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Senior Resources » Boomer’s Guide to Visiting Beaufort, SC & Savannah, GA in Only 5 Days

Boomer’s Guide to Visiting Beaufort, SC & Savannah, GA in Only 5 Days

Beaufort, South Carolina street view with horse and buggy

We just got back from a five-day trip to Beaufort in the South Carolina Lowcountry, and Savannah, Georgia. For those in the Southeast, or anyone passing through, this trip is begging to be taken!

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We started in Atlanta and drove down I-75 to Macon and then took I-16 over to Savannah. The driving time was only a little over 4 hours; not bad at all!

Here are the sights worth sharing.

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Savannah, Georgia

We checked into the Holiday Inn Express near I-95 in Richmond Hill. There are over 700 restaurants to get seafood in Savannah, and well, who can visit this city without getting some shrimp? We settled on The Olde Pink House which is a great historic restaurant downtown (yes, we recommend it!).

We visited historic Fort McAllister Park which is a wonderful State Park in Richmond Hill. Such a nice day! After a short visit to their museum and a short video, we spent most of our time walking the grounds among the giant live oaks with Spanish moss and viewing the salt marsh and the Ogeechee river. It was quite relaxing. And, FYI – there are campsites and a few cottages available for a longer stay!

When you visit Savannah, you could take one of the many tours, like the Old Town Trolley Tours which we have taken on a previous trip. You can see the City Market, River Street, the squares, and the impressive homes of the Historic District. There are specialty tours also. We highly recommend any tour!

Beaufort, SC

We departed Savannah and drove 50 miles up I-95 to Beaufort, which took only about an hour with no stops (we passed a retirement community, Sun City Hilton Head, but didn’t stop).

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We had a two-night reservation at the City Loft Hotel in the Historic District and that turned out to be a fine choice. You can walk to everything! When making a reservation, check out their website specials. We got a good rate for two nights, plus a bottle of wine. There is the City Java shop on site (the best coffee in town) and the Lowcountry Produce Market is right across from the hotel on Carteret Street (a great place for breakfast or lunch). Beaufort has a lot to enjoy from being right on the Beaufort River which is part of the Intercostals waterway – nice restaurants, seafood, a walkable Historic section, great old houses, and so much more!

Seafood is a specialty of the area, especially shrimp, oysters, and fish. Many of the restaurants have back decks with views and people watching, especially those located on Bay Street and backing up to the Beaufort River. Walking in Beaufort’s Historical District is really nice; both the commercial side and the residential neighborhoods. I found a friendly and safe environment.

Ghost Carriage Tours of Beaufort in October

spooky woods at nighttime

In October, there is a Ghost Carriage Tour of the neighborhoods of the Historic District. The carriage and guide are in costume and you proceed in the horse-drawn carriage along the street covered with Spanish moss-draped trees with an assortment of characters coming out to greet you as you ride by. This is an adult event. The tours run every 30 minutes starting at 6:30 pm and up until around 9 pm. Get reservations! We came back the next day and did the regular Carriage Tour too, which took us by these beautiful old homes (many of which have been in movies).

Day or Half Day Lowcountry Trips From Beaufort

Take the bridge from the Historical District over to Lady’s Island on the Sea Island Parkway. Try the Dockside Restaurant on the left side of the highway on Lady’s Island for seafood and a view. A lot of retirees live in several large upscale communities on Lady’s Island. Many local markets for produce and seafood.

From Lady’s Island, continue to St. Helena Island. Turn right at the historical district sign and continue down a while to see the tabby ruins of St. Helena Parish Chapel of Ease Ruins.

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Back on the Sea Island Parkway, continue on to Hunting Island State Park and the well-preserved historic Hunting Lighthouse, which is 136 feet tall. The entrance fee to the park is only $5 per person.

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Originally published January 30, 2024

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