Beaufort

Beaufort is located on Port Royal Island, one of the largest Sea Islands along  the southeast Atlantic coast of the United States   It is one of only a handful of U.S. towns that has had its entire downtown  designated an historic district by the National Trust for Historic  Preservation.

Filled with mansions built by the wealthy plantation owners before the Civil  War, Beaufort was one of the only Southern towns chosen to be occupied by Union  troops, rather than destroyed. More than 50 historic structures have been  identified in Beaufort, including many lovely private homes that have been
beautifully restored and are now available to view via professionally-guided  walking, bus, or horse-drawn carriage tours. Special spring and fall events
offer locals and visitors the opportunity to tour several private homes and  gardens.