TRAVEL THROUGH TIME
No visit to St. Simons Island is complete without a climb to the top of our historic lighthouse. Take the 129 stairs up to the observation deck to get a birds-eye view of the island and learn more about the history of this special island icon in the museum housed in the brick lightkeeper’s cottage. A few interesting facts: the current lighthouse is not the original light, which was built by James Gould in 1807; this lighthouse, constructed by renowned Georgia architect Charles Cluskey in 1872, is actually the third structure; it uses a third-order Fresnel lens. While many hundreds of lighthouses are operational along sea and lake shores in the U.S., only 85 cast and concentrate their beams through a Fresnel lens. Our lighthouse is one of only 15 that operate using an authentic, third-order Fresnel lens. At night, ships navigating our coastal waters can see its brilliant beam from up to 20 miles away. The lighthouse is identifiable to mariners by its flash pattern of one strong flash every 60 seconds. Pretty cool, right?! Did we mention it’s also haunted?
While the lighthouse is the most visible symbol of the island’s history, it’s just one of several historic sites in the Golden Isles. At the WWII Home Front Museum housed in the historic Coast Guard Station at East Beach, you can learn more about the island’s earlier days through interactive exhibits and recorded recollections of people who lived and worked here in those times. For more information about the sites operated by the Coastal Georgia Historic Society, visit coastalgeorgiahistory.org.
See where the island’s population originated by visiting Fort Frederica National Monument. Frederica was one of Georgia’s earliest English settlements, founded by General James Oglethorpe with construction of the fort in 1736. Residents built houses, some of them of sturdy tabby and brick, and by 1743 the town had nearly 1,000 residents. When the Spanish military gave up their attempt to expand control north of Florida, the British garrison at Frederica was no longer needed and the troops departed, resulting in a loss of income for the town and a decline in population. A few residents stayed until the start of the American Revolution. Congress established Fort Frederica National Monument in May 1936 and since then historians and archeologists have worked to discover more details about the town and the site itself. Ranger-led tours that last approximately 30 minutes are offered daily at 11:15 a.m. and 2:15 p.m., depending on weather and staff availability. There are also living history demonstrations and special events at the fort. Admission is free. For more information, visit nps.gov/fofr and follow the Fort Frederica Facebook page.
One of the most photographed locations on St. Simons Island is treasured landmark Christ Church, Frederica. The church sits nestled among huge live oaks, holly, and cedar trees in a serene setting on the north end of the island. On this site, John and Charles Wesley preached before returning to England to help found the Methodist Church. They also played a major role in the development of the Episcopal Church. The current church, built in 1884 to replace a predecessor that was partially destroyed during the Civil War, is constructed of wood in the cruciform design with a trussed Gothic roof and steeple and has magnificent stained-glass windows. The grounds contain a beautiful cemetery with graves of early settlers and many famous Georgians, including author, Eugenia Price, who wrote a St. Simons trilogy among several other novels, and Lucien Knight, the first state historian of Georgia. The oldest tombstone dates back to 1803. Across the street are the Wesley Memorial Gardens with a large Celtic cross monument surrounded by hundreds of azaleas that are breathtaking when in bloom.
Other noteworthy historic sites are the Historic Harrington Schoolhouse Cultural Center, the Bloody Marsh battle site, and newly dedicated Ibo Landing marker. Board one of the trolleys that operate from the Pier for a guided tour around the island and the sites mentioned here.
If you’d like to delve deeper into the Golden Isles’ past, Jekyll Island is well-known for its National Landmark Historic District, the site of “Millionaire’s Village.” The storied Jekyll Island Club that included J.P. Morgan, William K. Vanderbilt, Joseph Pulitzer, and others used the island as an exclusive winter retreat in the late 1800s. Its compound of cottages and the Jekyll Island Club Resort, former clubhouse, make up some of the 34 historic structures located on this 240-acre site that attracts visitors from around the world. Daily guided tours are available and can be scheduled through Jekyll’s Mosaic museum. For more information, visit jekyllisland.com.
KIDS' PLAY
For kids’activities, there’s no shortage of attractions to entertain. On St. Simons Island, you can start at the Neptune Park Fun Zone in the Village. There you’ll find a playground with swings, a miniature golf course that’s open year-round, and the pool area. There is something for everyone in the family, including a wading pool and water gym with slide and water cannons for the kids, a separate pool with lap lanes at one end and zero-entry access at the other. All areas are constantly monitored by American Red Cross-certified lifeguards. Because a day at the pool works up an appetite and thirst, there’s also an on-site concession stand and tables with umbrellas so you can enjoy refreshments in the shade as you lounge by the pool. Visit glynncounty.org for pool hours and rate information. New in 2022 is a daily pass that includes both pool access and a round of miniature golf.
