Golden Isles Visitor Guide 2023

St. Simons Land Trust

TO THE GOLDEN ISLES

The siren call of the Golden Isles of Georgia — four natural barrier islands and scenic port city — has entranced poets, artists, and writers with unspoiled beaches, shimmering marsh grasses, and graceful live oaks.

Owing to its wild beauty, this friendly beachside community awash in history, fresh local seafood, and a wealth of diversions has for eight consecutive years earned Travel + Leisure’s designation among the World’s Best Islands in the continental United States. Picturesque streets, meandering waterways, and award-winning courses invite you to pedal, paddle, and tee up. Settle into a vacation rental, bed-and-breakfast, or five-star resort, and as the sun’s rays burnish the sands and newly minted memories, you too will hear the siren’s whisper in this place where time stands still, your personal paradise . . your Golden Isles.

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any of the most beloved features on Georgia’s Golden Isles are the extensive bike paths, the canopy-draped hiking trails, and the numerous green spaces, parks, and preserves on St. Simons Island. More than 1,100 acres on the island have been protected by the St. Simons Land Trust an accredited member of the national Land Trust Alliance. This includes Cannon’s Point Preserve, with its 644 acres of undeveloped wilderness, intact maritime forest, and more than six miles of peninsula shoreline on the north-end of the island. The 258-acre Guale Preserve

features Polly’s Trail in the center of the property and Janet’s Trail at the waterfront. And across the island are protected areas that provide intimate access to historic, cultural, and environmental features and memorable experiences for birders, hikers, bikers, kayakers, photographers, and all nature lovers.

As the Land Trust continues preserving and protecting iconic properties and undeveloped land on St. Simons, we celebrate the residents, local businesses, and visitors who have helped to create a culture of conservation on the island. Thank you for that

support, and please be sure to also support the Pennies for Preservation partners who participate in our voluntary 1% giving program that, with your help, turns pennies into protected acres.

To learn more about the many outdoor activities that can be enjoyed on Land Trust properties, call 912.638.9109 or visit sslt.org

THE GOLDEN AGE

Follow your heart’s desire to the Golden Isles, combing its untouched beaches, wandering its historic haunts and lush wooded paths, enjoying its rich culinary bounty and varied sporting life — and discover the dawn of a new Golden Age.

St. Simons Island

Summertime, and in fact year-round, the living on St. Simons Island is easy and fish are always jumping. Could there be anything more satisfying than saluting the day with a leisurely walk on a vast expanse of pristine sand?

Sea Island

Relax in the lap of luxury as waves lap against the shore of Sea Island’s private beaches, while Hobie Cats and paddleboarders navigate the surf, and occasional echoes of “fore” ring from distant fairways of this exclusive retreat.

Little St. Simons Island

The only crowds on Little St. Simons Island? Flocks of birds nesting in the dense canopy of maritime forest or wading by water’s edge, not to mention sea turtles, horseshoe crabs, and, troves of shells. Unspoiled and enchanting, the creatures and landscapes call this conserved oasis home.

Jekyll Island

Windswept and verdant, Jekyll Island will feed your sense of adventure with its wild and open spaces — and feed your soul with stately vestiges and enthralling tales of its august past.

Brunswick

Day or night, you’ll delight in the charms of Brunswick, the colorful harbor town fringed with undulating marshlands, where history sprouts from every street corner of its Historic Old Town. With a rich maritime culture, Brunswick thrives as a congenial port for cargo ships, fishing boats, pleasure boats . . and anyone longing for a place to call home.

Connect With Us

Stay in touch with the Golden Isles, selected one of the World’s Best Islands in the Continental United States by Travel + Leisure before, during, and after your trip. Sign up for our newsletter and receive exciting announcements and special offers.

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The Golden Isles Convention & Visitors Bureau has made every effort to ensure the accuracy of information presented in the guide but assume no responsibility for errors, changes, or omissions. © Copyright 2023 GICVB. Printed in USA. All rights reserved.

ON THE COVER A sailboat drifts along the Golden Isles waterways with Brunswick’s Sidney Lanier Bridge in the distance.

St. Simons Island

SERENE AND SUBLIME

“It seems like, when you live here, you’re on vacation. . .watching the sun come up over the Atlantic, it’s magical.

—Dave Snyder, restaurateur

The largest of the barrier islands, St. Simons boasts something for everyone. Wide beaches, ancient maritime forests, and quiet marshes beckon to nature-lovers. Families can explore 20 miles of bike trails, cruise alongside pods of playful dolphins, or discover local history at sites such as the St. Simons Lighthouse Museum. Whether beginner or pro, tee off on several championship golf courses.

Don’t miss shops proffering local goods and a rich culinary scene serving up fresh catch. But no hurry, for the vibe here is laid-back — the essential ingredient for a coastal getaway. goldenisles.com 800-933-2627

BY-AND-BY ON SSI

Old Roots and New Branches

The magnificent Avenue of the Oaks, a tree tunnel consisting of massive live oak trees that retain their color throughout the year, remains virtually unchanged since the day it was planted nearly 200 years ago.

Great oaks from little acorns grow, the adage goes. But surely, even Anna Page King couldn’t have predicted how mighty her plantings would become. In 1826, the heiress to the Retreat Plantation, a leader in cotton and rice production, planted a double row of live oaks along the property’s entrance. Known today as Avenue of the Oaks, the majestic colonnade extending from the southern tip of Frederica Road to the entryway of Sea Island Golf Club has become a beloved icon for Golden Isles residents and visitors. The graceful arc of winding branches draped with Spanish moss provides shade for evening strolls or drives, serves as a romantic setting for marriage proposals, and a scenic backdrop for senior portraits and family photographs. What better witness to momentous occasions than these stately sentries that have endured for nearly two centuries?

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STEP UP!

And we mean that quite literally. Not only will you get a good cardio workout by climbing all 129 stairsteps of the St. Simons Lighthouse you’ll also walk away with a history lesson at its museum chronicling the structure’s 19th-century origins. Once you reach the top, the payoff is a panoramic view of St. Simons Sound, Jekyll Island, and Brunswick.

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WHEEL DEAL

Learn the lay of the land on 20-some miles of biking trails stretching the length of St. Simons. Pedal beneath live oaks, past historic sites such as Christ Church and Fort Frederica lush fairways, mysterious tree spirits, and then fuel up at Redfern Village with a well-deserved quaff.

GOULD’S GOLD

Whale Watch

Between December and March endangered North Atlantic Right whales migrating from the northeast to calving grounds can be spotted offshore.

Overlooking St. Simons Sound, the St. Simons Island Pier – said to be one of only three in Georgia that extend into the Atlantic Ocean – is a crossroads to the world. At its base, Mallery Street and Pier Village are filled with shops where visitors can find one-of-a-kind souvenirs and fishermen can stock up on gear, bait, and tackle. Grab a quick bite – fresh shrimp and scallops or a crab cake sandwich — before taking a post-meal constitutional on the boardwalk alongside anglers waiting patiently for a nibble on their lines as the waves splash against the pier’s pilings. Wander among the other passersby: moms and dads with excited kiddos begging for ice cream treats, gaggles of teenagers snapping selfies, starry-eyed couples holding hands. Cast your gaze at the St. Simons Lighthouse towering in the distance, and depending on the time of year, pods of dolphins cavorting for appreciative audiences, and the thin horizon where the gray-green Atlantic meets the cloudless sky.

Get back to nature with a stop at Gould’s Inlet perched on the northern tip of East Beach. It’s ideal for fishing or walking, but it’s best to enjoy time on the shore as currents can be dangerous here. Bring Fido with you and some binoculars for watching birds or paddleboarders in the distant surf.

OMM-AZING!

Downward Dog and planking are much more enjoyable when you practice them in the open air and sunshine – on the beach. Bring a towel and get ready to stretch your limits at East Beach Yoga’s Tuesday and Thursday morning classes, which meet at the studio at 1205 Ocean Boulevard, a short walk to the beach. Reservations required. Eastbeachyogassi.com

PUTT FOR DOUGH

Consider the following ways to soak up St. Simons Island. 3 4 5

Pack the kids – and your swimsuit – and practice your, uh, short game at the miniature golf course in Neptune Park’s Fun Zone After a round, cool off in the public pool or see what’s afoot in the park in the way of festivals or concerts.

Sea Island

SECLUSION

— Brannon Veal, director of golf, Sea Island

racious hospitality has characterized Sea Island since its inception in 1928. Dedicated to impeccable service, the resort offers guests a taste of the sweet life: private beaches, three championship golf courses, a Golf Performance Center, sailing, tennis, a Forbes Five-Star Spa, outstanding dining, nature programming, and children’s activities. Accommodations include The Cloister, The Lodge, Sea Island Cottages; and Broadfield, a Sea Island Sporting Club and Lodge. Sea Island has achieved four Forbes Five-Star awards for 14 consecutive years. Seaisland.com 877-907-5698 Sea Island is a private resort open to resort guests and members only.

“We get to come in every day and help make memories. That’s what fulfills me.”

A Friendly Little Hotel

Starting with the iconic Cloister, Forbes Five-Star Sea Island Resort has become synonymous with luxe — and re-luxe-ation — boasting private beaches, top-ranked golf courses, myriad outdoor and children’s activities, and world-class dining, all exclusively for resort guests and members.

The striking red-tile roof, arched entryways, and ornate balustrades tell you this is no ordinary place.

A trip to Guatemala inspired architect Addison Mizner to introduce Mediterranean Revival to American resorts.

world leaders, and society grande dames.

The Spa at Sea Island owes its Forbes ranking to 65,000 square-feet of space with 23 treatment rooms, expert staff, and a fountain-filled garden atrium. Inhale its bespoke scent of tobacco, sandalwood, and peach, and sip a “Spallini” before skilled therapists cast away tension from a menu of treatments that includes the following:

SEA ISLAND MASSAGE

Keep a clear head with a rubdown using pressure points on the face, body exfoliation for blood flow, and scalp massage.

STRETCH MASSAGE

This signature treatment combines stretching techniques of Thai massage, and the fluid rubbing of Hawaiian Lomi Lomi and Swedish massages — just the ticket for overworked muscles.

HAND AND ARM MASSAGE

Relax the muscles, tendons and joints in your hands and arms, slathered in ginger oil and wrapped in hot, aromatic towels. Add Sweet Birch Muscle Rub, and you’ll be ready to get a grip on your sticks and racquet.

FIT FOR A KING

tell you this is no ordinary place. among resorts that proliferated after World opening in 1928, it has hosted presidents,

Conceived in the 1920s as “a friendly little hotel” by Sea Island founder Howard Coffin, The Cloister‘s stunning Mediterranean Revival style epitomizes a trend among resorts that proliferated after World War I. The vision of architect Addison Mizner, who had introduced Mediterranean Revival to South Florida, The Cloister was his only project in Georgia. Since its opening in 1928, it has hosted presidents,

In 2003 the structure was razed and rebuilt but remained true to Mizner’s original, with soaring Moorish-style windows, double colonnades, coffered ceilings, tile floors, and warm wood textures accented with pops of color. Today, with more than 250 rooms and suites, and surrounded by 50 acres, river, marshes, and ocean, The Cloister is every bit the elegant accommodation it was 90-some years ago, beloved for its creature comforts, impeccable service, and gracious hospitality.

In 2003 the structure was razed and rebuilt but remained true to Mizner’s original, with pops of color. Today, with more than 250 for its creature comforts, impeccable

REFLEXOLOGY MASSAGE

Quiet those barking dogs — and anything else that ails you — with this alternative massage that targets pressure points on the feet believed to correspond to various organs and systems in the body. Once refreshed, you’ll notice a decided spring in your step.

MAKE WAVES

Look your best on the beach with a full-body skin treatment that firms the flesh and gives you a sun-kissed look sans harmful UV rays.

PARENT AND CHILD EUROPEAN FACIAL

Only offered to parents and kids, this sideby-side treatment removes impurities, key to healthy, smiling visages.

A team of outstanding executive chefs presiding over 14 restaurants and a Forbes five-star ranking have established Sea Island as a top culinary destination. From humble to haute, eateries such as The Market and Topgolf Swing Suite and Bar offer a taste of Sea Island to the public. Resort guests and members can tuck into mouth-watering USDA prime steak at The Lodge’s Colt & Alison, (above), while diners at The Cloister can enjoy a taste of Italy at Tavola, whose wood-fired pizza (“The Tavola”) consists of homemade sausage, rapini, and Gouda – best paired with an Old World vintage from Sommelier Ryan McLoughlin’s cellars. Share a small plate at River Bar & Lounge, a Lowcountry boil at Rainbow Island, or peel-andeat shrimp by the ocean at Southern Tide. Save room for dessert, as in Wonderland’s Gold Brick Sundae, a Sea Island favorite among kids of all ages.

SMOOTH SAILING

Cruise the Golden Isles’ waterways in style aboard a 71-foot, custom-built passenger yacht, Sea Island Explorer The sleek vessel containing three openair decks and an enclosed cabin is ideal for viewing scenic marshes, wildlife, and sunsets. Sea Island guests can choose from nature tours, private excursions featuring presentations by naturalists, falconers, or historians, and when the sun goes over the yardarm, cruises with light hors d’oeuvres and cocktails. Bottoms up!

THE CLOISTER

SPAAHHHH!

Little St. Simons Island

WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE

Stacia Hendricks, Director of Special Projects, Little St. Simons Island

Return to the Earth’s primeval past on this 11,000-acre haven for wildlife. Amid seven miles of beaches, 8,000 acres of marshes, and 3,000 acres of forests and upland, teeming with birds, turtles, and alligators, you’ll find rustic elegance: an intimate eco-lodge deemed the South’s Best Resort by Travel + Leisure Stay the night, or take a day trip to explore the island’s ecosystems hiking or biking, or on guided fishing, hiking, kayaking, and birding expeditions with naturalists. At day’s end, a sumptuous meal made from produce grown onsite or by local farmers celebrates nature’s bounty in this tiny corner of paradise.

LittleSSI.com 888-733-5774

“An ecological jewel on the coast . . . what these islands looked like 2,000 years ago.”

FLORA AND FAUNA

Experience the natural world during your overnight stay or day trip on Little St. Simons Island. Explore undisturbed forests of pines, magnolias, and oaks; paddle though golden marshes; and enjoy springtime’s wildflowers, the rare, prehistoric Marsh Mallow blooms in summer, flowering sweetgrasses in the fall. Through each season, these conserved landscapes provide unparalleled habitat for resident and migratory animals including birds, marsh rabbits, gators, butterflies, and diamondback terrapin turtles. Summer is loggerhead sea turtle nesting season, when mother loggerheads venture to the Island’s undeveloped beaches to lay eggs and hatchlings dash to the tideline to begin their lives. While exploring untouched beaches, you might find horseshoe crabs, uncover swaths of shells and may catch a glimpse of a Long-billed Curlew, a seldom-seen shorebird on the Atlantic Coast. Over the fall and winter, the Island hosts seasonal bird counts, which have tallied more than 300 species including nesting Bald Eagles, Roseate Spoonbills, Painted Buntings, flocks of Red Knots, and American Oystercatchers. Get ready to take off and explore this oasis of birdlife, wildlife, and natural richness.

A LOWCOUNTRY CLASSIC: LIFE ON THE HALF-SHELL

A coastal custom, oyster roasts are a classic way to experience the abundance of the lowcountry on Little St. Simons Island. Typically held on Friday evenings in the fall and winter, the setting sun, towering oaks, and Spanish moss serve as the backdrop for Island oyster roasts. Delight in regional fare as naturalists grill a fresh bushel of locally sourced oysters over an open fire. As much a social ritual as a dining experience, an oyster roast compels you to mingle and share stories as you shuck shellfish and enjoy drinks. Delectably salty and smoky, you can prep each oyster to your liking and indulge in the taste of the sea.

BURIED HISTORY

For centuries, people have ventured to the Georgia Coast to rejoice in its natural bounty. Like visitors today, the Guale were attracted to the mild climate and accessible waterways of the Golden Isles. An unwritten history, the shell middens they left behind tell the story of the Guale, their lifestyles, culture, and customs. In them, archaeologists have found scraps of cooking implements, animal bones, and pottery. And of course, the shells themselves speak to the Guale’s preferred culinary staple: the oyster.

A World Away

Lose yourself in the wonders of the natural world on Little St. Simons Island — beaches, tidal marshes, maritime forests — where the only timekeepers are the ebb and flow of tides and the rising and setting of the sun.

Amere 15-minute boat ride from St. Simons Island’s Hampton River Marina, another world awaits. First stop: one of the rustic-but-elegant accommodations, a pine-paneled room in the historic Lodge or a cozy cottage. Then, choose your adventure: Will it be a tour of this densely forested Eden from the flatbed of a pickup? A guided paddle on one of the surrounding creeks where you have a chance of spotting dolphins just beneath the water’s surface? Fishing for red drum, or waiting patiently, binoculars in hand, in a bird blind? A pedal or hike to endless stretches of beach to hunt for shells – or help marine biologists conduct research during a wildlife workshop? Come evening, after a meal featuring regional produce and herbs from the Island garden, and fresh desserts made with fruits harvested from the Island, retire to a rocker or a swing. As the ribbons of gold and orange sunlight reflect on glassy creeks, ease into the rhythm of ambient chirping and buzzing (aka, nature’s lullaby).

Jekyll Island

At the end of the causeway, you’ll step into another world, one that has rejuvenated visitors for generations. With its wide secluded beaches, stretches of green, and graceful remnants of an illustrious past, Jekyll Island casts a gentle spell on all who visit. Play a round on one of Jekyll Island Golf Club’s pristine courses or take a gander at the state’s only rehabilitation center for injured sea turtles. Not to be missed: a leisurely trolley tour of the island’s National Historic Landmark District, once the enclave of Gilded Age denizens. Regardless of your preference for nature or culture, your interest will be piqued, your soul nourished, your escape complete.

jekyllisland.com. 912-635-3636

“I love the people, the sincere hospitality, and all the breathable, beautiful space.”

—Sherri Zacher, longtime resident

Nature’s Sculpture Garden

Nature’s artistic hand reveals itself among the fallen trunks and twisted branches that line Driftwood Beach, one of many intriguing haunts on Jekyll Island.

On the northern tip of Jekyll Island you’ll discover gnarled ghostly shapes: tree trunks, some bleached by the wind and sun, most lying prone, their twisted branches outstretched toward the sky. Once a lush maritime forest that protected the shore, the sands of Driftwood Beach are now covered with the upended trees due to decades of erosion. Enjoy a picnic under one of these weathered sculptures, string a hammock, or pose for a selfie on one of the massive old limbs. Bring your dog along for a stroll. Low tide is the best time to explore. For the romantically inclined, the beach is an ideal spot for stargazing and exchanging wedding vows, an auspicious location made beautiful by the sands of time.

JEKYLL ISLAND’S HIDDEN GEMS

IMITATION OF LIFE

A turquoise sky, rosy clouds, and a wide beach hugged by frothy waves . muralist Wylie Caudill commemorated Jekyll Island’s 75th anniversary at Beach Village, by depicting the Island as a “beautiful, relaxing, really unique place.”

WICKET, WICKET WAYS

Guests of Jekyll Island Club Resort can test their skill on the resort’s croquet lawn or sit courtside while pros clad in white best one another at this genteel sport enjoyed by the leisure class for 170 years.

A PEACEFUL POND

Enjoy the sights and sounds of nature — turtles, alligators, nesting birds — from the wheelchair-accessible observation deck of Horton Pond. Feeling adventurous? Learn about native flora, such as the tupelo trees on the surrounding .07-mile Tupelo Trail.

ALL WHO WANDER

Walk along the Wanderer Memory Trail to learn the history of one of America's last known slave ships, Wanderer and its enslaved passengers. Follow their harrowing journey to freedom and learn of the black heritage that lives on through their descendants.

LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION!

Apart from the standouts — historic landmarks and natural wonders — the island is a trove of simple pleasures. 1 2 3 4 5

Venture south to Glory Beach, a shooting location for the 1989 film Glory. Situated next to Jekyll Island Soccer Complex, a vestige of the movie’s production, Glory Boardwalk allows you to traverse untouched dunes and freshwater pools, and on clear days, catch sight of Cumberland Island in the distance.

REPTILE REHAB

The only facility of its kind in the state, Georgia Sea Turtle Center serves as a convalescent home for injured sea turtles, as well as an education center for the public.

Last spring, a junior loggerhead sea turtle, weak from anemia and organisms living on its shell, was brought to Jekyll Island’s Georgia Sea Turtle Center — the 1,000th sea turtle patient among many, including loggerheads, greens (pictured above), and diamondback terrapins, as well as freshwater turtles, and other wildlife, such as birds of prey — that the center has nursed back to health since its 2007 opening. In a nod to the center’s 15th year of service in 2022, the junior loggerhead was named Anni (short for Anniversary) and made a full recovery with release off Jekyll Island in the early fall. More than a hospital, the center also educates the public about these creatures that are easy targets for disease, hypothermia, pollution, and boat strikes. See healing in action, join a sunrise walk, ride with the night patrol, adopt an ailing turtle, or become a member to support the ongoing rehabilitation, research, and outreach programs dedicated to these wondrous animals so crucial to the marine ecosystems of the Golden Isles.

jekyllisland.com/gstc

HISTORIC HOME PORT

-Ally Moline, co-founder of Silver Bluff Brewing

The gateway to the Golden Isles, Brunswick blends small-town hospitality with big-city aspirations. As one of the largest ports on the East Coast — dating to George Washington’s day — Brunswick upholds its nautical tradition while moving forward, as its four-year college and world-class healthcare facility attest. Venture to the city’s charming downtown (the largest historic district in Georgia), home to Victorian architecture, cozy shops filled with locally made goods, the Historic Ritz Theatre with its thriving arts scene, culinary experiences consisting of local seafood and produce, a brewery, and a distillery. Most heartwarming: the welcoming smiles of its residents.

Discoverbrunswick.com 912-265-4032

“I love how the Brunswick community is like a family, where small business owners come together with love and support.”

TIMELESS TOWERS AND FAIR SQUARES

To stroll through Old Town Brunswick is to travel back in time. Its 14 Signature Squares laid out among a neat grid of streets provide green spaces carpeted with grass, brimming with flowers and shrubs; some contain benches for a shaded respite, others, gurgling fountains and brick walkways. Adding to the charm of downtown is a wealth of Victorian architecture, from gabled, turreted houses with wraparound porches, to the ornate brick clock tower of Old City Hall, which does double duty as an event space. The Historic Ritz Theatre and quaint shopfronts round out the visual feast of Georgia’s largest historic district.

WHO WAS SIDNEY LANIER?

Rising 486 feet over the Brunswick River, the Sidney Lanier Bridge carries four lanes of U.S. Highway 17, providing easy access to Interstate 95. At 7,780 feet, it is the longest spanning bridge in Georgia and the state’s tallest cable-stayed suspension bridge. It was built in 2003 to replace the original 1950s lift-bridge, struck twice by ships.

Born in Macon, Georgia, poet Sidney Lanier (1842–1881), who was also a musician, author, and lawyer, found inspiration in the landscape of the Golden Isles.

In contrast to the contemporary construction carrying 95,283 yards of cubic concrete, 14,810,095 pounds of reinforcing steel is the lyrical work of the bridge’s namesake, 19th-century poet Sidney Lanier. His “Marshes of Glynn” is a paean to Glynn County’s abundant, graceful marshlands:

Glooms of the live-oaks, beautiful-braided and woven With intricate shades of the vines that myriad-cloven Clamber the forks of the multiform boughs,— Emerald twilights,— Virginal shy lights, Wrought of the leaves to allure to the whisper of vows, When lovers pace timidly down through the green colonnades Of the dim sweet woods, of the dear dark woods, Of the heavenly woods and glades, That run to the radiant marginal sand-beach within The wide sea-marshes of Glynn —

On the Waterfront

Set sail to or from Historic Brunswick, whose roots as a port city date back to its founding father, James Oglethorpe, also responsible for the town’s layout in symmetrical grids and picturesque squares.

Surrounded by four rivers and the Intracoastal Waterway, Brunswick was destined to become a seafaring city. Its nautical heritage informs the daily rituals of this peninsular harbor town — a colonial port of entry still considered one of the most productive on the East Coast. From a dockside bench, watch shrimpers, cargo containers, and pleasure boats coming and going, or hopefuls anticipating a date with Lady Luck aboard the Emerald Princess Casino At Mary Ross Waterfront Park, discover a scale model of a World War II–era Liberty Ship, like the 99-plus vessels built in Brunswick’s shipyards between 1943–1945. Years prior, another tradition became part of the city’s fabric every Mother’s Day: Mayfair, or the Blessing of the Fleet, started by Portuguese fishermen asking their home country’s patron Saint Fatima for protection and a bountiful haul. Perhaps the best celebration of Brunswick’s bounty?

