Beaufort, South Carolina
Time Needed: full-day
Experience Type: historic landmark, small-town charm
Beaufort was once home to the infamous Blackbeard. Today, this waterfront town invites visitors to explore maritime history, haunted tales, and lively reenactments that bring its swashbuckling past—and the legend of the Queen Anne’s Revenge—to life.
MUST-DO CHECKLIST
- See Artifacts from Blackbeard’s Ship – On track to re-open in 2026, the North Carolina Maritime Museum features weapons, tools, and treasures recovered from Blackbeard’s ship, the Queen Anne’s Revenge.
- Take a Beaufort Ghost Walk – Join a costumed guide for an evening stroll through historic streets filled with ghostly tales, pirate legends, and coastal folklore.
- Go on a Pirate Cruise – Climb aboard the pirate ship Revenge for a family-friendly voyage featuring sea shanties, water cannon battles, and buccaneer fun.
- Tour the Old Burying Ground – Wander among centuries-old graves and discover the stories of sailors, soldiers, and locals who shaped Beaufort’s maritime and pirate history.
- Experience the Beaufort Pirate Invasion – In November, attend this annual festival where pirates, reenactors, and merchants recreate 18th-century battles and seafaring adventures.
Recommended Reading: Blackbeard: America’s Most Notorious Pirate traces the feared captain’s raids, tactics, and final battle. Pirate historian Angus Konstam offers insights into the man behind the legend and the gritty world of piracy along the colonial American coast.
Photo Credit: David Wilson/Flickr