Mortgage Broker in Beaufort, SC

The southern state of South Carolina, between North Carolina and Georgia, and along the rugged coast of the Atlantic Ocean, has a plethora of awesome cities like Charleston and Greenville. Yet, this magnificent state also possesses some of the most offbeat small towns as well. From the town of Beaufort and the Kazoobie Kazoo Museum to the town of Yemassee and the Old Sheldon Church ruins, South Carolina, also known as the Palmetto State, is home to some towns with bizarre attractions, both natural and man-made. Here are eleven of the most offbeat towns in South Carolina worth visiting in 2025.

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Beaufort

The painting of porch ceilings, “haight-blue,” is one of the more offbeat attributes of Beaufort, the second-oldest city in South Carolina. These porch ceilings can be found throughout historic Beaufort and other places within the Lowcountry. Influenced by a tradition from Africa during the 1800s, this odd color is said to ward off witches and wraiths.

Another bizarre attraction of Beaufort, the Kazoobie Kazoo Museum, dedicates its attention to the kazoo, which barely gets credit for being a musical instrument. Also known as the “Down-South Submarine,” the kazoo is enshrined in this awesome museum with hundreds of different kazoo-related items. It includes a factory tour where you can see the creation of the kazoo from scratch. Afterward, grab a bite at the Outback Steakhouse for a delicious end to the day.

Travelers Rest

A short drive from Poinsett Bridge, one of the oldest surviving bridges in the state, the town of Travelers Rest is well-known to those who love history; that is a little offbeat. The stone bridge in question, built in 1820, is considered to be haunted by several sources. Strange screams, possibly from a slave hanged from the apex of the bridge, are said to be heard even today.

The Spring Park Inn is another odd attraction in Travelers Rest. Beginning as a residence in 1820, this house evolved into an inn in 1852 and is now working toward becoming a museum for the Travelers Rest Historical Society. Travelers Rest is also the home of the Sunken Manor, a haunted house based on the history of the Herrington family and their disappearance.

Little River

Situated along the coast, just north of Myrtle Beach, the picturesque town of Little River is home to some weird attractions, including the Parson’s Table. This fine-dining steak & seafood restaurant, located in downtown Little River, serves up delicious American cuisine and is situated inside the Little River Methodist Church, which was first built in 1885.

Another weird attribute of downtown Little River is the Brentwood Bistro, which is said to be haunted. Strange phenomena have been reported by guests, visitors, and staff alike, including orb sightings and unexplained shadows. Along with the haunting of Brentwood Bistro, Little River is home to the Vereen Memorial Gardens, which has some of the most awesome boardwalks and pathways.

Walterboro

Seventy miles north of Savannah, Georgia, the town of Walterboro is perhaps best known for its historic water tower. Built around 1915, this 133-foot-high water tower holds 100,000 gallons of water. It also contains three jail cells. These “jail cells” were first used as a county jail and then utilized as lodging for stranded transients who had no money.

Some other great offbeat attributes: the Tuskegee Airmen Memorial and Colleton County Museum both call Walterboro home. The memorial was once the training ground for the Tuskegee Airmen during World War II, as well as the site of a POW camp and base hospital. Meanwhile, the museum displays a plethora of historic exhibits, including some rare artifacts from the American Civil and Revolutionary Wars.

Gaffney

The town of Gaffney, located close to the southern border of North Carolina, is home to another interesting water tower. The Gaffney Water Tower, also known as the “Peachoid” is one of the most unique landmarks in the region. This water tower is 135 feet tall, holds a million gallons of water, and is styled like a peach. Built in 1981 and decorated with a leaf measured at sixty feet long, this attraction is to commemorate that Gaffney is the “Peach Capital of South Carolina.”

Gaffney is also within a short drive of Cowpens National Battlefield, a major battlefield during the American Revolutionary War, and Cherokee County Museum, which features several exhibits honoring the military, Native Americans, and the history of the Railroad.

