Top Hilton Head Island Historical Tours

Discover Beaufort’s historic district without the hassle of navigating a tour that highlights the town’s Hollywood past. In addition to telling little–known stories about the town’s 300–year history, your guide brings you to landmarks often missed by visitors, from unmarked Forrest Gump film locations to the cemetery used in The Great Santini.

Remote Daufuskie Island is accessible only by boat and remains largely undeveloped, despite its fame as the setting of Pat Conroy’s novel “The Water is Wide.” A guided tour makes the trip a cinch—this package includes round-trip boat tickets, plus transportation between island attractions such as the First African Baptist Church and Mary Fields School, all visited with the benefit of commentary from your guide.

Explore the captivating history of Beaufort on a charming 50-55 minute horse-drawn carriage tour. Discover the elegance of the past as you glide past moss-covered Live Oaks, stunning Antebellum homes, historic churches, and iconic movie sites, all narrated by a knowledgeable guide. This fully narrated experience provides insight into Beaufort's unique charm and rich history, making it an excellent choice for families and history buffs alike. - Duration: 50-55 minutes of narrated history - Family-friendly; children under 3 ride for free - Reservations recommended for this unique journey

Over 24 Hollywood films have been shot in the historic town of Beaufort, South Carolina. Explore Beaufort without the hassle of navigating on a tour of the area’s highlights, from scenic film locations to historic homes. Your small group size ensures the full attention of your guide, who navigates for you and provides little–known stories about Beaufort’s past. Morning and afternoon departure times are available for your convenience.

Discover Beaufort’s old southern charm on a horse-drawn carriage tour around the historic center. Join a small group for a narrated tour of Old Beaufort and pass by the area’s key landmarks. Listen to your guide retell the history of the city from its early Colonial period to the American Revolution and Civil War eras up to the present day.

Our tour will take you through the city's National Historic Landmark District, showcasing beautiful historic homes, churches, and sites that have witnessed centuries of American history. You’ll see sites from the Filming of Forest Gump, hear stories of the civil war, Harriet Tubman, the Succession, the Jewish settlers, local history and so much more. Go at your own pace. Stop anytime and continue whenever you want. The tour is all outside, location aware, plays as you walk, and can be taken 24/7/365. It never expires.

Discover the charming southern city of Beaufort on a walking tour through the historic district. Join a small group and explore the antebellum streets while listening to your guide regale you with the city’s 500-year history. Learn about Native Americans, pirates, the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, and more as you visit monuments, churches, and statues.

Uncover the hidden gems of Beaufort on this immersive 5-6 hour tour led by a native guide. Visit breathtaking sites including Frampton Plantation House, The Sands beach, the historic Old Sheldon Church ruins and more. Enjoy captivating stories about the area's history and wildlife, with opportunities to spot local plants, birds, and even collect shark teeth. This excursion is perfect for families and nature lovers alike, offering a unique glimpse into the Lowcountry's beauty. - 5-6 hour guided excursion exploring Beaufort's natural wonders - Visit iconic locations like Downtown Beaufort’s Historic District and Frampton Plantation House - All admission fees, water, sunscreen, and bug spray included - Optional snacks or lunch available for purchase

Tucked between Hilton Head Island and Savannah, and accessible only by boat, Daufuskie Island is a real gem. This private 4.5 hour Daufuskie Island trip provides a glimpse into a fascinating chapter of Lowcountry history on the undeveloped side of the island. Visit local artisans and learn the rich history of the Native Americans, European settlers, the cotton trade, and the Gullah culture. We encourage you to wear weather-appropriate clothing and bring water, snacks, and sunscreen.

Maximize time in Hilton Head Island with a Segway Tour. Meet your guide for a basic safety tutorial on how to use a Segway and then set out to explore the historic Honey Horn property. Cover ground with ease during this efficient tour and learn about local history and culture from your guide. No prior experience is necessary and helmets are provided.

Discover the story behind the kazoo, a popular music instrument, during this factory and museum tour. Visit Kazoobie Kazoos, a family-run manufacturer of kazoos in Beaufort, South Carolina to learn about these instruments. Explore the on-site factory and hear stories about this American-made and American-invented instrument. Bring the kids for an educational experience.

