Location: Saint Simons Island
Top Things to do in Saint Simons Island
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7 Nature & Parks in Saint Simons Island That You Shouldn't Miss
Enveloped by expansive beaches, moss-draped oaks, and salt marshes, Saint Simons Island, part of the Golden Isles chain near Brunswick, is a nearly 18 square mile island, once dominated by rice and cotton plantations. Today, it’s a recreation wonderland with superb championship golf courses, miles of bicycle paths, great fishing, historic sites, and excellent restaurants. If you love golf, you’ll love Saint Simons Island, which is home to the 18-hole King and Prince Golf Course and 27-hole Sea Palms Golf & Tennis Resort. Nearby are 234 more holes of golf at popular spots like the 63-hole Jekyll Island Golf Club and 36-hole Sea Island Golf Club. Anglers have lots of opportunities to fish in the rivers, tidal creeks, sounds and the Atlantic Ocean. You’ll find charters and guides at the Golden Isles Marina, and you can also fish off the St. Simons Island Pier and surf cast on stretches of beach on the island’s north end. For such a compact island, Saint Simons is brimming with historic sites. Don’t miss the Saint Simons Lighthouse, where you can climb the 129 steps for a magnificent view of the island; the Fort Frederica National Monument, which has remnants of the British fort built in the 1700s; and the Bloody Marsh Battle Site, where the Spanish defeated the British in 1742.
Restaurants in Saint Simons Island
1. Wesley Memorial & Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 106 reviews
Reviewed By MarnetteS - Webster, United States
After being cooped up during Covid, we were ready to take a trip. We chose St. Simon's Island, a comfortable three-hour drive from Hilton Head Island, for its sightseeing opportunities. Among the historic monuments was the Wesley Gardens on Frederica Road. We stopped there after first visiting historic Christ Episcopal Church just down the road. The Wesley Gardens are named after brothers John and Charles Wesley who founded the Methodist religion. There is a turn-off from Frederica Road to park; the area is small but probably not many cars will turn up at the same time. The gardens are meticulously maintained. The imposing 18-foot Celtic cross just inside the gate is wondrous. It weighs 15 tons cut from granite in Elberton, GA. Charles Wesley was General Oglethorpe's Secretary of Indian Affairs. He is also famous for writing over 6,000 hymns. The garden is situated on two acres and filled with native trees and plants. It was a pleasant walk around the cross; benches provide a place to sit and rest in this beautifully landscaped retreat. It would be especially lovely in the spring with blooming azaleas. The Wesley Methodist Church is adjacent to the gardens. Bells toll on the half and hour.
2. St. Simons Island
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 641 reviews
As the largest barrier island in the Golden Isles, St. Simons Island offers a unique landscape that creates the perfect backdrop for challenging golf courses, friendly inns, and luxurious resorts. Complete with a variety of charming shops and must-visit restaurants, it’s no wonder St. Simons Island earned Southern Living’s Best Vacation Spot in Every Southern State and TripAdvisor’s 17 Beautiful Small Towns to Visit.
Reviewed By BruceJoyce
We live here, and with the silence of the Coronavirus moment, are more sharply aware of why folks find it to be such a nice place to visit. The ocean has created a remarkable extension to the beaches. Our closed restaurants are of real variety, from 4 star to hamburger joints and ice cream shops. A considerable variety of hotels are complemented by heaps of houses to rent for a week or more. Cannon point provides walking and biking trails through forested inlets to marshes and the ocean. Nearby Jeckyl Island offers miles of dunes to climb and beaches and the ocean are uncrowded and some really pleasant references. Do come and sample when safe life returns.In the meantime, stay safe.
3. Frederica Park
4. Cannon's Point Preserve
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 52 reviews
Cannon's Point Preserve is open to the public on Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays 9am - 3pm. The non-motorized boat launch is open for launching from 9am - 1pm. There is a kiosk at the entrance to the Preserve where visitors will find maps and other information. On days when Cannon's Point is open to the public, there will be a volunteer on-site welcoming visitors. Cannon's Point Preserve has some of the last intact maritime forest on St. Simons Island and is rich in cultural and natural history. The peninsula has over six miles of salt marsh, tidal creek and river shore line that provide habitat for wildlife such as oysters, birds, fish, manatee and shell fish. On site visitors can view the ruins of a large plantation home, overseer's home, and slave quarters built by John Couper in the 1800s.
Reviewed By melissaaQ7050VS
Beautiful, easy 5 mile round trip hike (not counting the side paths) with a great destination point. We arrived to misty rain and cold but the tree cover kept us pleasantly dry until it warmed up for the day. The employees/volunteers were incredibly friendly and made sure to point us to the facilities before we took off on the hike. The ground was stable and the hike level. The signs posted were all very clear and there is really no chance of getting lost or disoriented here. The remains of the Cannon house at the end of the walk were impressive and fascinating. We really enjoyed this hike and the history that went along with it.
5. East Beach
6. Epworth By the Sea
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 43 reviews
Reviewed By 323paiges
Walked around the grounds and was mystified by its beauty and peace. John Wesley knew what he was doing! (As a fellow United Methodist I am however, a little biased)
7. Massengale Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 28 reviews
Reviewed By Sonjasafron - Candler, United States
I took my two dogs to o visit this beach off leash. They ran into the tidal pools, got all muddy, then ran along the sand jumping into the waves. I have never seen happier dogs. PS- they have been sleeping for the last 4 hours.