Fresh shrimp served at one of several downtown restaurants. The salt life never tasted so good.

THE GREAT OUTDOORS

Life on the water is the water of life.

“

coastline is science, management and culinary, a 100-mile stretch. Hopefully, the whole state can be proud of it. We want to balance it with development but maintain our identity.”

-Bryan Fluech

Thinkers and Tinkers

You can’t talk about coastal Georgia without talking about shrimp and marshes,” says Bryan Fluech, explaining that the environment is tied to everything: “our history, the Gullah-Geechee community, science, management, culinary.”

As associate director of Brunswick’s UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant (see “Caretaker of the Coast”), Fluech (pronounced “flick”) works with Golden Isles fishermen to sustain their rich heritage. “There are far fewer fishermen than 10 or 15 years ago,” the scientist observes, citing regulation, competition from foreign markets, and aging demographics as threats to the industry.

To address them, Fluech has connected watermen with younger generations at Darien’s McIntosh County Academy to “show high school kids that being a fisherman is a legitimate career.” He’s coordinated “thinkers and tinkers,” to implement turtle excluder devices on vessels and develop fishing gear that doesn’t interfere with right whale migration.

Collaborating with an anthropologist at Georgia Southern University, Fluech has also collected local fishermen’s oral histories, Boat Stories and “created a story map to show their cultural importance to visitors.”

Similarly, the Extension awarded a grant to Trail 17, a portion of the Georgia Grown Trail system highlighting locally produced food at culinary stops along Highway 17. “Exhibits about the fishing industry promote the seafood industry with history and culture and keep businesses going.” Fluech explains.

Awareness of food sources is part of and parcel of sustainable tourism, and in Fluech’s view, the responsibility of visitors and Golden Isles residents alike. Through another

initiative, Trawl to Trash, he and a colleague distribute bags to kayakers and sport fisherman at outreach events. Made from old shrimp nets, the bags employ the fishermen who sew them and remind boaters to stow their trash. “Marine debris is something we’re all dealing with,” Fluech says. “It cuts across sectors —economic, cultural, touristic.” And yet, he believes the issue and others are “not insurmountable” if everyone takes simple steps: picking up pieces of trash on a beach walk; cultivating native plants in the backyard to mitigate flooding; participating in a community cleanup. “There’s never a shortage of ideas.” Fluech reflects, “Generally, people want to do the right thing.”

In 1970, the Georgia General Assembly passed the Coastal Marshlands Protection Act. That same year marked the formation of the UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant a liaison between academia and the Peach State’s seaside communities that safeguards the area’s unique ecosystems and bolsters coastal resilience.

Among the Extension’s projects: assessing flooding and storm water management in St. Marys and Tybee Island; rebuilding oyster reefs in Brunswick to sustain marine life and reduce erosion; and researching black gill, a parasite that afflicts shrimp in summer months. The organization’s legal program addresses local, regional, and state policies, while its education programs train future generations of scientists, who will collect marine and wildlife data, and perhaps most important, raise public awareness about preserving the richness and complexity of the coast.

The University of Georgia Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant translates ideas into action to protect the Golden Isles’ seafaring legacy.

CARETAKER OF THE COAST

“The

Seashells — coquinas, spirals, and sand dollars — sparkle on East Beach, Gould’s Inlet, Driftwood, and St. Andrews.

Fine and Sandy

What’s a coastal vacation without a day –or two – at the beach?

The Golden Isles proudly showcases the premier beaches along Georgia’s pristine coastline. Does an exciting day at the beach with the whole family sound like your perfect day? Up for a swim or active beach fun in the sun and surf? Love to hit the sand with your pooch, find the perfect seashell or watch a spectacular sunrise or serene sunset? Beautiful beaches abound, whatever seaside excursion you choose.

DIFFERENT STROKES

Do your best backstroke at Great Dunes Beach or Massengale Park. Saddle up for horseback riding along Jekyll Island’s Driftwood Beach or make reservations at Sea Island for a private beach ride. At St. Simons’ Coast Guard Beach, practice your bocce moves, spike a volleyball, or rent a bike to explore with pedal power.

FAM TRIP

The beaches on St. Simons Island are ideal for families. Massengale Park has picnic areas, a playground, and restroom facilities. Coast Guard Beach boasts ample parking and a snack bar. And Jekyll Island’s Great Dunes has parking, restroom facilities, mini-golf, restaurants, retail and bike rentals.

SOMETHING WILD

Gould’s Inlet on St. Simons Island is aflutter with shorebirds. Jekyll Island’s Glory Beach lives up to its name —as the abundant wildlife suggests. Sea Island and Little St. Simons Island are also wonderful for wildlife encounters on a secluded beach.

FOUR-LEGGED FORAYS

Leash? Check. Waste bags? Check. Extra water? Check. East Beach, Massengale Park (St. Simons Island) Driftwood Beach,

Great Dunes, Oceanview, and St. Andrews (Jekyll Island) are all pet-friendly. On St. Simons Island, between Memorial Day and Labor Day pets are only allowed before 9 a.m. and after 6 p.m.

SWELLS AND SHELLS

Seashells — coquinas, spirals, and sand dollars — sparkle on East Beach, Gould’s Inlet, Driftwood, and St. Andrews. And with seven miles of untouched strand, Little St. Simons Island is a sheller’s paradise. Always inspect shells for living creatures residing in them; should you discover one, return it to the sea. It is illegal in Georgia to collect live specimens.

HEART AND SOL

Rise early with a spectacular sunrise on St. Simons’ East Beach or on Jekyll Island’s Driftwood Beach. Sigh in contentment as you watch a sunset on St. Andrews Beach, the only strand on Jekyll Island that faces west.

Animal Attraction

Owing to Georgia’s 100-mile coastline, estuary system, tidal marshes, dunes, and maritime forests, the Golden Isles is rich in wildlife, some with paws, some with scales, and many more with fins and wings.

AIR

With more than 300 species catalogued in its fall and winter counts, the Golden Isles is a birder’s dream. In winter, white pelicans and plovers cruise over the ocean, while cedar waxwings nibble on holly berries. Look for bald eagles, nesting for the season, and great horned owls, too. Spring brings robins, ruby crowned kinglets, and oystercatchers. By summer the air is rife with egrets, herons, terns, osprey, ruby-throated hummingbirds, and wrens. Come fall, shorebirds are active, swallows are passing through, and once again, bald eagles are returning to nest. They are joined by the great horned owls in December, along with ducks, such as hooded mergansers and buffleheads — just in time for the Christmas bird count.

LAND

Maritime forests and marshlands are great feeding and burrowing grounds for the variety of land animals that inhabit the Golden Isles. Native whitetail deer are a common sight, especially on the northern end of St. Simons Island, and near golf courses on Jekyll Island, where they enjoy appreciative audiences of tourists, as well as fertile grazing grounds. Darting in and out of forests and grasslands among frogs and squirrels, are marsh rabbits, bobcats, raccoons, and armadillos. More elusive is the small and playful American mink, whose tracks have been seen near their burrowing sites along the marshes of Jekyll Island.

SEA

Loggerhead turtles and bottlenose dolphins are arguably the most popular stars among the entire cast of the Golden Isles’ marine life. When they’re not digging nests and laying eggs, or as hatchlings making the treacherous journey from nest to ocean, sea turtles can be seen up close and personal at Jekyll Island’s Georgia Sea Turtle Center, which rehabilitates the reptiles injured from boats and predators or sick from hypothermia and disease. Bottlenose dolphins are a common sight as they feed along the coastline in late summer, but you’ll also find them showing off for onlookers on dolphin cruises or kayakers on the area’s creeks and rivers, also the territory of river otters, manatees, and alligators.

However engaging these playful hams, as they jump, dive, leap and twist, they don’t compare to the breathtaking sight of North Atlantic Right Whales migrating off the coast of St. Simons Island as they head toward calving grounds in winter, or Pilot Whales that have occasionally been sighted off Little St. Simons. And don’t forget the denizens of the dunes and shallow surf, as in ghost crabs and horseshoe crabs. As for the area’s waters, they could easily be dubbed liquid gold, given their massive variety of fish. Spanish mackerel, king mackerel, cobia, redfish, tripletail, speckled sea trout, and tarpon draw sport fishermen to the Golden Isles’ shorelines, open ocean, tidal rivers, and estuaries year-round.

WILD KINGDOMS

Rugged outdoor enthusiasts and casual observers can take advantage of several places and ways to explore the richness of wildlife in the Golden Isles.

LITTLE ST. SIMONS ISLAND

Whether visiting for a day or overnight, you’ll have your pick of guided or solo encounters with wild things on beaches, hiking and biking trails, and kayak tours of creeks and rivers.

GEORGIA SEA TURTLE CENTER

Watch through observation windows as researchers and veterinarians treat sick or injured loggerheads, leatherbacks, and more at this unique facility on Jekyll Island. Join a sunrise or sunset turtle walk –or night or dawn patrol — to safeguard these endangered animals.

4-H TIDELANDS NATURE CENTER

Go on a kayak tour, rent a canoe and cast a line in a creek or get to know alligators, snakes, butterflies, crabs, and shells at Jekyll Island’s education center dedicated to raising awareness of coastal ecology.

EARTH DAY NATURE TRAIL

Built by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, this self-guided trail in Brunswick includes high grounds with ocean views and wooden boardwalks traversing marsh habitats of wading birds. Sit a while at an observation deck or climb an observation tower for, well, a bird’s eye view of the natural beauty of Glynn County.

GUALE PRESERVE

Thanks to the St. Simons Land Trust and various public and private supporters, the former Musgrove Plantation has been purchased to protect its 258 acres of maritime forest, wetlands, and waterfront. Currently, only portions of the preserve containing existing trails for hiking, biking, and photography are open to the public.

Travel Companions

You’ll never walk alone in the Golden Isles with Man’s Best Friend at your side, and a host of dolphins and sea turtles to greet you.

FLIPPERS AND SNAPPERS

Pod Squad: Look for bottlenose dolphins feeding along banks of Gould’s Inlet on St. Simons Island or Clam Creek Picnic Area on Jekyll Island. Or, if you’re taking a sunrise stroll on the beach at Little St. Simons Island, you might catch sight of the sea creatures playing in the surf. For up-close experiences, consider an excursion on the water with Southeast Adventure Outfitters, St. Simons Dolphin Tours, or Jekyll Island Boat Tours. Bale Out: In 2022, coastal Georgia saw a record- breaking 3,960 sea turtle nests, 95 percent of which belong to loggerheads. One of the easiest ways to see a group of turtles (called a bale) is to visit Jekyll Island’s Georgia Sea Turtle Center, dedicated to rehabilitating injured reptiles. The Center is also committed to research and education, and hosts Turtle Walks during nesting season (May to August). Look for nests in other locations throughout the Golden Isles, particularly on the pristine beaches of Little St. Simons Island. But take care to give them wide berth so as not to disturb the fragile incubators.

TRAVELS WITH FIDO

All Dogs Go to Heaven: Or rather, a Heavenly® Dog Bed, available at Westin Jekyll Island’s pet-friendly rooms. A floor mat, dog bowl, and pet amenity kit add to the comforts of home.

Paw Prints in the Sand: While you’re on Jekyll Island, grab a leash and take your doggo to one of its pet-friendly strands: Driftwood Beach, Great Dunes, Oceanview, and St. Andrews. On St. Simons Island, East Beach and Massengale Park welcome dogs as well. Don’t forget the frisbee!

Happy Trails for Happy Tails: Fido is sure to enjoy St. Simons’ Alice Richards Botanical Trail, replete with children’s area, gazebo and — squirrel alert! — wooded paths. From there, head to Fort Frederica National Monument for a photo op among the historic ruins. Say “Cheese”!

Chow Wow Wow: Outdoor activity works up an appetite. Order a bite, a beverage, and a dog bowl (unless you’ve brought your own) at Brogen’s South on St. Simons Island or Tortuga Jack’s on Jekyll Island. Be sure to request a doggy bag for You-Know-Who.

MOVING EXPERIENCES

Pier Here: Start your morning at Pier Village about the time fishermen cast lines from St. Simons Pier. Head north down the sidewalk that runs parallel to the St. Simons Sound.

Marsh Mêlée: Cruise down Demere Road for a taste of colonial history: the Bloody Marsh Battle Site, where Gen. James Oglethorpe fended off Spanish troops.

Fuel Stop: Around midday, continue north on Frederica Road; hop off near Redfern Village for a gander at some of its shops, such as Golden Isles Olive Oil, and a sweet treat from Dulce Dough.

Nature Fix: Start pedaling north again on Frederica Road and stop at the John Gilbert Nature Trail a mile away. Lock your rig on a bike rack and wander to the 200-year-old “John’s Oak.”

Park Place: Farther down Frederica Road, hang a right and whinny at the occupants of Frederica Stables before admiring the fanciful Fairy Village in Frederica Park.

History Lesson: Engage your inner historian with a stop at Christ Church and surrounding cemetery, and a little farther, the tabby ruins of Fort Frederica.

The Golden Isles is made for riding a bike. Why not make a day of it on the 20 miles of bike trails on St. Simons Island? 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Après-Bike: Hoist a pint with the regulars who gather at La Plancha for madefrom-scratch margaritas. Cheers to a satisfying ride!

Parks & Recreation Venues

ST. SIMONS ISLAND

Alice Richards Botanical Trail Frederica Park, 2201 Lawrence Rd.

Cannon’s Point Preserve 560 Cannon’s Point Rd.

Demere Park 1219 Demere Rd.

Epworth Park 108 Lady Huntington Dr.

Frederica Park 2201 Lawrence Rd.

Gascoigne Bluff Park 1000 Arthur J. Moore Dr.

Guale Preserve 110 Lawrence Rd.

Harrington Community Park 325 S. Harrington Rd.

John Gilbert Nature Trail 2470 Frederica Rd.

Mallery Park 601 Mallery St.

Massengale Park 1350 Ocean Blvd.

Neptune Park 550 Beachview Dr.

Postell Park 532 Beachview Dr.

Southeast Georgia Health System Fitness Trail Arthur J. Moore Dr. at Gascoigne Bluff

JEKYLL ISLAND

Clam Creek Picnic Area Clam Creek Rd. N. Loop Trl.

Great Dunes Park N. Beachview Dr. & Shell Rd.

Oceanview Beach Park 549 N. Beachview Dr.

South Dunes Picnic Area 210 S. Beachview Dr.

St. Andrews Picnic Area S. Beachview Dr.

BRUNSWICK

Altamaha Regional Park 1605 Altamaha Park Rd.

Ballard Park 30 Nimitz Dr.

Baldwin Park/Brookman 100 Calvin Way Ln.

Blythe Island Regional Park 6616 Blythe Island Hwy.

Earth Day Nature Trail 4 Conservation Way

Ellis Point Park 430 W. Shore Dr.

Howard Coffin Park 1402 Sonny Miller Way

Marshes of Glynn Overlook Park 1420 Glynn Ave.

Mary Ross Waterfront Park 10 F St.

North Glynn Park 622 Harry Driggers Blvd.

Selden Park 100 Genoa Martin Dr.

Sidney Lanier Park 1 Coach Williams Way

Veterans Memorial Park 502 J St.

A PARK FOR EVERY PREFERENCE

Looking for a place to unwind in the Golden Isles is quite literally a walk in the park. On St. Simons Island, Neptune Park is perfect for relaxing on a bench, sitting on the pier people-watching, or casting a fishing line. Gascoigne Bluff also has a fishing pier, as well as a frisbee golf course and a fitness trail. Exercise on the walking track at Frederica Park and meander onto the Alice Richards Botanical Trail to learn about local flora and fauna. Explore heritage, history, and nature at Harrington Community Park or Cannon’s Point Preserve

Who Was Neptune Small? Neptune Small was born a slave in 1831. Small of name, giant of heart, he carried Henry Lord Page King, fallen in war, from a Virginia battlefield home to rest. Neptune Park bears his name and a bronze statue, his likeness. Fashioned by artist Kevin Pullen, it greets visitors in the Golden Isles Welcome Center on St. Simons Island.

For some al fresco dining, consider Jekyll Island’s Clam Creek Picnic Area or St. Andrews Picnic Area. Brunswick is filled with green spaces, such as Mary Ross Waterfront Park which boasts a river view, playground, and weekly farmers market on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. At Selden Park, you can play basketball and tennis, go swimming, walk your dog, and view the headmaster’s cottage of the historic Selden Normal and Industrial Institute, founded on these grounds in 1903. Howard Coffin Park has a swimming pool, a dog park, and basketball and tennis courts, and North Glynn Park has playgrounds, a picnic area, and a skatepark. Enjoy fresh breezes and wildlife at Marshes of Glynn Overlook Park, or Blythe Island Regional Park. Truly a park for every preference.

NEPTUNE PARK

HISTORY

From prehistoric mounds and battle sites to colonial ruins and portside landmarks, the Golden Isles is a rich repository of the past.

The Matriarch

The spirit of the Gullah Geechee – past and present –is alive and well thanks to Ms. Amy Lotson Roberts.

SEAWORTHY

Workers watch the launch of a cargo ship from one of Brunswick’s shipyards, which produced 99 Liberty ships during World War II.

s. Amy Lotson Roberts is a seventhgeneration Gullah Geechee born and raised on St. Simons Island. She is a direct descendant of enslaved West Africans brought to the Golden Isles on the Wanderer, the last illegal slave ship to land in Georgia. Affectionately known as the “matriarch” of St. Simons Island, Ms. Amy is deeply involved with her community, serving as executive director of the St. Simons African American Heritage Coalition. She is the recipient of the Georgia Governor’s Award for the Arts and Humanities, the NAACP Image Award, and the Golden Isles Hospitality Shared Vision Award.

Ms. Amy is a “griot,” a West African and Gullah Geechee word for a keeper of the culture, storyteller, and oral historian.

“I loved the peaceful and calm nature of the island, the deep sense of family and fellowship of community,” she says of her native St. Simons. With a reflective smile, Ms. Amy will tell of men coming home from fishing and hanging their catch over the doors of their homes to keep cats from stealing the bounty.

She will recall the groups of women walking to church on Sunday mornings resplendent in their white dresses, hats, and gloves.

She tells of roads, still unpaved, covered in

oyster shells, of dancing around Maypoles, and smoking mullet for the dinner table. Ms. Amy continues to be captured by the verdant green growth, majestic live oak trees, swaying Spanish moss, air filled with myriad bird songs, and the enduring beauty of this little island she calls home. Nowadays, you can find Ms. Amy at the Historic Harrington School, holding court, welcoming visitors, and extolling the richness of the Gullah Geechee heritage in the Golden Isles. Stop by, sit a spell, and listen to her spellbinding stories, which she will gladly share.

Read more stories about Ms. Amy Lotson Roberts’ life on St. Simons Island and the area in the volume she co-authored with Patrick Holladay, Gullah Geechee Heritage in the Golden Isles (Arcadia Publishing).

UMWALLA: THE WANDERER’S LOST WANDERER

The Wanderer was a luxury yacht turned slave ship that illegally smuggled more than 400 enslaved West Africans to Jekyll Island in 1858.

Today, the Wanderer Memory Trail follows Umwalla, a 10-year-old African boy, born in Guinea, captured as he walked alone on an errand to help his aunt plant peanuts. Bound and gagged, Umwalla had never seen a white man before and later recalled his terror when his story was chronicled in newspapers. Sold to a white plantation family, he was renamed Lucious Williams. Being so young when enslaved, he ultimately lived through emancipation and became a free man.

Golden Isles Glitterati

The Golden Isles has long been a popular destination for the rich and famous, thanks to the islands’ mild winters and secluded location.

Sacred Grounds

Anything but silent, the graves of Gullah Geechee people speak volumes about the Golden Isles’ rich past.

Descended from enslaved West Africans, Gullah Geechee people live on the coast and barrier islands from North Carolina to Florida. Throughout the Golden Isles you’ll find cemeteries for Gullah Geechee people and their progeny: In Brunswick are Greenwood and Oak Grove and on St. Simons Island are Retreat, Gould, Village, and Union. Union Cemetery is also called “Strangers” Cemetery. To be buried in a plantation cemetery, a person had to be born on that plantation or be descended from a person born on that plantation. Union Cemetery is the burial site for people not born on a local plantation and thus deemed “strangers.”

A recent discovery on St. Simons Island is a Gullah Geechee burial site at Fort Frederica National Monument. In 1929, Robert Abbott, founder of the Chicago Defender, erected an obelisk in memory of his parents, who had been enslaved on the former plantation where Fort Frederica now stands. A hand-drawn map was discovered in the records of Christ Church that seemed to indicate a grave site near the obelisk. The staff at Fort Frederica used ground-penetrating radar around the monument and found the grave sites, which were memorialized in 2020. Today, you can visit the obelisk and the graves of Robert Abbott’s father, Thomas, his aunt, Celia, and six other individuals also laid to rest here.

WHAT IS TABBY?

Tabby is a mixture of sand, broken oyster shells, lime, lime ash, and water. Lime is made by burning oyster shells; lime ash is what’s left over from the preparation of the lime. Some of the best places to see this ingenious construction material are Fort Frederica and Cannon’s Point Preserve on St. Simons Island.

IBO LANDING: THE PRICE OF FREEDOM

The wrenching choice to live free or die literally played out in May of 1803 on St. Simons Island’s Ibo Landing where several captive West Africans, or Igbo (also “Ibo” or “Ebo”) rejected a life of enslavement by walking into the water, bound together in chains. An estimated 10 to 13 drowned.

Haunting subsequent generations of the Gullah Geechee community, the Igbos’ tragic end received official tribute to their ultimate sacrifice.

Thanks to Glynn Academy’s Ethnology Club, Coastal Georgia Historical Society, and St. Simons African American Heritage Coalition, the Georgia Historical Society erected a marker on May 24, 2022, commemorating that fateful day 220 years ago.

Occupying green space at Old Stables provided by St. Simons Land Trust, the marker stands as a monument to the human yearning for freedom.

Jekyll Island was once a favored retreat of America’s wealthiest families –the Jekyll Island Club was partly owned by financier J.P. Morgan, and visitors have included families with names like Rockefeller, Vanderbilt, and Pulitzer. It’s also been the setting for several films, notably The Legend of Bagger Vance hosting stars Will Smith and Matt Damon during filming.

Celebrated historical novelist Eugenia Price was one of St. Simons’ best-known residents; others include golfers Matt Kuchar, Davis Love III, and Brandt Snedeker, as well as NFL Hall of Famer Jim Brown and Food Network personality Alton Brown.

The Cloister opened to great fanfare in 1928, with President Calvin Coolidge on hand to plant an oak sapling. Over the years, other visiting dignitaries have planted trees: Queen Juliana of the Netherlands; Presidents Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, George H.W. Bush, and Bill Clinton; and British Prime Ministers Margaret Thatcher and Tony Blair. Other Sea Island guests have included Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower, as well as a coterie of world leaders attending the 2004 G8 Summit, hosted by President George W. Bush, who selected the island for its impeccable service, security, and privacy.

CYCLE-RAMA

Ditch the dusty tomes and learn local history on a bike — “perfect,” says Tyler Vaughn, owner of Brunswick Old Town Tours, for covering Brunswick’s compact downtown and Historic Old Town in 90 minutes. Ride past its squares named for city founders; wave to front-porch denizens as you admire the architecture of their stately homes; cruise through the business district, rife with old buildings and new establishments such as the final stop, Silver Bluff Brewing Company, where you’ll enjoy the sweet taste of time in a bottle.

OBELISK AT FORT FREDERICA

Obelisk:

The Cloister opened to great fanfare in 1928, with President Calvin Coolidge on hand to plant an oak sapling.

Monumental History

FORT FREDERICA

Fort Frederica was built to help protect Gen. James Oglethorpe’s new Georgia colony from the Spanish in Florida. Now a National Monument, visitors are welcome at the fort year-round. The park visitor center features exhibits and a short film. 6515 Frederica Rd. 912.638.3639

BLOODY MARSH BATTLE SITE

On July 7, 1742, an outnumbered force of British troops ambushed and defeated Spanish troops, halting a planned attack on

ST.SIMONS ISLAND

ARTHUR J. MOORE METHODIST MUSEUM

On the beautiful grounds of Epworth by the Sea, the museum highlights Methodism founders John and Charles Wesley, early Methodism in America, and much more. The newly updated Nativities Room houses over 200 international nativities. An Island history movie plays twice daily. “John Wesley in Georgia” lecture every Thursday 11 a.m. Christian Gift Shop. Open Monday-Saturday. Free admission.

