Saint Simons Island
Saint Simons Island is in southern Coastal Georgia on the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway.
Get in
- Malcolm McKinnon Airport on the south end of Saint Simons is a small airfield serving small private planes.
- Brunswick Golden Isles Airport (BQK, also known as "Glynco Jetport") is the nearest airport with commercial service. Delta Air Lines has daily flights from Atlanta.
- The nearest major airports are Savannah/Hilton Head International (SAV) to the north, and Jacksonville International (JAX) to south, in Florida. Each is about 1½ hours away by car.
Although Saint Simons is somewhat interlocked with the other islands and mainland of the Intracoastal Waterway, the only access by road is The F.J. Torras Causeway and a bridge arching high over the channel to allow large ships to pass. Bicyclists and pedestrians with a fear of heights will wish they'd gotten a ride.
Get around
Many of the condos in the area are close to restaurants and bars, so walking is an excellent way to get around.
Bike paths line almost every street on St. Simons Island, and bike rentals are available at various outlets on the island.
See
St. Simons Island is well known for its distinctive wildlife, landscape, and architecture. The gold color of its marshes and the area that surrounds them inspired Sidney Lanier to write "The Marshes of Glynn," a notable poem.
- 1 Fort Frederica National Monument, on the north end of the island, ☏ +1 912 638-3639 ext 107. The fort was established by Gen. James Edward Oglethorpe in 1736, to protect the Georgia border from Spanish invaders to the south. The community life of the settlers at Fort Frederica, and the battles which were waged in the name of Georgia, are fascinating history.
- Near Fort Frederica is Christ Church, a beautiful Episcopal church at which Methodism founder John Wesley preached to the Frederica congregation.
- 2 St. Simons Island Lighthouse Museum, 610 Beachview Dr (on the south end of the island), ☏ +1 912 638-4666. M-Sa 10AM-5PM, Su noon-5PM. The 104-ft (32-m) structure towers over the island and provides a commanding view of the St. Simons Sound. Also has a museum with interesting history and artifacts from lighthouse keepers. Adult $12, child 6-12 $6, child under 6 free, military service members $2 with ID.
Do
A popular activity on St. Simons Island is bicycling, and tourists can use the generous bike paths that line every major street to explore the island. St. Simons is also a pleasant place to run for sport. At the fishing pier on the south end of the island, near the lighthouse, people can be found fishing and crabbing at almost any time of day or night.
Other popular activities include:
- sea kayaking (tours led by Southeast Adventure Outfitters)
- canoeing (tours led by Southeast Adventure Outfitters)
- boating
- deep sea fishing
- angling
- swimming
- windsurfing
- birdwatching
- beachcombing
- parasailing
St. Simons Island is home to seven fine golf courses, and is a popular destination for golfers from around the world, and home to professional golfer Davis Love III.
There are frequently arts, crafts, and antiques festivals on weekends in the Village area of the south end. The annual Sunshine Festival is held at the Village, as well, over the Fourth of July weekend, and the evening fireworks are a popular attraction for locals and visitors alike.
In the spring and summer months, the Jazz in the Park series is held Sundays on the lawn of the St. Simons lighthouse.
In temperate weather, music jam sessions, including bluegrass music (Tuesdays), are held in Neptune Park in the Village.
Easter Sunrise Service, held on the fishing pier on Saint Simons Island, is a popular non-denominational Easter Sunday church service.
- 1 St. Simons Pier, 100 Mallery St. 24 hours. A vibrant pier for fishing, people peddling handicrafts, and a great view of the St. Simons Sound and Jekyll Island. Free.
Buy
- J.F. Thompson fine footwear +1 912-634-4554 Men's and Women's dress and comfort shoes
- Tibi outlet, Redfern Village.
- Bailey Boys Outlet, 373 Skylane Road. Upscale children's clothes and outlet prices
- Pampered Foot, 3419 Frederica Road.
Eat
St. Simons has many unique, fun, and delicious places to eat. All restaurants in Georgia are non-smoking, except those which do not allow patrons under the age of 18 or have a separate room or floor with completely different ventilation.
- 1 Barbara Jean's, 214 Mallery St, ☏ +19126346500. Su-Th 11AM-8:30PM, F Sa 11AM-9:30PM. Some of the best Lowcountry and 'classic' Southern food you can get anywhere. Very reasonable prices for large portions. Appetizers range from $5-15, and entrees are usually between $15-30.
- Beachcomber BBQ Grill, relaxed environment, Great BBQ and burgers, open Sunday.
- CJ's. Sicilian-style pizza and salads in a creative atmosphere.
