Beaufort, South Carolina, is a colorful and vibrant place throughout the year. One of the best times to explore for locals and visitors is in the spring. Flowers bloom in all their vibrant colors, the grass regains its luscious green hue, and you can put away your hoodies and coats in favor of your warm-weather clothes. Spring is also when events, locations, and other activities become available once again. Read on to learn about our guide to visiting and exploring Beaufort, South Carolina, in the spring.
Soft-Shell Crab Festival
During the spring, soft-shell crabs become available for a short period in Beaufort. During this time, the city holds its annual Soft-Shell Crab Festival. This is an excellent time to be in the city as plenty of activities spring up in the area and restaurants have plenty of specials where you can try soft-shell crab for the first time or line up for repeated experiences. Other activities during this time include walking past plenty of art vendors and farmers’ markets. You can even experience live music and plenty of activities for children.
A Taste Of Beaufort Festival
If you’re looking for an excellent culinary experience, then there’s no place like Beaufort, South Carolina. During the spring, the city hosts its annual A Taste of Beaufort festival. Here, you can find the best food the Lowcountry has to offer. It’s a true foodie’s dream as you can try plenty of dishes from all over the area. Even if food isn’t your primary motivator, there’s plenty to do at this festival, including listening to live music, seeing artists, and exploring the beautiful views in and around the waterfront. There’s plenty to do, so bring your friends and family.
Gullah Festival
Beaufort, South Carolina, is a place of deep culture and excellent experiences. Each year, the city hosts the Original Gullah Festival. At the festival, you can experience the combination and roots of jazz, blues, reggae, and dancing throughout the area. You can also listen to African drums and hear the incredible stories of the people throughout the area. Beyond these amazing cultural experiences, you can also eat delicious food, see great pieces of art, and explore a market full of vendors.
Dempsey Farms
As the spring starts, the early spring crops begin to make their way into the local markets. Throughout the spring, you can find plenty of fresh produce at Dempsey Farms. Here, you can get strawberries starting as soon as April 4, but the farm remains open throughout the entire spring, allowing you to enjoy the various spring crops including squash and zucchini. If you want to know the availability of produce at any given time, you can check the farm’s website.
Journey Through Hunting Island State Park
The summer can bring high temperatures and high humidity throughout the South Carolina Lowcountry, but the spring gives you the opportunity to hike, bike, and explore the various trails and parks throughout the area. Among these, is Hunting Island State Park, a local favorite. Here, you can hike nine different trails that offer a variety of experiences. Most of the trails have an “easy” rating, but the Diamondback Rattlesnake Trail has a “moderately strenuous” rating and is meant for experienced hikers and bikers.
Bike Or Hike The Spanish Moss Trail
The Spanish Moss Trail is a 10-mile greenway that winds its way throughout the Beaufort marshes and surrounding landscape. Here, you can walk, bike, rollerskate, and skateboard through the area while taking in the sights of the area. Along the trail, you can also find excellent locations for other activities such as fishing, and live music. If you want to learn more about the trail, and the events you can experience, you can visit its website.
Walk Through The Point
The Point, or the Old Point, is a historic area of Beaufort, South Carolina, where you can explore the history and affluence of the area. Throughout the area are historic homes, businesses, and plenty of locations to stop and learn about the city’s culture and wealth. Even though it’s a historic area, you can still walk freely and see how this area influenced the rest of Beaufort. Along with the history, you can also see excellent city planning, great picturesque views, and plenty of locations to bring you back to the area again and again.
Travel The Cypress Wetlands Trail
The Cypress Wetland Trail is another excellent location to get out and stretch your legs. The trail is a 0.8-mile loop that surrounds some of the Cypress Wetlands near Port Royal, South Carolina. It’s a great location for birding, especially in the spring as there are plenty of plants for the birds to eat. It’s also unlikely to be crowded, which makes it even better for hiking or jogging. You can even bring your dog to explore the area with you.
Visit Crystal Lake Park
Crystal Lake Park is one of the newest greenspaces around Beaufort. It’s just across the bridge from Beaufort on Lady’s Island. In total, the park covers 25 acres of salt marshes, forest, and the stunning Crystal Lake. The area is a habitat for bird species in the area, so it’s another good location for birding. There are also signs around the park to learn about the natural resources of the area. If you’re looking for something to explore with your friends or family to explore the natural wonders of the area, then Crystal Lake Park is one of the best.
So there you have Vaden of Beaufort’s guide to visiting Beaufort in the spring. What did you think of our choices? Did we miss one of your favorite thing about Beaufort in the spring? If so, you can contact us today. While you’re here, you can also learn about the services Vaden of Beaufort offers, including new and used vehicles, maintenance and repairs, and financing for your next car, truck, or SUV. We’re happy to hear from you.
Softshell crab by Charles Haynes is licensed with CC BY-SA 2.0
