23 Best & Fun Things To Do In Bluffton (SC): Updated

Bluffton is a gorgeous town in Beaufort County and one of the fastest-growing municipalities in South Carolina.

Although Bluffton is a small town, it is home to some of the state’s most beautiful nature preserves which you’ll love exploring.

Bluffton has historical sites, exciting outdoor spots, and adventurous sites that will make your vacation amazing.

This guide provides the best and most fun things to do in Bluffton, South Carolina.

Things To Do In Bluffton, SC

1. Visit Heyward House

Heyward House was built in 1841 and is one of Bluffton’s eight remaining pre-Civil War structures constructed by enslaved West Africans.

Heyward House is now owned and operated by the Historic Bluffton Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving Bluffton’s culture and history.

It consists of exhibitions and artifacts that serve as passageways for learning about the Lowcountry region’s history.

You will find maps and brochures for area businesses in the region, as well as learn about the best spots that offer a true taste of the town’s culture and history.

2. Visit Beaufort County Library

The Beaufort County Library is run by a board of trustees appointed by the Beaufort County Council and has been in operation for many years.

The library provides various types of media and programs to inspire, inform, and empower people in their daily lives, cultural understanding, and personal enrichment.

The Beaufort County Library is open to everyone, so come and access vast amounts of information, ideas, and a variety of other tools that encourage learning and literacy.

3. Visit Rose Hill Mansion

The Rose Hill Mansion, built in the 1850s, is a one-of-a-kind and incredibly beautiful mansion in Bluffton built by Dr. John Kirk.

Rose Hill Mansion was added to the National Register of Historic Places and preserves the antebellum plantation home of Dr. and Mrs. John William & Caroline Kirk.

You’ll see various authentic furniture, a grand entry staircase, and artifacts and portraits owned by the Kirk family.

Rose Hill Mansion is beautifully designed in the Gothic style and is surrounded by sprawling gardens, making it an ideal location for weddings and other special events. 

4. Visit Society of Bluffton Artists

The Society of Bluffton Artists is a non-profit organization with the main goal of promoting local artists.

They assist in bringing together local artists to assist them in improving and mastering their skills, as well as sharing their knowledge with upcoming artists.

The Bluffton Artists Society hosts classes all year and controls two spaces in Old Town Bluffton, the Center for Creative Arts and a gallery.

The gallery of the Society of Bluffton Artists features beautiful artworks by artists working in various media from the Lowcountry and beyond.

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5. Visit Maye River Gallery

Maye River Gallery displays exceptional works of art that communicate to viewers as well as art for the spirit, body, and home.

The primary goal of Maye River Gallery is to help promote the incredibly talented local artists in any way they can.

The artworks on display are created by artists from the South Carolina Lowcountry, many of whom have received national and regional recognition.

Maye River Gallery features jewelry and glass works, woven and ceramic pieces, and landscape paintings depicting the area’s beautiful people and incredible natural scenery.

6. Watch Movies At Cinemark Bluffton

After Cinemark took over the operations of Sea Turtle Cinemas in 2011, the name was changed to Cinemark Bluffton.

This cinema provides a fantastic movie experience by providing excellent digital video and sound, reasonably comfortable stadium seating, and RealD 3D.

The are various games played in the video game arcade, and the staff is friendly and courteous when dealing with customers.  

You can stop at the snack bar for a variety of refreshments such as delicious hot popcorn, chilled drinks, combo, and matinee specials.

7. Chill At Roasting Room Lounge & Listening Room

Roasting Room Lounge & Listening Room is a cozy space with great entertainment to help you relax after exploring Bluffton.

With an excellent sound system and comfortable seats, this music venue provides excellent live music performances and you can meet talented local musicians.

The full-service bar serves a wide variety of delectable bourbon and other drinks at unbeatable prices.

Roasting Room Lounge & Listening Room is also an ideal location for wedding receptions, bachelor parties, and bachelorette parties.

8. Go On Tours With May River Excursions

May River Excursions provides a memorable experience and fun tours during your vacation in Bluffton.