Drink
On Saint Simons Island, over-the-counter alcohol sales stop M-Sa at 11:45PM. No alcohol is sold on Sunday, except in restaurants and bars. Liquor must be purchased at a liquor store/package store. Beer and wine are sold in grocery and convenience stores. On Sundays restaurants may not sell alcohol until 12:30PM.
Bars
All bars on St. Simons Island close at 2AM. On Sundays, the bars that are open are only open until midnight.
- Brogen's. A St. Simons Island institution. Food is not bad, beer is good, locals friendly.
- Bubba Garcia's, Dos Equis Amber and Sierra Nevada on tap, open Sunday, costume party every Wednesday in summer
- Gnat's Landing, laid back, open until 10, dollar PBRs, open Sunday
- J Mac's Island Restaurant and Martini Bar live jazz music weekends
- Locos of St. Simons, trivia on Tuesdays, Guinness on tap, open Sunday
- Marsh Point Bar and Grill NTN trivia network, smoking permitted
- Murphy's Tavern, local late-night favorite, Guinness on tap, pool tables, darts, good fun, a piece of Ireland on St Simon. Friendly staff and locals, always a good spot for a few late drinks to finish the night.
- Palm Coast Coffee/The Hideaway Pub. Live Bluegrass, acoustic roots & Americana music, dynamic craft beer and wine selection. At night the pub spills out into Coffee house, comfy couches, fireplace, great bbq served late by The Southern Soul BBQ. Local crowd.
- Teazer's Raw Bar and Grill Dance Music, pool tables
- Rafter's Blues and Raw Bar. Live music, smoking permitted, happy hour, pool tables.
- Village Inn and Pub, trivia on Wednesdays, live bluegrass music weeknights, open Sunday
- Ziggy Mahoney's shag dancing weekends, live music
Sleep
- 1 The King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort, 201 Arnold Rd, ☏ +1 912 638-3631, toll-free: +1-800-342-0212 (reservations). Check-in: 4PM, check-out: 11AM. Named one of the Historic Hotels of America.
- The Lodge at Sea Island, 100 Salt Marsh Lane, toll-free: +1-888-732-4752, info@seaisland.com. 5-star hotel on St. Simons Island, frequented by the rich and famous. Rates start at $395 per night.
- Queens Court Inn.
- Village Inn and Pub.
- Holiday Inn Express, 299 Main Street (in Plantation Village), ☏ +1 912-634-2175. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. Great price for the island! Centrally located in Plantation Village and convenient to beaches and shopping. $99-159.
- Best Western Island Inn (The Island Inn), 301 Main Street (in Plantation Village), ☏ +1 912-638-7805. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. Perfect setting for wedding receptions and family gatherings. Hotel boasts conference center and beautiful pool area for lounging. Friendly staff. $89-149.
- The Lodge at Sea Island, 100 Retreat Rd. AAA Five-Diamond, 24-hr butler service, complimentary town bicycles, Golf Courses, 2 restaurants: Oak Room and Big George's.
- The Cloister at Sea Island, 100 Cloister Dr, Sea Island, toll-free: +1-877-537-8078. The Cloister Spa, 3 restaurants: Georgian Room, River Bar, 100 Hudson, Fun Camp for kids, tennis clinics, ice cream bar.
- Ocean Inn and Suites, 599 Beachview Drive. Location is superb and only a few miles down the road from when you get on the island. The hotel rooms are majestic. Now the decor and design is a bit on the heavy side but nevertheless this is a beautiful hotel to stay in with friendly staff.
Go next
- Jekyll Island is just to the south.
- The nearest mainland city is Brunswick.
- Cumberland Island National Seashore can be reached by driving 53 miles south on Interstate 95 to St. Marys, Georgia. You must take a ferry to Cumberland Island from St. Marys. There is a fee, and reservations are required to board. No motor vehicles are allowed on the ferry.
- Sapelo Island Estuarine Reserve is home to the R.J. Reynolds Mansion, and Hog Hammock, one of the last remaining gullah communities in the U.S. To get there, drive approximately 30 miles south on U.S. Highway 17 to Meridian, and take the ferry. There is a fee to board, at $2 per person, and you must have reservations. No vehicles are allowed on the ferry.
- Okefenokee Swamp is located nearby.
- Sea Island is privately-owned and adjacent to Saint Simons Island. Follow directional signs once on Saint Simons Island. There is a bridge to Sea Island.
- Little St. Simons Island is a privately-owned resort near Saint Simons Island. Arrive via Saint Simons Island.