8 Days a Week

If you’re visiting St. Simons Island and the surrounding area, it seems like there’s never time to fit in everything you want to do. Even a week just isn’t quite enough. EIL is here to help! Borrowing from the Beatles, we’ve decided to show how much we care for all things local by packing in eight days of ideas for exploring our island and just beyond.

Outdoor Fun

Since the weather here is mild for most of the year, take advantage of the temperate days and head outdoors!

8:00 a.m. Fuel up for the day with a hearty breakfast at Café Frederica. A popular fella with the locals, KK will greet you with a smile and serve up all your favorite morning fare. Some staff recommendations: Eggs Benedict, fresh-made cinnamon rolls, and, if you’re there on a Tuesday or Thursday, blueberry stuffed French toast! YUM! (You might even want to pick up some treats for later from their homemade bakery selections.)

10:00 a.m. Pack a picnic lunch, hop on your bikes and head up to the north end of the island to do some exploring. You’ll find that the island is bicycle friendly and there are plentiful paths to lead you most anywhere you’d like to go. The perfect place to absorb some history and see what the island might have been like in early days is Cannon’s Point Preserve. Recently acquired by the St. Simons Land Trust, Cannon’s Point consists of approximately 472 acres of maritime forest. It accesses the Altamaha River and is also rich in archeological history. The former site of the plantation home of John Couper, the plantation tract is intact with ruins of the home and outbuildings still existing. There are also Native American shell rings and middens and Gullah Geechee artifacts. It’s a great place to do some bird-watching too! Cannon’s Point Preserve is open to the public Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Biking, hiking, and picnicking are allowed. No pets permitted.

3:00 p.m. On your return, stop by Mellow Mushroom and visit with Blanche, another natural island treasure. When the restaurant was built, special care was taken to preserve the large live oak that provides the canopy of shade in the back. The site had once held an iconic local restaurant called “Blanche’s Courtyard,” so the tree was named “Blanche” and the outdoor patio was constructed around her so she can now preside in leafy splendor at Mellow Mushroom. Many vestiges of Blanche’s can also be found inside the restaurant, including some stained glass at the bar and the old Blanche’s sign. Grab an appetizer and a cold one or a cocktail during one of the happiest Happy Hours on the island from 2:00-6:00 p.m. and 9:00-midnight.

6:00 p.m. Dusk is the perfect time to snag a local photographer to take photos of your time on the island. The sun isn’t blazing and our sunsets can be absolutely amazing. Family portraits at the beach or a couple’s walk along the shady Avenue of the Oaks are some popular choices. Our friends at The Darkroom Photography are real pros at capturing the moment and making everyone look their best. Give ‘em a call and take advantage of the beautiful natural backdrop we’re so lucky to have here.

8:00 p.m. No trip to St. Simons Island is complete without a visit to the area’s best-known smoke joint. Featured on Guy Fieri’s “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” among a host of other food TV shows, Southern Soul Barbeque offers up this delicious staple of the South, as well as fantastic Wednesday Burger Day specials, Friday’s mouthwatering Prime Rib, and Sunday’s classic fried chicken. So sure, you can have the brisket or pulled pork, but don’t overlook their other inventive and flavorful culinary creations like Cheerwine chicken wings, Soul Rolls (their popular sweet BBQ rib meat take on an eggroll) barbeque take on an eggroll, house-made brats and sausage, and more. Be sure to take home a T-shirt or hat and some of their amazing sauces too!

A Spa & Shopping Day

There’s nothing like a relaxing day of pampering and retail therapy. There are multiple hair and nail salons in the area, as well as day spas that offer facials, massage, wraps, and more. From antiques to artisan wares and décor to designer fashion, our many boutiques hold treasures you’ll be delighted to discover.

9:30 a.m. Since we’re on island time, most shops don’t open until 10:00 a.m. or later, so start the day out at The Market on Sea Island with a delicious latte or maybe an iced cold brew coffee, accompanied by a croissant breakfast sandwich or one of their flaky pastries. You can also start your browsing here, as there are wonderful finds that will delight both the foodie and the fashionista.

