If you’re craving salty air, slow mornings and the kind of weekend that feels way longer than two days, St. Simons Island is perfect for you.
This dreamy Georgia island is packed with cool history, amazing food, and tons of spots where you can just chill and watch the tide roll in.
Whether you’re into beach walks, climbing stuff, eating your weight in BBQ, or discovering weird old forts, this road trip has a little bit of everything.
Trust me, you’re gonna love every minute.
1. East Beach
East Beach is the go-to spot on St. Simons Island if you’re into wide, hard-packed sand that’s perfect for biking, walking, or building epic sandcastles.
It’s located on the island’s eastern shoreline, near the Coast Guard Station, and it’s famous for its super low tides that create huge flat areas to play on and explore.
You can watch kite surfers flying across the waves, search for sand dollars at low tide, or bring your pup since this beach is totally dog-friendly before 9 a.m. and after 6 p.m. in summer.
2. World War II Home Front Museum
Just a few steps from East Beach, the World War II Home Front Museum is packed with real stories, cool gadgets, and hands-on exhibits that show how locals on St. Simons helped win the war without ever leaving Georgia.
It’s inside the old Coast Guard Station, and you’ll get to crack secret codes, spot enemy ships through binoculars, and learn how Liberty ships were built right down the road in Brunswick.
This place isn’t just for history buffs—if you like spy stuff, old-school gear, or pressing buttons on interactive displays, you’ll be totally into it.
3. St. Simons Island Lighthouse Museum
Next up, just a five-minute drive from the museum, the St. Simons Island Lighthouse Museum gives you front-row views of the ocean and 129 twisty steps to the top.
Built in 1872, this white brick lighthouse is still active today, and the museum inside the old keeper’s house tells wild stories about storms, shipwrecks, and one spooky lighthouse legend.
Climb to the top for a seriously awesome 360-degree view of the island, the pier, and even Jekyll Island on a clear day.
It’s totally worth the leg burn.
4. Pier Village
Once you’ve climbed the lighthouse, head just around the corner to Pier Village which is the island’s hangout spot for shopping, snacking, and just chilling by the water.
You’ve got everything from shrimp baskets at Iguanas to creamy scoops at Moo Cow Ice Cream, plus cute little shops like Savannah Bee Company and Island Dog.
Don’t miss the actual pier at sunset—it’s where locals fish, dolphins sometimes pop up to say hi, and the sky turns crazy shades of orange and pink.
5. Southern Soul Barbeque
When your stomach starts growling, Southern Soul Barbeque is where you need to be.
This no-frills spot dishes out smoky, messy, ridiculously good BBQ from a 1940s gas station turned grill joint.
It’s all about the pulled pork sandwiches, ribs that fall off the bone, and their famous Brunswick stew (seriously, don’t skip it).
Grab a picnic table outside, soak up the smell of hickory smoke in the air, and get ready to lick BBQ sauce off your fingers as this place is a local legend for a reason.
6. Gascoigne Bluff Park
After you’ve stuffed yourself with BBQ, stroll it off at Gascoigne Bluff Park, a shady spot packed with giant live oak trees draped in Spanish moss.
The trees here are massive and some are over 100 years old!
This riverside park sits right on the Frederica River and has a fishing pier, a boat ramp, and even the remains of old tabby slave cabins from the 1800s.
It’s quiet, breezy, and perfect for kicking back on a bench, spotting boats float by, or tossing a frisbee under those enormous oaks.
7. Bennie’s Red Barn
When the sun goes down, head to Bennie’s Red Barn.
This big red building in the woods has been serving up steaks and seafood since 1954, and it’s got serious old-school charm.
Inside, it’s all wooden beams, twinkle lights, and a cozy fireplace, plus the portions are huge (the prime rib is legendary).
On weekends, The Club at Bennie’s next door turns into a lively spot for live music and dancing, so you can end your day with a full belly and a happy two-step.
8. Fort Frederica National Monument
The next morning, walk off last night’s feast with a visit to Fort Frederica National Monument, where you can wander through the ruins of an old British fort from the 1700s.
It’s super peaceful, with crushed shell paths, grassy fields, and crumbling tabby walls that once defended the coast during battles with the Spanish.
There are ranger-led tours if you want the full story, but even just exploring on your own feels like stepping into a giant outdoor time capsule.
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