Georgetown

Home of Hobcaw Barony and the South Carolina Maritime Museum, the picturesque town of Georgetown has several attractions that make it an offbeat town to visit in 2025. Hobcaw Barony, 16,000 acres of land with a discovery center, displays exhibits from Native American heritage to slavery within Friendfield Village. In contrast, the South Carolina Maritime Museum displays objects like the Fresnel lens from the old North Island lighthouse.

Another great yet offbeat attraction of Georgetown is the architecture, including several historic buildings like the Hopsewee Plantation, the Kaminski House, and the Rice Museum. These pieces of architecture provide a sense of how the production of rice supplied a strong economy for the town and the surrounding area.

Sunset

The tiny town of Sunset may best be known through Keowee-Toxaway State Park, as well as the abundance of magnificent waterfalls in the surrounding area. Two of the best, Virginia Hawkins Falls and Laurel Fork Falls, both located within an hour's drive of town, are well worth the visit, especially if you like strolling along scenic hiking trails.

Another great yet offbeat asset close to the town of Sunset is the peak of Sassafras Mountain. At over 3,500 feet above sea level, it is considered to be the highest point in South Carolina and quite breathtaking. For those who wish to climb even higher, there is an observation tower that will allow you to see three different states at once.

Lancaster

The quaint town of Lancaster has a plethora of natural attractions that encourage visitors to return over and over. Yet, this town of around nine thousand residents is home to several offbeat attractions as well. Springs Park, a very popular amusement park which opened in 1925 and closed quite unexpectedly in the summer of 1989, can still be found along the banks of the Catawba River, awaiting another chance at popularity, perhaps.

Another landmark is Andrew Jackson State Park, named after the seventh president of the United States, and full of opportunities like hiking, boating, camping, and even touring the park’s museum. This small town is also known for the Lancaster County Jail. Though it seems normal, this jail was actually built in 1823 by American-born architect Robert Mills.

St. George

Roughly 30 miles from both Lake Marion and the Colonial Dorchester State Historic Site, the small town of St. George might be easy to miss—but it shouldn't be. Known as the “Grits Capital of the World,” St. George embraces its culinary fame with the annual World Grits Festival, where visitors can join quirky contests like rolling in a pool of grits.

Aside from festival fun, history buffs will enjoy a visit to the Koger-Carroll House—also called the Old Carroll Place—one of the oldest plantation homes in Dorchester County. Antique lovers can browse George’s Station Antiques, a shop renowned for its eclectic collection of vintage treasures. With less than 2,000 residents, St. George may be small, but its character and charm make it one of South Carolina’s most delightfully unexpected stops.

Cayce

Situated in the center of the state, the picturesque town of Cayce may best be known for being the home of Guignard Brick Works. This establishment was first founded in 1801 and is one of the oldest brickworks in the United States. Even before it became a brickworks, this site was the location of the Still Hopes Plantation, which was owned by James Guignard’s father, John Gabriel Guignard.

Another awesome yet offbeat attraction of Cayce, the Congaree Creek Heritage Preserve, between the town and the Congaree River, has many great attributes, including over 600 acres of wilderness. Within this escape from city living, one can see deer, bobcats, and wild hogs, as well as possibly find unique arrowheads from Native Americans from over 10,000 years ago.

Yemassee

Located about an hour north of Hilton Head Island, the small town of Yemassee offers a surprising number of fascinating and offbeat attractions. Among its most notable sites is Auldbrass Plantation, an architectural gem designed by Frank Lloyd Wright around 1940. History lovers will also appreciate the Frampton Plantation House, originally built in the 1700s, burned during the Civil War in 1865, and rebuilt just a few years later in 1868.

Another offbeat attraction prevalent in the picturesque town of Yemassee, the Old Sheldon Church ruins draws people to this town of approximately a thousand permanent residents every year. The Old Sheldon Church ruins, once called Prince William’s Church, was built in the 1750s, burned in 1779, was rebuilt in 1826, and burned again in 1865 by General Sherman.

