17 Best Things To Do In St. Simons Island, Georgia
See how to spend a weekend in this friendly Georgia beach locale.
Along the coast of Georgia, at the center of the state’s gentle curve inward, is St. Simons Island, an easygoing spot where massive, moss-covered oaks shade winding roads and miles of pristine beachfront unspool along the Atlantic. Georgia’s largest barrier island is a place that invites you to kick back, relax, and indulge in all it has to offer. From a barbecue joint you’ll want to write home about to a boutique hotel you’ll never want to leave, here are the best restaurants, shops, hotels, and experiences in St. Simons Island, Georgia.
Eat A Memorable Meal
Have Some of the South’s Best BBQ at a Reimagined Gas Station
Named the South’s Best Southern Smokehouse by our readers in 2019, Southern Soul Barbeque is a favorite among old-faithfuls and newcomers for a reason. Namely, that they make the “best damn barbecue you’d ever had.” They smoke it all here—chicken, turkey, and sausage included—but first-timers should go straight for the main event: a “plate-up” of pulled pork with two sides (the Brunswick stew and fried okra are hard to beat, plus a piece of white bread for good measure.
southernsoulbbq.com, 2020 Demere Rd, St Simons Island, GA 31522
Enjoy a Steak Dinner at Bennie’s Red Barn
First opened in 1954, the area’s oldest privately owned restaurant once required formal attire. These days, the dress code leans more “come as you are” than coat-and-tie, but some things haven’t changed: Their famed steaks are still cooked over a wood-fired grill, and a “Raccoon,” a boozy milkshake, is the best way to finish the meal. Afterwards, pop to their “Treebar,” next door, where as the name suggests, you can have a drink beneath the sprawling limbs of a massive oak tree.
benniesredbarn.com, 5514 Frederica Rd, St Simons Island, GA 31522
Savor Small Plates at Dorothy’s Cocktail & Oyster Bar
Named for chef and owner Daniel Auffenberg’s maternal grandmother, this charming spot is as much a feast for the eyes as it is for the tastebuds. Inside, find a seat beneath rattan lanterns and lush greenery, or if the weather’s nice, choose an outside table under one of their signature striped umbrellas. Don’t miss the oysters (a rotating selection from all along the East Coast) or the cocktail menu, which includes a mix of classics and original concoctions.
dorothysssi.com, 12 Market St, St Simons Island, GA 31522
Eat Lunch with a View
Settle in for local peel-and-eat shrimp with a view of the marsh at Fiddlers, an easygoing spot where you can score everything from fried seafood baskets with hushpuppies and fries to coconut rice bowls served with avocado and tuna tartare.
fiddlersat410arnold.com, 410 Arnold Rd, St Simons Island, GA 31522
Start the Day with Something Sweet
Open Wednesday through Sunday, Dulce Dough is the place to grab a pastry or doughnut for a vacation-worthy breakfast. Check their Instagram to sneak a peek at the bakeshop’s ever-changing menu of flavors, which range from the classic, like Maple-Glazed to the wildly inventive, like Satsuma Mandarin with European Butter. Beyond the doughnuts, you’ll also find brioche breakfast sandwiches, cinnamon rolls, homemade granola, and a host of other treats.
dulcedoughbakery.com, 1624 Frederica Rd Unit 1, St Simons Island, GA 31522
Play Outside
DorothyBlahnik/Getty Images
Spend a Day on the Sand
Ocean-fronting East Beach is open to the public, with wide swaths of sand primed for sunning and shelling and surf that’s just right for swimming. Plus, there’s plenty of convenient parking, and dogs are welcome too. Pack a picnic (and sunscreen), and stay ‘til sunset.
