travel diary: bluffton, south carolina

Bluffton, South Carolina is a fun little stopover for anyone visiting Savannah or Hilton Head. My husband and I spent a few hours there while we were vacationing in HH this summer and we were pleasantly surprised at how fun and hip Bluffton’s become.

The charm is off the charts and there are several great restaurants and art galleries located within the square mile area known as Old-Town. The stately old Southern homes that line the narrow streets in downtown Bluffton recall another far-off era.  

Seven Oaks is one of the most prominent homes in town. The first owner was Colonel Middleton Stuart, who lived here prior to the Civil War, and then during the 1920's, Mrs. Elizabeth Sanders operated Seven Oaks as a popular and successful boarding house for salesmen and summer visitors.

It’s still a gorgeous and well maintained home today. Oh, how I’d love to have a peek inside!

This charming front-porched beauty is in need of a little TLC.

Bluffton was officially incorporated in 1852 and covered about a square mile of land that’s now known as Old Town. 

More and more homes were built at that time and fortunately for us, many of those homes are still as fabulous as ever!

I couldn’t get enough of the pretty homes on every street.  

Here’s a colorful one with plenty of Victorian details.

Someone’s not afraid of color!

A steamboat landing was built on the banks of the May River and allowed Bluffton to become a convenient destination for travelers between Savannah and Charleston.

Have you ever seen a more precious street sign?

It’s perfect for this area surrounding the playground.

As a stop on the ferry route between Savannah and Beaufort, services began on “The Bluff” of the May River in the early 1830’s when the young town of Bluffton was a summer resort for area planters. 

A Farmhouse Gothic style church was later built at that location in 1870, and lucky for us, it remains today, now known as The Church of the Cross.

Word is that the builders of this church sent to England for the rose-colored glass in the windows and inside, soft-pink scored plaster enhances the warm light which is a great contrast to the exposed pine timbers on the walls and ceilings.

This little church is a breathtaking sight to behold, especially tits perfect setting with it nestled under the Spanish moss lined trees and its location right next to the May River.

This little pink accented place is one of the charming art galleries on the main drag of town.

The Store seems like it’s been around forever and was even damaged by the fires set by federal troops on 1863 during the Civil War, but thank goodness, it wasn’t totally destroyed. It’s now being run as an antique store. 

This sign reminds me of the Starbuck’s logo.

The Corner Perk serves super-yummy breakfasts and lunch and their own specialized drip coffee, served tableside!

The morning we visited was a little rainy, but there was plenty of seating under the porch and inside.

Here’s a little peek inside the Perk.

Eat, Drink & Be Merry! 

Sounds Like a great plan!! 

ciao! fabiana