Visit Magnificent St. Simons Island!
Located on the east coast of Georgia, the Atlantic Ocean provides magnificent sunrises and endless activities on St. Simons. The island is filled with gorgeous views and houses many live oaks with the infamous Spanish moss “dressing” them.
The Golden Isles area was brought into the public and world eye in 2004 when world leaders gathered on Sea Island for the G8 summit.
To first get acquainted with St. Simons, visitors often begin with a 90 minute narrated trolley tour. These tours depart from the pier and this is a good way to familiarize yourself with the island.
What is the history of St. Simons Island?
The island was originally named San Simeon by the Spanish explorers who discovered it during the 16th century. They found an Indian village named Guadalquini near where the lighthouse stands today. Starting in 1605, a Spanish mission was located in the same area.
The British General James Oglethorpe established Fort Frederica on the island in 1735. After the fort was no longer needed, most of it was destroyed by fire, but visitors can still see parts of it as one of the island’s attractions.
What are ten top activities or things to see on St. Simons?
1 Fort Frederica National Monument
1736 military outpost (the state’s first) and colonial fort. The fort was used to stop Spanish troops coming up the coast from Florida.
2 Bloody Marsh Battle Site
Site where British soldiers defeated a greater number of Spanish soldiers via ambush in July of 1742. The Spanish were trying to invade the state during the War of Jenkins’ Ear.
3 Christ Church Frederica
This church was built in 1889. Charles and John Wesley preached to the settlers on the island in the mid 1700s. Their meetings took place near the current site of the church. The original structure was finished in 1820 but it was nearly destroyed in the Civil War. The stained glass windows are exquisite.
4 St. Simons Lighthouse
Beautiful working lighthouse built in 1872 after an original was destroyed during the Civil War. There is also a museum located here.
5 Tree Spirits
These very unique attractions are carvings of faces into various trees around the island. The sculptor was Keith Jennings and the faces are to pay tribute to sailors lost at sea who had been sailing on ships made from oak from the island.
6 Salt Marsh Nature Tours
Boat travels of the tidal creeks between Little St. Simons and St. Simons. Choices for this activity are the Nature Tour (2 hours and narrated); the one hour boat ride with basically the same route but less narration; Dolphin Quest (2 hours and it goes out into the ocean); another two hour trip that goes to a sand bar to look for shells; and a three hour tour that focuses on sightseeing in the area. A sunset cruise is also available. Most of these tours have a four person minimum and six person maximum.
7 Antebellum plantations
8 Outstanding golfing, tennis, and water sports
9 Gascoigne Bluff
A Native American campground of the past. There was a monastery here in the 16th century, and the bluff’s landing was the first naval base in the state. Attacking Spanish landed at Gascoigne from St. Augustine, Florida when they were about to attack Fort Frederica. The bluff was a Navy Headquarters during the Civil War and later housed a sawmill industry.
10 Ghost Walk of St. Simons
This 90 minute walking tour departs from the pier area at 9 p.m. Participants hear spooky tales and ghost stories while walking. Check with the ghost tour company when arriving. . . they operate only certain nights of the week and on various schedules depending on the time of year.
How do I find Brunswick and the Golden Isles?
If driving, the area is easily accessible from Interstate 95. You will be taking one of the Brunswick exits. There is a Brunswick Golden Isles Airport. Brunswick is located 61 miles from Jacksonville, Florida and 84 miles from Savannah, Georgia.
Prior to your trip to this area, you may wish to read the 19th century poem called The Marshes of Glynn by Sidney Lanier. You will be seeing these very marshes when driving to the islands.
What other activities are in the immediate area?
Nearby resort Jekyll Island has various activities. This was a private island owned by some of the most well known “rich and famous” families in the country at the turn of the last century. Jekyll Island offers a water park, museum, a nature center, excellent golf courses, ocean tours to look for dolphins, and carriage rides that are drawn by horses as in the olden days on the island.
Visitors to the area can book a casino cruise at the waterfront park in Brunswick. This will include dinner, entertainment, dancing, and a chance to try your luck at the casino. The Emerald Princess Casino offers table games, well over 100 gaming machines, and Bingo. Reservations are required.
Brunswick is also an area known as an antique shopper’s paradise.
Where do I eat in the area?
Brogen’s Food and Spirits has two locations on St. Simons. Brogen’s South (at the Village near the pier) offers seafood, salads, burgers, and sandwiches while Brogen’s North (Frederica Road) adds pasta, pizza, steak, quesadillas, etc. to the menu.
In addition to traditional Italian entrees, CJ’s Italian Restaurant serves subs, pastas, salads, and pizza. CJ’s is found on Mallory Street.
The Crab Trap on Ocean Boulevard serves many choices of seafood and sides. Sides include hush puppies, corn on the cob, coleslaw, fries, salad, and more.
Find Gnat’s Landing at Redfern Village. The restaurant serves sandwiches, platters, salads, seafood specialties, and gumbo.
Those are just a few of the restaurants found on St. Simons, so be sure to do your homework and choose the dining facility that best fits your needs (and cravings)!
Is lodging is available on the island?
Hotels and inns are available on St. Simons, including many of the major chains. If a visitor prefers a bed and breakfast, a few of those are available as well.
What if I love it so much that I want to move there?
If you want to check into relocating to the area, expect to pay $230K to $250K average for a home on St. Simons Island. The climate of the island is warm, typical of a southeastern state. Expect an average of about 60 degrees in January to a balmy 90 as an average for July.
Other facts of interest for relocation: According to the 2000 census, the median income per family on the island was $59K and the population is about 14,000. Slightly more than half of the island’s residents hold a bachelors degree or higher degree while nearly 96% of residents are high school graduates.