Climb to the Top of the Historic Lighthouse
Take the 129 steps of the St. Simons Lighthouse’s spiral staircase to earn a birds’-eye view of the coast. Built in 1827, the 104-feet-tall tower is one of only five remaining light towers in the state. The Keeper’s Dwelling, built the same year as the lighthouse, today operates as the museum.
coastalgeorgiahistory.org, 610 Beachview Drive St. Simons Island, GA 31522
Cast a Line
Whether you’re hoping for an offshore adventure and the catch of a lifetime or an inshore fly-fishing trip, there’s a local guide who’s ready to introduce you to the island’s surrounding waterways. If you’re not ready to commit to a full-on charter (or even leave land), you can fish or crab off St. Simons Island Pier right on the edge of Pier Village, the area’s main shopping and dining district.
Cruise the Island on Two Wheels
With more than 20 miles of paved paths, St. Simons makes it easy to explore by bicycle. Rent beach cruisers or e-bikes from one of the island’s many rental companies, and pedal to your heart’s content.
Go for a Paddle
One of the best ways to experience the area’s natural beauty is getting out on the water. Book a kayak tour with SouthEast Adventure Outfitters and wind your way through tidal creeks and salt marsh, or opt for a boat cruise to take in a sunset you’ll never forget.
southeast-adventure-outfitters.myshopify.com
Squeeze In Some Shopping
Pluck Something Good from The Vine
The brainchild of floral and landscape designers Kelly Revels and Bryce Vann Brock, The Vine is an amalgamation of all the things they love—event design, florals, and home goods. Pop in to shop their assortment of the wild and whimsical, from coffee table books to bud vases to candles.
vinegardenmarket.com, 100 Garden Grove Lane, St Simons Island, GA 31522
Pick Up a Painting
Bring home a special memento of your time on the island with a piece from Anderson Fine Art Gallery, which curates a beautiful collection of landscape paintings, still lifes, and nostalgia-inducing scenes from nationally known artists.
andersonfineartgallery.com, 3309 Frederica Rd, St Simons Island, GA 31522
Score a Style Steal at the Tibi Outlet
The New York-based brand has Southern roots: Its founder and creative director Amy Smilovic grew up in St. Simons, which is why it’s home to one of Tibi’s only outlets. The fashion-loving set can peruse racks of occasion-worthy dresses and timeless staples, along with shoes and accessories, and take them home for a song.
tibi.com, 28 Market St Suite 120, St Simons Island, GA 31522
Where To Stay
Experience Historic Hospitality
Though technically not on St. Simons Island (it’s on its own sliver of land), 95-year-old Sea Island Resort is too iconic to leave off the list. Opened in 1928 “as a friendly little hotel,” the five-star property today still celebrates this brand of hospitality, ensuring first-time guests feel like old-timers and old-timers feel like family. With dozens of amenities and experiences, including educational sea turtle walks, horseback riding, and river paddles, Sea Island ensures you’ll never have to sit still for long—unless, of course, R&R is what you’re after. In that case, park it in a pool lounger or beach chair (there are three pools and five miles of beachfront to choose from) and stay put ‘til sunset.
seaisland.com, 100 Cloister Dr, Sea Island, GA 31561
Kick Back in Retro Style at The Park
For a boutique stay with a throwback feel, book one of the five thoughtfully decorated houses at The Park, another project of the duo behind The Vine. The motor-lodge-style hotel is anchored by a central pool that’s surrounded by peach loungers and black-and-white scalloped umbrellas. Gathering with a 33? You can book the entire property, which sleeps up to 26 people.
theparkssi.com, 420 Mallery St, St Simons Island, GA 31522
Wake Up to Beach Views at The King & Prince
From oceanfront suites in the hotel’s historic Main Building to five-bedroom residences, The King & Prince Beach and Golf Resort makes family vacations a breeze. In addition to direct beach access, they also offer an award-winning golf course, three outdoor pools, and umbrella and chair rentals for an easy day on the sand.
kingandprince.com, 201 Arnold Rd, St Simons Island, GA 31522
Stay Like a Local
The island is home to an abundance of beach house rentals, which means it’s not hard to find one that suits your needs. VRBO and Airbnb have a presence on the island, but you can also shop rentals from locally owned companies, like Lighthouse Vacations, which is run by a lifelong St. Simons native; they offer properties all over the island and even have pet-friendly options.
For more Southern Living news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!
Read the original article on Southern Living.