10:15 a.m. Continuing on Sea Island Road just across Frederica Road, there are retail opportunities at the Shops on Market Street that include trendy women’s clothing and accessories at Butler’s Stash, where the girls are known for pouring a mimosa for you to sip while leisurely browsing the store; fashion-forward boutique Cloth + Label; and activewear shop Love & Sweat. It’s also the new location to find the St. Simons Island outlet for Tibi designer fashion, and the eclectic and unique offerings from Ronne’s.

11:45 p.m. Cross Sea Island Road to Shops at Sea Island to pop in The Cloister Collection for Lilly Pulitzer galore, as well as Show Me Your Mumu, BCBG Max Azria, Trina Turk, Dolce Vita, and so much more. Gentlemen’s Outfitters has Southern Tide, Vineyard Vines, and everything else your man needs to be stylish year-round, as well as women’s fashion, shoes, and accessories. Indigo and Cotton has a little bit of everything, from home décor to travel gear. Need a new Pandora charm or two or maybe a fabulous cocktail ring or a new watch? Joseph Jewelers is the place to shop!

1:00 p.m. Enjoy lunch on the outdoor patio at Tramici. With a focus on fresh and local ingredients, Tramici’s daily specials and catch of the day are always delicious options.

2:00 p.m. Check into Island Day Spa for a little “you” time. A 90-min. Island Signature Massage that includes essential oils, hot towels, reflexology, and a scalp massage will make all your cares disappear.

3:45 p.m. To round out the shopping day, head back down Frederica Road to St. Simons Drug Co. Wonderful gifts, home décor, jewelry, and hats are some of the things you’ll find in this so-much-more-than-a-drugstore. From there, meander across toward the alley to Redfern and discover the antique-lovers’ dream that is Low Country Walk. Through the alley to Redfern Village, you’ll have Golden Isles Olive Oil, Planters Exchange, Wild & Personal, Cachettes + St. Simons, Le Petit Market, Cutie Patooties, Tarpon Bay, and other boutiques. For hot designer sunglasses, Coastal Eye Care has you covered. If you’re a UGA Bulldog fan, you’ll want to take a quick run across Frederica to Maggie’s Boutique. They’re well known for their wide selection of red and black attire, as well as novelty items, and can deck you out from head to toe for tailgate season.

7:00 p.m. Now that you’re looking and feeling your finest. Don one of the new outfits you bought and go out for a divine dinner at Delaney’s Bistro & Bar. Here you will find fine dining with superb wines to complement sensational dishes.

9:30 If you’re in the mood to dance, kick up your feet at Ziggy’s. DJ D-Rek knows just what to spin to keep the joint hoppin’.

Redfern Remembered

On the summer day of August 25^th, three thousand spectators and reporters were on the beach on Sea Island to watch a brand-new $12,000 Stinson SM-1 Detroiter airplane take off into the sunny skies in route to Rio de Janeiro. A 25 year-old pilot named Paul Redfern was at the controls. Redfern had been born the year of the Wright Brothers flight and was a mechanical tinkerer who was infatuated with airplanes from an early age. His family members often said Paul “always had his head in the clouds.” At 16, he created what he billed as “ the World’s Smallest Flying Machine” out of cardboard and spare parts and gave aerial rides to paying customers at county fairs for $2 a ride.

In a bid to bring attention to the sleepy town of Brunswick and increase port activity, in 1927, the Brunswick Board of Trade raised and matched the $25,000 prize that Lindbergh was paid that same year for his non-stop trip from New York to Paris. Redfern stepped up to the challenge despite the fact that the 4,600 mile flight was fraught with dangers from deep ocean waters to the jungles of the Amazon. Newspapers reported that Redfern packed a rifle, revolvers, ammunition, various knives and other weapons, fishhooks, flares, and baubles and beads for trade if he happened to crash. Redfern declared: “Don’t lose hope if you don’t hear from me for two or three months. If I should be forced down in the Amazon, I believe I can survive and will be able one day to walk out of that jungle.”

With his wife Gretchen watching from the crowd, Redfern flew off into the Atlantic and was next seen the following morning near Trinidad when he threw out a carton with a note asking the steamer ship Christian Krohg for directions to South America. That was the last anyone saw or heard from Paul Redfern.

