 1,000 permanent residents. According to their town website, it is one of the few family-oriented beaches on the coast of South Carolina. Edisto Beach State Park surrounds the town, which offers the longest system of handicapped-accessible hiking and biking trails in South Carolina.

The maritime forest is both breathtaking and accessible, along with perfect photo and birdwatching opportunities. There is a special educational zoo called the Edisto Island Serpentarium, which houses mainly reptiles.

Beaufort

Beaufort is the second-oldest town in South Carolina, behind Charleston, which was chartered several decades before. The town features tons of activities along with crowd-free beaches and plenty of hiking and bike trails. Kayak tours and rentals are available, along with camping opportunities at the Hunting Island State Park, with over 100 available campsites.

Other tours include biplane tours so that you can see the whole area, not just on the water but also from the air. Museums like Beaufort History or Beaufort Art Association Gallery show local art and plenty of centuries-old tales and history.

Abbeville

Colorful buildings surround the center of Abbeville, often called "The Square." It shares its architecture and color design with places like Savannah and Charleston. The underrated town has plenty of local restaurants like The Village Grill, Swartzentrubers Bakery, Maria's Mexican Restaurant, and more. The Abbeville Opera House sells out shows every year to thousands of people, to the point where it's South Carolina's Official State Theatre. Events run throughout the square all year round, which are hosted with carnival rides, food, and live music.

Last but not least are the number of local businesses and boutiques throughout the town, including places like Deason's Flower Shop, As We Grow Boutique, and many more, making Abbeville a colorful and welcoming stay for any visitor.

Lake City

Lake City is well known for its color, not through architecture but by native-grown floral scapes and murals that line certain buildings. The Moore Farms Botanical Garden is an excellent place to view various floral displays and local plants. The art doesn't stop there, with art galleries like the TRAX Visual Arts Center and Jones-Carter Gallery supporting local artists. Sculptures around town can also be seen, usually signifying nature in the area.

Not only supporting art and a wonderful atmosphere, but tons of great food is also available at Slabs Wood Fired BBQ or Baker's Sweets Bistro and Bakery. Not to mention The Shrimper for all of your shrimp and seafood needs. The nearby Woods Bay State Park is great for a walk outside of the city.

Must-Visit Small Towns In South CarolinaSmall towns in South Carolina are quite well known, for both their ability to reel in visitors for historical significance and subtle tourism attractions.

The Palmetto state of South Carolina is known for its welcoming southern hospitality. Even if you are right on the border of North Carolina, there are still towns brimming with kind folks and atmosphere. The heavy focus on art and history preservation makes South Carolina a must for a lot of people, along with beaches lining the coast, making for an unforgettable trip.

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South Carolina’s favorite seafood will soon be more widely available at docks and markets all along the Palmetto State’s coast. In a release by SCDNR, commercial shrimp season will open in all legal South Carolina waters at 8 a.m. on Monday, June 2, 2025.

In an average year, shrimp season opens in full by late May, typically after the opening of eight smaller provisional areas in the state’s outer waters. This year, those provisional areas opened in April allowing shrimpers to begin harvesting some larger white shrimp from farther offshore while still protecting most of the spawning population closer to shore.

South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) officials set the opening date for shrimp season each year based on the conditions of the shrimp themselves. Aboard both commercial and agency vessels, biologists sample and study white shrimp frequently in late spring. One of the things they’re looking for is evidence that a majority of female white shrimp have already spawned at least once.

Opening the season too soon – and allowing trawlers to catch females that have not had an opportunity to spawn – could reduce the size of the fall white shrimp crop, which are the offspring of the spring white shrimp.

South Carolina’s commercial shrimp calendar has historically had three peak periods.

In the spring, shrimpers typically capitalize on the influx of roe white shrimp, large, early-season shrimp that generally fetch higher prices and generate the most value for fishing effort.

The summer months are defined by a peak in brown shrimp, which are similar to white shrimp in size and taste.

In the fall and into winter, shrimpers bring in a second crop of white shrimp; the offspring of the spring roe shrimp.