100 Arthur J. Moore Dr. 912.638.4050

CANNON’S POINT PRESERVE

Enjoy self-exploration along the island’s largest wilderness area with miles of primitive trails and waterways. Tabby ruins of an 18th-century plantation-era home, along with ruins of

outbuildings and other historic structures can be viewed. Open to the public Saturday, Sunday and Monday from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Lawrence Rd. 912.638.9109

LOVELY LANE CHAPEL

The oldest standing church building on St. Simons Island is Lovely Lane Chapel.

Formerly named St. James Union Chapel, the church was built by Norman W. Dodge in 1880 to serve the workers at the lumber mills at Gascoigne Bluff.

1190 Arthur J. Moore Dr. 912.638.8688

HAMILTON PLANTATION TABBY SLAVE CABINS

Two tabby slave cabins built on Hamilton Plantation remain today at Gascoigne Bluff near Epworth by the Sea. The two modest

structures have been carefully restored and received their placement on the National Register of Historic Places in 1988. Open for tours on Wednesdays during the summer, by appointment the rest of the year.

Arthur J. Moore Dr. 404.374.3933

ST. SIMONS LIGHTHOUSE MUSEUM

Built in 1872 alongside the new lighthouse, the Keeper’s dwelling was the home of lighthouse keepers until 1950. The two-story Victorian structure currently serves as the Lighthouse Museum whose interactive exhibits, rare artifacts, and period décor offer a glimpse into the lives of the dwelling’s former residents and the island’s history.

610 Beachview Dr. 912.638.4666

The Golden Isles formed following the PLEISTOCENE ICE AGE Larger islands, such as St. Simons Island, are estimated to be 35,000 – 40,000 years old. Smaller islands, like Little St. Simons Island, were formed from the larger islands and are about 5,000 – 7,000 years old.

Fort

Markers and information panels at this outdoor observation site explain the battle, which once and for all ended Spain’s claim to the Georgia territory. Old Demere Rd.

CHRIST CHURCH, FREDERICA

Built in 1884, Christ Church is nestled among huge oak trees on St. Simons Island’s north end. In a serene setting of native live oaks, holly, and cedar trees, this landmark is open for tours Tuesday through Sunday from 2 p.m. – 5 p.m. It is closed Easter and Christmas. 6329 Frederica Rd. 912.638.8683

GUALE and MOCAMA INDIANS made their way to the coast, fishing, hunting, and gathering oysters to survive in the area. Middens, large areas of oyster shells, and other refuse discarded by Native Americans still exist today and can be seen in undeveloped areas on St. Simons Island and Little St. Simons Island.

FORT FREDERICA

HAMILTON PLANTATION TABBY SLAVE CABINS

LOVELY LANE CHAPEL

From middens to manses, the Golden Isles’ cultural sites echo with stories of explorers, founders, heroes, and ordinary folk.

Frederica.

ST.SIMONS ISLAND

SPANISH MISSIONS were established along the coast. A prominent mission formed at Fort King George in present-day Darien, about 10 miles north of Brunswick. This mission, called Santo Domingo Talejo, later moved to the northern end of St. Simons Island and was renamed Asao.

The troops at Fort Frederica sprang into action July 1742 for the BATTLE OF BLOODY MARSH With the help of Scottish Highlanders from Darien, Oglethorpe’s men successfully repelled Spanish forces from St. Augustine, Florida. The attack marked the last major Spanish offensive into Georgia.

FORT FREDERICA and the town of Frederica were established by British Gen. James Oglethorpe on the west side of St. Simons Island. A second fortification, Fort St. Simons, was built a few years later near the present-day lighthouse and pier area.

Following the military successes on St. Simons Island, England signed a PEACE TREATY with Spain. British troops were withdrawn from Fort Frederica. A fire in 1758 badly damaged the town of Frederica, and it eventually became a lost town.

GASCOIGNE BLUFF

Historically, the oak-laden Gascoigne Bluff had been the location of a Sea Island cotton plantation, the site of a lumber mill, and a shipping point for timber. Today, Gascoigne Bluff is the location of two historic slave cabins and a public park. Arthur J. Moore Dr.

THE AVENUE OF THE OAKS

These magnificent oaks were planted in 1826 to provide an entrance to Retreat Plantation, once a cotton plantation. Visitors are welcome to drive around the magnificent double row of

nearly 200-year-old live oaks. Access beyond the gate is for guests of Sea Island only. Entrance to the Sea Island Golf Club

WORLD WAR II HOME FRONT MUSEUM

The new museum brings to life Coastal Georgia’s extraordinary contributions during World War II. Through immersive exhibits and interactive experiences, visitors will learn about blimps on anti-submarine patrol, radar training to direct fighter pilots, building Liberty ships to supply troops overseas, and much more. 4201 1st St. 912.634.7098

HISTORICAL HARRINGTON SCHOOL CULTURAL CENTER

The last African-American school on St. Simons Island, the Harrington School is the most valuable venue to interpret the island’s Gullah-Geechee heritage. The restoration of the school was completed in 2017.

To schedule tours for a historic journey into the heart of the Gullah-Geechee communities on the island, contact the St. Simons African American Heritage Coalition. South Harrington Rd. 912.638.0341

JEKYLL ISLAND

THE HISTORIC DISTRICT

Jekyll Island National Historic Landmark District is one of the largest historic districts in the country, with its 240-acre site and 34 historic structures. In the early 1900s, it was the grounds for the world’s most exclusive club, today known as the Jekyll Island Club Resort. Riverview Dr.

MOSAIC, JEKYLL ISLAND MUSEUM

Jekyll Island’s storied past is brought to life inside Mosaic, Jekyll Island Museum. Blending interactive exhibitry of decades past and

present, Mosaic tells the story of one of Georgia’s most intriguing barrier islands. Visit the museum for a unique experience, educational tours, and seasonal programming. 100 Stable Rd. 912.635.4036

HORTON HOUSE

The Horton House is one of the oldest tabby buildings in Georgia. Major William Horton constructed this home in 1743. It has won an Excellence in Preservation award from the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation. 1145 Riverview Dr.

FAITH CHAPEL

Faith Chapel, built in 1904, served as a non-denominational chapel for members of the Jekyll Island Club. The simple design reflects the relaxed feel of the island. One of the windows is a magnificent 100 year-old signed example of Louis Comfort Tiffany’s work. Tours available daily. 375 Riverview Dr. 912.635.4036

The first ST. SIMONS LIGHTHOUSE was completed. Built by James Gould, the original lighthouse stood 75 feet tall and its base was made of tabby, part of which probably came from the ruins at Frederica.

This lighthouse was later destroyed by Confederate troops during the Civil War to prevent Union forces from using it to navigate the coast. The current lighthouse was built in 1872 and still serves as an active aid to navigation.

CHRIST CHURCH, chartered in 1808, was built near the site of Fort Frederica. The church was badly damaged during the Civil War. Anson Dodge Jr. rebuilt it in 1884 as a memorial to his first wife, who died in India on their honeymoon.

Nearly all of the Golden Isles in this period was divided up into plantations, farms that produced a single market crop with enslaved labor. St. Simons’ main crop was Sea Island cotton, while plantations along the Altamaha River primarily grew rice. HOFWYL-BROADFIELD one of the few intact plantation properties, is open to the public for tours.

NEPTUNE SMALL was born into slavery at Retreat Plantation on St. Simons Island. As a free man, he built a home in the South End neighborhood, near present-day Neptune Park.

Although the ship owners’ activities were widely known and a prosecutorial case was made, federal courts returned a not-guilty verdict.

(5800 Frederica Road) was constructed in 1869 by the African American congregation.

The elite JEKYLL ISLAND CLUB was established after the island was purchased for $125,000.

The Club was built by 1887 and opened its doors to the Pulitzers, Rockefellers, Goodyears, Morgans, and the like. The rich and famous enjoyed Jekyll Island each year from Christmas to Easter until the start of World War II. The state of Georgia bought the island in 1947.

GASCOIGNE BLUFF

FIRST AFRICAN BAPTIST CHURCH

HORTON HOUSE

THE WANDERER one of the last ships to smuggle enslaved people from West Africa to America, landed on Jekyll Island. Built as a high-speed sailing vessel, the Wanderer was converted into a slave ship meant to bypass the federal Slave Importation Act of 1807, banning the importation of enslaved peoples. The ship arrived on Jekyll with 409 Africans who were then sold into slavery in Savannah, Augusta, and neighboring states.

FIRST AFRICAN BAPTIST CHURCH was organized at Pikes Bluff Plantation on St. Simons Island. It was often illegal for enslaved people to gather during the Antebellum Period. However, enslaved people on St. Simons Island formed the First African Baptist Church and would travel from around the island for Sunday worship. The current building

HOFWYL–BROADFIELD PLANTATION

In the early 1800s, William Brailsford carved a rice plantation from marshes along the Altamaha River. The last heir left the plantation and the antebellum home to the state of Georgia in 1973. Open Wednesday to Sunday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

5556 U.S. Highway 17 N. 912.264.7333

LOVER’S OAK

Rumored to have been a trysting place for Native American braves and maidens, this enormous oak is estimated to be 900 years old. Its trunk measures about 13 feet in diameter and branches into 10 limbs, about 12 to 30 inches in diameter.

Albany and Prince Streets.

THE RITZ THEATRE

Built in 1899, The Ritz Theatre has been fully restored and serves as a theater and arts center featuring year-round live performances, films, exhibits, educational programs, and more. Current films and exhibits can be found online.

1530 Newcastle St. 912.262.6934

SIGNATURE SQUARES

Signature Squares of Brunswick, a nonprofit preservation organization, was founded in 2005 to reclaim and beautify the original colonial parks and squares in the Old Town district of the city.

Newcastle St., Historic Downtown

OLD CITY HALL

Originally built in 1889, Old City Hall was fully restored in 2004. This striking historic structure is a part-time city courthouse and a venue for everything from class reunions to wedding receptions. The building is open to the public.

1229 Newcastle St. 912.265.4032

MARY ROSS WATERFRONT PARK

Mary Ross Waterfront Park, a beautiful place to watch the sunset across the river, features a memorial to Liberty Ships constructed during World War II. It also features public performances on its outdoor staged pavilion.

Bay St. at Gloucester St. 912.265.6665

1924 1928 1943–1945

The Golden Isles bustled with activity during World War II. Brunswick was home to the J.A. JONES SHIPYARD which built 99 Liberty cargo ships in three years.

F.J. TORRAS CAUSEWAY was built, connecting St. Simons Island to mainland Glynn County.

The series of bridges was designed by Brunswick native Fernando Joseph Torras, who also served as Brunswick’s city manager for more than 30 years.

Also in Brunswick, Naval Air Station Glynco was one of only five bases on the east coast for the U.S. Navy’s K-class blimps. The former base is now the site of the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center. On St. Simons Island, the King & Prince Hotel and McKinnon Airport turned into NAS St. Simons, a base for fighter pilot training and advanced radar operator training.

The World War II Home Front Museum brings to life Coastal Georgia’s extraordinary contributions to winning World War II. Immersive exhibits show iconic Home Front scenes such as war bond drives and food rationing. Visitors of all ages can try their

ST. SIMONS ISLAND

World War II

Home Front Museum

hand at plane spotting, directing fighter pilot squadrons using radar technology, and building and tracking the voyages of a Liberty ship. Learn about a devastating attack on April 8, 1942, when German U-boat 123 torpedoed two American tankers just 13 miles off the coast of St. Simons Island, killing 22 mariners. Hear dramatic accounts by Naval Air Station Glynco aviators who piloted the airships that escorted supply convoys along the Atlantic coast. Listen to first-hand accounts of women welders who helped build the enormous Liberty Ships essential to supplying the troops overseas. The Museum is located in the Historic

Coast Guard Station which housed the local Coast Guard from 1936-1995. The building became an active part of the U.S. War Department in 1941 and is itself a major artifact of the Home Front story. coastalgeorgiahistory.org 912.634.7098

THE CLOISTER AT SEA ISLAND opened. Howard Coffin purchased the island in 1926 and hired renowned architect Addison Mizner to design the original Cloister Hotel. The Plantation Course at Sea Island Golf Club opened in summer 1927.

MARY ROSS WATERFRONT PARK

HOFWYL-BROADFIELD PLANTATION

ARTS & CULTURE

The creative spirit thrives in the Golden Isles’ galleries, concert stages, and theaters.

BELOVED BEACON

Laura Daniel’s oil painting St. Simons Lighthouse immortalizes the Golden Isles landmark that recently celebrated 150 years.

TRUNK SHOW

Find the watchers in the woods on a self-guided hunt for the enchanting Tree Spirits.

A great break from the beach or evening activity, a Tree Spirits Treasure Hunt is the perfect year-round activity. Grab your family and your sense of adventure. Here are just a few of our favorites:

Ask for a map at the Golden Isles Welcome Center, where a friendly staff member will share the lore. There’s easy-to-spot Cora, a mermaid Tree Spirit, to get you going. And while you’re here, make like an explorer and climb to the top of the adjacent St. Simons Lighthouse Museum.

North of Pier Village, just before Mallery Park, swing into Village Inn & Pub (above) Here, one of the newer Tree Spirits greets guests arriving for a comfortable stay at this boutique hotel.

Your treasure hunt will go swimmingly, especially if you’re a guest of Queens Court Inn (437 Kings Way). Before taking a dip in the pool, look to the west for a bearded spirit who’s got it made in his shade.

It’s a Wynn-win situation: Just past the Wynn Cottage one of the residences at King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort (201 Arnold Road), a new spirit welcomes you in typical Golden Isles fashion: with a serene and smiling face

Free Spirits

There’s more than meets the eye when it comes to the moss-covered oak trees of St. Simons Island. If you look closely, an intricately carved face might stare right back. These weathered figures are the Tree Spirits of St. Simons Island, and their stories are as varied as the island’s visitors.

Legend has it these images immortalize sailors who’ve lost their lives at sea. But ask Keith Jennings, the artist, and he’s quick to correct that each carefully carved face reveals a tree’s soul. Jennings began making his mark in the 1980s. Commissioned carvings are done in accordance with local arborists, and each unique face takes two to four days to complete. The result: one of the most beloved family-friendly activities on St. Simons Island.

Nearly two dozen Tree Spirits are scattered throughout the Island, but most are on private property. Of the 11 (and counting!) on public land, many are hiding in plain sight, peering out from a tree trunk; others take a bit more sleuthing, like those notched from the stub of a long-vanished branch.

Some people hunt for them on bicycles; some opt for golf carts. Others make it a tradition to drive from site to site on their last evening on the island. However you choose to seek and find, when it comes to the Tree Spirits, there’s joy in both the journey and the destination.

More than mere carvings, the Tree Spirits of St. Simons Island are expressions of woodland souls.

Setting the Scene

CAMERA READY

Crime Scene.

Home to Silver Bluff Brewing and Richland Rum distillery, Brunswick’s Newcastle Street ironically passes for a Prohibition-era Ybor City, Florida in the 2016 crime flick Live By Night Stop for a tipple and toast the bygone days of speakeasies and police raids.

Stay Classy, St. Simons. At Old Coast Guard Beach, Will Ferrell’s Ron Burgundy and the cast of Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues (2013) gather for a seaside wedding. What could possibly go wrong?

Glory Days.

To navigate dunes and freshwater pools, the production crews of the 1989 Civil War drama Glory built the boardwalk at Glory Beach offering expansive views.

Clubbing. The on-set bar in Robert Redford’s gauzy, ghostly golf drama, The Legend of Bagger Vance (2000) was such a hit, a permanent reproduction was built for guests of Jekyll Island Club.

BEACH READS

The Princess and the Crab. Commissioned by the owners of the King and Prince Beach Resort for their children, Grace Gore Sturdivant’s take on the princess and the frog fairytale incorporates local landmarks and history into the narrative.

St. Simons Trilogy. A literary homage to the Golden Isles, Eugenia Price’s historical series starts with Lighthouse and New Moon Rising which span the preRevolutionary and Antebellum periods. The Beloved Invader takes up a new thread in the aftermath of the Civil War.

Coast Tales: True Historic Tales from Georgia’s Golden Isles. As a follow-up to his first collection, A Historical Crash Course on Coastal Georgia and the Golden Isles, Larry Hobbs introduces you to the area’s real-life characters in this compilation of his popular history columns from The Brunswick News

Tracking the Golden Isles: The Natural and Human Histories of the Georgia Coast Outdoor enthusiasts will appreciate environmental scientist Anthony J. Martin’s essays detailing the plant and animal traces that contributed to coastal Georgia’s ecosystems.

Bress ’n’ Nyam: Gullah Geechee Recipes from a Sixth-Generation Farmer Best not to peruse Chef Matthew Raiford’s cookbook on an empty stomach! His recipes for Gullah Geechee classics like hot buttermilk biscuits and salmon cakes on pepper rice are sure to make you swoon!

Island Time: An Illustrated History of St. Simons Island, Georgia and Island Passages: An Illustrated History of Jekyll Island, Georgia. Evocative souvenirs of your visit to the Golden Isles are two coffee-table tomes by retired Atlanta Journal -Constitution journalist Jingle Davis and local photographer Benjamin Galland.

Stop by the Golden Isles Welcome Center on St. Simons Island to purchase these titles and more.

FOR ART’S SAKE

From concert stages to galleries, classes to summer camps, not to mention theatrical performances, the Golden Isles offers a wealth of cultural activities to feed your soul.

HIGH NOTES

Weekly live music performances goldenisles.com/events/live-music

Coastal Symphony of Georgia coastalsymphonyofgeorgia.org

A Little Light Music (Coastal Georgia Historical Society’s summer concert series, St. Simons Lighthouse) coastalgeorgiahistory.org

Brunswick Music District Square dancing takes on new meaning with this series of live concerts held every Friday and Saturday evening in Brunswick’s downtown squares.

Outdoor Concerts in Neptune Park. Enjoy the sounds of summer with some (Nep)tunes, courtesy of Golden Isles Arts & Humanities. 912.262.6934 or goldenislesarts.org

HIGHLIGHTS

Glynn Visual Arts glynnvisualarts.org

Jekyll Artists Association jekyllartists.com

Tinted Tide Pottery & Art Studio thetintedtide.com

Anderson Fine Art Studio andersonfineartgallery.com

HOUSE LIGHTS

The Island Players theislandplayers.com

Brunswick’s Historic Ritz Theatre/ Golden Isles Arts & Humanities goldenislesarts.com

Uke Joint

The Golden Isles Strummers evoke the sounds of summer year-round.

What better accompaniment to ocean breezes than the light wafting sounds of a ukulele — or better yet, an ensemble of them playing classics such as “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” or “It’s a Wonderful World”? Pass by St. Simons Island’s Fort Frederica Presbyterian Church on a Wednesday afternoon (except in summer) and you might hear the dulcet tones of the Golden Isles Strummers practicing for their next gig. Feel free to join them. “We welcome anyone who wants to learn to play,” says GIS’s co-founder Sue Leeds.

As she discovered in 2015, the four-stringed Portuguese instrument with simple chord fingerings, “was easy to pick up.” Leeds encouraged

her friend Cathy Simprini to follow suit, with Simprini’s husband, Ron, lending his skill on six-string guitar.

Others joined their jam sessions, which by 2021 moved outdoors to the Casino at the Village on St. Simons, drawing crowds. Today, with 50plus members, Golden Isles Strummers are popular on the assisted living circuit, at private parties, and community events like Brunswick’s Blessing of the Fleet. Membership dues pay for a sound system and as a registered 501(c) 3 the Strummers donate ticket sales to local charitable causes. The greatest reward? “We’ve become like a family,” Leeds reflects. “We feel very fortunate to enjoy and contribute to this special community.”

“Local folks and visitors often stop by to enjoy the music and sing along. We’ve even recruited a few new members through these public rehearsals.”

Creative Attractions

CLASSES & MORE

Glynn Visual Arts 912.638.8770 St. Simons Island glynnvisualarts.org

PERFORMING ARTS

Coastal Symphony of Georgia 912.634.2006 Brunswick coastalsymphonyofgeorgia.org

Golden Isles Youth Orchestra 912.634.3453 Brunswick goldenislesyouthorchestra.org

Historic Ritz Theatre 912.262.6934 Brunswick goldenislesarts.org

The Island Players 912.638.0338 St. Simons Island theislandplayers.com

ART GALLERIES

Anderson Fine Art Gallery 912.634.8414 St. Simons Island andersonfineartgallery.com

Artist’s Annex Gallery 912.634.8414 St. Simons Island artistsannexgallery.com

ArtTrends Gallery 912.268.4761 St. Simons Island arttrends.gallery

Glynn Visual Arts 912.638.8770 St. Simons Island glynnvisualarts.org

MUSEUMS

Arthur J. Moore Methodist Museum 912.638.4050 St. Simons Island mooremethodistmuseum.com

Historical Harrington School 912.634.0330 St. Simons Island ssiheritagecoalition.org

Mosaic, Jekyll Island Museum 912.635.4036 Jekyll Island jekyllisland.com

St. Simons Island Lighthouse Museum 912.638.4666 St. Simons Island coastalgeorgiahistory.org

World War II Home Front Museum 912.634.7098 St. Simons Island coastalgeorgiahistory.org

The Golden Isles has provided filmmakers and authors with a rich backdrop.

Downtown Brunswick inspires movie magic in 2016's Live by Night.

Islands A-Hoppin’

With its rich history and longstanding traditions, the Golden Isles has plenty to celebrate year-round. Join in the fun at the following seasonal festivities.

SPRING

ALL SHOOK UP Turns out Elvis has not left the building. Discover who will be crowned King of Kings at the Georgia Tribute Festival honoring the one and only Elvis Presley. (March)

HOUSE PARTY After a two-year hiatus, the venerable Christ Church Frederica Annual Tour of Homes is back! Benefiting women and children in need, this year’s tour highlights the architecture, décor, and hospitality of six Sea Island homes. Tickets and info: christchurchtourofhomes.org (March)

SHELL GAME Tortoise or hare, it’s your participation that matters in the 5K, 10K and 1-mile run races of Jekyll Island’s Turtle Crawl, benefiting Georgia Sea Turtle Center. (April)

BLESS THE MESS Of shrimp‚ that is, or rather the shrimp boats decorated for Mayfair Brunswick’s Portuguese tradition, Blessing of the Fleet. (May)

SUMMER

GOLDEN GALA Tunes, crafts, and the ever-important eats take center stage at St. Simons Island’s Gascoigne Bluff for the Georgia Sea Islands Festival an homage to local African-American culture. (June)

OF THEE WE SING Cheer for the red, white, and blue as rockets’ red glare fill the sky at Independence Day celebrations on St. Simons Island, Sea Island, Jekyll Island, and Brunswick. Info: goldenisles.com (July)

FALL

STEIN-MART Beer rhymes with “cheer,” thanks to Brunswick’s Oktoberfest Wash down some brats with a German-style frosty in the beer garden of Silver Bluff Brewing Co. (September)

THE COAST WITH THE MOST Hence, Georgia Department of Natural Resource’s Coastfest in Brunswick, featuring touch tanks, history demos, science experiments, and more. (October)

’CUE FOR YOU At Firebox, local pitmasters, chefs, and farmers serve healthy helpings of roasted pig and seafood, while brewers and distillers offer quaffs that quench. Ticket sales benefit Southern Soul Barbecue’s Firebox Initiative that helps restaurant workers in need. (October)

LOVE FEST As in, Davis Love III, host of the RSM Classic at Sea Island, a highlight of the PGA TOUR in which top names on the pro circuit drive, chip, and putt on one of the most revered courses in the Southeast. (November)

STOOPS AND GROUPS Local musical groups perform gratis at PorchFest on the front porches of Brunswick’s Old Town Historic District bounded by First Street, Bay Street, New Bay Street, H Street, and Cochran Street. (November).