Over the next decades, dozens of rescue expeditions were launched and rumors circulated where Redfern had survived the plane’s crash. One rumor was he was seen in an Amazon village married to an Indian women with a son who looked like him. Another was his plane was seen in Venezuela. None proved to be true and after ten years, his wife declared him dead.

Although his fate was never discovered, his name lives on. A street in Rio is named after him, and a group in South Carolina called the Paul Rinaldo Redfern Aviation Society gets together every August 25^th to have a toast at 12:46 pm — the actual take off time of the disastrous flight. Here on St. Simons Island, we have the mid-island village named after him. So the next time you’re having a bite to eat or sipping a drink in Redfern Village, remember this young adventurous aviator with your own raised glass. The world needs the dreamers, the inventors and all the kids with their heads in the clouds.

Hit the Links!

The Golden Isles are known for our great golf courses, and, of course, more than a handful of PGA TOUR pros call St. Simons Island and Sea Island home, most notably Ryder Cup US Team Captain Davis Love III and 2015 British Open Golfer of the Year Zach Johnson. In the fall, St. Simons Island hosts the Fed Ex Cup golf tournament, RSM Classic, and it’s fun to listen to the Golf Channel broadcasters and golfers talk about much they enjoy being on our little island. The week’s worth of events that surround the tournament, including the Under the Oaks concert that has brought such performers as Darius Rucker, Martina McBride, and Toby Keith, are exciting for the entire community.

9:00 a.m. Stop into Palmer’s Village Café for a breakfast that will treat your taste buds! Chef JB serves up classic dishes with a fresh and flavorful twist. French toast, omelets, steak and eggs, are some of the offerings on the menu that changes seasonally.

11:00 a.m. Head to the north end of the island for a day on the links at The King and Prince Golf Course – Home of the The Hampton Club. The 18-hole, Par 72, Joe Lee designed course boasts four signature holes highlighting play on The King and Prince Golf Course’s back nine, and the full experience lands the course on golf’s “must-play” lists on the Florida to Myrtle Beach circuit. Don’t forget to warm up on the driving range and putting greens before you play. And for something different, try out a GolfBoard instead of a cart to get you around the course!

4:00 p.m. It’s Happy Hour! Catch 228 in Redfern Village has oysters year-round, peel & eat Wild Georgia Shrimp. So grab a beer or glass of wine and replay the day’s action over some good seafood. If you need a little tweak in your performance or are considering replacing a lost or now bent club, Davis Love III’s Paddle & Putt is just up the road, and sometimes the man himself can be found around the shop – or across the street at Bubba Garcia’s.

5:30 p.m. For quiet dinner ambiance and Low Country Cajun cuisine, Blackwater Grill is just right. They’ll start you off with a little “lagniappe,” and if you don’t know what that is yet, you’re in for a treat!

8:00 p.m. On weekends, you’ll find live music at Gnat’s Landing plus an impressive selection of beers on tap. You’ll see why Redfern Village is an island hot spot on summer nights.

A Deed Rewarded

Many people think that Neptune Park’s name came from its proximity to the ocean and the Roman god that was thought to rule the sea, however it is actually named for a slave from Retreat Plantation, named Neptune Small. He was chosen to accompany Henry Lord Page King when King enlisted in the Confederate Army during the Civil War in 1861. He accompanied King and cared for him for nearly two years as they marched across Virginia, Maryland, and West Virginia. King was killed returning to his regiment after delivering a dispatch during the battle of Fredericksburg in 1862. Small went to the battlefield, discovered his body, and enlisted the help of officers to make a pine box in which to transport the body, and then took steps to see the body to Savannah for a burial in what was to be a temporary grave, as it was unsafe to return the body to St. Simons Island during Union occupation. After the war, Small returned to Savannah and accompanied King’s body so he could be buried in the family plot in Christ Church Cemetery. In gratitude, the King family gave Small a portion of their property, where he built him home and lived as a free man until his death in 1907. It is part of this property that now houses Neptune Park.

