Bluffton, SC
Guide to local businesses, government, attractions and entertainment in the town of Bluffton, SC.
Bluffton, South Carolina is the residential heart of the Lowcountry. Rooted in more than two-hundred years of history and culture, Bluffton represents what some call "the last true coastal village of the South." We take pride in not only our cultural heritage, but also the inimitable landscape and natural environment that shape this place we call "home."
The Town of Bluffton is located in Beaufort County, the southernmost coastal county in South Carolina. It is situated on a high bluff overlooking the May River, a pristine waterway that has strongly contributed to the Town's history and continued success. Bluffton is located just 12 miles west of Hilton Head Island, SC and approximately 20 miles northeast of Savannah, GA. It is also easily accessible from Intrastate Highways 46, 170, & 278 and Interstate 95.
Contact the
Town of Bluffton via phone at 843.706.4500, online at
www.townofbluffton.com or in person at Town Hall, conveniently located at 20 Bridge Street in the Old Town.
History of Bluffton, SC
In 1852 the Town was officially incorporated by an act of the South Carolina General Assembly and comprised approximately one square mile. A steamboat landing was constructed at the end of Calhoun Street at this time, which allowed the Town to be a stopover for travelers between Savannah and Beaufort or Charleston.Within one year of the capture of Fort Sumter, Bluffton became a safe haven for residents fleeing Union occupation of the South Carolina barrier islands. Bluffton was a headquarters for Confederate forces until Union forces on Hilton Head Island ordered the Town's destruction in 1863. Approximately 60 structures were in the Town before the attack, only the Town's two churches and fifteen residences remained standing after the attack.
View map of Bluffton, SC attractions »
70 Boundary St
Bluffton, SC 29910
(843) 757-6293
1841 historic home offering guided tours and artifacts that describe life in the antebellum South. The Heyward House is one of only ten antebellum structures remaining in the town of Bluffton, South Carolina and is the fourth oldest structure remaining in southern Beaufort County. Serving as Bluffton's official Welcome Center, the Heyward House is at the center of Bluffton's National Register Historic District. In addition to touring this house museum and adjacent grounds, you can also pick up a walking tour map, the Old Town merchants guide to art galleries, and more.
The Bluffton Historical Preservation Society was established, over a quarter century ago, to protect, preserve and promote the cultural heritage and history of St. Luke's Parish (est. 1767) through education, marketing, hands-on preservation of buildings and sites, maintenance of an historical archive and operation of the Heyward House Historic Center. In 1998, the Bluffton Historical Preservation Society purchased the Heyward House. Their Caldwell Archive is one of the largest collections of archival resource materials.
905 Buckwalter Pkwy
Bluffton, SC 29910
843.255.6710
Featuring indoor and outdoor recreation center featuring basketball courts, soccer fields and pools. Beaufort County Parks and Recreation provides youth sports leagues, aquatic programs, and recreation facilities throughout Beaufort County.
110 Calhoun St
Bluffton, SC 29910
843.757.2661
The Church of the Cross is a community of Christ-imitators where people are respected, loved, and called to God-honoring excellence as they serve the Lord and others in His name.
Bluffton, SC 29910
843.757.2583
The highlight of this annual festival is the Streetfest which includes a juried fine art show featuring over 100 artists from 10 different states displaying and selling their art, delicious food provided by the area's premier restaurants and caterers and great music and entertainment.
41 Calhoun St
Bluffton, SC 29910
843.717.2175
This historic riverfront village welcomes visitors with the same charm and vibrancy as in its antebellum heyday. During Colonial times, Bluffton's location was prized by Lowcountry planters and their families as a refuge from the harsh plantation environment of mosquitoes and heat. Today, the high bluff, strong southerly breezes & shaded pathways make Old Town Bluffton the picture perfect walking environment.
Join the delightful character Bluffton Jack on a fascinating journey back in time as we talk, walk and wander our way through the amazing history of Old Town Bluffton. Listen or join in as he weaves fact and folklore about history and his wonderful life & times of many seasons on the high bluff.
The 1.5 hour walking tour includes 20 featured stops along the tree canopied streets and pathways of Old Town Bluffton. Tour guests will receive a keepsake fold-out map and historical guide, a complimentary bottled water and a small souvenir of their time spent touring with Bluffton Jack.
Bluffton, SC 29910
843.706.4583
The Community Center and Field of Dreams are both available for private and public events based on availability.
Bluffton, SC 29910
More than 1,100 acres of nature trails with bird watching, wildlife viewing and many native trees. Located only minutes from Hilton Head Island, the 977 acre Victoria Bluff Heritage Preserve provides an escape from the crowds. The preserve contains an example of the pine-saw palmetto flatwoods community. This community type is widespread in Florida and Georgia, but rare in South Carolina. As the name suggests, the pine-saw palmetto community is dominated by longleaf and slash pine in the overstory and saw palmetto in the understory. In addition to saw palmetto, other evergreen species such as galberry and fetterbush occur and form dense thickets.
The other community type located on the preserve is the mainland maritime forest. This community occurs adjacent to the saltwater creeks and is dominated by live oak, cabbage palm, and slash pine. The understory is somewhat sparse with saw palmetto being the primary component. Victoria Bluff Heritage Preserve also has about 35 wet depressions ranging from one tenth of an acre to 60 acres. These depressions are closed drainage systems with no outflow of water. They provide habitat for the rare plant pond spice. This aromatic shrub is found from North Carolina to Georgia. The preserve provides an excellent area for birdwatching, particularly in the spring. Pine, yellow-throated, and yellow rumped warblers, white-eyed vireos, summer tanagers and flycatchers can be seen in a short time. White-tailed deer, fox and gray squirrels can also be observed.
Bluffton Park Commons
29 Plantation Park Dr # 103
Bluffton, SC 29910
843.757.9111
Palmetto Oaks Sculpture Garden
11 Palmetto Beach Ln
Bluffton, SC 29910
843.263.6940
Only 1 Mile From Historic Bluffton, SC. Admission is free.
Brighton Beach
265, 285 State Rd S-7-13
Bluffton, SC 2991
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The coast of South Carolina offers a vast ecosystem of salt marshes, tidal creeks, winding rivers, sounds and the Atlantic Ocean is unspoiled, healthy, and brimming with fish of all types. For deep sea fishing charters and offshore angling, there are a number of
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Hilton Head Island boasts 12 miles of expansive, hard-packed
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Hilton Head is surrounded by water, so its only natural that there are an extensive array of
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