Pat Conroy fans can’t miss this tour of Pat Conroy’s Beaufort. Travel aboard an air-conditioned bus to the places where the famous author lived, prayed, and ate. Along the way, you see locations that inspired some of his most popular works, such as The Prince of Tides and The Great Santini, and get a better sense of Beaufort’s rich culture.

Discover Hilton Head’s natural landscapes during a Segway tour through the Coastal Discovery Museum. The 70-acre (28-hectare) preserver was once a cotton plantation and features open meadows, salt marshes, and a live oak forest, perfect for exploring. This tour is strictly about the scenery and doesn’t have any narration, meaning you can enjoy your time riding around without interruptions.

Step back in time as you stroll the streets of Beaufort, exploring its 300 years of history with a local guide. Walk through the historic district and admire the city’s ancient oaks draped with Spanish moss. Along the way, your guide identifies points of interest including the residences where Hollywood stars lived during the filming of movies such as *Forrest Gump*, *G.I. Jane*, and *The Prince of Tides*.

Uncover the remarkable journey of Robert Smalls as you navigate Beaufort's historic streets in this engaging outdoor escape game. This immersive experience allows participants to follow the courageous path of Smalls, piecing together clues that reveal his daring escape from enslavement to heroism. Utilizing a user-friendly web app, you'll explore real landmarks while tackling puzzles that reflect the challenges Smalls faced, making history come alive in a unique way. The experience emphasizes teamwork and curiosity, making it suitable for all ages, ensuring a memorable adventure for everyone involved.

Discover why Beaufort’s #1 ghost tour is one of the town’s most unforgettable nighttime experiences. Operating nightly, year-round, this outdoor walking tour is led by local guides who know Beaufort’s history, legends, and haunted past firsthand. As you wander the historic streets, you'll hear chilling stories inspired by documented events, local folklore, and unexplained encounters that have lingered for generations. Along the route, you'll learn the haunted history behind iconic sites including Panini’s On The Waterfront, where tales of ghostly sightings, tragic events, and mysterious happenings have become part of the town’s history. Though the tour remains outdoors, each stop offers an eerie glimpse into Beaufort’s past. Perfect for private groups, bachelorette parties, birthdays, and special events, this ghost tour blends authentic history, captivating storytelling, and mystery into an unforgettable evening beneath the shadows of Beaufort.

Step into the eerie past of Beaufort with our Haunted Beaufort Walking Tour, where history and the supernatural converge. Begin your journey at the iconic Beaufort Castle, a Gothic Revival masterpiece rumored to be haunted by restless spirits from its storied past. Feel the chill of the castle’s ghostly tales as you marvel at its medieval charm. Next, venture to the Beaufort Courthouse, the critical headquarters for relief efforts during the Great Sea Island Storm of 1893. Hear haunting stories of the tragedy and the spectral presences that linger from that devastating hurricane, leaving an indelible mark on the courthouse’s history. Finally, explore the somber tranquility of St. Helena Anglican Church and its ancient graveyard. Established in 1712, this historic church is rumored to be a site of ghostly apparitions and eerie encounters among the timeworn gravestones.

Photograph Hilton Head Island in a way most visitors never experience — on a guided, small-group photo expedition shaped by light, timing, and the quiet moments that define the Lowcountry. This experience is designed for anyone — whether you’re using a professional camera or simply your phone. No experience required. During this experience, you’ll: *Visit carefully selected locations for the best light and conditions *Learn simple techniques to improve composition and use natural light *Capture meaningful images and have the option to be photographed with your own camera or phone This isn’t a scripted tour or rushed photo stop. Each experience is shaped in real time based on light, weather, and timing — creating a personal experience. With an easy pace and small group, you’ll discover a quieter, more reflective side of Hilton Head Island that most visitors never see. And when your visit is over, your images allow you to return — to this place, this light, this exact moment.

Easily explore the highlights of Hilton Head, South Carolina aboard an easy-to-use Segway. Join a small group and get your feel for the vehicle with a brief introduction. Then, set off to explore the island including Shelter Cove Community Park and Broad Creek. No matter your age, the Segway allows everyone to explore at the same pace.