Final Thoughts

While the entire Palmetto State has several phenomenal towns scattered across its approximately twenty million acres of land, the eleven small towns listed above provide a quaint sense of bizarre attraction to those who stop and visit and those who live there year-round. From Little River, located on the Atlantic Ocean, and the Parson’s Table to Walterboro and the Walterboro Water Tower, these eleven offbeat towns in South Carolina make it well worth the time it takes to visit.

History in South CarolinaThese eight timeless towns abound with history in South Carolina.

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The state now has 22 books banned from all public school classrooms and libraries, becoming the nation’s leader in book bans.

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South Carolina became the nation’s leader for the most books banned in public schools Tuesday. Over half of the books now banned in the state have come from one Beaufort County parent.

The South Carolina Board of Education voted to remove 10 more books after tabling the discussion last month to clarify the review process. The state now has 22 books banned from all public school classrooms and libraries, beating Utah as the former nation’s leader in book bans, according to PEN America, a nonprofit organization advocating for freedom of expression. At least 14 of the books banned have come from Beaufort County parent Elizabeth “Ivie” Szalai, sparking controversy over whether one individual should have the power to influence reading access for all public school students.

Szalai, who previously sought to remove 97 books at the district level, has argued that while these books explore important themes, they contain explicit sexual descriptions inappropriate for K-12 students.

Under Regulation 43-170 of the board’s guidelines, books can be banned in South Carolina public schools if they contain descriptions or visual depictions of sexual conduct. With local school officials declining to act on Szalai’s challenges within the required 90-day period, the decision now rests with the state.

Only two of the 17 board members, Dr. David O’Shields and Rev. Tony Vincent, voted against the removals at Tuesday’s meeting.

The books listed below are banned in all South Carolina elementary, middle and high schools unless noted otherwise.

The asterisk indicates the titles Beaufort County resident Szalai brought to the attention of the state review board in an effort to get them banned throughout South Carolina public schools.

This story was originally published May 7, 2025 at 10:55 AM.

The Island Packet

Isabella Douglas is the accountability reporter for The Island Packet and The Beaufort Gazette. A graduate of the University of Florida, she has spent time reporting for The Independent Florida Alligator, Fresh Take Florida and New Tampa & Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News. She has a bachelor’s degree in journalism and a concentration in criminology.

A 31 foot long sperm whale beached itself along the shore at South Forest Beach on Hilton Head Island in Beaufort County on Saturday evening.

According to social media reports on Sunday morning, the whale is still alive. Authorities have been pouring water on the whale and covering it in wet towels to try to help it.

The Town’s posting said that trained professionals, including the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and marine mammal experts are on the beach keeping the whale comfortable.

A veterinarian from the Georgia Aquarium is on their way to perform euthanasia on the whale, and the specific type and amount of euthanasia medication is currently on its way from Florida.

The whale was first spotted along the beach on Saturday evening around 6:30pm, and low tide was coming at 8:17pm, which, combined with the imminent darkness, made any care for the whale or the chances of saving it that much more difficult. Social media postings with photos started pouring in right away.

A certified Marine Biologist in the area was on the scene starting on Saturday night, and volunteers with the Sea Turtle Patrol spent the night on the beach keeping the whale company as best they could, according to reports.

Whales typically beach themselves when they are seriously sick or hurt.

According to the Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida, there are around 2,000 strandings each year worldwide, with most resulting in the death of the animal.

Beachings are rare enough that they are not a significant threat to any species. The beaching of a single, live animal is usually the result of sickness or injury.

Bad weather, old age, navigation errors, and hunting too close to shore also contribute to beachings.

The Black Moses Freedom Fest is returning to Beaufort celebrating the legacy of Harriet Tubman on the 162nd Anniversary of her June 2, 1863 victory mission on the Combahee River in Beaufort County.

The popular festival, now in its fourth year, will be held June 6th through June 8th, 2025 at the historic Penn Center on St. Helena Island, and several other spots in the area.

The festival features holistic health introductions and demos, ceremonies, film screenings, workshops on genaology and property preservation, kayaking excursions, food trucks and a vendor market, as well as herbal workshops to engage the public in activities that contribute to well-being and community within the Lowcountry.