Because white shrimp are a short-lived species that are sensitive to cold water temperatures and unusually wet or dry summers, their numbers can fluctuate dramatically from year to year. However, they’re also prolific spawners – which means that the populations can quickly rebound even after a poor year or season.

A national developer is eyeing two locations for new townhouses and single family homes in Beaufort County. On May 1, 2025, Tri Pointe Homes announced it is under contract for two land parcels in the county for the development of single-family homes and townhouses in both Beaufort and Bluffton, with the Beaufort townhouses going in along Highway 170.

The Beaufort project is slated for Robert Smalls Parkway (HWY 170), and consists of new townhouses located just six miles from downtown. Residents will have convenient access to the necessary amenities. 50 townhomes will be constructed with Lowcountry-inspired designs.

The developer told What Now Charleston that the new community will also feature connectivity to the Broad River waterfront as well as walkable stretches throughout the new community.

For Bluffton’s development plans, 26 single-family homes are to be built. The homes are designed to offer a blend of traditional and modern elements. The community will be near the Promenade, popular for its restaurants and recreational spaces.

What Now Charleston said that Tri Pointe Homes is one of the biggest real estate developers in the country, with their services available in 12 states. The company already has its divisions in the Central part and the East and West Coasts. The company is now expanding its Coastal Carolina division by announcing land transactions in Beaufort and Bluffton. Tri Pointe Homes is a premium brand that not only creates homes but also a community that complements luxury living. The expansion in Lowcountry will build on the area’s natural appeal.

The single-family homes and townhouses will be constructed once the plan is approved. Once the approval comes and these transactions become successful, Tri Pointe anticipates deliveries to be expected from 2027.

Both northern and southern Beaufort County are currently experiencing an explosion of growth, and these new townhouses on Highway 170 in Beaufort are part of that explosion. According to the Coastal Conservation League, there are plans for a total of 3,100 housing units, including apartments, townhouses, and single-family homes, along Robert Smalls Parkway and Battery Creek.

Jasper County’s Chelsea Plantation – the site of a proposed development that drew widespread, vocal opposition from citizens throughout the Lowcountry – has been purchased for conservation and will now be preserved.

The Nature Conservancy in South Carolina (TNC-SC) today announced the acquisition of the 2,737-acre property, identified as a high priority for conservation and under significant threat of development.

“Chelsea’s fate was one of this region’s major tipping points for the future of its wildlife habitat, historical character, and water quality,” said Dale Threatt-Taylor, executive director, TNC-SC. “Developing Chelsea would have ushered in a new era of expansion in an already fast-growing region. We weren’t willing to leave it to chance.”

The purchase of Chelsea secures more than seven miles of frontage along Hazzard Creek, which drains into the Broad River and is part of Port Royal Sound watershed. The water frontage also acts as a critical saltwater marsh migration corridor that will help the area adapt to future ecosystem changes and protect the water quality in Port Royal Sound. Additionally, the property expands an existing corridor of protected longleaf pine forests, which are vital for game and non-game wildlife.

The property was highly targeted for development, due to its prime location in the US Highway 278 corridor that connects Hilton Head to I-95 and significant developable water frontage. Residents of the small communities that dot the area and citizens of nearby Beaufort County were largely against those plans.

“Buying Chelsea was a true community effort,” said David Bishop, coastal and midlands director of conservation, TNC-SC. “Groups like ‘Keep Chelsea Rural’ went door-to-door with flyers against developing the property, there were local billboards saying folks wanted to preserve their rural community, and of course, we’re incredibly grateful for the many donors who stepped up and helped fund this acquisition.”

The acquisition of Chelsea was made possible through generous donations from the Gleason Family Foundation, Marshall Field V, Chloe Field, Stephanie Harris and Family, Abby and Lloyd Gerry, Lowcountry Land Trust Capacity Fund, many residents from the Spring Island community, and several anonymous donors; and loan funds from Friends of Chelsea LLC, Newcastle Foundation and Trustees Tim Barberich and Eileen Gebrian, Beaufort County residents Dan and Marty Boone, Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation, South Carolina Office of Resilience, and Coastal Community Foundation.