Golden Isles Career Academy instructor and local artist, Kevin Pullen was commissioned to create a statue of Neptune Small for the park. The statue is 28 inches high, weighs 138 lbs, and is made of cast bronze resting on a granite base. It is now on display for the public at the Visitor’s Center.

Explore Pier Village

The heart of St. Simons Island is the pier at the south end of the island and the village that surrounds it.

6:15 a.m. It’s worth rising to greet the sun at the pier at least once while you’re here. Make a cup of coffee, or grab one at Parker’s, and then go sit and watch the light spread across the sky. We’re known for being friendly here, so strike up a conversation with one of the folks sitting at the pier in the early morning; you’d be surprised what you can learn about fishing and life on our island.

7:30 a.m. Another “must-do” near the pier in the morning is a trip to the Sandcastle breakfast buffet. With eggs cooked to order, your choice of French toast, pancakes or a waffle, plus grits, sausage, bacon, biscuits and gravy, corned beef hash, hash browns, fresh fruit, yogurt, muffins, cinnamon rolls, and juice, you might not have to eat for the rest of the day. On weekdays, they open at 7:30 a.m., Fridays and Saturdays at 7:00 a.m., and at 8:00 a.m. on Sundays. They’ve been serving up breakfast for 25 years, and you’ll see why it’s a tradition for visitors and locals alike.

10:00 a.m. After that big breakfast, you’re going to need to take a walk, a nice long walk. Wander around the village and peer in the shop windows on Mallery Street. Make your way back around the Casino Building, maybe taking a break to sit and rock for a spell in one of the chairs outside the library. Pass Neptune Park, the right whale statute (you’ll probably want a picture here) and the Fun Zone, and stop in at the St. Simons Island Lighthouse. Be the first visitor of the day to climb the 129 stairs to the top when they open at 10:00 a.m. (except Sunday, when they open at 1:30 p.m.) The view from the top is spectacular…and the exercise is good for you!

11:00 a.m. Now go put on your swimsuit and hit the pool at the Neptune Park Fun Zone. Day passes are $8 (children 3 and under are admitted free). 10-visit punch cards are available and can be used at both the pool and the mini-golf course. The pool opens daily at 11:00 a.m., except Tuesday, when the pool is closed for the day, and Sunday, when it opens at 1:00 p.m. Concessions are available. So throw your towels on some lounge chairs and spend the day.

1:00 p.m. Take a break from the fun in the sun to grab lunch at Zuzu’s. Hand-pattied burgers, hot dogs, French fries, shakes, and ice cream, make it a favorite for the whole family. YOU may not be very hungry after that big breakfast, but after all the splashing in the pool, the kids will be!

4:00 p.m. When you’re done at the pool, stroll back up Mallery to those boutiques you window-shopped that morning. You can pick up a new summer maxi or cute sundress at Go Fish with great fair trade jewelry to match. The sweet and spicy scents of Dutchmans will draw you in to check out their unique collection of gifts, décor, and home furnishings. Be sure to drop by Golden Isles Bracelet Co. to pick up a St. Simons Island bracelet or any of their other exquisite handcrafted designs as the perfect keepsake reminder of your time here.

6:00 p.m. Thinking about dinner? If you’re not hungry yet, squeak in a quick round of putt-putt at the Neptune Fun Zone to work up your appetite, then walk over to Mullet Bay. Their patio is the perfect place to wind down with a tropical cocktail and they have fantastic salads on a menu that’s large enough to offer something to please everyone. On weekends, they have live music too. It’s a great way to wind down a day.

Up the Road a Piece

A little more than 20 miles north of St. Simons Island lies the little waterfront town of Darien. Known for its shrimp boats and its history, it’s a great place for a daytrip. And while you’re out exploring, take some time to visit what’s on the mainland. Historic Downtown Brunswick has some great things to offer!

8:30 a.m. Grab a bagel either with a schmear of their flavored cream cheese or as a breakfast sandwich at Sandy Bottom Bagels to start your day. The bagels are so good, you might want to get a half dozen or so to take home. We recommend the French Toast bagels! YUM!