THRILL OF THE CHILL. Take a ‘coldstunned’ plunge into the chilly Atlantic in support of sea turtles during this fun, after-Thanksgiving beach fundraiser for Georgia Sea Turtle Center. (November)

WINTER

MERRY AND BRIGHT Get your nostalgia on with a light parade, fireworks, a winter carnival, and light displays at the enchanting Holly Jolly Jekyll (November-January)

FESTIVE FLOTILLA. Is that Santa at the helm commanding a crew of elves? See for yourself at the Brunswick Christmas Parade held at Howard Coffin Park along Gloucester Street. (December)

TREASURE PLEASURE A nod to glass fishermen’s floats of yore, Jekyll Island’s annual scavenger hunt, Island Treasures conceals facsimiles of handcrafted glass globes that are yours to keep, should you be lucky enough to find one. (January–February)

OYSTERS ROASTING ON AN OPEN FIRE Mollusk memories are yours, along with lowcountry boil, chefs’ signature dishes, and desserts at St. Simons Land Trust Oyster Roast supporting the organization’s mission to preserve the scenic character of the area. (January)

HAPPY STEW YEAR Who will win the People’s Choice and Judges’ Award for their take on Brunswick Stew? Find out at Brunswick Rockin’ Stewbilee where motorcycle rides, canines on parade, and live music ramp up the fun quotient. (January)

BRIDGE (CALORIE) BURNER

After Eating Season, it’s no wonder the Southeast Georgia Health System Bridge Run is considered “the toughest 5K in Georgia.” But the views from Brunswick’s Sidney Lanier Bridge are worth it. (February)

LAUGH RIOT Listen up as four nationally renowned raconteurs spin comical yarns and tall tales at the St. Simons Island Storytelling Festival taking place at Epworth by the Sea. (February)

Scan for more events and festivals

Mosaic, Jekyll Island Museum

S

tep into what once was. Mosaic, Jekyll Island Museum guides you through the rich cultural and natural history of Georgia’s most intriguing barrier island. Travel back more than four centuries ago to the discovery of this coastal haven when Native Americans inhabited Jekyll Island. Or get behind the wheel of a classic Studebaker as if it were the 1950s and you’re an early visitor of the newly-established state park.

In-depth interactive exhibits draw you in, while stunning visuals and audio tell the tale of this magical island. jekyllisland.com/mosaic

JEKYLL ISLAND

GOLF

No matter your score — par, birdie, or even bogie — it’s always a good day when you finish a round in the Golden Isles.

As United States Ryder Cup team captain, Zach Johnson will lead American golfers against European rivals in the 44th Ryder Cup on September 25–October 1, 2023 at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club in Rome. Johnson has competed in five Ryder Cups since 2006 and served as U.S. Vice Captain for the last two contests.

Z An Ordinary Guy’s Extraordinary Life

ach Johnson will tell you he’s “just a boy from Iowa” — who happens to be the 2007 Masters Champion and the 2015 British Open Champion, two milestones in an impressive run on the PGA TOUR that has lasted nearly two decades. He has amassed 12 wins through hard work and tenacity while maintaining the faith and values that he brought to the TOUR as a rookie in 2004. I caught up with Zach by phone while he was strolling the aisles of the grocery store near his home in the Golden Isles. Like I said, he’s an ordinary guy with extraordinary accomplishments.

John Maginnes: How did you end up on Sea Island?

Zach Johnson: My wife and I were living in central Florida. She went to school down there and is actually from north Florida (Amelia Island), and we liked where we were. Obviously, the weather is great. My coach was there, but we wanted to find a place

that was more “us.” A place where we could dig deep. The Golden Isles community had that, the schools and the churches, we knew it immediately. I had started coming up here to practice with Dr. Mo (Dr. Morris Pickens, sports psychologist based at Sea Island) and fell in love with the place. I brought my wife up here; we toured a couple of neighborhoods, and she said, “I think we could live here.” That was the summer of ’08; we moved in the fall and have never looked back.

JM: And the golf?

ZJ: The amenities at Sea Island are as good as anywhere in the world. From coaching to golf courses . . . everything we need, it’s second to none. I could live anywhere but I feel like I live in one of the best golf communities in the country, if not the very best.

JM: The community of professionals at Sea Island has grown considerably. What is that group like when you guys are home?

ZJ: It’s incredible. Obviously, Davis (Love III, U.S. team captain for the 2022 President’s Cup) was the first one here and shortly after Jonathon Byrd came down, and then there were a handful of others. I think that I was maybe the fifth or so but now we have like a dozen or more on the PGA TOUR, not to mention the group of guys on the Korn Ferry Tour. It’s really cool.

JM: Do you ever pick up a round when you’re not competing?

ZJ: I play with a lot of guys you’ve never heard of. I also play with the TOUR guys. I just ran into Brian Harmon in the store. We play with Hud (Hudson Swafford), Patton (Kizire), Harris (English), JT Poston, Keith Mitchel and all the others.... We all just tee it up and go. You’re not going to find that other places. That’s the beauty of it. We have a group of people who are all trying to get better in an incredible place.

Zach Johnson and author/radio host John Maginnes reflect on Golden Isles’ golf and community.

Legendary Links

The Golden Isles is home to unparalleled courses that attract the golfing elite.

tanding on the driving range at the spectacular Sea Island Golf Performance Center you will hear the typical sounds of the driving range: the clatter of balls tumbling out of baskets and the crisp crack of well-struck iron shots. You will hear the whack of the modern driver and the hum of pre-round conversation. But if you listen carefully, you’re also likely to hear the horn of a nearby tugboat or the bell of a distant sea buoy, for the driving range sits right along the shore of the Intracoastal Waterway. If there is a finer backdrop for a driving range and learning center anywhere in the world, it exists in the realm of the imagination.

If you’re standing there for the first time, you know that you’re in for a treat no matter which of the three courses at Sea Island Resort you’re playing. The Seaside Course is the most famous and the most historic. It was originally designed by Harry S. Colt and Charles Alison in 1929. In 1999, renowned links architect Tom Fazio updated and redesigned the course, but in the minds of some, he accomplished con-

siderably more. Golf great and Grand Slam champion Bobby Jones loved to play nine of the original 18 holes, but it took Fazio’s vision — combining those nine with nine holes of Sea Island’s old Marshside course — to create the championship golf course that PGA TOUR players rave about today. The Seaside Course has been home to the PGA TOUR’s RSM Classic since the tournament’s launch in 2010.

In 2015, the Plantation course was added to the RSM Classic. Davis Love III and his brother, Mark, paid homage to the original Walter Travis nine-hole course when they designed and expanded the Plantation course to 18 holes. Included are some of Travis’s signature features like the “Principal’s Nose” bunker similar to the original at St. Andrews and his “chocolate drops” (grass mounds) that dot the landscape and tend to be less forgiving than their sweet name suggests.

The third course on the property is also a Love brothers redesign but with a nod toward playability for all skill levels. The Retreat Course is just that: a fun respite

from some of the island’s more difficult golf play.

There are two other courses on the island that require a member’s invitation, but if you’re fortunate enough to get one, don’t decline it. Ocean Forest Golf Club sits on the northern tip of Sea Island with ocean on one side and river marsh on the other. Rees Jones fashioned a masterpiece on shifting dunes and an impossibly beautiful landscape. Ocean Forest opened in 1995 and hosted a Walker Cup in 2001. That same year, it began hosting the Jones Cup Invitational, a prestigious amateur event. Major Champions Justin Thomas and Patrick Reed are among its past victors.

Not too far as the crow — or one hopes, birdie — flies, is St. Simons Island’s Frederica Golf Club, a pristine example of what modern technology and imagination can do to enhance a relatively flat piece of land. Tom Fazio collaborated on the design with Sir Michael Bonallack of Scotland’s illustrious Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews. More than 7 million cubic yards of sand were moved in the construction. Additionally, more than 1,000 stately oak trees were transplanted along the property. The result is an incredible golf course that looks and feels like it’s been there for a century — almost as ancient as the royal and ancient game itself.

Golf Courses

ST. SIMONS ISLAND

PAR

King and Prince Golf Course at the Hampton Club 912.634.0255 hamptonclub.com 18 6462 72

Sea Palms 912.638.3351 seapalms.com 18 6608 71

Frederica Golf Club (Private-Members only) 912.634.6900 fredericagolfclub.com 18 7217 72

SEA ISLAND

Seaside Course (Private-Hotel guests only) 855.473.6277 seaisland.com/golf 18 6657 70

Plantation Course (Private-Hotel guests only) 855.572.4975 seaisland.com/golf 18 6671 72

Retreat Course (Private-Hotel guests only) 855.572.4975 seaisland.com/golf 18 6735 72

Golf Performance Center 912.638.5119 seaisland.com

JEKYLL ISLAND

Oleander 912.635.2368 jekyllisland.com 18 6521 72

Pine Lakes 912.635.2368 jekyllisland.com 18 6700 72

Indian Mound 912.635.2368 jekyllisland.com 18 6408 72

Great Dunes 912.635.2368 jekyllisland.com 9 3229 36

BRUNSWICK

Heritage Oaks Golf Club 912.280.9525 heritageoaksgolfclub.com 18 5820 72

Brunswick Country Club (Members Only) 912.264.4377 brunswickcountryclub.com 18 6802 72

SEA ISLAND SEASIDE COURSE

Piper in Paradise

“Historically, golf courses and solo bagpipers have made a grand marriage,” says Scott Townley, one of Sea Island’s four tartan-clad musicians who signal to golfers the end of play. It’s a “beautiful tradition,” Townley continues, explaining that the resort’s sunset ritual started 20 years ago.

A retired police officer hailing from upstate New York, Townley moved to the Golden Isles in 2020. As a child he’d taken up saxophone and clarinet and at 17 learned to play the bagpipes, “one of the most difficult instruments to learn and master,” Townley explains, mentioning the simultaneous actions of “controlled breathing, squeezing the bag, movement of your fingers and memorization of sheet music.”

Among his repertoire of 180 songs: various Scottish and Irish tunes, “America the Beautiful,” and “God Bless America,” any of which he might play for golfers at sunset, and Sea Island’s wedding and dinner guests — much to their delight. “Many share stories and wish to have pictures with me; children line up behind me as I march the grounds and we make our own parades,” Townley recounts. “Sea Island is a piper’s paradise.”

THE 19TH HOLE

When the last putt drops, grab another round at one of the Golden Isles’ convivial watering holes.

Sago at Sea Palms with its poolside patio and modern bar, hosts a daily happy hour with great specials, plus live music on Fridays.

In Historic Brunswick, Silver Bluff Brewing Co.’s beer garden is modeled after traditional Bavarian spaces.

Pair a pint of Golden Isles IPA with a bite from the rotating food trucks.

If convenience is key, Tortuga Jack’s is across the street from Jekyll Island Golf Club’s courses and is famous for its oceanfront tiki bar and fresh margaritas.

Belly up to the sweeping bar at Halyards and order a refreshing Rosemary Paloma with house-squeezed grapefruit juice or pick and choose from the vast wine list.

For guests at Sea Island, the private Oak Room Bar in The Lodge is the ideal spot for a single-malt Scotch.

Rather head home to kick up your feet? Swing by Porch and grab Frosé “to go” by the quart, half gallon, or gallon.

Golf widows will find ‘pagne relief by raising flutes and indulging in retail therapy at the Bubble Bar inside Two Friends boutique on St. Simons Island.

Not to be left out, underaged athletes are sure to enjoy St. Simons Crêpes off Mallery Street near the Pier, following a rousing 18 holes of mini-golf at the Neptune Park Fun Zone

The RSM Classic

Topgolf

Swing Suite

It’s immersive, exciting, and not just for golfers. The Topgolf Swing Suite at The Inn at Sea Island offers interactive games in a casual lounge setting. Try your hand at 84 virtual courses, including the Seaside Course at Sea Island, or have fun playing football, baseball, or zombie dodgeball. Open to the public daily from 8 a.m. – 10 p.m. and perfect for all ages (children must be accompanied by an adult). Bar bites and cocktails served from 5 – 10 p.m. nightly. The Topgolf Swing Suite is also ideal for private events and parties.

innatseaisland.com 855.813.6582

The RSM Classic, hosted by 21-time PGA TOUR Champion, World Golf Hall of Famer and winning U.S. Team Captain for the 2022 Presidents Cup, Davis Love III, has become a highly anticipated annual PGA TOUR event, drawing some of the world’s most elite golfers to the Golden Isles. Contested on both the Seaside and Plantation courses at Sea Island Golf Club, the event offers challenging play with beautiful ocean and marsh views and stunning amenities including access to the 17,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art Golf Performance Center.

From seasoned PGA TOUR professionals like Love and Zach Johnson to PGA TOUR rookies Will Gordon and Davis Thompson, more than a dozen golfing professionals call Sea Island home.

“The RSM Classic showcases the absolute best of the Golden Isles. Not only do residents and visitors get to enjoy one of the most beautiful seaside settings and events but also through our partnership with RSM and the Golf Channel we share our amazing community with the world,” said Scott McQuade, President and CEO of the Golden Isles Convention & Visitors Bureau.

“Our seaside community affords the most intimate venue on TOUR,” said Love.

“We take a lot of pride in showcasing our area and in letting all those who live and visit here experience the warm, genuine Southern hospitality for which our community is renowned.”

Since its inception in 2010, Love’s vision for the event in his hometown has been simple: Give players an enjoyable but demanding test at Sea Island Golf Club, and do it in a relaxed setting that offers a wonderful experience for pros, their families, caddies, sponsors, volunteers, media and spectators.

The RSM Classic quickly became a Seaside Tradition that focuses on raising charitable dollars for children and families in need. In 2022, the Davis Love Foundation, the tournament host organization, surpassed total charitable giving of $30 million since the tournament began. Many benefiting charities, including the Boys and Girls Club of Southeast Georgia, are based here in the Golden Isles.

“We established our Foundation in 2005 to support local, regional, and national community-based programs that focus on children and families,” said Love. Five years later, Love, in collaboration with Zach Johnson, the PGA TOUR, RSM and Sea Island, brought The RSM Classic to the area. The tournament is the Foundation’s largest fundraiser. This is

largely due to the incredible support of this community, local and national business partners, generous donors and RSM, the best title sponsor in golf.

“We are committed to positively impacting children and family charities through the dollars raised and donated through The RSM Classic,” said Love. “It is our privilege to continue the PGA TOUR’s rich tradition of giving back.” Learn more at RSMClassic.com.

Meet one of Sea Island’s bagpipers who serenade golfers and guests every evening at sunset.

ST. SIMONS ISLAND

SEA ISLAND

ACTIVITIES & TOURS

Leading Lights

I“

like to say, we have a huge trail system; it’s just all wet,” says Michael Gowen, (right) co-owner of SouthEast Adventure Outfitters, which, since 1994, has led guided kayaking, fishing, nature, and boating tours of the Golden Isles’ waterways. “The business dovetails with my interests,” Gowen adds, explaining that growing up in Glynn County, he spent a lot of time exploring the area’s marshes with family. “My youth was job training,” he quips.

Family includes younger brother, Zack, owner of St. Simons Island’s Georgia Sea Grill among other culinary-related concerns (See “The Good Earth,” page 66). With their sister, Lesli and her husband, John McQuigg, Michael’s wife, Stacy and their parents, they own and operate Village Creek Landing, a former fishing camp on St. Simons Island that SouthEast Adventure Outfitters had been using as a docking station. Its central location allows Michael and SEA’s guides to “go as far

south as Cumberland Island and as far north as Sapelo and Blackbeard Island.” In 2018, the family bought the property, which now doubles as an event space appointed with salvaged wood benches made by patriarch Dr. Jim Gowen and Michael’s black-and-white photographs. Among its preferred food vendors? Zack’s Georgia Sea Grill and Three Little Birds Catering. Against the sweeping marshland views, Village Creek Landing is ideal for making memories, as Zack acknowledges. Mentioning standout events, such as a Drivin N Cryin concert and his favorite, weddings, he says, “It’s beautiful to see such happiness and be a part of it.”

Making memories for his clients is paramount for Michael, as well. “I love sharing the outdoors and the beauty of the Golden Isles. I’m grateful to live in a place that other people want to come to,” he reflects. Whether a two-hour kayak tour on its creeks or up the Altahama River (see “Georgia’s Little

Amazon,” page 56), or sunset cruises, “There’s almost always something different, whether it’s the tides or the animals,” the outdoorsman observes. “I love meshing the beauty of the area with layers and layers of history. You can explore as far as your curiosity takes you.”

Michael is currently applying his knowhow to another venture, Brunswick Rocks, a nonprofit climbing gym expected to open later this year as “an outlet for kids to grow physically and emotionally and offer opportunities to them.” A climber in his younger years, Michael affirms that “some of [his] most formative experiences were in these situations.” He views the project, like SEA, and his brother’s restaurants as “the least we could do” to enrich his native Golden Isles that has so enriched their lives. “We’ve learned from our folks who’ve worked so hard in this community,” he says. “I don’t know if we could have done this anyplace else.”

Native sons Michael and Zack Gowen define the Golden Isles experience with family, history, foodways, tradition — and an insatiable curiosity.

“I love sharing the outdoors and the beauty of the Golden Isles. . . . You can explore as far as your curiosity takes you.”

-Michael Gowen

Georgia’s Little Amazon

The Altahama River is the state’s largest waterway and the third largest freshwater river in the United States.

riginating at the confluence of the Oconee and Ocmulgee rivers near the borders of Montgomery, Wheeler, and Jeff Davis counties, the Altahama river flows for 137 miles to Brunswick, emptying its vast store of fresh water— 100,000 gallons daily — into the Atlantic Ocean. SouthEast Adventure Outfitters co-founder Michael Gowen occasionally takes visitors up the river, which he explored as a youth.

“It’s true wilderness in our backyard,” he says, “still very wild and remote.” Remote because the Nature Conservancy designated the Altamaha a bioreserve in 1991, limiting its access. Only five roadways, including I-95, intersect the waterway, a far cry from centuries of settlement, from prehistoric Timucua people to commercial loggers in the 19th century, with Spanish and French explorers, colonial war heroes, and prosperous planters in between.

Enjoying 30 years of seclusion, the river’s estuary as it approaches the Atlantic is home to some 120 rare or endangered plants and animals: old-growth longleaf pine and black oak, and cypress dating back 1,300 years.

Atlantic sturgeon and West Indian manatees swim in the Altahama’s wa-ters, while shorebirds like American Oystercatchers nest on its sandbars, and owls, woodpeckers, and raptors soar overhead. Hence, the unofficial moniker, “Georgia’s Little Amazon,” and perhaps more appropriately, “Where God Comes to Think.”

ST. SIMONS ISLAND

St. Simons Trolley

Number one on your itinerary on a visit to the Island should be a trip on St. Simons Trolley, one of the South’s most acclaimed tours for 30 years. Rated #1 on TripAdvisor, St. Simons Trolley conducts the definitive historical tour of St. Simons Island. Riding in a classic white air-conditioned trolley, you’ll thoroughly enjoy this informative, highly entertaining tour, which takes you to all of the island’s historic sites. See the iconic lighthouse, Avenue of the Oaks, Bloody Marsh battle site, Fort Frederica, and all points of interest in between, including a walking tour at Christ Church. Join our guides for a funny and charming hour and a half experience in true southern fashion. Trolley tours leave every day at 11 a.m. from beneath the big oak tree by the Pier in the Village, at 117 Mallery Street. stsimonstrolley.com 912.638.8954

ST. SIMONS ISLAND

The Stables at Frederica

Horses and a rich equestrian heritage have long been a part of Georgia’s barrier islands. The Stables at Frederica continues this tradition. St. Simons Island’s premier equestrian center offers a professional riding school, horse boarding, and recreation for experienced and novice riders alike.

For the ultimate beach-riding adventure saddle up for a Sea Island Beach Ride.

Riders 10 and older can experience the natural wonders of the coastline during a relaxing 90-minute horseback ride on a

private beach on the south end of Sea Island. Marsh Rides are available for younger riders and those that want to explore the rarely-seen paths through the wetlands that dominate the Golden Isles’ vistas.

The Stables at Frederica introduces children and those young at heart to horses at their main facility situated on the north end of St. Simons Island. Through pony rides, lessons, and special events, riders can begin a lifelong journey into the world of horses.

thestablesatfrederica.com 912.434.4760

JEKYLL ISLAND

Summer Waves Water Park

Amid the peace and serenity of Jekyll Island is an exciting family attraction – Summer Waves Water Park Known for its cool, refreshing waters, pristine surroundings, and amazing views of the Jekyll River, Summer Waves offers a variety of ways to beat the heat this season.

From lazy laps around Turtle Creek to the highspeed, four-slide thrill of Man o’ War, there’s no limit to the special memories you’ll make. Whether it’s your family, friends or group, come on in. The water’s perfect.

ST. SIMONS ISLAND

Island Bicycle

Conveniently located in the Pier Village on St. Simons Island, Island Bicycle provides one of the best ways to explore the Golden Isles. Leave your car behind and opt for two wheels instead! Enjoy the fresh ocean air, take in the sights and sounds, and get a little exercise, too. With a fleet of more than 200 top-of-the line 3G bicycles, you’ll find the best quality bikes and customer service. Island Bicycle has years of experience and a vast knowledge not only of bicycles, but of the Golden Isles, too. The team at Island Bicycle will gladly provide you with top notch customer service, high quality equipment, and recommendations of the best routes and trails. Stop by Island Bicycle today to experience St. Simons Island in the best way possible, a 3G bike! islandbicycle.co 912.268.2541

Island Carts

Cruise around the Golden Isles in an open air golf cart. Perfect for groups and families of all sizes, Island Carts on St. Simons Island offers the most reliable and economical island transportation service in the Golden Isles. Enjoy a scenic ride as you head to the beach for the day, or soak up a little nightlife on an after-dinner cruise. Island Carts provides eco-friendly and street legal golf carts to suit your transportation needs during your stay on Jekyll Island, St. Simons Island and Sea Island. Island Carts conveniently offers hourly, daily, weekly and monthly rates with free drop off and pick-up. Slow down and live like a local on your golf cart provided by Island Carts. You’re on island time after all!

islandcarts4rent.com 912.268.2541

ST. SIMONS ISLAND

Southeast Adventure

While in the Golden Isles, join SouthEast Adventure Outfitters for an exciting tour of the waterways of Coastal Georgia. Since 1994, their passion has been sharing the beautiful Marshes of Glynn. With two stores and private docks, getting on the water is a breeze. Featuring the largest selection of kayaks on the coast, finding the perfect one is easy. Kayaking and boating tours are offered daily, exploring some of the most beautiful areas around St. Simons, Sea Island, Little St. Simons and Jekyll Islands. More adventurous excursions include the Satilla and Altamaha Rivers, or Cumberland, Sapelo, and Blackbeard Islands. The possibilities are endless with more than one-third of the eastern seaboard’s marshes within Georgia’s 100 miles of coast. The St. Simons store in the Pier Village has the information and goods to make your visit a great one. Please view their schedule online as times change with the tides.

southeastadventure.com 912.638.6732

Jekyll Island Boat Tours

Jekyll Island’s waterways are home to one of world’s largest populations of bottlenose dolphin. Watch these incredible creatures with Jekyll Island Boat Tours The company offers a narrated, 90-minute exploration of the waterways to view bottlenose dolphins and other wildlife in their habitat. Board a comfortable, U.S. Coast Guard-certified boat and depart from Jekyll Wharf. From there, master mariners navigate the scenic waterways and tell passengers about the ecology of the Georgia coastline while pointing out dolphins at play, sea turtles, osprey, and working fishing boats. Jekyll Island Boat Tours also offers private group tours and sunset tours for a fascinating and memorable way to experience the region’s natural beauty. captainphillip.com 912.635.3152

String of Pearls

This beautifully restored 71-foot yacht offers a variety of charter options, including public sunset/dolphin cruises and private charters. Design your own cruise, which can include simple cruising, exploring private islands, shark tooth hunting, shelling, fishing, and more for a memorable time. stringofpearlsssi.com 706.255.0975

ST. SIMONS ISLAND

High Tide Aviation

Experience panoramic views of the Golden Isles as you soar above the beaches in a Cessna Skyhawk with High Tide Aviation. Choose from three different scenic tours or design your own custom tour. Flights include seating for three passengers in a fully enclosed, comfortable cockpit with headsets provided. During your flight you’ll get a narrated tour of historic sights — you may even spot dolphins or wild horses on Cumberland Island. All tours are by appointment (weight restrictions apply). flyhightide.com 912.434.4843

Emerald Princess Casino

Enjoy offshore gaming action as you take in the beauty of the Golden Isles. Departing from the Sidney Lanier Bridge at the Jekyll Island Causeway, the Emerald Princess Casino cruise ship guarantees a fun-filled excursion, with four decks and a variety of exciting gaming options. Try your hand at blackjack, EP stud poker, roulette, craps, triple time poker, bingo, more than 250 slots, and much more. The Emerald Princess Casino is more than just games. Head to the Bistro Deck on the third level for delicious dining and live entertainment. Take a break from the gaming excitement and check out the unbeatable ocean views and refreshing sea breezes from the fourth-level Observation Deck. When you cruise aboard the Emerald Princess Casino, your winning is just beginning!

emeraldprincesscasino.com 800.842.0115

Must be 21 years of age and present a valid government issued ID to board.

Celebrating 29 years sharing the beautiful Golden Isles.

