Southern charm + oysters = Beaufort County locale listed among ‘small towns to visit’

Locals already know it, but U.S. News and World Report wants more people to discover first-hand how charming and scenic Beaufort is.

The publication has included the city in its list of 8 Small Southern Towns to Visit in 2018.

“These small towns in the South may not be on your radar for 2018,” says the intro to the list, “but they should be.”

It goes on to cite Beaufort’s “Southern charm and scenic Atlantic Ocean views.”

The publication recommends visitors to South Carolina’s second-oldest city visit the historic downtown and waterfront restaurants, specifically mentioning the Lowcountry Oyster Trail that focuses on sea-to-table “oyster experiences.”

“Get to know the area with one of several walking tours or on a horse and carriage ride,” it says. “Keep your eyes on the water with a dolphin-watching cruise or by kayaking.”

And, it says, visitors can admire the Tidalholm Mansion, the house used in the filming of “The Big Chill” and “The Great Santini.”

In a nod to the area’s unconventionality — though it’s not in Beaufort — the listing suggests checking out the local wine tastings held nightly at the Point South KOA campground in nearby Yemassee.

Other “towns to visit” include Staunton, Virginia; Bristol, Tennessee and Virginia; Georgetown, Kentucky; Deep Creek Lake, Maryland; Hendersonville, North Carolina; Lakeland, Florida; and Fredericksburg, Texas.

This story was originally published January 24, 2018 at 12:14 PM with the headline "Southern charm + oysters = Beaufort County locale listed among ‘small towns to visit’."