9:00 a.m. Fort King George is open every day except Monday at 9:00 a.m. The oldest remaining English fort on Georgia’s coasts, the reconstructed frontier fortification with its blockhouse, barracks, and guardhouse is a fascinating place to learn about Darien’s rich history from the Guale Indians, to the threat of Spanish invasion, and the introduction of the Scots.

11:00 If you call ahead, you can arrange a tour of Ashantilly Center when you’re in Darien too. Once the mainland home of early Georgia planter Thomas Spalding, and later the project of the Haynes family, Ashantilly Center is now a educational and cultural historic site with a small letterpress print shop founded by William G. Haynes, Jr.

12:00 Have lunch on the water at Skipper’s Fish Camp. Delicious food and a great view of the docked shrimp boats! After lunch, walk the waterfront to see the tabby ruins and old waterfront buildings that remain, and maybe pop in Waterfront Wine & Gourmet to grab a bottle or three and some Sweet Grass Dairy cheese to take home.

2:00 p.m. No trip to Darien is complete without a stop in Sugar Marsh Cottage for some sweet treats. You’ll find it hard to choose between shortbread cookies and the sea-life inspired handcrafted chocolates. All are mouth-wateringly good! But don’t feel bad about indulging in sweets, balance it out with a trip to Turnip Greens on Walton Street, you’ll find seasonal Georgia produce and artisan edibles at this great new country store!

3:30 p.m. Don’t be too quick to head back over the causeway, instead, take Gloucester Street into Historic Downtown Brunswick and experience the art galleries, shops, and restaurants of what has become known as the “SoGlo” district. The Ritz Theatre houses an art gallery with monthly exhibits and offers classic movies, theatre performances and more. Art Downtown’s So Glo Gallery is also home to the Brunswick Actors’ Theatre where the introduction to every show of the season is a reminder that “laughter is always the best medicine.” Ross Edwards Designs, the Brunswick Stewdio, Grace Graffiti, are also showing the tremendous art and craftsmanship we have in the area.

5:30 p.m. If it’s Thursday, Friday, or Saturday, you’ll want to experience dinner at The Southern Table. Southern hospitality and cuisine with a creative flair are what they do best. Menu changes weekly and you’ll also want to try their specialty cocktails. Tell Stacy and Jay we sent you!

7:30 p.m. Cross the street to Tipsy McSway’s Neighborhood Bar & Grill to check out the nightly entertainment. Fun trivia nights and excellent live music keep this place hopping! If there’s nothing going on when you’re there, check back later in the week—there will be!

Splash Around

We live on an island, surrounded by water, so when you’re here, one thing that’s imperative is that you get out on or in it. Whether you choose to go out on a boat for recreation or fishing, on a kayak or paddleboard, or just want to spend the day chilling at the beach and taking the occasional dip, you have to spend some time on or in the water!

7:30 a.m. Start the day with a paddle at Gould’s Inlet. Don’t know how or don’t have equipment? That’s okay; Turtle Tides SSI Paddleboards & Kayaks can hook you up. Their friendly guides can take you on a tour or drop off boards for your use, and are always happy to help you learn the ropes. If you get hooked, they’ve got boards for sale at their shop in the village too!

10:00 a.m. If you’d rather spend a full day on a guided kayak experience on the Altamaha or Satilla or over to Little St. Simons Island, contact Southeast Adventure Outfitters to make arrangements by stopping in the village shop on St. Simons Island or the dock in Brunswick, next to Marshside Grill. They also offer Eco-Cruises on the deck boat Norma, and Mothership Trips with kayak time and transport on converted shrimp boat, the Captain Gabby. They do short paddles daily as well, and their experienced guides are great with families.

3:30 p.m. For an unforgettable Golden Isles experience, take a public shrimpin’ excursion aboard the Lady Jane shrimp boat. Excursions take place Mondays, Wednesday and Saturdays. You’ll learn how the boat trawls the water for shrimp and get to sort the catch with the crew. It’s a calm sea experience with an air-conditioned cabin and restroom, so you won’t sacrifice comfort on your adventure. It’s a fantastic experience for all ages!

