'''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 Airlines 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 1.5 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

  • '''Fort Frederica National Monument''' is located on the north end of the island. 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.
  • At the south end of the island, one can see and tour the '''St. Simons Island Lighthouse''', which also has a museum. The gold color of the marshes of St. Simons Island, and the area that surrounds it, inspired '''Sidney Lanier''' to write "The Marshes of Glynn," a notable poem.
  • 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'''.

    Buy

    J.F. Thompson fine footwear 912-634-4554 Men's and Women's dress and comfort shoes
  • Tibi outlet. edfern Village.

    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.

  • The Pampered Foot. 419 Frederica Road. 12-638-1413. Fine shoes, accessories and apparel

    Splurge

  • '''Delaney's Bistro''' 638-1330 $$$
  • '''Georgia Sea Grill''' 638-1197 $$$
  • '''Halyards Restaurant''' 638-9100 $$$
  • Fine Dining

  • '''Chelsea''' 638-2047 $$
  • '''Crabdaddy's Seafood Bar and Grill''' 638-1120 $$
  • '''George's Mediterranean Cafe''' 634-9633 $$
  • '''J Mac's Island Restaurant and Martini Bar''' 634-0403 $$
  • Casual Family Dining

  • '''Beachcomber BBQ Grill''' 634-5699 $
  • '''Bennie's Red Barn''' 638-2844 $$
  • '''Blackwater Grill''' 634-6333 $$
  • '''Bod-A-Bing Pizzeria A-Go-Go''' 634-2464 $
  • '''Bonefish Grill''' $$
  • '''Bubba Garcia's Mexican Cantina''' 634-0073 $
  • '''The Crab Trap''' 638-3552 $$
  • '''Frankie G's Island Diner''' 634-9957 $$
  • '''Gnat's Landing''' 638-7378 $
  • '''The King and Prince Hotel''' 638-3631 $$ buffet weekends
  • '''Locos of St. Simons''' 634-2002 $
  • '''Moondoggy's''' 634-2711 $
  • '''Mullet Bay Restaurant''' 634-9977 $$
  • '''Southern Soul Barbeque'''912.638.SOUL "''We're Smoking Supper''" $
  • http://www.southernsoulbbq.com/
  • '''Tacos Del Mar''' 634-8400 $
  • '''Zuzu's''' 638-8655 $
  • Breakfast

  • '''The King and Prince Hotel''' 638-3631 buffet
  • '''Cafe Frederica''' 638-6777 bagels and lox
  • '''Dressner's''' Village Cafe 634-1217 breakfast until 2:00 PM
  • '''Huddle House''' 638-7902 breakfast 24 hours
  • '''Sandcastle Cafe and Grill''' 638-8883 breakfast until 11:30AM, buffet, bagels and lox
  • '''Waffle House''' 634-6166 breakfast 24 hours
  • '''The 4th of May'''* bagels and lox
  • Lunch

  • '''The King and Prince Hotel''' 638-3631
  • '''Beachcomber BBQ Grill''' 634-5699
  • '''Barbara Jean's''' 634-6500 famous crabcake
  • '''Bubba Garcia's''' 634-0073 Tex-Mex
  • '''Cafe Frederica''' 638-6777
  • '''Delaney's Bistro''' 638-1330
  • '''Dressner's Village Cafe''' 634-1217
  • '''4th of May Cafe and Deli Restaurant''' 638-5444 amazing vegetables
  • '''Frankie G's Island Diner''' 634-9957
  • '''Gnat's Landing''' 638-7378 great salads
  • '''Hot Dog Alley''' 638-0202
  • '''Huddle House''' 638-7902
  • '''Larry's Giant Subs''' 634-0424
  • '''Locos of St. Simons''' 634-2002 sandwiches and salads
  • '''Mullet Bay Restaurant''' 634-9977
  • '''Nautica Joe's Sweets and Eats''' 634-0016
  • '''Pizza Inn''' buffet
  • '''Sandcastle Cafe and Grill''' 638-8883
  • '''Tacos Del Mar''' 634-8400 Tex-Mex
  • '''Waffle House''' 634-6166 a Southern classic diner
  • '''Wine and Cheese Cellar''' 638-2465 a hidden gem, sandwiches
  • '''Zuzu's''' 638-8655 burgers, sandwiches, ice cream, pizza
  • Steak

  • '''Bennie's Red Barn''' 638-2844
  • '''The Crab Trap''' 638-3552
  • '''Crabdaddy's''' 638-1120
  • '''Frankie G's Island Diner''' 634-9957
  • '''Delaney's Bistro''' 638-1330
  • '''Halyard's Restaurant''' 638-9100
  • '''J Mac's Island Restaurant''' 634-0403
  • '''Outback Steakhouse''' 634-6659
  • Italian and Pizza