This year’s festival theme is “We Got US!”. This theme weaves together healing, history, and heritage with interactive workshops, powerful storytelling, music, and sacred ritual led by the Indigenous and Gullah Geechee community members.

The Black Moses Freedom Festival is an opportunity for individuals, organizations, and local businesses to collaborate with the community through ideas that educate, focusing on local history, economic empowerment, transitioning to healthier life choices, agricultural sustainability, land ownership, art, and heritage to strengthen the community. Also enjoy African Drumming, dancing, spoken word of those carrying ancestral messages, information on land acquisition and more.

The Festival will provide opportunities for members of our community to explore, learn, and exercise new paradigms of what liberation means through themes of economic empowerment, agricultural equality, art, wellness imperatives, culture, and community.

Here are just parts of the Schedule of Events:

June 6th: Harriet’s Heritage Tour: Freedom Walk Tour A screening of the film “Seeking” by Luana Graves Vendor Market, Festival and Libation Ceremony Workshops and more

June 7th: Harriet’s Heritage Tour: Combahee River Kayaking Harriet’s Heritage Tour: Freedom Walk through to the Harriet Tubman Monument in downtown Beaufort Bus tours to the Combahee River Vendor Market Genaology workshops Dinner and Dialog with Dr. Michael Porter and Chef Shekira Levins Conscious Hip Hop Party 8pm-10pm

June 8th:

Brunch & Tea and a full afternoon of film screenings and the Sankofa Healing Experience Sunday Salutations: yoga, and sound bowl healing, tai chi

“One of the most important parts of this festival is ‘The Minty Market,’ showcasing our vendors,” said Eboni Holmes, festival organizer. “We pride ourselves on supporting black businesses and ensuring that we have natural and unique goods available to the community.”

For more information about this event, including vending, performances, workshops and sponsorship opportunities, please visit www.BlackMosesFreedomFestival.com.

”Don’t ever stop. Keep going. If you want a taste of freedom, keep going.” – Harriet Tubman

Six Beaufort County and two Jasper County food businesses were cited with “B” and “C” grades in April’s health inspections by the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control.

Here is a rundown of the restaurants that received the lowest ratings in April:

Cabritos Mexican Restaurant scored 83% (B) on April 23 in a routine inspection. Issues noted by inspectors included:

Cabritos Mexican Restaurant was reinspected on April 25 and scored 100% (A).

Captain Woody’s Bar & Grill scored 84% (B) on April 25 in a routine inspection. Issues noted by inspectors included:

Captain Woody’s Bar & Grill has not been reinspected as of May 1, but one is required within 10 days.

Celeste scored 82% (B) on April 3 in a routine inspection. Issues noted by inspectors included:

A reinspection report has not been posted for Celeste as of May 1, but one was required within 10 days.

La Cabinita scored 78% (B) on April 7 in a routine inspection. Issues noted by inspectors included:

La Cabinita was reinspected on April 15 and scored 86% with a “C” letter grade due to repeated violations. Another inspection was required within 10 days, but has not been posted as of May 1.

Lowcountry Produce scored 82% (B) on April 3 in a routine inspection. Issues noted by inspectors included:

Lowcountry Produce was reinspected on April 11 and scored 90% (A).

Taqueria Las Abuelitas scored 83% (B) on April 28 in a routine inspection. Issues noted by inspectors included:

Taqueria Las Abuelitas has not been reinspected as of May 1, but one is required within 10 days.

Agave Azul Tacos and Tequila scored 83% (B) on April 8 in a routine inspection. Issues noted by inspectors included:

Agave Azul Tacos and Tequila was reinspected on April 18 and scored 100% (A).

Burrito Express Mexican Grill scored 85% (B) on April 25 in a routine inspection. Issues noted by inspectors included:

Burrito Express Mexican Grill has not been reinspected as of May 1, but one is required within 10 days.

Inspectors give restaurants a grade of A, B or C, depending on the conditions found at the time. Points are docked for various infractions, and restaurants have a chance to correct the problems and improve their score in a reinspection.