6:00 p.m. After a day out on the water, a seaside concert would be perfect! On select Sundays during the summer, there are two outdoor concert series where you can pack a picnic dinner, a cooler of your favorite beverages, and grab your lawn chairs and blankets to dance under the stars. A Little Light Music concerts are presented by the Coastal Georgia Historical Society on the lighthouse lawn. Sounds by the Sea concerts are presented by Golden Isles Arts and Humanities Association.

7:00 p.m. If it’s not a concert day, plan dinner at The Crab Trap. An island icon since 1975, they offer up seafood almost as fresh as what you were sorting on the boat a few hours ago, and the tables have handy holes to toss your shells. We recommend the key lime pie for dessert—it’s too good to pass up!

A Siren Joins the Spirits

Have you seen the newest St. Simons Island tree spirit? Keith Jennings, the artist who carved the iconic tree spirits that have existed on the island for the past several decades, was here in the spring to create this beautiful new life-sized mermaid he named "The Siren of St. Simons." The project was a family affair with Keith’s daughter, Dorian, drawing the art and his son, Devon, helping with the carving. We'd like to thank Keith (who worked to complete the The Siren despite having the flu while here) and his children for this spectacular new addition to the island's tree art collection. For those concerned about our trees, there’s no need to worry; the folks at the Brunswick-Golden Isles Visitor Center who commissioned the work have reassured us that the carving is not harmful to the tree, as that section was previously hit by lightning and was already dead. You can see The Siren next to the Visitors Center on Beachview Drive. To view more of Keith's work, visit Tree Spirits of St. Simons Island on Facebook.

See Jekyll

Have you seen what’s new on Jekyll Island yet? There have been big changes and they’re proud to show them off. The new Beach Village by the Westin hosts a monthly Saturday Farmer’s Market and events, and is the location of some terrific shops and restaurants. The historic district is always a wonderful place to explore, and the Georgia Sea Turtle Center is a must-see for all ages.

9:00 a.m. Before hitting Jekyll, take a ride down to Mary Ross Waterfront Park in Brunswick to check out the Bazaar and Farmer’s Market that happens each Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. This is also the location for the Rhythm on the River concert series and other events. You can learn more about Brunswick’s role in building Liberty Ships during WWII and view a scale model of a Liberty Ship at the Liberty Ship Memorial Plaza in the park.

10:00 a.m. Visit the turtles! The Georgia Sea Turtle Center is Georgia’s only sea turtle rehabilitation center. Learn about the coastal environment and conservation, preservation of this unique species, and what GSTC does to rehabilitate and rehome sea turtles. You’ll also see the current patients and find out more about their care. Behind-the-scenes tours are available and you can also make reservations to take Turtle Walks between June 1 and July 31.

1:00 p.m. A guided tram tour around the Historic District from the Jekyll Island Museum is the best way to learn more about the homes and buildings preserved from the Gilded Era. From J.P. Morgan to the first transcontinental telephone call, history is rich on Jekyll Island – even more rich than the members who first created the Jekyll Island Club. There’s so much to see at the museum and throughout the Historic District. Shop at leisure, it’s a gorgeous place to spend the day!

4:00 p.m. Grab a frozen yogurt, smoothie with all your favorite additions at Fuse and do a little shopping in Beach Village as a mid-afternoon treat.

5:00 p.m. Take a sunset dolphin cruise or wine cruise with Jekyll Island Boat Tours. These 90 minute tours leave the Jekyll Wharf and are a fantastic opportunity to get some great pictures of dolphins at play and the gorgeous sunsets for which our area is known.

7:45 p.m. Sit on the deck at Latitude 31/The Rah Bar, grab some dinner and just enjoy the view. Live music begins at 7:00 p.m. on the weekends.

Turtles, Terrapins, and Tortoises

What’s the difference between turtles, terrapins, and tortoises? They’re all reptiles that have scales and lay eggs, but their habitats vary greatly.

A turtle spends most of its life in the water and generally have webbed feet for swimming. Sea turtles are especially adapted for aquatic life, with long flippers and a streamlined body. Aside from female nesting practices, they rarely leave the ocean; although some species, such as the green sea turtle, do bask on reefs and beaches occasionally. Other turtles live in fresh water, like ponds and lakes. They swim, but often climb out onto banks, logs, or rocks to bask in the sun. In cold weather, they may burrow into the mud, where their body metabolism will slow until warm weather returns.