May River Excursions depart from Bluffton’s Old Town and offers its passengers a variety of boat charters to choose from.

May River Excursions owns and operates boats that can transport up to twelve people at a time around the charming waters near Daufuskie and Hilton Head Island.

The tours are available in a variety of packages such as fishing, shrimping, and crabbing trips.

9. Go On Boat Trips With Spartina Marine Education Charters

Spartina Marine Education Charters provides an unforgettable experience by taking you on charter boat trips on the water in the Lowcountry region.

Spartina Marine Education Charters gives a full educational session on the aquatic habitat and the numerous species that live there.

These tours last one to two hours, so you’ll see marshes, beautiful coastal views, sea birds, and dolphins.

Spartina Marine Education Charters offers a variety of tour packages, including an onboard tank where you can see fish, shrimp, and crabs.

10. Have Fun At Stand And Paddle

Stand And Paddle guarantee visitors an unforgettable experience as they set out into the May River in Bluffton.

Stand and Paddle provide boards that can comfortably carry one person weighing up to 280 pounds.

They provide Adult paddles to the sand bar, Adult & dog paddles, and Adult-child paddles with different kinds of amazing experiences.

The paddleboards are customized and can be used for fitness, recreation, yoga, and touring.

11. Golf At Island West Golf Club

Island West Golf Club is a fantastic golf course with a lovely and well-designed layout that adds to the beauty of the course.

The course is ideal for beginners, intermediate, and expert players, and there’s a large practice area where players can practice and master their skills.

Island West Golf Club provides a wide range of rental play equipment, tournament preparation, professional scoring, and stay packages with local hotels.

This golf club has a fully stocked pro shop, a large bar and grill that serves a variety of drinks and delectable meals, and their signature Hot Dog Bar.

12. Golf At Old South Golf Links

Old South Golf Links has one of the best golf courses in Bluffton, and you get to enjoy the links in a picturesque Lowcountry setting.

Clyde Johnson, a famous course architect, designed Old South Golf Links, which was built on the adorable natural marshland.

This golf course is surrounded by rolling hills, arching treetops, and lush marshes, and it is stunning.

Old South Golf Links has a restaurant that serves delicious drinks and snacks, and you may see local wildlife such as deer, storks, and hawks.  

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13. Golf At Hilton Head National Golf Club

Hilton Head National Golf Club is an outstanding golf club that provides golfers with a thrilling experience.

Hilton Head National Golf Club, this 18-hole golf course, was designed by award-winning architect Bobby Weed and golf legend Gary Player.

This golf course is open all year and includes a driving range, onsite teaching pro, rental carts, a full-service pro shop, and the player’s pub restaurant.

14. Explore Victoria Bluff Heritage Preserve

The Victoria Bluff Heritage Preserve has over 1,000 acres of nature trails with plenty of wildlife and trees.

This type of nature preserve is uncommon in South Carolina and it is part of the Pine-Saw Palmetto Flatwoods community.

Saltwater creeks, cabbage palms, slash pines, live oaks, and evergreen species such as fetterbush and gallberry can be found in the Victoria Bluff Heritage Preserve.  

If you enjoy bird watching, Victoria Bluff Heritage Preserve is the ideal location, as it is home to a variety of bird species like flycatchers and yellow-rumped warblers.

15. Hike Through The New River Linear Trail

The New River Linear Trail is a grass trail on an unpaved section of the greenway that connects the United States and Canada, as well as Key West and the border.

It is a .4-mile trail that passes through several scenic natural areas such as historic sites and wetlands.

On this trail, you’ll see swampland and hardwood forest, as well as wildlife such as waterfowl, deer, and turkeys.

The New River Linear Trail has informative signs and is ideal for cycling, hiking, and walks with your loved ones.

16. Explore Old Town Bluffton

Old Town Bluffton is the lovely downtown area and home to numerous galleries, fine dining and casual restaurants, boutiques, and treasure-filled antique shops.

Old Town Bluffton is also home to some of the town’s most important historical landmarks, including the May River Theater, the Heyward House Historic Center, and the Church of the Cross.