ST. SIMONS ISLAND

JEKYLL ISLAND

JEKYLL ISLAND

ST. SIMONS ISLAND

PHOTO: BETTY HAYNES

ST. SIMONS ISLAND

Lighthouse Trolley Tours

Discover St. Simons Island and Jekyll Island with Lighthouse Trolley Tours, locally owned and operated by Catherine and Cap Fendig. Enjoy a trolley sightseeing history tour with on-off stops at major historical sites. Or take an evening family-themed ghost tour to explore the lore and legends of the island. Trolley tours are operated on both St. Simons Island and Jekyll Island, and private tours are available. lighthousetrolleys.com 912.638.3333

Lighthouse Dolphin Tours

Experience the best of coastal Georgia with a boat tour from Lighthouse Trolley and Dolphin Tours Locally owned and operated by Cap Fendig, guests can enjoy a boat tour of the inland coastal waterways and calm marshland rivers. Take a fishing charter, go for a dolphin tour, or end the day with a sunset cruise. Tours depart from Morningstar Marina on St. Simons Island. Private boat tours are also available. lighthousetrolleys.com 912.638.3333

Activities & Tours

RENTALS

Cruise e-Bike Rentals 912.602.4027 cruiseebikes.com E-Bicycles

Electric Coast 912.602.5015 electriccoast.co E-Bicycles

Island Bicycle 912.268.2541 islandbicycle.com Bicycles

Island Carts 912.268.2541 islandcarts4rent.com Golf Carts

Island Time Golf Cart Rentals 912.657.0463 beachcownuts.com/golf-cart-rentals Golf Carts

Pedego Electric Bikes 912.357.3950 pedegoelectricbikes.com E-Bicycles

SouthEast Adventure Outfitters 912.638.6732 southeastadventure.com Kayaks, Hobie Fishing Kayaks, Paddleboards

White Rabbit Rents 912.434.7203 whiterabbitrents.com Motor Scooters

MARINAS

Brunswick Landing Marina 912.262.9264 brunswicklandingmarina.com Full Service, Overnight, Repairs, Fuel, Yacht Club, Deepwater Access

CHARTERS/GUIDES

Burning Reels Charters 912.580.1683 burningreelscharter.com Inshore, Offshore Charters, Scuba Diving, Spear Fishing

Hook and Knife Charters 912.399.3813 hookandknifecharters.com Inshore, Offshore Charters

Jekyll Island Boat Tours 912.635.3152 captainphillip.com Dolphin, Sightseeing, Private

Lighthouse Dolphin Tours 912.638.3333 lighthousetrolleys.com Dolphin, Eco-Tour, Fishing, Shrimping, Sunset, Private

SouthEast Adventure Outfitters 912.638.6732 southeastadventure.com Eco-Cruising, Kayak, Kayak Fishing, Tours

String of Pearls 706.255.0975 stringofpearlsssi.com Private Charters, Harbor Cruise, Sunset Cruise

Tall Ship Lynx 978.479.2197 tallshiplynx.com Tours, Sunset, Private

TOURS

Bike the Islands

912.230.6848 biketheislands.com Bike Tours, Sunrise Tour, Midday Tour

Brunswick Old Town Tours 912.584.0165 brunswickoldtowntours.com Historic District, Squares, Downtown Experience

Golden Isles Touring 912.342.9552 goldenislestouring.com History Tours, Private Tours, Step-On Guide

Heritage Tours 912.227.6185 theheritage.tours Walking Tours, Bus Tours, Car Tours, Step-On Tours

High Tide Aviation Tours 910.477.1926 flyhightide.com Scenic Air Tours, Helicopter Flights, Custom Tours

Jekyll Island Historic Tours 912.635.4036 jekyllisland.com Historical, Faith Chapel, Landmark Experience

Lady Jane Shrimpin’ Excursions 912.265.5711 shrimpcruise.com Scientific, Educational, Shrimping

Lighthouse Trolleys Tours 912.638.3333 lighthousetrolleys.com Trolley, Private, Wedding

St. Simons Trolley Tours 912.638.8954 stsimonstours.com Historical Trolley Tours, Private, Wedding

MORE FUN

East Beach Yoga 912.771.9021 eastbeachyogassi.com Yoga, Barre, Step, Feng Shui

Emerald Princess Casino Cruises 912.265.3558 emeraldprincesscasino.com Casino Boat Cruise (21 and over)

Georgia Sea Turtle Center 912.635.4444 jekyllisland.com/gstc Sea Turtle Rehabilitation & Education Center, Gift Shop

Summer Waves Water Park 912.635.2074 jekyllisland.com Water Slides, Lazy River, Wave Pool, Cabanas

The Stables at Frederica 912.434.4760 thestablesatfrederica.com Horseback Riding, Beach Tours, Marsh Tours, Trail Rides

The Tinted Tide 912.580.2530 thetintedtide.com Pottery Painting, Mobile Art Studio

TopGolf Swing Suite 912.638.5856 seaisland.com Golf Simulator, Baseball, Soccer, Zombie Dodgeball, Carnival Games

ST. SIMONS ISLAND

DINING

Patties & Pastries

Hungry? How about a “Canuck,” a beef patty dripping with Canadian bacon and poutine, and for dessert, a light cinnamon brioche donut? Look no further than St. Simons Island’s Certified Burgers & Beverage and its sister restaurant, Dulce Dough Bakery, where owners David and Ryanne Carrier put their own spin on the two classics of American comfort food.

The two chefs hadn’t planned on settling in the Golden Isles. Rather, “It chose us,” says Ryanne (pronounced “Ryan”), explaining that job opportunities at Sea Island brought them to the area that soon won their hearts. “The people are what make it special,” Ryanne observes, emphasizing their supportive cohorts in the restaurant industry. Before long, the Carriers identified a niche in the area’s dining scene: a casual establishment that would attract both high-end and middle markets.

“Everyone loves a burger,” David observes.

Since 2015, his customers have clamored for Certified Burgers’ patties, made from locally sourced beef and ground-in house, “reminiscent of 30 to 40 years ago,” David says. He deems a burger the perfect “canvas” for experimenting with toppings, flavors, and both ethnic and regional traditions — such the aforementioned “Canuck,” though “The American,” with lettuce, cheese, mayo, tomato, and a pickle is a crowd favorite. In addition to craft burgers, David serves up craft cocktails, distilled spirits, and non-alcoholic beverages such as egg creams — a nod to his New York roots — and good ole Southern sweet tea.

The sweet life came calling about six months after Certified Burger had opened, when Ryanne suggested serving brunch, but David nixed the idea. “The only credit I can take,” he now jokes of the Carriers’ next

concept and Ryanne’s alternative to brunch: cinnamon and cake donuts that sold like what else? — hotcakes.

Fast-forward to 2020, when Dulce Dough opened its doors, serving Ryanne’s light, brioche-based donuts. Avoiding over-the-top fads like smothering the pastries in cereal or cookie dough, she affirms that “If we don’t make it, it doesn’t go on the donut.” Fresh ingredients such as strawberries and droolworthy Valrhona chocolate inform glazes and fillings — and because Ryanne controls the sugar content, her creations are healthier.

“My customers tell me, ‘I ate five donuts without thinking about it!’” she laughs.

For those who can’t afford the luxury of a sweet treat — or three squares a day — the Carriers initiated Meals to Heal, a program prompted by the pandemic to feed families in need. “It was truly a community effort,” Ryanne reflects, lauding Golden Isles residents and fellow restaurateurs who “went above and beyond.” The program stems from the Carriers’ natural congeniality, influenced by Ryanne’s Sicilian grandmother, who held family and community dear. “Our personalities are fun and casual; food is family, and casual,” David muses.

His initial vision of a high-end burger spot is the gift that keeps on giving. Last year, the Carriers opened Certified Pantry & Provisions for catered and grab-and-go meals, and they’re considering cooking classes, perhaps a food trailer (“Take the Dough on the road,” Ryanne quips), maybe some events at Certified Burger.

A community feast, if you will, served with artistry and seasoned with love.

David and Ryanne Carrier transform hamburgers and donuts into works of art.

FROM THE SEA

Standouts from Golden Isles’ waters fill local plates.

Dining

ST. SIMONS ISLAND

Barbara Jean’s Restaurant 912.634.6500 Pier Village, 214 Mallery St. barbarajeans.com

CONSIDER THE OYSTER its shell forbidding and razor-sharp. Shuck one and you know how determined they are not to be eaten. But within, luminous mother of pearl encloses a toothsome and perfect morsel. Eat it raw. Steam it. Fry it. Rockefeller it with spinach. And the world will be your oyster.

The Good Earth

t’s the difference between a 9-to-5 job and his chosen profession that drives restaurateur Zack Gowen. “Every day is a different challenge,” says the Golden Isles native and owner of the iconic Georgia Sea Grill and Three Little Birds Fly In, Fly Out, a catering business that has morphed into a grab-andgo, informal eatery and supplier of another Gowen family establishment, Village Creek Landing (see “Leading Lights,” page 55). Gowen delights in the variety of people involved in the local food scene, the “characters” and “nice network of farmers,” and perhaps most important: “There’s always something new and creative. All of a sudden cauliflower is hot, or beets.”

But he leaves those trends to Sam McPherson, his cultivator of Gowen’s Potlikker Farms, launched in 2018. “We grow a lot of tomatoes, okra, Potlikker Peas, (a variation of Sapelo Island and Sea Island red peas), turmeric, ginger, sunflowers, depending on the seasons,” Gowen notes. A recent agriculture grant allowed them to install a high hoop tunnel for growing produce such as lettuce and spinach indoors during the winter months.

The point, of course, is to infuse Chef Tim Lensch’s creations with the freshest ingredients possible. When barbecued, the peas, in addition to collards and stewed tomatoes, complement local seafood — oysters on the half-shell, scallops, and fried catfish raised in nearby Camden County at Gowen’s Satilla Ponds. The Southern staple is a versatile canvas for dishes like fish tacos, it’s sustainable, and most important, Gowen muses, “It’s telling a story,” though he had his doubts at the start of 2020’s lockdowns—just when the catfish had matured after 18 months.

“I thought: Am I dumb or crazy?”

Or maybe just enthusiastic to explore the next possibility. Last year Gowen opened Three Little Birds (a nickname for his three young daughters), and in 2023, a new spot is slated to open next door. Nest, Gowen says, will be “a wine/bistro hangout, more bohemian, with record players and books on the wall.” Most people would find Gowen’s pace exhausting, but the indefatigable entrepreneur views his contributions as an extension of his roots. “It’s so ingrained. A part of me. It’s natural and fun.”

FORGET THE FIRST oyster eater. It was surely a braver man who ate the first shrimp. And where better to sit down to deep-fat fried jumbos or peel’n’eat Atlantic shrimp than the Golden Isles? Available all year, this crustacean cousin to the lobster makes up 80 percent of Georgia’s seafood haul.

Brogen’s North 912.638.2060 3600 Frederica Rd., #1 brogensnorthssi.com

Brogen’s South 912.638.1660 Pier Village, 200 Pier Alley brogens.com/brogens-south

The Bubble Bar 912.268.4359 Redfern Village, 295 Redfern Village twofriends2.com

Certified Burgers & Beverage 912.268.4330 44 Midway Sq. certifiedburgersandbeverage.com

Certified Pantry & Provisions 912.771.8659 24 Midway Sq. certifiedpantry.com

Chile Peppers Island Cantina 912.268.4635 Retreat Village, 118 Retreat Village facebook.com/chilepeppersislandcantina

Dulce Dough Bakery 912.771.8487 1624 Frederica Rd., Unit 1 dulcedoughbakery.com

ECHO 912.268.5967 201 Arnold Rd. echostsimons.com

Ember 912.434.9384 Retreat Village, 70 Retreat Village emberf2f.com

Georgia Sea Grill 912.638.1197 Pier Village, 407 Mallery St. georgiaseagrill.com

Golden Isles Olive Oil Wine Bar 912.602.9736 1609 Frederica Rd. goldenislesoliveoil.com

Golden Isles Private Dining 402.507.9981 Various Private Homes & Locations goldenislesprivatedining.com

Halyards 912.638.9100 Shops at Sea Island, 55 Cinema Ln. halyardsrestaurant.com

Iguanas Seafood Restaurant 912.638.9650 Pier Village, 303 Mallery St. iguanasseafood.com

La Plancha Tacos & Ritas 912.434.6100 3600 Frederica Rd. laplancharestaurant.com

Mallery Street Café 912.634.7772 Pier Village, 408 Mallery St. mallerystreetcafe.net

Mellow Mushroom 912.291.9108 Pier Village, 440 Kings Way mellowmushroom.com

Moo Cow Ice Cream 912.638.1350 Pier Village, 541 Ocean Blvd. #4828 moocowssi.com

The Market at Sea Island 912.638.5800 351 Sea Island Rd. seaisland.com/dining/the-market

Palmer’s Village Café 912.634.5515 Pier Village, 223 Mallery St. palmersvillagecafe.com

Porch 912.634.5168 Pier Village, 549 Ocean Blvd. porchssi.com

Sago 912.434.5340 Sea Palms Resort, 515 N. Windward Dr. dineatsago.com

Sandy Bottom Bagels 912.434.9310 Retreat Village, 242 Retreat Village sandybottombagels.com

Sea Salt Healthy Kitchen 912.268.4137 Retreat Village, 130 Retreat Village seasalthealthykitchen.com

Southern Soul 912.638.7685 2020 Demere Rd. southernsoulbbq.com

St. Simons Crêpes 808.285.9284 Pier Village, 215 Mallery St. Suite 5 stsimonscrepes.com

The Pub at Village Inn 912.634.6056 Pier Village, 500 Mallery St. villageinnandpub.com

Three Little Birds 912.771.8787 Pier Village, 509 Ocean Blvd. georgiaseagrill.com/three-little-birds

Tramici 912.634.2202 Shops at Sea Island, 75 Cinema Ln. tramicirestaurant.com

V Pizza 912.771.1919 Shops at Sea Island, 600 Sea Island Rd. vpizza.com

Wake Up Coffee Co. 912.268.2429 50 Aviator Plaza, Suite 106 wakeupcoffeeco.com

JEKYLL ISLAND

Beach House 912.319.0033 715 N. Beachview Dr. jibeachhouse.com

Eighty Ocean Kitchen & Bar 912.635.5238 Jekyll Island Club, 80 Ocean Way jekyllclub.com

Grand Dining Room 912.635.5155 Jekyll Island Club Resort, 371 Riverview Dr. jekyllclub.com

EVERYONE KNOWS blue crabs are Callinectes, “beautiful swimmers,” but who knew their Latin last name, sapidus, means “delectable.” Whether Jimmies (males) or Sooks (females), crabs are feisty and ill-tempered critters. But once they turn scarlet red in the pot, they couldn’t be sweeter.

The Pantry 912.635.5203 Jekyll Island Club Resort, 371 Riverview Dr. jekyllclub.com

The Pool House 912.635.5131 Jekyll Island Club Resort, 371 Riverview Dr. jekyllclub.com

Tortuga Jack’s 912.342.2600 201 N. Beachview Dr. tortugajacks.com

The Wharf 912.635.3612 Jekyll Island Club Resort, 371 Riverview Dr. jekyllwharf.com

BRUNSWICK

Fish Tales Pub and Grill 912.262.9663 7445 Blythe Island Hwy. southernretreatrvpark.com/fish-talespub-and-grill

Silver Bluff Brewing Company 912.275.7024 1325 Newcastle St. silverbluff.com

Tipsy McFly’s Airport Bar & Grill 912.275.8181 295 Aviation Pkwy., Suite 153 facebook.com/tipsymcflys

Tipsy McSway’s Neighborhood Bar & Grill 912.267.9991 1414 Newcastle St. tipsymcsways.com

Tortuga Jack’s 912.289.0050 290 Frontage Rd. tortugajacks.com

Wake Up Coffee Co. 912.342.8467 3349 Cypress Mill Rd. wakeupcoffeeco.com

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GIFTS

Golden Isles

Olive Oil At The Market Place

Golden Isles Olive Oil At The Market Place is the newest hotspot for locals to gather. The Wine Bar offers one of the largest selection of wines by the glass in the Golden Isles. Our chefs have created a foodie sensation with tasty treats and small bites focusing on healthy eating. Join us for lunch, an afternoon break, dinner or dessert. Daily wine tastings are the perfect break for enjoying the best of the island. Open Sunday and Monday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m, Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. goldenislesoliveoil.com 912.602.9736

Chow For Now

Fast food ain’t what it used to be! Fresh grab-and-go options will fuel your days exploring the Golden Isles.

WINGIN’ IT

Waiting for the fish to bite? Zack Gowen’s perch, Three Little Birds, Fly In, Fly Out, in Pier Village on St. Simons Island will fill your belly with scrambled eggs, bacon, and grits, and your cooler with containers of chicken salad and pimento cheese.

STOCKED MARKET

After a round of 18, cool off with a glass of Sea Island sweet tea at the Market at Sea Island and peruse its selection of fine wines and charcuterie — just the ticket for refueling with friends at happy hour.

FEEDING THE HANGRY HORDES

A full day and the whole fam’s famished. Where to? St. Simons’ Pantry & Certified Provisions, whose takeaway meals — like barbecue ribs with fried green beans, coleslaw, and Jamaican pica peppa sauce — will take the edge off.

Halyard Restaurant Group

It’s the attention to small details that makes for consistently great experiences at all of the Halyard Restaurant Group locations. In addition to cuisine variety and stellar service, Halyards, La Plancha, and Tramici offer dine-in, takeout, and delivery.

The upscale environment of Halyards — Chef Dave Snyder’s original St. Simons Island dining venture — provides the perfect night out for Southern coastal classics, Georgia seafood, and top wine selections. Try the catch of the day, or indulge in the Halyards Burger,

stacked high with white American cheese, crispy applewood bacon, caramelized onion, and housemade pickles. With a locally sourced menu full of favorites, you can’t go wrong. halyardsrestaurant.com 912.638.9100

All your Mexican favorites — quesadillas, fajitas, tacos, burritos, and nachos — are ready at La Plancha Whether it’s specialty ‘ritas at the bar with friends, or queso, guac, and Chef Adam’s killer beans, the menu options at this Latin food hotspot make it a must. laplancharestaurant.com 912.434.6100

Enjoy Italian for lunch or dinner at Tramici the ideal spot for meeting with friends. Start with an antipasti sampler. Then choose a caprese, Caesar, or seasonal salad — the perfect precursor to a hot sandwich, pasta with housemade sauce, or a crispy brick oven-baked pizza. tramicirestaurant.com 912.634.2202

We welcome you to our tables. Explore the tastes of St. Simons and visit Halyards, La Plancha, or Tramici. Online ordering and delivery available.

Halyards

Tramici La Plancha

ST. SIMONS ISLAND

ST. SIMONS ISLAND

Market at Sea Island

Palmer’s Village Café

Where breakfast is served all day and lunch is on point. Palmer’s Village Café was created by Palmer Fortune and John Belechak. Palmer’s has been voted “Best Breakfast/ Brunch” by Elegant Island Living nine years running and named “4th Best Pancakes in America” by Travel + Leisure.

Born of friendship, a love of great food and the spirit of service. From both men come a true sense of hospitality, a passion for excellence, and the idea that life and food should be thoroughly enjoyed. That’s why everything from the amazing ground sausage to the famous tomato jam is crafted in-house daily from the freshest local and regional ingredients.

The service is friendly. You’ll feel like a local from the moment you walk through the old wooden door. Dress down or up. It’s all about the food and great company at Palmer’s Village Café. Open seven days a week, 7:30 a.m–2 pm. palmersvillagecafe.com 912.634.5515

Porch

ST. SIMONS ISLAND

Iguanas Seafood Restaurant

No visit to the Golden Isles would be complete without sampling the bounty of the local waters. Seafood delicacies like Wild Georgia Shrimp, with its incomparable freshness and flavor, are the specialty of Iguanas Seafood Restaurant

This St. Simons Island restaurant is the go-to spot for Wild Georgia Shrimp, harvested off the coast and offered up fried, blackened, or broiled. Iguanas Seafood Restaurant is committed to supporting the local shrimping industry, and it’s that commitment that inspires the menu of expertly prepared shrimp and seafood dishes, served with gracious Southern hospitality.

Take a seat on the covered outdoor patio or bright indoor space. Start with a seafood appetizer, or go for ultra-fresh peel-n-eat shrimp, grilled oysters, or crab cakes. The array of entrees will make it hard to decide (though the shrimp dinner, served fried,

blackened or broiled, is a popular choice.)

Sandwiches, traditional Southern sides, and Iguanas’ complimentary dish or cone of soft-serve ice cream tops off your memorable meal.

Find Iguanas Seafood Restaurant in the historic Pier Village. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner, and has plenty of seating for small and large groups. iguanasseafood.com 912.638.9650

ST. SIMONS ISLAND

ST. SIMONS ISLAND

ST. SIMONS ISLAND

Southern Soul BBQ

Barbecue with the perfect amount of smoke and soul – it’s what Southern Soul BBQ does best. This popular smokehouse specializes in pork, ribs, brisket and all the fixins’, plus Lowcountry favorites and authentic Brunswick stew. Set a mile from the beach in a spot that once housed a service station, Southern Soul boasts plenty of rustic charm to go along with its mouthwatering menu. Sit inside or grab a table under the spacious awning and help yourself to tasty barbecue and a frosty beverage. Carry out and catering also available southernsoulbbq.com 912.638.7685

ST. SIMONS ISLAND

Mellow Mushroom

When you go to Mellow Mushroom in the Village on St. Simons Island, be sure to see Blanche. You can’t miss her on the back patio. The stately 300-yearold oak tree — recognized by the Live Oak Society — is the centerpiece of the restaurant and the spacious outdoor dining space. Lively art and design, like the soaring ceiling, repurposed etched-glass windows and chairs made from recycled Coca-Cola bottles, enhance the eclectic atmosphere. After taking in the welcoming vibe, enjoy the menu of hand-tossed, stone-baked pizzas and other delicious fare, along with a robust selection of beers (including Georgia favorites) and bourbon selections. mellowmushroom.com 912.291.9108

ST. SIMONS ISLAND

Certified Burger

Go where the locals go for great burgers and more. St. Simons Island’s Certified Burgers and Beverage has gained a following for its creative menu of grass-fed burgers, tasty sandwiches, and robust beer selection.

Chef David Carrier’s menu reflects global influences, local ingredients, and a dedication to quality. Take the Canuck — a hand-cut burger topped with Canadian bacon and poutine.

Certified Burgers and Beverage also serves fresh salads and sides, and caters to gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan eaters. Looking for 5-star food to go? Check out Certified Pantry and Provisions, offering family meals, charcuterie plates, and premium ingredients and items to take home.

certifiedburgersandbeverage.com certifiedpantry.com 912.268.4330

Wake Up Coffee Company

As “a people shop that loves coffee,” Wake Up Coffee Company is all about the local and global community. Step into any one of their four locations (two on St. Simons Island and two in Brunswick), and you’ll be greeted with a warm, welcoming atmosphere. Wake Up Coffee Company serves and sells ethically and responsibly sourced, small-batch roast coffees from around the world. As a fixture in the community, Wake Up Coffee Company hosts pop-up shops and events throughout the year. Come in for a cup of joe or a specialty drink and sample some local baked goods, then take home a mug or tumbler and fresh roasted beans to enjoy at home.

wakeupcoffeeco.com 912.268.2429

Barbara Jean’s

Barbara Jean’s Restaurant is a Pier Village fixture known for its heavy Southern dining and award-winning seafood. Start off with freshly baked bread before feasting on seafood or other entrees. Try the legendary crab cakes, a local favorite, that are prepared with lump crabmeat and cooked to perfection. Fruit cobbler, bread pudding, or the tantalizing Chocolate Stuff is a sweet finale. barbarajeans.com 912.634.6500

Brogen’s South

Every island town needs a classic hangout, and Brogen’s South fits the bill. An island institution since 1983, Brogen’s South has been serving up delicious burgers and more to locals and delighted visitors. Part of Brogen’s charm is its history — the space once served as humble bait and tackle shop. Today, this neighborhood hangout is known for its casual atmosphere. Come hang out on the upstairs covered patio, or kick back on the outside deck overlooking the water, and enjoy the island vibes and delicious food and well-rounded bar offerings. Go for their burgers, wings, sandwiches, or their hearty salads — all tasty ways to enjoy the lively, lovely St. Simons Island setting. brogens.com/brogens-south 912.638.1660

Local Flavor

Sensational cuisine and a dedication to locally sourced ingredients make Georgia Sea Grill and Three Little Birds, Fly In, Fly Out two of St. Simons Islands’ favorites.

