Bluffton combines the history of Old Town with activities on the May River and a local seafood tradition. As you plan your stay, consider whether historic buildings and guided tours, the river and its tidal landscape, or Lowcountry cuisine will be your focus.
Historic Buildings and Stories
Old Town Bluffton is designated a state Cultural District and is listed as a Historic District on the National Register. Its historic buildings represent different periods in the town’s history. The Garvin-Garvey House was built around 1870 by Cyrus Garvin (Garvey). The Historic Campbell Chapel AME was originally built in Bluffton in 1853 by enslaved people.
The Heyward House Museum also has a history dating well before the Civil War: it was built in 1841 by enslaved West Africans and is one of only eight antebellum houses to survive the American Civil War. The present-day Church of the Cross building was consecrated in 1854; the church has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1975. Together, these dates span the years before and after the Civil War.
Guided tours are offered through the Old Town Bluffton Historic District and its historic buildings. Free, guide-led tours of the Church of the Cross are offered Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tours of the Heyward House and its grounds take place daily. Visitor information and operating details may change, so check the latest tour information before planning a visit specifically for this purpose.
The May River, Tidal Creeks, and Trails
In Bluffton, you can fish, catch crabs, and harvest shrimp on the May River. River ecotours pass through tidal creeks and Lowcountry marshlands. Fishing charters, dolphin-watching trips, and kayak and stand-up paddleboard tours are also available from Bluffton. If you plan to take part in any of these activities, check current availability in advance.
A trail through scenic and historic surroundings is another option: the New River Trail is a 5.2-mile section of the East Coast Greenway.
Lowcountry Cuisine and Visitor Information
The annual Historic Bluffton Arts and Seafood Festival is a week-long event in the historic district. It celebrates locally harvested seafood and Lowcountry cuisine. If you want to plan your trip around the festival, check the dates and program for that year’s edition against your travel dates. Bluffton Oyster Company is South Carolina’s last remaining oyster house where oysters are shucked by hand.
The Town of Bluffton Welcome Center is located in the Squire Pope Carriage House at Wright Family Park. The park offers public access to waterfront areas. If you plan to use the Welcome Center to get oriented, check the latest visitor information in advance. This can help you choose what to explore in Bluffton based on your interests: heritage, river activities, or Lowcountry cuisine.
Discover more destinations: Port Royal, Okatie, Saint Helena Island, Beaufort, Hilton Head Island
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