The grade scale is as follows:

In April, the SCDA recorded 205 inspections of restaurants, schools, stores and other food establishments in Beaufort County and 40 in Jasper County.

The agency publishes the results of these health inspections on its website.

Newer food-grade decals include a QR code that customers can scan with their phones to see a food establishment’s latest report.

If there is an establishment for which you wish to request an inspection, you can submit a concern to the SCDA by filling out this Food Safety Complaint Form.

The Island Packet

(843) 626-0211

Anna Claire Miller is the Service Journalism Reporter for The Island Packet. Originally from Georgia, she has experience in magazine writing, non-profit communications and city government. Anna Claire has a bachelor’s degree in journalism, legal studies and English from High Point University.

J.P. Signature Group Events proudly presents the second annual Music Festival of the Lowcountry, a memorable day in downtown Beaufort filled with exceptional live music from talented local and regional artists across various genres.

J.P. Signature Group Events will present the Music Festival of the Lowcountry at Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park on Saturday, June 7th from 1pm to 10pm, featuring headliners including Tony Jackson, America’s Favorite Country Music and Who’s Bad – The Ultimate Michael Jackson Experience.

Tony Jackson, is known as Traditional Country Music’s favorite artist. “He’s served our country as a Marine and enjoyed a successful career in the banking industry, but with one listen to Tony Jackson’s new album, I’ve Got Songs to Sing, it is obvious country music is his true calling.

With a distinctive voice that embodies country’s best traditions yet teems with an infectious energy that propels the genre into the future, Jackson is an old country soul in the body of a rising superstar.” See Tony here.

Then, there’s an exciting Michael Jackson tribute group, Who’s Bad.

Founded in 2003, Who’s Bad’s live performance is an unrivaled celebration of pop music’s one true King. Their power-packed performance of Michael Jackson’s expansive catalog has united and ignited crowds on almost every continent, and can only be described as a jaw-dropping, musical must-see.

As the longest-running Michael Jackson tribute, and the only one to predate his untimely passing, Who’s Bad is the World’s #1 Michael Jackson Tribute.

2024 marked the inaugural year for Music Festival of the Lowcountry. The event brought nearly 6,000 visitors to downtown Beaufort, increasing its typical attendance in the area in June by 102%.

Local businesses and local talent were well represented, and the event organizers plan to continue the trend at this year’s event.

Music Festival of the Lowcountry ignited in the mind of local real estate expert, Jamie Peart, of J.P. Signature Group – Keller Williams. She and her team have provided the Beaufort, SC community with multiple free events over the last four years including free pictures in the park during the holidays and free movie nights during the fall and winter.

Peart possesses a passion for music and is immersed in a milieu of musical talent in her daily life, notably through her husband’s involvement with local bands. This environment inspired the conception of a music festival. Her primary objective has been to provide a platform for local and regional bands to showcase their artistic prowess.

Inclusivity across various music genres was a key consideration, as our picturesque historic town had not previously hosted an event of this nature.

In a full, all-day music line up that will be released soon, attendees can anticipate a diverse list of performers encompassing country, jazz, pop, classic rock, steel drums, and more.

“I want to create a space where local musicians of all genres can play and be heard. Where our local community can enjoy music and life in our historic town,” Jamie said.

Jamie joined forces with the talented Brittany Underwood, a marketing specialist and graphic designer, to make this event sparkle. Besides the toe-tapping tunes, The Music Festival of the Lowcountry serves up a feast of tasty food from top food vendors and a bustling market filled with crafts and goodies, all thanks to the awesome teamwork of the J.P. Signature Group crew and beyond.

Be sure to get to Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park on June 7th for the music event of the year, delicious food, libations, and browse the amazing craft and vendor market.

Also, if you’re not in Beaufort but want to attend the event, you can enter to win a free weekend in Beaufort for the music festival, including a free two-night stay in a premium Mermaid Cottage vacation rental, a VIP Meet & Greet with Tony Jackson, free dinners, free tours and more. Visit this link to enter.

Visit www.musicfestivalofthelowcountry.com for more information.