At Georgia Sea Grill, pair a fresh catch with a glass of wine from the wine bar’s curated collection of international varietals. Enjoy a quick bite after work with friends from the First Call menu, go big with a lamb rack or pork tenderloin scaloppini, or dine on coastal classics like fresh Georgia shrimp and grits or sustainably raised catfish. Georgia Sea Grill’s dedication to local includes using seasonal components from its own Potlikker Farm and Satilla Ponds, a sustainable catfish farm. georgiaseagrill.com 912.638.1197

At Three Little Birds, Fly In Fly Out come in for a fresh, made-to-order home-style breakfast or lunch, build an unforgettable beach or gift basket, and grab a chef-made heat-and-serve meal for the family for dinner. Grab a cold beer or a glass of wine and dine on the covered patio. Stock up on the selection of snacks and sundries. Find the day’s fresh picks from an assortment of locally grown produce. Or call to cater everything from team lunches to elegant evening affairs with Three Little Birds catering. threelittlebirdsssi.com 912.771.8787

ST. SIMONS ISLAND

Georgia Sea Grill

Three Little Birds, Fly In, Fly Out

Georgia Sea Grill

ST. SIMONS ISLAND

ST. SIMONS ISLAND

ST. SIMONS ISLAND

Brogen’s North

More than a restaurant and bar — Brogen’s North is an island rite of passage! This popular St. Simons Island eatery was recently renovated, giving diners even more comfort to enjoy the extensive menu of classic Southern staples. Everything from fresh seafood and steaks to burgers and sandwiches to pasta is made to order. Good food and a good time — see why locals and visitors alike keep coming back to Brogen’s North. brogensnorthssi.com 912.638.2060

V Pizza

From Naples, Italy to St. Simons Island — V Pizza is perfecting the art of Neapolitan pizza. Their specialty? Authentic, wood-fired pies made with simple, all-natural ingredients like San Marzano tomatoes and fresh mozzarella and cooked in classic pizza ovens fabricated in Italy. V Pizza also serves up excellent sandwiches, fresh salads, Italian classics like meatballs and calzones, and house-made desserts, for an unforgettable taste of Italy in a coastal Georgia setting. vpizza.com 912.771.1919

The Bubble Bar at Two Friends

The Bubble Bar at Two Friends is a wine and champagne bar designed to bring a little fun to your day of shopping. Enjoy a glass while browsing the retail boutique or stop in for a tipple with friends. Celebrate an occasion, grab a gift, or come out for a tasting night and savor Bubble Bar’s fabulous collection of wines. Open Monday through Friday 11 a.m. – 6 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., and closed Sundays. twofriends2.com 912.268.4359

Silver Bluff Brewing Company

Silver Bluff Brewing Company is bringing awardwinning craft beer to the Golden Isles. The production brewery, located at 1325 Newcastle Street in Historic Downtown Brunswick, boasts a 3,000-square-foot taproom and even larger beer garden with green space and private and community seating. As the largest production brewery in Glynn County and surrounding region, Silver Bluff produces beer for the taproom and for distribution.

Most recently, Silver Bluff was named a Best of Georgia Breweries winner by the Georgia Business Journal in 2021 and 2022. The brewery opened its doors in 2020 and that same year won an international Silver Medal from the U.S. Open Beer Championship for their flagship Mexican Lager. This and more than a dozen other offerings are available at the taproom and throughout the Golden Isles on draft and in cans.

Silver Bluff Brewing Company also hosts regular live music and food trucks and annual happenings including St. Patrick’s Day and Oktoberfest. Weddings, rehearsals, tastings, tours, and other private events can be arranged with their experienced team, and the beer garden and taproom serve as a casual yet elegant setting for hosts and guests. Silver Bluff Brewing Company’s taproom and beer garden are open to the public six days a week silverbluff.com 912.275.7024

ST. SIMONS ISLAND

ST. SIMONS ISLAND

BRUNSWICK

ST. SIMONS ISLAND

Beach House

Blessed with breathtaking views of the Atlantic, the Beach House sits just yards from the beach. The restaurant’s culinary team takes tremendous pride in creating a hunger-satisfying menu — handcrafted salads and appetizers, artisan pizza, and fresh local seafood beckon. Sit at the full wraparound bar and enjoy one of the largest draft beer selections in southeast Georgia, showcasing a variety of regional craft beers on 24 tap handles. Seating is available inside, outside, or on the spacious screened-in porch.

Located next to Beachview Club Hotel. jibeachhouse.com 912.319.0033

Tortuga Jack’s Jekyll Island

Home of the world-famous Big Tiki! As the only oceanfront tiki on the Georgia coast, Tortuga Jack’s serves up Baja Mexican dining and beach vibes in the heart of Jekyll Island. Come for shrimp tacos and other delicious food, handcrafted margaritas and cocktails, live music, and amazing views in a casual oceanfront setting. Even your dog can hang out on the pet-friendly tiki patio. tortugajacks.com 912.342.2600

Tortuga Jack’s Brunswick

Cap off a day of exploring Brunswick with Mexican food and casual vibes. Tortuga Jack’s convenient location off I-95’s exit 29 puts you within easy reach of local hotels and attractions. And you can’t beat the menu of tacos, fajitas, and other Baja Mexican fare plus tasty margaritas. Come out for happy hour between 3 and 6 p.m. every Monday – Friday and check the website for weekly specials, events, and live music. tortugajacks.com/Brunswick-exit-29 912.289.0050

ST. SIMONS ISLAND

The Shops at Sea Island

The Shops at Sea Island is ideally located at the corner of Frederica and Sea Island Roads on St. Simons Island. Here you’ll find Georgia’s only Harris Teeter grocery store, Bank of America, Wells Fargo Advisors, The UPS Store, along with an eclectic mix of local and national retailers. Shop for apparel at your favorite national retailers like J. McLaughlin, Talbot’s, Chico’s and Soma. Find exceptional brands like Crabtree & Evelyn, Lily Pulitzer, Vineyard Vines, Southern Tide and Yeti at fabulous local boutiques like Cloister Collection, Gentlemen’s and Lady Outfitters, and Sara Campbell. Pick out exquisite jewelry at Joseph Jewelers, a good beach read at GJ Ford Bookstore, and a fun gift at Whippersnappers Toys. Enjoy authentic, oven-fired Napoletana pizza at V Pizza. Work out the muscle kinks at Stretch Zone. Make a quick trip for some conveniences, or spend an afternoon browsing — Shops at Sea Island offers everything you need to make your St. Simons Island getaway complete.

shopsatseaisland

JEKYLL ISLAND

JEKYLL ISLAND

BRUNSWICK

SHOPPING

Priceless Eugenia Price, that is. Enjoy the author’s historic St. Simons Trilogy, starting with Lighthouse while you sip a warm beverage from a handmade mug by local artist Betsy Wall.

The Sweet Buy and Buy

(RE)TAILOR-MADE

The Golden Isles’ shops offer a range of items that appeal to all tastes.

FOR THE CULTURE VULTURE

A handsome brass compass from the Lighthouse Museum Store will remind you of your excursion to the 150-yearold St. Simons Lighthouse — and guide you back to the Golden Isles.

FOR THE NATURE-LOVER Wheel and deal at Pedego Electric Bikes St. Simons and — Namaste! — slip into some Free Soul gear for an outdoor class at East Beach Yoga. Or make waves in kayaks and on paddleboards from Southeast Adventure Outfitters while looking stylish in a custom SEA hat.

FOR THE GOURMAND

Tickle your tastebuds with Manzanilla, Arbequina, or our fave, bacon-infused EVOO at Golden Isles Olive Oil Company. Need a sugar buzz? Indulge in Savannah Bee’s Honey Hot sauce and Honey Spice Cakes.

FOR KIDDOS

Junior will rock a crab-themed T-shirt from SSI Lifestyle while cavorting on the beach. For rainy afternoons, how about decorating a plate or piggybank from The Tinted Tide’s selection of to-go pottery painting kits?

FOR

THE SHOPPING MAVEN

Support artisans from around the world with handmade items from 20 different countries at Rahab’s Rope, and sip a vintage from Two Friends’ Bubble Bar while you browse its selection of apparel, colorful housewares, and stationery.

FOR THE JACK-OF-ALL-TRADES Find the perfect memento at the Shops at Sea Island, home to a bookstore and a toy store, boutiques with the latest coastal fashions, and so much more.

Liquid Gold

Sip and savor the Golden Isles with its official beverage: Golden Isles IPA.

Soak in your memories of the Golden Isles by soaking up the suds of Silver Bluff Brewing Company’s Golden Isles IPA. Partnering with the Golden Isles CVB, the brewery reintroduced its awardwinning American IPA as the destination’s official beverage last fall. Made from five high-quality hop varieties, Golden Isles IPA boasts standout flavors of citrus and floral tinged with notes of orange marmalade, and a piney finish. Its balance of bitter hops and sweet malt will elicit your bittersweet longing for sunny afternoons on pristine beaches, the last hole of the back nine as you sank your final putt, or the quiet creek where your fishing line bobbed in the water. Celebrate the collaboration between the CVB and the brewery with a quaff of this golden elixir at Glynn County’s unofficial “front porch,” Silver Bluff’s beer garden in downtown Brunswick, and relive every golden hour of your stay by purchasing Golden Isles IPA in coastal markets, Valdosta, Athens and Atlanta — where Silver Bluff has sealed its sterling reputation.

Shopping

ST. SIMONS ISLAND

ALo Naturals

Savanah Bee Company

Discover the very best in specialty honey, mead, and beauty products made from honeybee hive ingredients at Savannah Bee Company

The brand’s heritage is rooted in St. Simons Island, where founder, head beekeeper, and native Ted Dennard developed his love of honeybees as a child. Visit the St. Simons Island store to experience his passion for honeybees and the exceptional products they bring to our world. savannahbee.com 912.771.8972

Golden Isles Olive Oil At The Market Place

The ultimate stop for gourmet cooks, wanna-be cooks, and anyone who likes good food. Shop the freshest and finest ultra premium extra virgin olive oils in the Golden Isles, including more than 60 flavors of fused and infused olive oils and vinegars. Their large selection of cheeses, charcuterie, handmade pastas, sauces, honey, jams and other gourmet delights are available for pick-up or concierge shopping. Find tasty prepared foods from their take-and-bake menu and take-out from the regular menu. The patio is open for dining and wine. Serving lunch, brunch and small bites. goldenislesoliveoil.com 912.602.9736

Redfern Village, 265 Redfern Village 912.623.0005 alonaturals.com

Beach Cow Nut Company Redfern Village, 216 Redfern Village beachcownuts.com

East Beach Yoga 1201 & 1205 Ocean Blvd. 912.771.9021 eastbeachyogassi.com

Golden Isles Bracelet Co. Pier Village, 215 Mallery St. 912.638.3636 gibcobracelets.com

Golden Isles Olive Oil 1609 Frederica Rd. 912.602.9736 goldenislesoliveoil.com

Lighthouse Museum Store Pier Village, 610 Beachview Dr. 912.638.4666 coastalgeorgiahistory.org

Live Oak Shop Pier Village, 529 Beachview Dr. 912.638.9014 goldenisles.com

The Market at Sea Island 351 Sea Island Rd. 912.638.5800 seaisland.com/dining/the-market

Rahab’s Rope Pier Village, 320 Mallery St. 912.434.6059 rahabsrope.com

Savannah Bee Company Pier Village, 315 Mallery St. 912.771.8972 savannahbee.com

Shops at Sea Island Intersection of Frederica Rd. & Sea Island Rd. facebook.com/ShopsAtSeaIsland

SouthEast Adventure Outfitters Pier Village, 313 Mallery St. 912.638.6732 southeastadventure.com

SSI Lifestyle Retreat Village, 4 Retreat Pl. 912.223.2324 ssilifestyle.com

Viola’s Market Redfern Village, 267 Redfern Village 912.638.3399 violasmarket.com

JEKYLL ISLAND

Georgia Sea Turtle Center 214 Stable Rd. 912.635.4444 jekyllisland.com/gstc

Mosaic, Jekyll Island Museum 100 Stable Rd. 912.635.4036 jekyllisland.com

BRUNSWICK

Golden Isles Mattress 208 Harrison Ln. 912.602.5009 goldenislesmattress.com

The Market on Newcastle 1624 Newcastle St. 912.554.7909 facebook.com/themarketonnewcatle

SouthEast Adventure Outfitters 1200 Glynn Ave. 912.265.5292 southeastadventure.com

Silver Bluff Brewing Company 1325 Newcastle St. 912.275.7024 silverbluff.com

Two Friends

This chic lifestyle boutique showcases an impeccable mix of clothing, shoes, jewelry, art, home accessories and gifts. Owner and curator Marti Tolleson designed Two Friends to capture the essence of this Southern coastal resort destination and her unique style and outlook. Established in 2000, Two Friends has evolved from an appointment-only micro-boutique to one of the most popular shops in the Golden Isles. Don’t miss The Bubble Bar where you can sip wines from around the world while shopping. twofriends2.com 912.268.4359

ST. SIMONS ISLAND

East Beach Yoga

East Beach Life, LLC is home to East Beach Yoga Boutique and Studio, in the heart of East Beach. In our retail boutique, score all the essentials — as a Free People and lululemon Authorized Retailer, East Beach carries the finest seasonal styles, your favorite core pieces, and gear to keep up your practice six days a week.

Engage your body and mind through a hybrid-model of online, in-studio, on the beach, public and private classes, events, and retreats. Our practice is powerful and unique, combining movement and mindfulness to increase your personal well-being.

eastbeachyogassi.com 912.771.9021 @eastbeachyoga

ST. SIMONS ISLAND

ST. SIMONS ISLAND

ST. SIMONS ISLAND

WEDDINGS

Where better to start your journey together than the Golden Isles?

Worth a Thousand Words

Meet the talent behind renowned wedding vendor Brooke Roberts Photography.

There are not many times in a person’s life when they’re surrounded by all the people they love most. And then their partner — the person they love deeply — has that too? It’s an incredible thing to see; and it’s even more incredible to document,” says Brooke Roberts, who owns her eponymous business, Brooke Roberts Photography, with her husband, Paul.

The couple met at the University of Wolverhampton in England, where they were both pursuing art degrees. As they married and made their move to the United States, Paul and Brooke already knew they loved coastal living, so when an opportunity to settle in the Golden Isles arose, they jumped at the chance.

Although specializing in weddings was never the plan, when Brooke was invited to shoot the nuptials of a dear friend, she was surprised to learn she loved it. “I realized I had a passion for photographing love, and the unique perspective that photographing weddings gives you on life,” she recalls.

Paul began joining Brooke at events, business took off, and soon both partners were able to leave other jobs to pursue photography full time. In the 16 years since launching their business, the couple has become parents, mastered the art of work-life balance, and earned a glowing reputation for Golden Isles weddings.

Paul is particularly skilled at capturing candids, and Brooke says she enjoys finding the best light and angles for dramatic, artsy shots. Together, they aim to be storytellers, so

that when a couple looks back at the pictures from their special day, they feel they can relive it all over again.

“The Golden Isles is quite the wedding destination, and we’re really grateful to live in a community that helps all couples celebrate their love story,” Brooke surmises. “We feel good about humanity because we get to witness this kind of love.”

Learn more at brookerobertsphotography.com.

“I realized I had a passion for photographing love, and the unique perspective that photographing weddings gives you on life.”

-Brooke Roberts

TIME WELL SPENT

Beyond the wedding activities, wedding guests can make the most of their stay in the Golden Isles.

HAVE A FULL DAY?

It’s hard to beat a day at the beach, unless you’d rather join fellow anglers on a guided fishing charter, or tee up on one of the area’s world-class golf courses.

HAVE A HALF DAY?

Via horseback, kayak, paddleboard, motorboat and more, enjoy a guided tour of the area’s salt marshes and marine wildlife. Or hop aboard a leisurely sunset cruise.

ONLY HAVE A FEW HOURS?

Bring your bike — or rent one — and pedal along two paved trail systems to explore quaint neighborhoods, beaches, and historic sites. Or hoof it through Brunswick’s historic district, Jekyll Island’s Main Street, or the Pier Village of St. Simons Island and find signature shopping along the way.

Diverse “I Dos”

Whether indoors or outdoors, low-key or lavish, wedding celebrations of all kinds are available throughout the Golden Isles.

$

“We’re spoiled for options locally for budget-friendly event spaces,” says Brooke, the most obvious being the abundance of beaches.

Glynn County rents out spaces at a low cost, plus many resorts offer small wedding and elopement packages that are all-inclusive.

$$$

Oceanside resorts, event barns in the countryside, purpose-built venues along waterways, a multitude of churches, garden squares — even a lighthouse — present moderate budget choices that can adjust based on the DIY required or a “show up and it’s done” arrangement desired.

$$$$$

The historic Jekyll Island Club and Forbes Five Star-rated Sea Island regularly host some of the most opulent events Brooke has seen. And two of the largest and most lavish weddings she’s captured have taken place at the Frederica Township community on St. Simons Island. “It’s extremely unusual to find a small coastal community that boasts so many high-end wedding venues, and yet we have a multitude of options here.”

JEKYLL ISLAND

Westin Jekyll Island

Let your beginning start at our unforgettable wedding destination. The delights will astound you… a beautiful venue, delicious cuisine, sublime details. Whether your dream is to exchange vows on an island overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, or dance the night away in our elegant ballroom, the Westin Jekyll Island blends expertise with intuition to create a celebration as unique and individual as you are.

SIP & SAVOR

Only the freshest ingredients are transformed by our talented chefs, personalized to your tastes and served to your guests with thoughtful presentation. Venues include our Ocean Front Courtyard, Sea Side Event Lawn, Contemporary Ballroom, Rooftop Observation Lounge and Ocean View Veranda. All you need to do is say “I do”.

westinjekyllisland.com 912.635.4545

Wedding & Meeting Venues

ST. SIMONS ISLAND

A. W. Jones Heritage Center 912.638.4666 N/A 1 1,386 150 140 150 Yes Yes

Best Western Plus 912.638.7805 61 1 1,934 175 120 100 Yes Yes

Epworth by the Sea Methodist Conference Center 912.638.8688 234 38 36,000 300 400 900 Yes Yes

Hampton Inn 912.634.2204 79 1 850 17 17 17 Yes

The King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort 912.638.3631 196 8 11,835 300 270 220 Yes Yes

Ocean Lodge 912.291.4300 15 1 600 15 15 10 Yes Yes

Sea Palms Resort & Conference Center 912.638.3351 83 7 10,000 300 250 200 Yes Yes

St. Simons Casino Building 912.279.2836 N/A 3 2,583 182 100 84 Yes Yes

The Lodge at Sea Island 912.634.4300 40 4 3,213 140 90 30 Yes Yes

SEA ISLAND

The Cloister 912.638.3611 265 10 87,400 500 500 40 Yes Yes

LITTLE ST. SIMONS ISLAND

The Lodge on Little St. Simons Island 912.638.7472 16 1 1,000 32 32 32 Yes Yes

JEKYLL ISLAND

Beachview Club Hotel 912.635.2256 38 2 3,500 300 150 50 Yes Yes

Holiday Inn Resort 912.635.2211 157 4 3,000 288 200 50 Yes

Jekyll Island Club Resort 877.212.1898 198 12 14,300 400 300 250 Yes Yes

Jekyll Island Convention Center 912.635.6400 N/A 17 78,000 4,068 2,520 2,100 Yes Yes

Villas by the Sea Resort 800.841.6262 140 5 5,500 500 350 300 Yes Yes

The Westin Jekyll Island 912.635.4545 200 5 5,350 350 200 70 Yes Yes

BRUNSWICK

Courtyard by Marriott – Exit 38 912.265.2644 93 1 580 40 25 25 Yes

Embassy Suites – Exit 38 912.264.6100 130 4 5,000 200 125 120 Yes Yes

Hampton Inn & Suites – Exit 38 912.261.0939 97 2 1,800 150 100 120 Yes

Hilton Garden Inn - Exit 38 912.267.1111 84 3 4,500 260 190 160 Yes Yes

Holiday Inn & Suites – Exit 38 912.264.3300 103 2 1,664 100 96 66 Yes Yes

Holiday Inn Express - Exit 38 912.267.9999 88 1 350 40 40 40 Yes

Home2 Suites - Exit 38 912.267.1111 91 3 4,500 260 190 160 Yes Yes

Old City Hall 912.265.4032 N/A 2 2,927 N/A 200 150 Yes Yes

Queen and Grant 912.254.8600 N/A 1 20,000 500 350 500 Yes Yes

Residence Inn by Marriott - Exit 38 912.617.8580 112 1 500 40 30 25 Yes Yes

BRUNSWICK

Queen and Grant

Nestled in the heart of downtown Brunswick, Queen and Grant is the region’s newest event venue. This historic building has been thoughtfully transformed into more than 20,000 square feet of enchanting indoor and outdoor space. Featuring vaulted ceilings, a grand reception hall with abundant natural light, private outdoor garden, office space, dressing room/lounge, and catering kitchen, Queen and Grant provides the perfect setting to host up to 300 guests for a seated reception and more than 500 for strolling. The possibilities for gatherings are endless. portcitybrunswick.com/queen-and-grant queenandgrantbwk 912.254.8600

Jekyll Ocean Club Resort Weddings

The Jekyll Island Club Resort has been the cherished setting for generations of happy couples. Here, a wondrous sense of history walks hand in hand with unforgettable celebrations. Weddings of all sizes are the resort’s specialty — from elopements to large and festive.

The Club provides a magical and picturesque backdrop for your special day. Whether you envision a celebration that’s traditional or trend-setting, casual or formal, intimate or grand scale, in a historic mansion, the ballroom, sunken garden, under live oaks festooned with Spanish moss, riverside at sunset or right on the beach, the resort’s variety of premier wedding sites will give you unlimited options in planning your perfect Coastal Georgia storybook wedding. Every event is presented by a team devoted to delighting the wedding party and their guests with thoughtful planning and flawless execution. Our staff sees to every detail and grants every wish.

Matrimony at the Jekyll Island Club has become a tradition for families. Let us help you create memories for a lifetime. jekyllclub.com 877.212.1898

JEKYLL ISLAND

ACCOMMODATIONS

Once you check in, it’s time to check your worries at the door.

ABOVE & BEYOND

Golden Isles’ accommodations understand all too well it’s the small gestures that matter.

YOUR WISH, THEIR COMMAND

Since 2001, guests of The Lodge at Sea Island are greeted at the front door by a butler, one of a team who works tirelessly to grant their charges’ wishes. As any Anglophile will tell you, a good butler anticipates a guest’s desires. So, when starry-eyed newlyweds retire for the evening, they can thank Jeeves for drawing a nice warm bath, scattered with rose petals.

GREEN TEAM

“Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without.” The familiar expression from the Depression era is back in vogue again, thanks to the dedicated employees on Little St. Simons Island Ecologically sound policies are a way of life here, from the locally grown and sourced produce that fills the Lodge’s kitchen and diners’ plates, to solar and geo-thermal energy sources. And the accoutrements that make or break a vacation? The Island’s naturalists repair anything that might have suffered wear and tear — trucks or binoculars — until it’s good as new and ready to go.

ROYAL WELCOME

When it comes to special occasions, St. Simons Islands’ King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort knows how to pull out all the stops. From the 550-square-foot Butler Room to the 1,590-square-foot Hampton Clubhouse, the property can create the perfect ambiance for board meetings and elegant soirées. Among its eight event spaces, the latest gem is Atlantic Court, a 3,008-square-foot tented terrace with a formal lawn and expansive ocean view. Whether wedding reception or anniversary celebration, you’ll long remember dinner and dancing by the light of festive strands as well as twinkling stars, and, of course, the rhythm of swells lapping the shore.

Home Away From Home

The wealth of rentals in the Golden Isles can satisfy any vacation style.

THE GANG’S ALL HERE!

One last hurrah before the bride makes that trek down the aisle? A trip down memory lane with college buds? Family-owned and locally operated Lilmar Properties on St. Simons Island can add to your store of memories with a stay in one of its privately owned cottages, oceanfront villas, or condominiums. Replete with heated pools and spas, firepits, private beach accesses, and fully equipped kitchens, you’ll quickly slip into the laid-back island lifestyle.

THE SWEET LIFE

Leave the day-to-day behind and unwind in style at a luxe property, courtesy of Hodnett Cooper Vacation Rentals on St. Simons Island. Take your pick of a luxury cottage with pool, tiki bar, and direct beach access, a charming cottage in the heart of Pier Village, or a penthouse condo with cozy hardwood floors and stunning ocean views.