Future plans for Chelsea include TNC-SC placing a conservation easement on the property with Open Land Trust to permanently limit development, then transferring the property to the South Carolina Forestry Commission to create a new state forest open for public access.

The purchase of Chelsea Plantation is the latest effort by TNC-SC to create a conservation corridor between the famed ACE Basin and protected properties along the Savannah River. Other recent projects in the area have included the protection of the 7,300-acre Buckfield Plantation (now part of the new Coosawhatchie Wildlife Management Area) in July 2022 in partnership with Open Space Institute and the 4,409-acre Gregorie Neck property in February 2024.

We’re very happy to see that this pristine land will be preserved in the Lowcountry.

There were 11 Beaufort County food businesses cited with “B” and “C” grades in May health inspections by the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control.

Here is a rundown of the restaurants that received the lowest ratings in May:

Bowdie’s Chophouse scored 85% (B) on May 13 in a routine inspection. Issues noted by inspectors included:

Bowdie’s Chophouse was first reinspected on May 22 and scored 92% with a C letter grade for repeated infractions.

On May 30, Bowdie’s Chophouse was reinspected and scored 97% (A).

Plum’s Cafe scored 78% (B) in a routine inspection on May 6. Issues noted by inspectors included:

Plum’s Cafe was first reinspected on May 14 and scored 93% with a C letter grade for repeated infractions.

On May 21, Plum’s Cafe was reinspected and scored 98% (A).

Panini’s Cafe scored a 95% with a B letter grade due to consecutive violations on May 7 in a follow-up inspection. Issues noted by inspectors included:

Panini’s was reinspected on May 8 and scored 100% (A).

La Familia scored a 74% (C) in a routine inspection on May 15. Issues noted by inspectors included:

La Familia was reinspected on May 21 and scored 100% (A).

La Poblanita Restaurant scored a 76% (C) in a routine inspection on May 19. Issues noted by inspectors included:

La Poblanita Restaurant was reinspected on May 28 and scored 100% (A).

Papaya Thai & Sushi scored a 71% (C) in a routine inspection on May 2. Issues noted by inspectors included:

Papaya Thai & Sushi was reinspected on May 13 and scored a 93% with a C letter grade for repeated violations.

Papaya Thai & Sushi was reinspected again on May 21 and scored 100% (A).

E Tang scored a 78% (B) in a routine inspection on May 6. Issues noted by inspectors included:

E Tang was reinspected on May 13 and scored 100% (A).

El Don Juan scored a 79% (B) in a routine inspection on May 21. Issues noted by inspectors include:

El Don Juan was reinspected on May 29 and scored 100% (A).

Olive Garden scored an 83% (B) in a routine inspection on May 27. Issues noted by inspectors include:

Olive Garden has not been reinspected as of June 2, but one is required within 10 days.

Sub Station II scored an 82% (B) in a routine inspection on May 23. Issues noted by inspectors included:

Sub Station II has not been reinspected as of June 2, but one is required within 10 days.

Yummy House scored % (B) in a routine inspection on May 8. Issues noted by inspectors included:

Yummy House was reinspected on May 16 and scored 100% (A).

Inspectors give restaurants a grade of A, B or C, depending on the conditions found at the time. Points are docked for various infractions, and restaurants have a chance to correct the problems and improve their score in a reinspection.

The grade scale is as follows:

In May, the SCDA recorded 244 inspections of restaurants, schools, stores and other food establishments in Beaufort County and 35 in Jasper County.

Jasper County did not have any inspected establishments receive B or C grades in May.

The agency publishes the results of these health inspections on its website.

Newer food-grade decals include a QR code that customers can scan with their phones to see a food establishment’s latest report.

If there is an establishment for which you wish to request an inspection, you can submit a concern to the SCDA by filling out this Food Safety Complaint Form.