Several community groups and vendors hold regular events here to bring locals and tourists together. 

17. Taste Beer At Southern Barrel Brewery

Southern Barrel Brewery is beautifully designed with a rustic feel of old-fashioned reclaimed wood accents, creating a homey and relaxed environment.

Southern Barrel Brewery serves a variety of delicious homemade beers, including stouts, pale ales, lagers, ales, and a raspberry-flavored concoction.

They also serve delicious dishes like cauliflower wings, sloppy nachos, duck bacon wontons, Buffalo, chips & queso, sweet potato fries, Bavarian pretzels, and Charcuterie Board.

18. Get Spirits At Burnt Church Distillery

Burnt Church Distillery has a campus of 20,000 square feet that serves as a historical and educational destination where you can learn about distilling and the area’s rich history.

Burnt Church Distillery is all about giving customers good value for money by creating tasty and one-of-a-kind spirits with a historical twist.

You can get various spirits such as Bluffton Whiskey American Whiskey, Sin Eater Whiskey,

Devil’s Elbow Gin, Palmer’s Stretch RYE Whiskey, and Sippin’ Saint Moonshine.

19. Eat At The Bluffton Room

The Bluffton Room serves delectable classic American cuisine made from the freshest ingredients sourced locally.

Their main goal is to provide an amazing dining experience for both kids and adults in a vibrant and welcoming environment.

The Bluffton Room serves a diverse menu that includes kale salad, banana foster, turkey dinner, Veal Bolognese Pasta, Coq Au Vin, filet mignon, Pot Roast Vegetables, and grilled Spanish octopus.

Their drink menu is extensive, with red and white wines, and well-crafted cocktails, so you’ll enjoy yourself.

20. Drink Coffee At Corner Perk Cafe

Corner Perk Cafe is an award-winning and reputable coffee shop in Bluffton that has been serving customers for over six years.

They serve the highest quality coffee and have been named the Lowcountry’s best coffee shop on multiple occasions.

You can drink caramel macchiato, browned sugar latte, vanilla beans, cold brew iced coffee, Irish Americano, and bloody mary either cold or hot.

For breakfast meals, you can try egg and cheese bagel, shrimp grits, brioche French toast, huevos rancheros, chicken bacon avocado salad, watermelon Margarita salad, omelets, basil biscuits, and chocolate cakes.

21. Drink Chilled Beer At Salt Marsh Brewing

Nick Borreggine, a professional brewer who began as a homebrewer, and James Brown, the brewery’s mastermind, founded Salt Marsh Brewing.

This brewery has a large drink menu with tasty and high-quality beers and flavorful meals prepared by its downstairs neighbor, Bluffton’s Fat Pattie’s.

Salt Marsh Brewing manufactures and sells a variety of craft beers, including wheat beer, a red ale, marsh grass, broad creek, a rotating selection of seasonal beverages, and several IPAs.

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22. Shop At Bluffton SC Farmers Market

Bluffton SC Farmers Market was founded in 2008 as a weekly event that brings the entire community together.

Several downtown vendors and Bluffton growers sell artisan bakeries, fresh fruit, prepared foods, vegetables, local chocolate, and cheeses.

The Bluffton SC Farmers Market also hosts a variety of interesting events, such as weekly musical performances and events.

23. Have Fun At Station 300

Station 300 is a fun family center with a bowling alley that has nice bowling lanes and hosts friendly leagues.

Station 300 also offers a wide range of top arcade games, as well as easy-to-use, rechargeable fun cards that are available to everyone.

Breadsticks, chicken quesadilla, chicken tenders, chicken caesar salad, bone-in wings, Buffalo burgers, steakhouse burgers, sandwiches, and pizzas are among the delicious snacks, food, and drinks served at the center.

Frequently Asked Questions

Visit Bluffton, South Carolina 

Bluffton, South Carolina has many natural attractions such as wildlife, ponds, lakes, and parks which you can explore for a memorable vacation.

You can start planning a fun vacation to Bluffton and you can simply refer to this guide.

Have a great day.