HISTORIC HIDEAWAY

History buffs will appreciate the Gilded Age atmosphere at the Strachan Carriage House, perched on the southern tip of St. Simons Island. Built around 1915 by steam and sailing shipping magnate F.D.M. Strachan, the carriage house was a companion to a much larger cottage (later moved to Daufuskie Island, South Carolina) as a rebuff to the Jekyll Island Club, which had

rejected the millionaire’s potential membership. Over time, the property was a summer home for U.S. Congressman William Stuckey (of pecan company fame) until Sara and Joe Edwards (Edwards Pie Company) converted it to a youth retreat. Soak in the echoes of the past in the meticulously restored Carriage House that, in 1997, earned a place on the National Historic Register.

DUOS, DUFFERS AND DOGS

Looking for a romantic getaway with your sweetheart? A trip with your four-legged bestie? Or maybe you and your foursome need a convenient base while you play the Golden Isles’ revered golf courses. Georgia Coast Realty offers a range of properties, from quaint, beachside cottages where you and your significant other can gaze at the waves or where doggo can plop in the sand, to spacious homes just a pitch and a putt from the fairway.

RUSTIC CHIC

You’ve come to the Golden Isles for some biking, kayaking, hiking, and fishing, but even the most rugged weekend warrior needs a comfortable crash pad after exploring the area’s natural wonders. How about a Jekyll Island cabin, available through Real Escapes Properties? Choose from among the simply but attractively appointed dwellings, where you’ll get a good night’s sleep before the next day’s adventures.

The King and Prince Beach and Golf Resort

For more than eighty years, The King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort has welcomed guests to St. Simons Island with a legendary blend of gracious Southern hospitality and historic charm.

The Atlantic-front resort offers an array of accommodations, including oceanfront rooms and suites, beachside villas, and multi-room cottages. Guests can enjoy family-friendly activities like beach bike rides and paddleboarding or opt for sunbathing and swimming in one of five oceanfront and heated pools on property. Schedule a tee

time at The King and Prince Golf Course, Home of the Hampton Club, a course renowned for its dramatic landscape of live oak trees, salt marshes, and breathtaking lagoons. Relax while catching the sunset from one of the wooden bench swings overlooking the beach.

Experience Southern coastal cuisine with indoor and outdoor dining at ECHO, the only oceanfront restaurant on the island. Stop by The Cottage Custard + Coffee shop and linger by the firepits while enjoying a serving of tasty frozen custard or your morning brew

while children play on the castle playground. The King and Prince Resort is just minutes from St. Simons Island’s shopping, historic sites, and restaurants. A winner of 11 consecutive TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Awards and a member of the Historic Hotels of America, The King and Prince Resort’s cherished traditions make it the ideal destination for your next St. Simons Island visit. See why couples, families, weddings, and groups return to this beloved icon year after year. kingandprince.com 800.342.0212

ST. SIMONS ISLAND

Hotel Simone

The adults-only Hotel Simone is a stunning, modern boutique hotel that offers a peaceful coastal escape from the hustle and bustle of island tourism. With 24 luxurious suites available, the environment is intimate, with an unmatched quality of service and attention to detail. Each suite was designed with both the business and leisure guest in mind. Perfect for a romantic getaway or kid-free girls’ weekend, Hotel Simone offers numerous luxury amenities, including a rooftop lounge area with dip pool, coastal-chic lobby lounge, complimentary beach bicycles, fitness center, and access to perks at The King and Prince. Hotel Simone is available for rooftop and lobby lounge rentals, room blocks, and hotel buyouts. hotelsimonessi.com 912.357.5500

Use promo code GOLDEN for 15% off your next reservation. Offer valid for stays from 1/1/202312/31/2023. Valid for Monday - Thursday nights only. Blackout dates apply.

The Inn at Sea Island

They say location is everything. The Inn at Sea Island’s desirable setting on St. Simons Island puts you within easy access to historic sites, beaches, shopping, and dining.

The Inn at Sea Island offers casual, comfortable lodging that’s perfect for families, golfers, and wedding parties. Spacious, airy rooms invite relaxation along with the heated outdoor pool. The friendly atmosphere and hospitality extends to the on-site Topgolf Swing Suite and bar, which is open to hotel guests and the general public. Plus, enjoy access to three championship golf courses at Sea Island when booking the Sea Island Golf Package. innatseaisland.com 877.907.5698

ST. SIMONS ISLAND

ST. SIMONS ISLAND

Hampton Inn

Whether you’re here on business or pleasure, you’ll love the many comforts of our freshly renovated Hampton Inn St. Simons Island along with its convenient, central location.

You’ll also love our full-scale renovations, featuring new furnishings throughout, a selection of works by local artists, and a

brand-new sweetshop stocked with your favorite treats. Our cheerful lobby, complete with cookies and coffee, will make you feel welcome right away. Our spacious, clean and comfortable rooms will help you relax and enjoy every minute of your stay.

From here you can walk to some of the island’s best restaurants and shopping, including locally popular Redfern Village, filled with specialty shops, unique dining and a lively nightlife and music scene.

When you’re ready to venture out, don’t leave without having breakfast on us. Then drive south to Pier Village and Neptune Park, or east to the beaches. Head west to Morningstar Marina for a day on the water, or north to more dining and shopping. Everything is minutes away.

Planning a business event?

Your participants will enjoy our multi-function meeting room, business center and fitness facilities. For weddings or family get-togethers, your out-of-town guests will appreciate all the conveniences and hospitality.

And no matter why you’re here, our friendly Hampton team members will do everything we can to make your stay fun and memorable. hamptoninn3.hilton.com 912.634.2204

Queens Court

Nestled among the sprawling live oak trees in the heart of the St. Simons Island Pier Village, Queens Court Inn is an iconic vintage motel with a treasured past. The 23-room motel has been a focal point of St. Simons Island since 1948, and many who visited the island as young children fondly remember their family vacations at Queens Court Inn.

Refreshed rooms offer vibrant pops of color and artwork that take their cue from nature while evoking things fun for all ages. For longer stays, book a one- or two-bedroom suite equipped with kitchenette, refrigerator, microwave, ovens, cooktops, and more. Sitting areas with sleeper sofas provide a relaxing area for families to unwind after a full day of exploring and enjoying the Golden Isles.

The historic motel’s makeover extends to the surroundings, with the addition of an open grill and fire pit. The shaded courtyard pool with

breeze block privacy fence is a favorite with guests. Relax on outdoor terraces under the majestic oak trees and admire our legendary St. Simons Island Tree Spirit peering out.

Queens Court Inn is conveniently located a few blocks from the ocean in the St. Simons Island Pier area. St. Simons Lighthouse & Museum, Neptune Park Fun Zone Water Park, miniature golf, Casino Theater, and other attractions are within walking distance. You’ll be close to dozens of restaurants serving local seafood, shops and boutiques with perfect mementos to commemorate your visit, public parks with playgrounds and ample room for little ones to run, and stretches of beach perfect for morning walks and sunny afternoons.

In fact, with everything so close by, you may not need to get back in your car until it’s time to leave!

queenscourtinn.com 912.268.4966

ST. SIMONS ISLAND

SIMONS ISLAND

Lilmar Properties ST.

From oceanfront condos to luxury homes with pools, Lilmar Properties has curated St. Simons Island’s finest selection of vacation rental properties for visitors to the Golden Isles to enjoy. The Lilmar Properties Team welcomes tens of thousands of guests to the area every year to enjoy family vacations, special events, or just a quick coastal getaway. Locally owned and operated, the Lilmar Properties’ Team has been helping

make memories for their guests for over 20 years. From the moment you walk into one of our properties, you will understand the Lilmar Difference. Offering our guests clean high-quality properties with concierge services and connections with premier island experience partners, the Lilmar Properties Team is here to ensure their guests’ expectations are far exceeded from beginning to end.

The Golden Isles is a year-round vacation destination that few know of, but many are able to enjoy! A vacation to the Golden Isles with Lilmar Properties is one that we guarantee will create special lifelong memories with your friends and family. Lilmar Properties is here to help you. Let us help you plan your next vacation!

LilmarVacations.com 912.771.8099

ST. SIMONS ISLAND

Sea Palms Resort

Nestled in the heart of St. Simons Island, Sea Palms Resort is surrounded by nature, tranquility, and natural coastal scenery. Newly reimagined and fully renovated hotel accommodations offer breathtaking marsh views and amenities for all guests to enjoy. Play a round at the signature 18-hole golf course, or dine at Sago, serving southern and coastal-inspired dishes in a relaxed indoor or outdoor setting. Fully functional and equipped meeting spaces and on-site catering services make the resort the perfect venue to host your next event. Signature, Social, and National Club Memberships are offered. Contact Sea Palms Resort to explore all of the possibilities. seapalms.com 912.638.3351

ST. SIMONS ISLAND Strachan Carriage House

Featured in Coastal Living magazine, the historic Strachan Carriage House on St. Simons Island offers spacious luxury for family and friends year-round. Six bedrooms accommodate up to 12 adults, with daybeds and trundles for young guests. Walk to the village or beach or enjoy the heated pool, outdoor grill, and gated parking. stsimonscarriagehouse.com 404.261.1352

The Call of the Wild

Whether roughing it or revving your RV’s engine, the Golden Isles’ campgrounds offer a variety of ways to get closer to nature. What could be more enchanting than drifting off under swaying live oaks in a maritime forest while the rhythm of distant tides lulls you to sleep? Then park your RV or pitch a tent at Jekyll Island Campground, just a half-mile from Driftwood Beach, Clam Creek Picnic Area and a fishing pier. How about cooling off in a freshwater lake? Just off I-95 is Blythe Island Regional Park, home to Lake Cindee, which is ideal for swimming, fishing, and docking at its marina on the South Brunswick River. For more creature comforts, Coastal GA RV Resort offers enough amenities — a swimming pool and a pavilion — to make a happy camper of anyone.

ISLAND

Village Inn & Pub

Step back in time at the Village Inn & Pub

This charming 1930s-era beach cottage is nestled under live oak trees in the historic St. Simons Pier Village. Restaurants, boutiques and the Pier and Lighthouse are just a quick walk away. Stay in one of the Inn’s 28 uniquely designed guest rooms, some with private balconies overlooking the courtyard and pool. Enjoy a drink at the Village Pub’s mahogany bar imported from England, and catch live music during the week and on weekends! villageinnandpub.com 912.634.6056

The Lodge on Little St. Simons Island

Remote and remarkable, the Lodge on Little St. Simons Island is beloved for its natural beauty and gracious hospitality. The all-inclusive ecolodge is the gateway to the island’s 11,000 acres of wilderness and seven miles of undeveloped beach, and provides guided adventures and timeless accommodations. Experience the island where nature is the luxury. LittleSSI.com 888.733.5774

ST. SIMONS ISLAND

Best Western Plus St. Simons

Best Western Plus has everything you need for your vacation, family gathering, or couple’s retreat. Rooms have pillow-top mattresses, refrigerators, and modern décor. Wake up to the complimentary hot breakfast buffet, take a break by St. Simons’ largest outdoor pool, soak in the covered hot tub, and relax in the evening around the poolside fire pit. Our 2,000 square-foot banquet space is ideal for a family reunion, wedding reception, or corporate meeting. Bring your furry friend— we’re pet friendly! bwpstsimons.com 912.638.7805

Home2 Suites by Hilton

Welcome to the Home2 Suites by Hilton Jekyll Island Located in the heart of the Beach Village, Home2 Suites provides a convenient location with all the modern conveniences of home, from a kitchenette with a full-size fridge to 24-hour Spin2Cycle fitness/laundry facilities. Our studio or one-bedroom suites, with an outdoor pool, are just a few of the many wonderful amenities you can expect from Home2 Suites Jekyll Island. home2jekyll.com 912.319.6019

ST. SIMONS ISLAND

Holiday Inn Express

Clean, consistent, and comfortable is what you can expect from the Holiday Inn Express St. Simons Island. Whether you’re traveling for business or fun, start your morning with a hot breakfast buffet, wind down the day in the outdoor pool, and recharge each night on pillowtop Serta mattresses with your choice of firm or soft pillows.

hiexstsimons.com 912.634.2175

Seafarer Inn & Suites

Spacious one- and two-bedroom suites with fully equipped kitchens are just steps from the beach at Seafarer Inn & Suites an Ascend Hotel Collection® Member. This fully-renovated Jekyll Island hotel offers guests a convenient location by the ocean and easy access to all of the island’s attractions. The closest hotel to Jekyll Island’s golf courses, the Seafarer Inn also provides complimentary breakfast each morning. Pet owners will especially love this dog-friendly hotel.

seafarerjekyll.com 912.635.2202

JEKYLL ISLAND

JEKYLL ISLAND

LITTLE ST. SIMONS ISLAND

ST. SIMONS

Beachview Club Hotel

Beneath a canopy of century-old Live Oaks, this Best of Georgia Winner welcomes guests to a private and idyllic beachfront hideaway along the pristine shores of Jekyll Island. Beachview Club is perfect for a secluded escape on one of Georgia’s most uncrowded stretches of beach. Rooms surround a shaded courtyard and sparkling pool; outdoor seating areas beckon with the sights and relaxing sounds of the ocean. The hotel is conveniently located within easy reach of attractions and recreational pursuits, while award-winning service creates an exceptional experience. We can’t wait to welcome you! beachviewclubjekyll.com 912.635.2256

Jekyll Island Club Resort

JEKYLL ISLAND

Villas by the Sea Resort

Villas by the Sea Resort and Conference Center located adjacent Driftwood Beach on Jekyll Island will make you feel right at home. Affordable and comfortable, our resort-hotel is ideal for your family vacation, meeting, or romantic getaway. With a 9,000 sq. ft. Conference Center, your event will truly be a memorable affair. Our beautiful and uniquely appointed condominium-hotel villas are a Jekyll Island tradition. Get ready to relax and unwind at the Villas by the Sea Resort. From bike rentals, beachside volleyball, large outdoor pool and onsite restaurant with lounge, we have it all! Enjoy the views and ocean breezes from the new beach pavilion and oceanfront boardwalk. Nightly, weekly, and group rates are available. villasbythesearesort.com 800.841.6262

There’s no place like the Jekyll Island Club Resort, where Gilded Age grandeur complements contemporary accommodations and amenities. The Jekyll Island Club Resort offers guests the chance to experience a luxurious vacation from our sister properties; the historic, riverfront, Jekyll Island Club and the modern, beachfront, Jekyll Ocean Club. Once the playground of America’s tycoons, today the Resort is a modern-day vacation.

Find much to love with the Jekyll Island Club Resort’s well-appointed accommo-

dations. The Clubhouse offers modern amenities in a historic setting. Marvel at the original wood floors and skylights throughout the riverfront Sans Souci. Just north of the Clubhouse sits Crane Cottage and Cherokee, historic mansions with rooms featuring original fireplaces and balconies.

The Resort offers a wide variety of dining options for any mood or occasion. The past meets the present in the AAA Four Diamond Grand Dining Room serving a continental menu in a Victorian setting of classic elegance. Sip a handcrafted cocktail at The Bar.

For more casual dining, head to The Pantry for homemade pastries or a burger at the open-air Pool House.

Rounding out the list of diverse dining options is The Wharf restaurant. Enjoy a casual dinner on the river accompanied by live music and spectacular sunsets. Grab a bike at Jekyll Wheels, the Resort’s bike outfitter, and explore the island’s natural beauty.

The Jekyll Island Club Resort welcomes all to come soak in the natural splendor of Georgia’s historic coast. jekyllclub.com 877.212.1898

JEKYLL ISLAND

The Westin Jekyll Island

Oceanfront on Jekyll Island’s pristine beach, The Westin Jekyll Island is ideal for today’s traveler. The 200-room hotel combines signature amenities and modern elegance designed to help you leave feeling better than when you arrived.

Onsite dining includes The Reserve, an oceanfront, upscale steak and seafood restaurant with outdoor seating, tropical cocktails at Salty’s poolside bar and grill, and grab-and-go items at Westin Café and shopping at BeachVillage, conveniently located next door.

Featuring more than 5,350 square feet of flexible meeting and event space, the Westin Jekyll Island is perfect for conferences, weddings, and everything in between. The Westin ensures an outstanding experience characterized by flawless style and adept service. westinjekyllisland.com 912.635.4545

Courtyard Residence Inn

The fusion of these two unique Marriott® brands allows you to take advantage of extra amenities like the dynamic, interactive lobby for guests to relax or stay productive, complimentary on-island shuttle, State-of-the-art fitness center, 2,500 square feet of event space and oceanfront event lawn, game room, the island’s largest outdoor pool, hot tub, and splash

pad. Also enjoy Shore Restaurant, offering healthy and delicious food and beverage choices along with The Bistro Starbucks Café.

COURTYARD® 912.635.2416

Marriott.com/bqkcj

RESIDENCE INN® 912.635.2764

Marriott.com/bqkrj

JEKYLL ISLAND

Days Inn & Suites

Jekyll Island offers so much to see and do. The oceanfront award-winning Days Inn & Suites puts you near the barrier island’s attractions while offering you a welcoming stay with plenty of comfortable and convenient amenities. Choose from an island-side or ocean-facing room. Take advantage of the hotel’s great beach access, plus beach chair and bike rentals, for relaxing or exploring. Take a swim in one of the hotel’s two pools (one heated in the winter), and hit the snack shack for refreshments. Plus, you’re not far from attractions like the Georgia Sea Turtle Center or Mosaic, Jekyll Island Museum. With the hotel’s complimentary continental breakfast, you’ll be ready to discover Jekyll Island. daysinnjekyll.com 912.635.9800

Hampton Inn & Suites

Nestled among a gorgeous maritime forest with Spanish moss-laden live oaks and palms, the Hampton Inn & Suites Jekyll Island offers modern and spacious guest rooms in a seaside setting. Our guests enjoy complimentary breakfast daily and can use our complimentary shuttle to peruse the rest of the island. Stroll along our oak-lined boardwalk to the beach or unwind at our lobby bar with a lite bite and drinks. Relax on our patio under a canopy of live oaks or lounge by our outdoor pool – it’s even heated in the winter. Plan your wedding, special event, or group meeting in our meeting space or flexible outdoor patio. We look forward to welcoming you!

Jekyllislandsuites.hamptoninn.com 912.635.3733

Jekyll Ocean Club

Experience the beach in a boutique hotel setting. The all-suite, oceanfront Jekyll Ocean Club rounds out the Jekyll Island Club Resort. This AAA Four Diamond Award hotel is ideal for a family vacation or a couples getaway, with plush, modern accommodations. All suites have private decks and are just steps away from the beach. The Jekyll Ocean Club offers a perfect blend of recreation and relaxation, whether it’s swimming in the oceanside pool, soaking in the hot tub, or enjoying a cocktail by the fire pit. Eighty Ocean Kitchen & Bar offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner with a menu featuring Southern favorites for breakfast, pizzas for lunch, and Low Country specialties for dinner. At night, take in the full moon from the rooftop deck. This is coastal bliss at its best. jekyllclub.com 888.895.9639

JEKYLL ISLAND

JEKYLL ISLAND

JEKYLL ISLAND

Holiday Inn Resort

Make memories on your Golden Isles family vacation. Holiday Inn Resort is sure to become a favorite with parents, kids, or anyone seeking a laidback Jekyll Island getaway.

On arrival, you’ll notice the bright, contemporary design, calming beach vibe, and laidback atmosphere. The family-friendly resort offers several outlets for relaxation and recreation, with Kid’s Suites outfitted with bunk beds, plus a playground and oceanfront pool and the beach nearby. The state-of-theart fitness club keeps you energized on the go. The Resort’s restaurants offer something for everyone. Go for a casual poolside lunch or dinner at The Anchor, serving familiar favorites. North Shore offers refreshments by day, and cocktails by night. Holiday Inn Resort is sure to enhance your Jekyll Island vacation. holidayinnresortjekyll.com 912.635.2211

BRUNSWICK

Embassy Suites by Hilton

Embassy Suites by Hilton Brunswick is here to help you make new memories. Guests can enjoy Southern hospitality, spacious two-room suites, free made-to-order breakfast, and complimentary beverages.* E’terie Bar & Grill, located in the hotel atrium, serves a variety of freshly prepared meals from shareables, salads, steak, and desserts to signature drinks. With 5,000 square feet of flexible meeting space and full-service catering, Embassy Suites will make your next event memorable. Located just off of the Golden Isles Parkway and minutes away from Historic Downtown Brunswick and St. Simons Island, Sea Island, and Jekyll Island. brunswick.embassysuites.com 912.264.6100 *Service of alcohol subject to state & local laws. Must be of legal drinking age.

Gateway to the Golden Isles

As soon as you arrive in the Golden Isles of Georgia, you are greeted with genuine, heartfelt hospitality, especially in Brunswick, our Gateway to the Golden Isles. With its easy access and proximity to I-95 and U.S. Highway 341, Brunswick is your first stop, if you’re traveling by car. With so many things to do and places to stay in this historic mainland city, we recommend Brunswick as your home base during your visit to the Golden Isles. As soon as you exit the highway, relax at your choice among dozens of nationally recognized name-brand hotels known for their comfortable rooms, consistent geniality and prized amenities. For a quaint and distinctly local experience, opt for a cozy bed and breakfast in Brunswick’s historic district.

Residence Inn by Marriott

Discover Southern hospitality at Brunswick’s newest all-suite Residence Inn by Marriott Conveniently located right off I-95, less than three miles from the Golden Isles Airport and just a short drive to the beautiful beaches and golf destinations on St. Simons and Jekyll Island. Perfect for business and leisure travelers, the hotel is minutes from the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC), Southeast Georgia Health System, and the College of Coastal Georgia. This pet friendly hotel features spacious studio and one-bedroom suites with full kitchens and all the comforts of home. Residence Inn Brunswick is delighted to welcome you to Georgia’s beautiful coast! marriott.com/bqkri 912.617.8580

JEKYLL ISLAND

BRUNSWICK

Accommodations

ST. SIMONS ISLAND

Resorts

The King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort 800.342.0212 201 Arnold Rd. kingandprince.com

Holiday Inn Express

If you’re looking for value plus essential amenities for a comfortable stay, choose the new Holiday Inn Express Brunswick at Gateway Center, near Exit 38. Every clean, modern room includes fast Wi-Fi, in-room coffee, and your choice of soft or firm pillows. Start your day with a free hot breakfast buffet while earning IHG Rewards points. You’ll be within walking distance of Harris’ Steak and Seafood Restaurant and Canal Crossing Center with its many restaurants and stores. And it’s an easy drive to FLETC, Historic Brunswick, St. Simons and Jekyll Islands. holidayinn.com/brunswick-ga 912.267.9999

Holiday Inn & Suites

Modern and welcoming, Holiday Inn & Suites Brunswick can make your business or leisure travel in the Golden Isles enjoyable with spacious, elegant guest rooms and large meeting rooms. Our amazing on-site restaurant, Harris Steak and Seafood, is open and serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner, offering happy hour specials daily. Kids under 18 will stay for free and kids under the age of 11 eat free any time of the day during your family trip to the Golden Isles. Holiday Inn & Suites can easily be found at Exit 38 off I-95. Located on the mainland of Brunswick, business travelers appreciate the central location, while vacationers will find it easy to explore the area’s attractions in Downtown Brunswick and barrier islands. holidayinn.com/brunswick-ga 912.264.3300

BRUNSWICK

Fairfield Inn & Suites

A great location and a warm welcome: Fairfield Inn & Suites Brunswick deliver on both counts. Fairfield Inn & Suites can easily be found at Exit 38 off I-95. We’re located on the mainland of Brunswick, making it easy for you to explore both the city and the barrier islands during your stay. The hotel’s complimentary hot breakfast gives you a great start to the day, featuring breakfast sandwiches, waffles, oatmeal, and more. Stay in touch with free, wireless high speed internet access throughout each room and enjoy the on-site fitness center. Fairfield Inn & Suites can host your next group trip, whether business or social, offering personalized rates and services. And of course, you will get memorable hospitality throughout your entire stay. marriott.com/bqkfi 912.264.2060

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Sea Palms Resort 912.638.3351 515 N. Windward Dr. seapalms.com • • • • • • • •

Hotels & Motels

Best Western Plus 912.638.7805 301 Main St. bwpstsimons.com

Epworth by the Sea 912.638.8688 100 Arthur J. Moore Dr. epworthbythesea.org

Hampton Inn 912.634.2204 2204 Demere Rd. www.hilton.com/en/hampton

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Holiday Inn Express 912.634.2175 299 Main St. hiexstsimons.com • • •

Home2 Suites by Hilton 912.638.0333 105 Terminal Way explorehome2suites.com

Hotel Simone 912.357.5500 1200 Ocean Blvd. hotelsimonessi.com

The Inn at Sea Island 888.974.8078 100 Salt Marsh Dr. innatseaisland.com • • • • • • • •

Ocean Inn & Suites 912.634.2122 599 Beachview Dr. oceaninnsuites.com

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Ocean Lodge 912.291.4300 935 Beachview Dr. oceanlodgeresort.com • • • • • • • •

The Park 912.634.7474 420 Park Ave. theparkssi.com

Queens Court Inn 912.268.4966 437 Kings Way queenscourtinn.com

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Saint Simons Inn by the Lighthouse 912.638.1101 609 Beachview Dr. stsimonsinn.com • • • •

Sea Gate Inn 912.638.8661 1015 Beachview Dr. seagatessi.com • • • • •

Village Inn & Pub 912.634.6056 500 Mallery St. villageinnandpub.com

Vacation Rentals (Please contact Vacation Rental Companies for information on specific properties)

American Dream Realty 912.638.6092 1331 Ocean Blvd., Ste. 1 americandreamssi.com

Beach Club at St. Simons by Hodnett Cooper 912.638.4750 1440 Ocean Blvd. hodnettcooper.com

Belinda Thomas Realty 912.638.1965 1331 Ocean Blvd., Ste. 102 spiritofstsimons.com

Captain’s Bluff 912.258.2161 300 Stevens Rd. captainsbluff.com

Coastal Real Estate 912.638.0033 536 Brown Dr. coastalrealestateinc.com

Covenant Property Management 912.255.4777 544 Ocean Blvd. covenantssi.com

Georgia Beach Rentals, LLC 912.268.4543 613 Beachview Dr. georgiabeachrentals.com

Georgia Coast Realty 912.638.1144 105 Main St. gacoastrealty.com

Golden Isles Realty Company 912.638.8623 330 Mallery St. goldenislesrealty.com

Hodnett Cooper Vacation Rentals 912.638.4750 520 Ocean Blvd. hodnettcooper.com

Lighthouse Vacations 912.244.7229 545 Ocean Blvd. lighthousevacations.com

Lilmar Properties 912.771.8099 110 Island Professional Park lilmarvacations.com

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North Breakers Condominiums 912.638.4750 1470 Wood Ave. hodnettcooper.com • • • • • • • • by Hodnett Cooper

Real Escapes Properties 855.634.1667 406 Ocean Blvd. realescapesproperties.com

Salt Air Villas by Hodnett Cooper 912.638.4750 150 Salt Air Dr. hodnettcooper.com

Shipwatch Condominiums by Hodnett Cooper 912.638.4750 1524 Wood Ave. hodnettcooper.com

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• • • • • • St. Simons Grand by Hodnett Cooper 912.638.4750 1400 Ocean Blvd. hodnettcooper.com

The Strachan Carriage House 404.261.1352 Butler Ave. stsimonscarriagehouse.com

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Vacasa 866.308.0901 220 B Redfern Village., Ste. B vacasa.com • • • • •

Bed & Breakfasts

The Grey Owl Inn 912.434.6292 1602 Demere Rd. greyowlinn.com

SEA ISLAND

Resorts

The Cloister at Sea Island 855.645.0280 100 Cloister Dr. seaisland.com

The Lodge at Sea Island 855.645.0280 100 Retreat Ave. seaisland.com

Vacation Rentals (Please contact Sea Island Cottage Rentals for information on specific properties.)