  • '''Bod-A-Bing''' 634-2464
  • '''Moondoggy's''' 634-2711 Sicilian-style pizza, salads, creative atmosphere
  • '''Nazzaro's Italian Cuisine''' 634-6161 upscale Italian
  • '''Pizza Inn''' buffet weekdays, salad bar
  • Tramici 634-2202

    Bar and Grill

  • '''Frankie G's Island Diner''' 634-9957
  • '''Locos of St. Simons''' 634-2002
  • '''Marsh Point Bar and Grill''' 634-5933 smoking permitted, food until 2am
  • '''Rafters Blues and Raw Bar''' 634-9755 smoking permitted, happy hour
  • '''Teazer's Raw Bar and Grill''' 638-2422
  • Dessert

  • '''Halyards Restaurant''' 638-9100
  • '''Nautica Joe's Sweets and Eats''' 634-0016 ice cream
  • '''St. Simons Sweets''' ice cream parlor
  • '''Zuzu's''' 638-8655 ice cream
  • '''TCBY''' 638-5660 Frozen Yogurt
  • Grocery Stores

  • '''Winn-Dixie'''
  • '''Harris Teeter'''
  • Drink

    On Saint Simons Island, over-the-counter '''alcohol sales stop at 11:45PM Monday through Saturday'''. 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 12:30 p.m.

    Bars

    All bars on St. Simons Island close at 2AM. '''On Sundays, the bars that are open are only open until 12AM.'''

  • '''Brogen's''', St. Simons Island institution
  • '''Rafter's Blues and Raw Bar''', live music, smoking permitted, happy hour, pool tables,
  • '''Mullet Bay''', "fish market?", open Sunday
  • '''Murphy's Tavern''', local late-night favorite, Guinness on tap, pool tables
  • '''Village Inn and Pub''', trivia on Wednesdays, live bluegrass music weeknights, open Sunday
  • '''Beachcomber BBQ Grill''', relaxed environment, gay-friendly, smoking permitted after 10 PM, open Sunday
  • '''Locos of St. Simons''', trivia on Tuesdays, Guinness on tap, open Sunday
  • '''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
  • '''Marsh Point Bar and Grill''' NTN trivia network, smoking permitted
  • '''Outback Steakhouse''', Happy Hour 2 for 1, open Sunday
  • '''Teazer's Raw Bar and Grill''' Dance Music, pool tables
  • '''Ziggy Mahoney's''' shag dancing weekends, live music
  • '''The King and Prince Hotel''' island's only beachside bar, poolside and indoor bar, open Sunday
  • '''Casey's''' pool hall
  • '''Brogen's North''' Happy Hour
  • '''J Mac's Island Restaurant and Martini Bar''' live jazz music weekends
  • '''Chelsea'''
  • '''Palm Coast Coffee/The Hideaway Pub''' live Bluegrass,acoustic roots,& Americana music, dynamic craft beer and wine selection,At night Pub spills out into Coffee house,comfy couches,fireplace,great bbq served late by The Southern Soul BBQ.local crowd
  • Coffee

  • '''Palm Coast Coffee''', live jazz music weekends
  • '''Nautica Joes Sweets and Eats'''
  • '''St. Simons Sweets'''
  • AA

  • '''The Clubhouse''' 912_E634_E1778
  • http://www.glynncountyaa.org/meetinginfo.html

    Sleep

  • '''The King and Prince Hotel''', [http://www.kingandprince.com/] Historic Hotels of America
  • '''Sea Gate Inn''' [http://www.seagateinn.com/], may soon be eradicated.
  • '''Queens Court Motel''' [http://www.queenscourtmotel.com/]
  • '''Village Inn and Pub''' [http://www.villageinnandpub.com/]
  • '''Best Western'''
  • '''Days Inn'''
  • '''Hampton Inn'''
  • '''Holiday Inn Express'''
  • '''Sea Palms''', rooms, condos, and houses to rent.
  • '''The Grand''', condos''' http://www.thegrand102.com, best condominium complex on the island
  • '''The Lodge at Sea Island''',[http://www.seaisland.com/] 5-star hotel on St. Simons Island, frequented by the rich and famous.
  • .

    Get out

  • 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 adjacent to Saint Simons Island. Follow directional signs once on Saint Simons Island. There is a bridge to Sea Island. Private.
  • Little St. Simons Island is a privately-owned resort near Saint Simons Island. Arrive via Saint Simons Island. [http://www.littlestsimonsisland.com/]