B&B highlight: the charming Rhett House Inn & Beaufort, S.C.

We enjoyed a complimentary stay at the Rhett House Inn and a complimentary historic carriage tour and shrimp festival tickets courtesy of Visit Beaufort. All opinions are my own.

There are many reasons why we can’t stay away from the Rhett House Inn in Beaufort, South Carolina. Maybe it’s the beautifully restored white antebellum-style house, the unmatched southern hospitality or the laidback ambiance of the waterfront town.

Rhett House Inn is a B&B we’ve been visiting even before I began writing about bed and breakfasts, and the inn gets more magical every time we visit. Owner John Harrison has proved the impossible — he’s made the inn that his parents perfected better than ever, adding luxurious details and modern touches.

This time we stayed in room four in the main house, the room Barbra Streisand stayed in when she visited the Rhett House Inn (and she’s one among many celebrities to stay at the B&B). This room is not only fit for Barbra, it’s fit for a queen, with plush bedding, blue accents and a vintage vanity.

The Rhett House Inn is the perfect place to experience the South’s quintessential charm. Imagine a bountiful southern breakfast, afternoon iced tea and cookies, evening hors d’oeuvres, homemade desserts, a tranquil courtyard and porches adorned with hammocks and ferns. You can also explore the town on the inn’s beach cruiser bicycles.

While we could spend the weekend relaxing in the garden or unwinding with evening charcuterie and a glass of wine on the inn’s expansive verandas, we’ve made it our sole mission to explore all that the town of Beaufort, S.C. has to offer.

This weekend, we began our morning the only way we know how in Beaufort — with a full Southern breakfast crafted by the talented Chef Beverly and complete with herbs from the inn’s garden. This B&B provides a breakfast menu and hospitable service, which you can enjoy in the intimate dining room or outside on the veranda.

Carriage Tour

With full stomachs, we embarked on a historic horse-drawn carriage tour with Southurn Rose thanks to our friends at Visit Beaufort. We took a deep dive into the history of the town and learned more about the stunning homes in the historic district.

Beaufort Shrimp Festival

After the tour, we channeled our inner Forrest Gump (and saw a Tom Hanks impersonator) for the 29th annual Shrimp Festival at Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park in downtown, a short walk from Rhett House Inn. We welcomed shrimp season with the best of ’em by indulging in all sorts of shrimp dishes from the region’s leading chefs.

The Chocolate Tree & Forrest Gump

In preparation for our shrimp extravaganza, we took a Forrest Gump journey to The Chocolate Tree, the company whose box of chocolates were featured in the movie. Rumor has it Tom Hanks ate lots of chocolate from The Chocolate Tree, and I don’t blame him—it’s delicious. Notice the Woods Memorial Bridge? That’s the bridge Forrest Gump ran across in the movie.

Along with the chocolates, we’ve devoured our way through most of the small town and can confidently say our restaurant recommendations are well-tested.

Eating & drinking in Beaufort

Like our last trip, we had dinner at Lost Local, where you can find the best drinks and tacos (the blackened fish is our favorite). On Saturday, we rounded out our shrimp festival lunch with dinner at Old Bull Tavern (pictured above), a gastropub featuring eclectic dishes. We also recommend Saltus River Grill for fine dining, Lowcountry Produce for local provisions and Lowcountry Cider for coffee and baked goods. Two favorites right down the road in Port Royal are Fishcamp on 11th Street (my family’s favorite) and Madison’s.

Shopping on Bay Street & Hunting Island State Park

And when we’re not eating, we’re wandering the streets of the historic district or shopping local on Bay Street. Our favorite stores include The Social Betty (pictured above), Scout Southern Market, Tidal Creek Haven, Lulu Burgess (perfect for gifts), M Interiors and Nevermore Books. We always spend time browsing through the art galleries too.

When you’ve shopped ’til you’ve dropped, you can relax on the beach at Hunting Island State Park, a short drive from downtown Beaufort. The Rhett House Inn offers beach towels, beach chairs and one state park pass.

Whatever your dream vacation itinerary includes, Beaufort, S.C. has plenty to offer. However, we believe every perfect stay begins and ends at the Rhett House Inn. Let them know we sent you.