Bluffton, South Carolina
Bluffton, SC Vacation Guide
Plan your Bluffton SC vacation — Old Town galleries, May River kayaking, Lowcountry dining, world-class golf, and everything worth doing in the Lowcountry.
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Everything You Need to Explore
National Register
of Historic Places
Est. 1852
Bluffton, SC
The Heart of Bluffton
Old Town Bluffton
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Old Town is Bluffton's walkable historic core — live oak canopies, the 1857 Church of the Cross, art galleries lining Calhoun Street, and the May River bluff at Oyster Factory Park. Everything worth seeing is within a 10-minute stroll.
- Church of the Cross — 1857 Gothic Revival landmark on the May River bluff
- Heyward House — c. 1840 historic home and welcome center with guided tours
- Oyster Factory Park — Waterfront park with the best sunset views in Bluffton
- 20+ Art Galleries — SOBA, local studios, and galleries along Calhoun Street
Lowcountry Dining
Featured Restaurants
From waterfront oyster bars to farm-to-table fine dining — Bluffton punches well above its weight.
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Get Outside
Outdoor Activities
The May River, Pinckney Island, and miles of tidal marsh make Bluffton one of the Lowcountry's best outdoor destinations.
Kayaking, fishing, hiking, birding, golf, and more — all within minutes of Old Town.
All things to doWhere to Stay
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Waterfront vacation rentals, boutique hotels, charming B&Bs, and pet-friendly options throughout the Lowcountry.
What's On
Upcoming Events
Bluffton's calendar is always full — farmers markets, art walks, music, and festivals year-round.
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When to Visit Bluffton
Trip Planning
Bluffton Itineraries
From a single afternoon in Old Town to a 5-day Lowcountry road trip — curated day-by-day plans for every type of trip.
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12
Miles from Hilton Head
50+
Golf Courses Nearby
1852
Founded
Why Bluffton?
A Lowcountry Town Like No Other
Bluffton sits on a bluff above the May River in Beaufort County, South Carolina — incorporated in 1852 and still anchored by the same live oak canopy and tidal marshes that have defined it for centuries. Old Town Bluffton, the historic core along Calhoun Street and Boundary Street, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and remains one of the most walkable, authentic small-town districts on the East Coast.
The Church of the Cross (1857), the Heyward House Historic Center (c. 1840), and Oyster Factory Park on the May River bluff are the anchors of Old Town — all free to visit, all within easy walking distance of each other. Art galleries, local boutiques, and some of the best seafood restaurants in the Lowcountry fill the blocks in between.
Bluffton is 12 miles from Hilton Head Island and about 25 miles from downtown Savannah, Georgia — making it an ideal base for exploring the entire southern Lowcountry. But most visitors find they don't need to leave: the May River, Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge, and the town's own calendar of farmers markets, art walks, and festivals keep the days full.
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About Bluffton, South Carolina
Old Town Bluffton
Old Town is the historic heart of Bluffton — a compact, walkable district bounded by the May River to the south and Calhoun Street to the north. The neighborhood is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and contains more than 50 structures dating from the antebellum era through the early 20th century. The Church of the Cross, an 1857 Gothic Revival church that survived the Civil War, sits on a bluff directly above the river and is one of the most photographed landmarks in the Lowcountry. The Heyward House Historic Center (c. 1840) serves as the town's welcome center and offers guided tours of Old Town. Oyster Factory Park, at the foot of Wharf Street, marks the site of a 19th-century oyster processing operation and offers one of the best sunset views on the May River.
Outdoor Activities and the May River
The May River is the defining natural feature of Bluffton — a tidal blackwater river that winds through salt marshes and maritime forest before meeting the Calibogue Sound near Hilton Head. It's one of the cleanest rivers in South Carolina and supports a thriving oyster population; wild-harvested May River oysters appear on menus across the region. Kayaking and paddleboarding are popular from the public landing at Oyster Factory Park. Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge, just across the bridge from Bluffton on US-278, offers 14 miles of trails through salt marsh, freshwater ponds, and maritime shrub — free to enter, open year-round, and one of the best birding spots in the Southeast.
Golf Near Bluffton
The Bluffton–Hilton Head corridor is one of the premier golf destinations in the American South, with more than 50 courses within a 30-minute drive. Courses designed by Jack Nicklaus, Pete Dye, Davis Love III, and Arthur Hills are spread across private communities, semi-private clubs, and public facilities. Colleton River Plantation Club (Pete Dye and Jack Nicklaus designs), Palmetto Bluff (Jack Nicklaus), and Eagle's Pointe are among the most acclaimed. Public and semi-private options include Old South Golf Links, Crescent Pointe Golf Club, and Hilton Head National Golf Club — all accessible without a club membership.
Getting to Bluffton
Bluffton is located in Beaufort County, South Carolina, at the intersection of US-278 and SC-46. The nearest commercial airport is Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport (SAV), approximately 30 miles southwest — about a 35-minute drive. Hilton Head Island is 12 miles east via US-278. Downtown Savannah, Georgia is roughly 25 miles southwest. There is no public transit to Bluffton; a car is essential. Most visitors drive in from I-95 (Exit 8 for US-278 East) or fly into SAV and rent a car.
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