A tortoise is a land-dweller with round stumpy feet for walking. They eats low-growing shrubs, grasses, and even cactus. Tortoises living in hot, dry habitats use their strong forelimbs to dig burrows and stay underground when the sun is too hot.

A terrapin spends time both on land and in water, but always lives near water, along rivers, ponds, and lakes. Terrapins are often found in brackish, swampy areas. The word “terrapin” comes from an Algonquian word for turtle.

So, now you know!

A Place of Art and History

St. Simons Island is steeped in history from its origins in Fort Frederica to the resting place of some of her most famous inhabitants at Christ Church Cemetery. Beautiful art is another hallmark of our little island, with several galleries to visit while you’re here. Spend a day taking in the art, history, and culture while you’re here.

10:00 a.m. Take the Trolley! Colonial Trolley, Lighthouse Trolley, and St. Simons Trolley all have tours of the island, departing daily from the village at different times. This is the best way to get an overview of the area, its history, and its attractions. This allows you to plan the day to come back to your favorite spots and explore at your own pace.

12:00 noon Grab lunch at Palm Coast Coffee & Pub in the village. A favorite local hangout and popular place for live music after dark, Palm Coast is also close to Glynn Visual Art’s gallery at the Welcome Center. You’ll want to stop in there and the main location on Skylane Road to see the current offerings from local artists. Other galleries to visit as you head up to the north side of the island after lunch include Anderson Fine Art Gallery, Art Trends, Wallin Gallery and the Mildred Huie Plantation House Museum, and the Parker Gallery. You’ll be amazed at the collections you see!

3:00 p.m. Learn about St. Simons Island’s colonial heritage by visiting Fort Frederica. And while you’re on the north end, you’ll also want to visit the Wesley Oak and Memorial Gardens, Christ Church and the cemetery. They are all a short distance from each other and easily accessible. Bring your camera because there’s no shortage of photo opportunities!

5:30 p.m. Even dinner should be at a historic location on St. Simons Island. So drop by Bennie’s Red Barn. An island tradition since 1954, hand-cut steaks and local seafood, and some of the best fried chicken around, are specialties of the restaurant located in the big red barn.

7:00 p.m. Finish the day with a sunset stroll on the beach, and make your way over to Crabdaddy’s for drinks and dessert. The bread pudding is another little piece of island history! You can’t leave without trying it.

THE LIST

Here’s a list of all featured venues in our 8 days a week take for living in the Golden Isles. When you visit these fine establishments, remember to tell them that EIL sent you. Who knows? You might actually see us there!

Anderson Gallery - 912.634.8414; andersonfinegallery.com

Art Downtown/Brunswick Actors Theatre - 912.262.0628; soglogallery.com

ArtTrends Gallery - 912.268.4761; arttrendsgallery.biz

Ashantilly Center - 912.437.4473; ashantilly.org

Bennie’s Red Barn - 912.638.2844; benniesredbarn.com

Blackwater Grill - 912.634.6333; blackwatergrill.com

Brunswick Stewdio - 912.222.3187; brunswickstewdio.com

Bubba Garcia’s - 912.634.0073; bubbagarcias.com

Butler Stash - 912.268.2642; butlerstash.myshopify.com

Cachettes + St. Simons - 912.434.6050; cachettes.net

Café Frederica - 912.638.6777; cafefrederica.com

Catch 228 - 912.634.6228

Cloister Collection - 912.634.8084; cloistercollection.com

Cloth + Label - 912.268.4767

Coastal Eye Care - 912.638.8652

Coastal Georgia Historical Society/St. Simons Lighthouse - 912.634.7090; saintsimonslighthouse.org

Colonial Trolley - 912.268.0363; colonialtrolley.com

Crabdaddy’s - 912.634.1120; crabdaddysseafoodgrill.com

Cutie Patooties - 912.434.9372

Davis Love III’s Paddle & Putt - 912.268.4247; paddleandputt.com

Delaney’s Bistro & Bar - 912.638.1330; delaneysbistro.com

Dutchman’s Casual Living - 912.634.2764; dutchmansdesign.com

Fort Frederica National Monument - 912.638.3639; NPS.gov/fofr

Fort King George State Historic Site - 912.437.4770; gastateparks.org/fortkinggeorge