Illustration by Ed Hose
Man O' War
If you want the excitement of a water park experience, head over to Jekyll Island to visit Summer Waves. Known for its cool, refreshing waters, clean surroundings, and amazing views of the Jekyll River, Summer Waves offers a variety of ways to beat the heat. From lazy laps around Turtle Creek, a half-mile, slow-moving, lazy river, to high-speed thrills down Pirate’s Passage or the newest attraction, Man O’War, or catching waves in the Frantic Atlantic, there’s no limit to the fun you can have and special memories you can make. Always a great place for a family outing or group gathering, Summer Waves can host birthday parties and more. Larry’s Giant Subs is on-site to satisfy lunchtime hunger and there’s Surf Shop if you forgot any of the essentials. For hours and pass rates, visit jekyllisland.com and find the Summer Waves tab under Activities.
If you’re looking for educational attractions that you can visit rain or shine, the Georgia Sea Turtle Center and Tidelands Nature Center on Jekyll Island offer an up-close look at coastal creatures. Open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., the Georgia Sea Turtle Center is Georgia’s only sea turtle education and rehabilitation facility. The Center offers the public a chance to learn about sea turtles and see rehabilitation in action with a host of interactive exhibits and experiences. Year-round indoor and outdoor programs are also available for guests of all ages. By visiting the Center, you are supporting their mission to protect and preserve the turtles. Dr. Terry Norton, the Center’s veterinarian says, "Our hope is to not only help this charismatic species survive but to watch it thrive. And you can make a direct impact. Your support will continue to help our mission for rehabilitation, research and education of sea turtles and wildlife on the Georgia coast." The Center also offers Sunrise and Evening Turtle Walks seasonally as well as ride-along experiences with the turtle patrol team. These experiences are fascinating and educational. For more information about admission, pricing and booking for the walks and ride-alongs, visit jekyllisland.com and find the Georgia Sea Turtle Center tab under Activities.
Operated by the 4-H, Tidelands Nature Center offers hands-on coastal ecology programs, guided kayak tours, canoe rentals, and a live coastal species exhibit gallery. In keeping with Georgia 4-H Environmental Education program objectives, Tidelands strives to develop an awareness, knowledge, and appreciation for the environment, as they connect participants with our coastal ecosystems. Tidelands’ exhibit gallery is open to the public and allows for up-close viewing of live marine animals and reptiles native to the Georgia coast. The saltwater exhibit area includes aquariums with live aquatic animals including fish, crabs, sting rays, sea turtles and more, as well interpretive displays about seashells, the salt marsh, and shrimp trawling. The reptile area features many species of reptiles including gopher tortoises, snakes, alligators, and turtles. See fish in the 1,300-gallon aquarium located in the annex. Outside the main building there are models of a right whale calf and manatee, a birding area often visited by painted
buntings, and a wildlife viewing platform. Admission is only $5. For more information, visit georgia4h.org/4-h-centers and find the Tideland Nature Center tab.
In Brunswick, you’ll find some other popular rain-or-shine options to keep the kids entertained. The Strike Zone bowling alley also features an arcade with prizes, VR Zone for immersive game play, pool hall with coin-operated billiard tables, fueling station for hungry visitors, and the newest attraction: Captain Spare-O’s, an 18-hole black light indoor miniature golf course. You’ll encounter pirates, sharks, and a mermaid on the eye-popping, brightly colored black light course with a pirate-themed adventure. Add a pair of 3-D glasses for a more immersive golfing experience! On Friday and Saturday nights, check out the Rock-n-Bowl experience complete with music videos, laser lights, disco lights, black lights, and runway lights! For more information, pricing, and lane reservations, visit tgistrikezone.com.
Voted #2 pinball location in the nation, Pinball Palace is a fun and family friendly environment with more than 88 pinball machines, 40+ classic arcade games, three huge bounce houses, air hockey, and more. With this huge selection, they have all your favorite arcade hits! Games are set for free play, and you purchase passes for 1 or 2 hours or a full day of unlimited play. For more information and pricing, visit thepinballpalace.com.
Brunswick Adventures offers kids a clean, safe, indoor place for active play. No arcade here, just lots of jumping fun! For visitors 10 years-old and younger, there are bounce houses that feature six inflatables, including two 18' high slides, a large maze, and three jumpers with a basketball goal. The all-ages trampoline park offers a large main court, dodgeball court, two basketball lanes, and jousting pit. No reservations are needed and passes for the trampoline park are for one or two hours, while bounce house access is unlimited. For more info, visit brunswickadventures.com.