Sea Island Cottage Rentals 888.974.8078 351 Sea Island Rd. seaislandcottages.com

JEKYLL ISLAND

Hotels & Motels

Beachview Club Hotel 912.635.2256 721 N. Beachview Dr. beachviewclubjekyll.com

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Courtyard Residence Inn by Marriott 912.635.2416 178 S. Beachview Dr. marriott.com • • • • • • • • • • •

Days Inn & Suites 912.635.9800 60 S. Beachview Dr. daysinnjekyll.com • • • • • •

Hampton Inn & Suites 912.635.3733 200 S. Beachview Dr. hamptoninn3.hilton.com • • • • • • • •

Home2 Suites by Hilton 912.319.6019 101 Ocean Way home2jekyll.com

Jekyll Ocean Club 888.895.9639 80 Ocean Way jekyllclub.com

Seafarer Inn & Suites 912.635.2202 700 N. Beachview Dr. seafarerinnandsuites.com

Villas by the Sea Resort 800.841.6262 1175 N. Beachview Dr. villasbythesearesort.com

The Westin Jekyll Island 912.635.4545 110 Ocean Way westinjekyllisland.com •

BRUNSWICK

BRUNSWICK

Accommodations

JEKYLL ISLAND

Resorts

Holiday Inn Resort 912.635.2211 701 N. Beachview Dr. holidayinnresortjekyll.com

Jekyll Island Club Resort 877.212.1898 371 Riverview Dr. jekyllclub.com • • • • • • •

Vacation Rentals (Please contact Vacation Rental Companies for information on specific properties.)

Jekyll Realty 912.635.3301 21 Main St., Ste. 107 jekyllrealty.com

Parker Kaufman 912.635.2512 21 Main St., Ste. 103 parker-kaufman.com

Camping & RV

Jekyll Island Campground 912.635.3021 1197 Riverview Dr. jekyllisland.com

Little Raccoon Key 706.284.3247 Departs from Jekyll littleraccoonkey.com • •

LITTLE ST. SIMONS ISLAND

Resorts

The Lodge on Little St. Simons Island 912.638.7472 1000 Hampton River Club littlessi.com • • • •

BRUNSWICK

Hotels & Motels

America’s Best Value Inn & Suites 912.261.0118 325 Palisade Dr. redlion.com • • •

Baymont by Wyndham 912.267.0800 105 Center Dr. baymontinns.com • • • • •

Best Western Plus Inn & Suites 912.265.1114 126 Venture Dr. bwplusbrunswickga.com • • • • •

Budget Motel 912.264.4266 3241 Glynn Ave. • •

Comfort Suites 912.342.4617 25 Ashton Dr. choicehotels.com • • • •

Comfort Suites Golden Isles Gateway 912.580.4400 220 Gateway Center Blvd. choicehotels.com • • • •

Concorde Suites 912.267.6442 110 Center Dr. concordesuites.com • •

Country Inn & Suites 912.265.3016 211 Gateway Center Blvd. countryinns.com

Courtyard by Marriott 912.265.2644 580 Millennium Blvd. marriott.com/bqkcy

Days Inn 912.456.2620 5033 New Jesup Hwy. daysinn341.com

Econo Lodge - South 912.554.0455 171 Palisade Dr. choicehotels.com

Embassy Suites by Hilton 800.432.3229 500 Mall Blvd. brunswick.embassysuites.com

Fairfield Inn & Suites 912.264.6100 107 Gateway Center Circle marriott.com/bqkfi

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Four Points by Sheraton 912.689.3003 5308 New Jesup Hwy. marriott.com • • • • • •

Guest Cottage & Suites 912.264.6767 150 Venture Dr. guestsuitesbrunswickga.com

Hampton Inn & Suites 912.261.0939 128 Venture Dr. brunswicksuites.hamptoninn.com

Hilton Garden Inn 912.267.1111 475 Millennium Blvd. hilton.com

Holiday Inn Express 912.267.9999 236 Gateway Center Blvd. holidayinn.com/brunswick-ga

Holiday Inn & Suites 912.264.3300 138 Glynco Pkwy. holidayinn.com

Home2 Suites 912.267.1111 475 Millennium Blvd. hilton.com

Jameson Inn 912.261.0002 230 Warren Mason Blvd. jamesoninnga.com

La Quinta Inn & Suites 912.263.3000 100 Capital Square Dr. lq.com

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Motel 6 912.275.7276 3040 Scarlett St. motel6.com • •

Quality Inn & Suites 912.266.8104 125 Venture Dr. qualityinn.com

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Red Roof Inn 937.328.1619 25 Tourist Dr. redroofbrunswick.com •

Residence Inn by Marriott 912.617.8580 116 Gateway Center Blvd. marriott.com • • • • • • • •

Sleep Inn & Suites 912.266.8103 200 Stellar Dr. sleepinn.com • •

Super 8 by Wyndham 912.264.8800 5280 New Jesup Hwy. super8.com •

Super 8 by Wyndham South 912.217.4949 211 Palisade Dr. super8.com •

Sure Stay Hotel 912.289.8726 2300 Perry Lane Rd. bestwestern.com

Wingate by Wyndham Brunswick 912.265.7725 165 Warren Mason Blvd. wyndhamhotels.com/wingate

WoodSpring Suites 912.689.3001 5323 New Jesup Hwy. woodspring.com

Bed & Breakfasts

Brunswick Manor 912.265.6889 825 Egmont St. brunswickmanor.com

McKinnon House Bed & Breakfast 912.996.9100 1001 Egmont St. mckinnonhousebandb.com •

WatersHill Bed & Breakfast 912.264.4262 728 Union St. watershill.com

Camping & RV

Altamaha Regional Park 921.289.9068 101 Vernon Lewis Rd. glynncounty.org

Blythe Island Park & Campground 912.279.2812 6616 Blythe Island Hwy. glynncounty.org

Coastal GA RV Resort 912.264.3869 287 S. Port Pkwy. coastalgarvresort.com •

Southern Retreat

Brunswick Golden Isles Airport

Travel to the Golden Isles in less than an hour by flying direct to Brunswick Golden Isles Airport (BQK) from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport with Delta’s daily jet service. Avoid driving hours in the traffic and enjoy short lines and minimal wait times when you land. Reaching the Golden Isles is easier than ever. Other highlights include a terminal café, rental car agencies, and free parking. When flying private aircraft, the fixed base operators at Manning Aviation, Brunswick Golden Isles Airport, and Golden Isles Aviation at St. Simons Island Airport provide quality service and maintenance for general aviation. Rental cars are also available on site. FlyGCairports.com

BRUNSWICK

Marina Dr.

Harbor Marina

RELOCATION & REAL ESTATE

Whether for a season or for all time, the Golden Isles is a place to put down roots.

The Lay of the Land

See the sights in the Golden Isles without venturing far from home.

As you put down roots in the Golden Isles, get to know its roots with a tour of its beloved historical sites, from the pastoral Hofwyl-Broadfield Plantation to the tidy, bustling Signature Squares of Brunswick. The 150-year-old St. Simons Lighthouse speaks to the region’s maritime heritage, while the Jekyll Island Club Resort bears the traces of a genteel era. If your sojourn through this storied landscape produces a vague sense of déjà vu, then you’re right where you belong. Welcome home

How Do We Love Thee?

Not that it takes much convincing, but here are five reasons why we’re lovin’ life in the Golden Isles — and you will, too.

1. G-G-G-Golden Years: Ditch that heavy winter coat and boots! The average temps here hover around 70 degrees F, and — count ‘em! — 221 days of sunshine annually.

2. Sand in Your Shoes: Did we mention the beach? Is there such a thing as a bad day at the beach?

3. Outdoor Drama: There’s never a dull moment on wildlife hikes, boat tours, historical trolley rides, and bike tours, not to mention the thrill of victory and agony of defeat on golf courses, tennis and pickleball courts.

4. Chow Bella: Bring your appetite for fresh seafood — shrimp, crab, oysters — and leave the calorie calculator at home!

5. Smilin’ Faces: You’ll easily love thy new neighbors, given their perpetually sunny dispositions.

ST. SIMONS ISLAND

Real Escapes Properties

Enjoy first-class service and genuine Southern hospitality when planning your next getaway to St. Simons Island with accommodation specialists at Real Escapes Properties No wonder our motto is “you already have a friend on the island.” Fall in love with Real Escapes Properties’ St. Simons vacation rentals, from cozy cottages, luxury homes, stunning condos, and much more! Buying or selling? Real Escapes Properties can assist you with all of your real estate needs! realescapesproperties.com 855.634.1667

DeLoach Sotheby’s International Realty

Real estate sold by real experts. DeLoach Sotheby’s International Realty is a local, established real estate company serving the Golden Isles since the early ’90s. We are dedicated to setting the standard for leadership and customer service for Brunswick, St. Simons Island, Jekyll Island, and Sea Island real estate, including oceanfront, waterfront, resort, vacation, and marina markets. A leader in the local real estate market, we have extensive knowledge of each of the communities.

It’s our commitment to you to help you buy or sell your home in a timely fashion while helping you every step of the way. We provide a comprehensive approach using today’s modern techniques, including web advertising. With tremendous buying and selling experience combined with our marketing, negotiation, and local knowledge, we will ensure that your home buying and selling process is a smooth and enjoyable experience. deloachsir.com 912.638.0406

ST. SIMONS ISLAND

Hodnett Cooper Vacation Rentals

It all started with a vacation. Forty years ago, Hodnett Cooper Vacation Rentals was founded by a family man dedicated to providing an elevated vacation experience. Today, their passion is St. Simons Island; its playful energy, Southern charm, and gracious hospitality is shared through a meticulously curated collection of more than 300 properties. Enjoy oceanfront penthouses overlooking soft sand and gentle waves to generous homes sprawling along the edges of coastal waterways. Allow our experts to guide you to a property and experience that assures cherished traditions and lifelong memories. hodnettcooper.com 912.617.9195

ST. SIMONS ISLAND

BRUNSWICK

College of Coastal Georgia

Not everyone gets to go to college in paradise, but for students at the College of Coastal Georgia, the Golden Isles is where they learn, study, and play.

There is much more to appreciate about the College than its location. A part of the University System of Georgia, Coastal Georgia offers quality academics, unexpected affordability, and competitive athletics — all in a vibrant collegiate community.

Many students take advantage of the College’s location to pursue degrees in coastal ecology, hospitality, tourism, and culinary arts. Others opt to join the nationally ranked nursing program or criminal justice program, with instructors from the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, concentrating on data and information analytics, cyber defense, homeland security, or public management.

The College has a new Bachelor of Science in accounting degree, as well as a Bachelor of Science in data science, where students can concentrate their studies in computational data analytics, healthcare analytics, financial analytics, marketing, and entrepreneurship.

A quality education with personalized academic support just minutes from the beach ... is it any wonder that students love the College of Coastal Georgia? And parents don’t seem to mind combining a visit with their students with a trip to the beach. Go figure! ccga.edu

Southeast Georgia Health System

Since 1888, Southeast Georgia Health System has ensured that coastal Georgia residents and visitors have access to the highest quality medical care. Today, the not-for-profit health system continues to grow to meet the community’s health care needs from birth through all stages of life.

Serving six counties, the Health System is comprised of two medical campuses and more than 50 physician practices. A full spectrum of health care services are offered, including maternity and newborn care; cardiology; surgical services; intensive care, and 24-hour emergency care. Multiple specialty centers include cancer care, cardiopulmonary rehabilitation, endocrinology and diabetes, gastroenterology and endoscopy, joint replacement, orthopaedic and spine, sleep management, wound care and more.

The Brunswick Campus Cancer Care Center is accredited by the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer, and is the only location in Georgia using CyberKnife® M6 with multi-leaf collimation (MLC) technology, a faster, more effective radiosurgery

treatment option. Additionally, the Brunswick Campus is accredited by The Joint Commission as an Advanced Primary Stroke Center and the Camden Campus is accredited as an Acute Stroke Ready Hospital.

Brunswick Campus features a 300-bed hospital. A master renovation and expansion project added 16 stateof-the-art operating suites, housing innovative technologies, including robotic surgical systems; 15 new treatment rooms in the Emergency Care Center; and 32 new patient rooms.

Camden Campus located in St. Marys, is a 40-bed hospital serving pediatric, maternity and adult patients. Specialty services include cancer care, joint replacement and wound care. For more information, visit sghs.org or call 855-ASK-SGHS (855-275-7447)

BRUNSWICK

Georgia Coast Realty

Not only does St. Simons Island-based Georgia Coast Realty know real estate — they know the Golden Isles. As one of the premier real estate companies in coastal Georgia, they’ve built a solid reputation for excellent service. The proof is in their many satisfied clients. Georgia Coast Realty’s real estate professionals have more than 90 years combined experience with buying and selling, vacation rentals, long-term rentals, and property management. Let their pros take care of business for you, so you can take time to explore the Georgia coast with peace of mind. gacoastrealty.com georgiacoastrentals.com 912.638.1144 800.639.1144

Port City Partners

Port City Partners develops sustainable properties that fit within the fabric of the historic community where we live, work, and play. Experience the charming character of Brunswick by staying in one of their boutique residences in the heart of downtown. Enjoy dining and shopping at Bubba Garcia’s and Schroeder’s Market, located in the Port City Lofts. Queen and Grant and Port City Park host public and private events year-round. Each unique property is within walking distance of retail stores, art galleries, incredible dining, music, and entertainment. portcitybrunswick.com portcitybrunswick 912.254.8600

Firm Foundations

Faith has been a stronghold in the Golden Isles since its settlement. In fact, churches were some of the earliest public buildings on St. Simons Island. Gothic-style Christ Church, Frederica was the first, and its continuous worship in the parish since 1736 makes it one of the oldest churches in the state. First African Missionary Baptist Church was organized in 1859, and the oldest standing church building on St. Simons Island is Lovely Lane Chapel at Epworth by the Sea, built in 1880. From stained-glass windows to soaring steeples, the area’s 30plus houses of worship are markers of architecture. But more important, they’re welcoming sanctuaries for Golden Isles worshippers.

ST. SIMONS ISLAND

Christ Church, Frederica 6329 Frederica Rd. 912.638.8683

Christian Renewal Church 6530 Frederica Rd. 912.638.4918

Community Church 2700 Frederica Rd. 912.634.2960

First African Baptist Church 5800 Frederica Rd. 912.638.5539

First Baptist Church 729 Ocean Blvd. 912.638.3337

Fort Frederica Presbyterian Church 6540 Frederica Rd. 912.634.2240

Frederica Baptist Church 65 Marsh’s Edge Ln. 912.634.2833

Holy Nativity Episcopal 615 Mallery St. 912.638.3733

Lord Of Life Lutheran Church 2801 Frederica Rd. 912.638.4673

Lovely Lane Chapel 100 Arthur J. Moore Dr. 912.638.8688

St. Ignatius Episcopal Chapel 2906 Demere Rd. 912.638.8683

St. Simons United Methodist Church 624 Ocean Blvd. 912.638.3317

St. Simons Presbyterian Church 205 Kings Way 912.638.2220

St. Williams Catholic Church 2300 Frederica Rd. 912.638.2647

Wesley United Methodist 6520 Frederica Rd. 912.634.1412

Church at Frederica

JEKYLL ISLAND

Faith Chapel 1408 Schoolhouse Ln. 912.635.4403

Jekyll Island Baptist Church 501 Riverview Dr. 912.635.2355

Jekyll Island United 503 Riverview Dr. 912.635.2330 Methodist Church

Jekyll Presbyterian 475 Riverview Dr. 912.635.2123 Community Church

SEA ISLAND

The Cloister Chapel 100 Cloister Dr. 912.638.3611

BRUNSWICK

Community Church 181 Mall Blvd. 912.634.2960

First Baptist Church of Brunswick 708 Mansfield St. 912.265.4150

First Presbyterian Church 1105 Union St. 912.265.3400

First United Methodist Church 1400 Norwich St. 912.265.4313

Golden Isles Church of God 200 Boswell Ln. 912.265.0937

Shiloh Baptist Church 1221 Egmont St. 912.264.1383

St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church 405 Howe St. 912.265.3249

St. James Lutheran Church 2229 Starling St. 912.265.6814

St. Mark’s Episcopal Church 900 Gloucester St. 912.265.0600

Temple Beth Tefilloh 1326 Egmont St. 912.265.7575

Unitarian Universalist 1710 Gloucester St. 912.265.9424 of Coastal Georgia

Real Estate

BRUNSWICK

College of Coastal Georgia 912.279.5700 ccga.edu

Education Healthcare

ST. SIMONS ISLAND

St. Simons Immediate 912.466.5900 sghs.org Care Center

BRUNSWICK

Glynco Immediate Care Center 912.466.5400 sghs.org

Glynn Immediate Care Center 912.466.5800 sghs.org

Southeast Georgia 912.466.7000 sghs.org Health System

BHHS Hodnett 912.638.5450 bhhshodnettcooper.com

Cooper Real Estate

Covenant Property Management 912.255.4777 covenantssi.com

DeLoach Sotheby’s International Realty 912.638.0406 deloachsir.com

Georgia Coast Realty 912.638.1144 gacoastrealty.com

Port City Lofts 912.254.8600 portcitybrunswick.com

Port City Partners 912.254.8600 portcitybrunswick.com

Real Escapes Properties 912.634.1667 realescapesproperties.com

Rebecca Strother Realtor 912.223.1946 duckworthproperties.com

Additional Resources

Tocal 770.855.8060 tocalguide.com

CHRIST CHURCH, FREDERICA

BRUNSWICK

VISIT THE GOLDEN ISLES

On behalf of the Golden Isles Convention & Visitors Bureau, we welcome you to our beautiful seaside destination along the Georgia coast. The Golden Isles CVB oversees two Welcome Centers in Glynn County, one in the Pier Village and one along I-95 South. The friendly staff at each location is ready to help make your visit to the Golden Isles one you will always remember!

GETTING HERE

Quick tips for savvy travelers

TRANSPORTATION

The Golden Isles, situated on Georgia’s southeast Atlantic coast, is approximately 75 miles south of Savannah, Georgia; 65 miles north of Jacksonville, Florida; and 280 miles southeast of Atlanta, Georgia.

Enjoy easy access by automobile via I-95 (from the north or the south), or U.S. Highways 341, 25, 82, and 520 (from the west). You can also travel to the Golden Isles by train (Jesup) by bus (Brunswick), or Edward Transportation car service (Waverly). Convenient commercial air service is available to Brunswick Golden Isles Airport (BQK), just 20 minutes from the barrier islands. Meanwhile, Jacksonville’s JAX and Savannah’s SAV are only a one hour drive via I-95.

WEATHER

The Golden Isles enjoys a climate typical of a semitropical location, with long and warm summers, short and mild winters, and ample rainfall. For an average temperature chart and tips for packing, visit goldenisles.com.

St. Simons Island Welcome Center

Pier Village, 529 Beachview Dr. 912.638.9014. Browse the art gallery and Live Oak Shop.

I-95 Welcome Center

Between exits 42 and 38 on I-95 Southbound 912.264.0202

The Golden Isles Official Visitor Guide is produced annually by the CVB and is the premier resource for planning your trip to the Golden Isles. The CVB also maintains Goldenisles.com, the official vacation planning website for the region. For advertising opportunities, call 912.638.9014.

Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport

Please visit goldenisles.com for more information on the many things to do, places to stay and the amazing history of the Golden Isles of Georgia. Goldenisles.com is the official website of the Golden Isles Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB), which is this area’s official destination marketing organization dedicated to promoting tourism in Glynn County, Georgia. This publication is produced by the Golden Isles CVB.

Golden Isles Convention & Visitors Bureau

529 Beachview Drive St. Simons Island, GA 31522 800.933.2627 | 912.638.9014 goldenisles.com

There’s no better place to start your visit to the captivating Golden Isles than by flying into Savannah/Hilton Head International (SAV). Named the best U.S. airport in the Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards and the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards, Savannah/Hilton Head International is well known for welcoming travelers to the Georgia coast with true Southern hospitality. Whether you choose to shop around local, unique shops or hope to grab a bite of coastal cuisine before your vacation officially begins, Savannah/ Hilton Head International has it all. Should you have any questions or travel needs, stop by the Visitor Information Center, where SAV’s friendly and knowledgeable staff can help ensure your island adventure begins on the right foot.

Comfortable, inviting, and easily accessible, SAV is serviced by eleven airlines, including Avelo Airlines, Allegiant, American Airlines, Breeze Airways, Delta, Frontier, JetBlue, Silver Airways, Southwest Airlines, Sun Country Airlines, and United. With more than 30 nonstop destinations and numerous daily flights, SAV gives travelers the choices they need to make travel a pleasure flysav.com @savhhiairport

No trip to the Golden Isles would be complete without a visit to the Golden Isles Welcome Center. Located on St. Simons Island in the heart of Pier Village, the Welcome Center has everything you need to make the most of your time in the Golden Isles. Our knowledgeable team will help you plan a memorable experience and provide friendly, local insights. While you’re here, explore the work of local artisans, peruse books, or purchase a locally crafted gift or official Golden Isles gear at the Live Oak Shop. The Welcome Center is also the only place offering year-round access to the official logo gear of The RSM Classic, the Golden Isles’ own stop on the PGA TOUR.

Golden Isles Welcome Center | 529 Beachview Drive, St. Simons Island | goldenisles.com | 912.638.9014