Fuse - 912.268.4572; fusefrozenyogurt.com

Gentlemen Outfitters - 912.634.1521; gentlemensoutfitters.net

Georgia Sea Turtle Center - 912.635.444; gstc.jekyllisland.com

Glynn Visual Arts - 912.638-8770; glynnvisualarts.org

Gnat’s Landing - 912.638.7378; gnatslanding.com

Go Fish - 912.634.5854; shopgofish.com

Golden Isles Arts & Humanities/The Ritz Theatre/Mary Ross Waterfront Park - 912.262.6934; goldenislesarts.org

Golden Isles Bracelet Company - 912.638.3636; gibcobracelets.com

Golden Isles Olive Oil - 912.602.9736; goldenislesoliveoil.com

Grace Graffiti - 912.388.1770; gracegraffiti.com

Island Day Spa - 912.638.7799; theislanddayspa.com

Jekyll Island Boat Tours - 912.635.3152; captainphillip.com

Jekyll Island Museum - 912.635.4036; jekyllisland.com

Joseph Jewelers - 912.634.9060; josephjewelers.com

Lady Jane Shrimp Boat – Credle’s Adventures - 912.265.5711; shrimpcruise.com

Latitude 31 - 912.635.3305; latitude31jekyllisland.com

Le Petit Market - 912.268.2013; lepetitmarket.com

Lighthouse Trolley - lighthousetrolley.com; 912.638.333

Love & Sweat - 912.268.2375; loveandsweat.net

Low Country Walk - 912.638.1216

Maggie’s Boutique - 912.638.3995

Mellow Mushroom - 912.291.9108; mellowmushroom.com

Mildred Huie Plantation House Museum - 912.638.3057

Mullet Bay - 912.634.9977; mulletbayrestaurant.com

Neptune Fun Zone - 912.279.3720; glynnncounty.org

Palm Coast Coffee - 912.634.7515; palmcoastssi.com

Palmer’s Village Café - 912.634.5515; palmersvillagecafe.com

Parker Gallery - 912.638.2141

Parker’s - 912.638.8868; parkersga.com

Planters Exchange - 912.638.9888; plantersexchange.com

Ross Edwards Design - 912.543.3875; rossedwardsdesign.com

Sandcastle Café - 912.638.8883; sandcastleatthepier.com

Sandy Bottom Bagels - 912.434.9310; sandybottombagels.com

Skipper’s Fish Camp - 912.437.3474; skippersfishcamp.com

Southeast Adventure Outfitters - 912.638.6732; southeastadventure.com

Southern Soul Barbeque - 912.638.7685; southernsoulbbq.com

St. Simons Drug Company - 912.638.8876; stsimonsdrugs.com

St. Simons Land Trust/Cannon’s Point - 912.638.9109; sslt.org

St. Simons Trolley - 912.638.8954; stsimonstours.com

Sugar Marsh Cottage  - 912.268.2522; sugarmarshcottage.com

Tarpon Bay Trading Company - 912.268.2911; tarponbaytradingco.com

The Crab Trap - 912.638.3552; crabtrapssi.com

The Darkroom Photography - 912.638.7077; darkroomssi.com

The Hampton Club - 912.634.0255; hamptonclub.com

The Market at Sea Island - 912.634.3994; seaisland.com/dining/the-market

The Southern Table - 912.342.8409; thesoutherntableandbar.com

Tibi - 912.638.1221; tibi.com

Tipsy McSway’s - 912.267.9991; tipsymcsways.com

Tramici - 912.634.2022; tramicirestaurant.com

Turtle Tides SSI Paddleboards & Kayaks - 912.222.2190

Wallin Gallery - 912.638.0176; wallingallery.com

Wild & Personal - 912.634.4563; wildandpersonal.com

Ziggy’s - 912.634.0999; ziggysonstsimons.com

Zuzu’s - 912.638.8655