Mount Pleasant Magazine May/June 2019

72 www.MountPleasantMagazine.com | www.BestOfMP.com | www.ReadMPM.com feature I t’s summertime and the livin’ is easy in Mount Pleasant, but, sometimes, you just need to get away from it all and take a break from the mundane. That feeling of leisure and adventure — the fun of trying new-to-you restaurants, appreciating the beauty of the Lowcountry and exploring a new town — can be found just an hour and a half down the road in the charming city of Beaufort. The second-oldest city in South Carolina, Beaufort boasts accolades in recent years like Southern Living’s “ Best Small Town,” Coastal Living’s “Happiest Seaside Town in America” and a spot on Smithsonian magazine’s “Best Small Towns to Visit” list. The historic district is situated on a peninsula on Port Royal Island abound with marsh and river views. The city and surrounding Sea Islands have served as backdrops to major films and continue to embody all that is quintessentially Lowcountry. EVENTS Original Gullah Festival, May 24-26. Started in 1986, the Gullah Festival draws 35,000 people annually to celebrate the unique culture of African Americans in the Lowcountry. Enjoy storytelling, dancing, music ranging from African drums to jazz, blues and reggae, and stroll the arts-and-crafts market for handmade items like sweetgrass baskets. The “Decoration Day” play highlights the history of Beaufort, and a seminar called “Lest We Forget” showcases members of the Gullah community speaking about their personal experiences. Fill your belly with traditional Gullah favorites like shrimp ‘n’ grits, Lowcountry boil and BY ANNE SHULER TOOLE ASummer Getaway to Beaufort Photos courtesy of Greater Beaufort-Port Royal Convention and Visitors Bureau.