Along the South Carolina coast, few destinations embody Lowcountry idyll quite as thoroughly as Bluffton. Just outside Hilton Head Island and Daufuskie Island, this small, authentic community
on the May River has the feel of a Southern daydream: ancient live oaks drip with Spanish moss, spartina grass borders quiet marshlands, and wide, wrap-around porches hug rows of historic homes. Dating back to 1852, Bluffton has a rich history, evident in the eighty-plus sites that make up the Old Town Bluffton Historic District, where architectural styles from coastal to gothic are on display. Combine the setting’s unique character and beautiful surroundings with an array of buzzing shops, restaurants, and events, and you have the makings of one worthy destination.
by RACHEL HAHN
video by MIKA ALTSKAN AND MATVEY FIKS
A weekend in Bluffton, South Carolina, promises art, seafood, and small-town charm in spades
A True Lowcountry Escape
In October, Garden & Gun partnered with Charleston, South Carolina–based lifestyle blogger Venita Aspen to experience the best of this Lowcountry haven. The trip was planned in time for one of the year’s most anticipated events: the Historic Bluffton Arts & Seafood Festival. A celebration of the town’s eclectic arts community, as well as its bounty of locally harvested seafood, the seventeenth annual event centers on a lively street fest in Bluffton’s cultural district, where more than one hundred artists and vendors from throughout the region set up to offer their creations for sale.
Upon arrival on Friday afternoon, Aspen checked into the Old Town Bluffton Inn, a charming boutique in the heart of town. Though it opened in 2019, the Inn was designed to blend seamlessly with its surroundings, built in a timeless style that mirrors Bluffton’s historic architecture. After getting settled, it was time to head to the evening’s main event—the Sips & Seafood Party at the beautiful Hewitt Oaks venue. Part of the weekend’s festivities, the al fresco affair (a benefit for Bluffton Self Help) featured cocktails, live music, and a menu of fresh-caught delights.
Saturday was warm but crisp, perfect for exploring. In recent decades, Bluffton has evolved from a quiet coastal village to a thriving cultural hub, so no matter the season, there’s always plenty to do and see. A coffee at Corner Perk, a cafe just a quick stroll from the Inn, provided the perfect pick-me-up before Aspen headed to the street fest, also within walking distance. “The festival was a great way to discover the arts, history, and culture in Bluffton,” she says. “All the vendors were unique, and some had even traveled from as far as Florida and Virginia.” In addition to the artisans lining the streets, local restaurants had a strong presence, serving up tempting seafood dishes as attendees perused the creative offerings.
For Sunday, her final day in town, Aspen ventured to Palmetto Bluff, a community nestled within 20,000 acres of Bluffton’s stunning wildlife. Home to a collection of neighborhoods, a vast nature preserve, inviting club amenities, and the award-winning Montage resort, Palmetto Bluff has both a quaint, small-town feel and a sense of subtle luxury. Aspen’s exploration began with a tour of the grounds, complete with a stroll through the main square, a bit of shopping, and ample opportunity to marvel at the wild surroundings.
For a charming retreat off the beaten path, Bluffton may be just the answer. “I found it to be a very diverse place in the sense that one minute you could be at a local spot, listening to some great live music on the patio, and the next you could get dressed up for a glam evening on the town,” Aspen says. “We were given a warm welcome everywhere we went.”
“I found it to be a very diverse place in the sense that one minute you could be at a local dive, listening to some great live music on the patio, and the next you could get dressed up for a glam evening on the town.”
—VENITA ASPEN
Plan your escape to this enchanting Lowcountry enclave at visitbluffton.org
Plenty of fresh oysters and one shimmering fireworks display later, it was
off to dinner at FARM, one of the town’s most celebrated restaurants known for sourcing the bulk of its ingredients from local farmers, fishermen, and purveyors. These close relationships are just one thing that makes the restaurant so special; with a bounty of local produce, seafood, meat, and dairy at its disposal, FARM dishes up some of Bluffton’s freshest, most creative fare, including triggerfish crudo with preserved Calabrian chile, octopus paella with Carolina Gold rice, and short ribs over potato mousseline and pickled mushrooms. “The chef takes pride in creating different menus daily, and ours was a perfect blend of Spanish and Lowcountry cuisine,” Aspen says. “It was amazing to taste local South Carolina ingredients in dishes that aren't considered local to us.”
Later that afternoon, Aspen paid a visit to Burnt Church Distillery,
a local institution that boasts a grand seven-thousand-square-foot tasting room known as the Sanctuary. Here, she embarked on a specially tailored tour and tasting experience, followed by lunch at Pizza Co., the brick-oven restaurant on the premises. “The distillery is, of course, focused on spirits, but I loved that they also put a lot of emphasis on the history of the town,” Aspen says. “When you walk in, you’ll see a room called ‘the Study,’ where you can find the story of the old Burnt Church Road and how the distillery came to be.” Afterward, Aspen headed to Rockin’ on the Dock, the festival’s grand finale at Bluffton Oyster Co. “If you prefer not to drive, bike taxis are the way to go in Bluffton,” she says. “They allow you to really take in the beautiful structures and scenery of the destination on your way to the next festivity.”
Lifestyle blogger Venita Aspen checks in to Old Town Bluffton Inn for the weekend.
Sculptures on display at the Arts & Seafood festival.
Art on display at the annual Arts & Seafood festival.
Visitors explore the Old Town Bluffton Historic District.
Sunset at Bluffton Oyster Co.
Dinner and wine pairings at FARM.
The Sanctuary at Burnt Church Distillery.
The May River Chapel at Palmetto Bluff.
—VENITA ASPEN
“I found it to be a very diverse place in the sense that one minute you could be at a local dive, listening to some great live music on the patio, and the next you could get dressed up for a glam evening on the town.”
For Sunday, her final day in town, Aspen ventured to Palmetto Bluff, a community nestled within 20,000 acres of Bluffton’s stunning wildlife. Home to a collection of neighborhoods, a vast nature preserve, inviting club amenities, and the award-winning Montage resort, Palmetto Bluff has both a quaint, small-town feel and a sense of subtle luxury. Aspen’s exploration began with lunch at Buffalo’s, a casual eatery that serves Southern Italian-style dishes, including light, seasonal salads and fresh-made pasta and flatbreads. After lunch, a tour of the grounds awaited, complete with a stroll through the main square, a bit of shopping, and ample opportunity to marvel at the wild surroundings.
For a charming retreat off the beaten path, Bluffton may be just the answer. “I found it to be a very diverse place in the sense that one minute you could be at a local spot, listening to some great live music on the patio, and the next you could get dressed up for a glam evening on the town,” Aspen says. “We were given a warm welcome everywhere we went.”