South Carolina Car Rental and Beaufort, SC

Beaufort is a popular tourist destination to visit with your South Carolina car rental. Located on the Beaufort River and founded in 1711, it is the second-oldest city in South Carolina. It is known for its “southern aura”, making it a popular tourist destination. This city is known as the “Queen of the Carolina Sea Islands”.

Do you speak French?

Beaufort, as you may guess by the name when you visit with your South Carolina car rental, was founded by the French in 1562. They originally settled very close to the present city at Parris Island, which was the first French colony in the New World. The city of Beaufort as it is today was chartered in 1711. It was part if the Carolina colony governed by Lords Proprietors. It was the boundary between South Carolina and Georgia.

Step back in time

The original settlement of Beaufort can be visited with your South Carolina car rental. It is found in the downtown are. There are 304 acres of designated National Historic Landmarks. You will want to be sure to see The Point, which is home to Beaufort’s oldest, largest, and most expensive homes. This is found between Carteret Street and the Beaufort River. Bay Street and Waterfront Park is where you will want to come for the main shopping area downtown.

Celebrate with the city

Waterfront Park is where many of the city’s festivals take place throughout the year. When you visit with your South Carolina car rental, be sure to check out if any of these are taking place. One of the most popular festivals is Water Festival, held in mid-July. The Shrimp Festival celebrates the traditional industry of the city during the second week of October. Be sure to bring your appetite! In the middle of winter, Kaleidoscope: Film, Food, and Fine Arts will warm you up with independent films. As Spring comes along, the first weekend of May brings A Taste of Beaufort, with local restaurants featuring food, wine, and live music. Finally there is Chalk on the Walk at Beaufort Town Center, which is an interactive festival that brings art to people on the street. It is produced by The Arts Council of Beaufort County, which helps many local artists bring their work to life.

Get out to the coast

The Lowcountry Estuarium is located near Beaufort with your South Carolina car rental. They strive to promote conservation and preservation of the area’s marshes, creeks, rivers, and sounds for residents and visitors alike. An estuarium is similar to an aquarium, but it exhibits terrestrial and aquatic specimens in brackish water and saltwater environments. Some of the unique exhibits that you will find here include the Diamond back terrapin habitat, game fish habitat, and a habitat for several species of crabs.

When you visit Beaufort with your South Carolina car rental you can be sure that you will find plenty to keep you busy! There are historic sites, shopping, and interactive museums that you will not want to miss.