St. Simons island is the PERFECT low key stateside beach trip for families. If you are looking for a laid back beach trip without having to pull out your passports, this is a great option for a beach vacay oozing with southern charm. There are endless things to do in St.Simons Island Georgia and we are going to lay out the best of the best for you here.
We spent 5 days on St.Simons island in October and it was just the most charming little area…that so many people don’t even know about! (my kind of place:))
So let’s dive in and take a look at all the can’t miss things to do in St. Simons Island, GA!
Where is St.Simons Island?
St. Simons is not your typical beach town. At only 18 square miles wide and surprisingly underdeveloped, there definitely is an unspoiled beauty to this island that is really unique.
Prior to my sister telling us about this US hidden gem, I had never even heard of St.Simons island! We were familiar with the popular 30A beaches in Florida, or Orange Beach in Alabama, or even Hilton Head not too far away. But I had never even heard of the Golden Isles until about a year ago.
…and I am tempted to keep it just that! Still a hidden gem!
BUT if you are looking for a untapped beachy area stateside – THIS should absolutely be your next family beach vacation!
St.Simons island is largest of the 4 islands that make up the Golden Isles off the coast of Georgia. You can fly into Savannah and it is about a 1.25 hour drive from the airport. It is equally situated away from the Jacksonville, FL airport, if you find better flight options there.
It’s also only a 3-hour drive from Charleston and about 5 hours from Atlanta or Charlotte. So perfectly accessible for an affordable family beach vacation.
The Golden Isles is a collection of barrier islands located along the coast of Georgia. The four main islands that make up the Golden Isles are Sea Island, Jekyll Island, St Simons Island, and Little St. Simons Island, each with its own personality and character.
Although, Hilton Head gets most of the attention in this area, the Golden Isles are the just as charming, less touristy little sisters :).
Why St.Simons Island?
We are always looking for ways to affordably travel as much as possible (anyone else?!). And sometimes there is just no better way to save (that is equally as enjoyable) as a stateside family beach trip.
It’s simple, it’s accessible, it’s affordable (if you pick right!), it’s FUN and there are a plethora of things to do in St.Simons Island Georgia.
St.Simons Island in Georgia hit ALL the targets. Being able to fly into Savannah made tickets super affordable. Plus we used our Southwest Companion pass to get BOGO flights for our family– so even MORE savings.
And compared to other coastal beach towns, I would say St.Simons was very affordable. There were many beachFRONT rental options for $300/night and under!
The town was charming, yet laid back. It really gives those true southern charm vibes. With the live oaks dripping in moss everywhere, the bounty of seafood restaurants, and the thick southern accents at every turn- you really feel like you are somewhere special.
There were endless things to do in St.Simons Island GA for families. From outdoor activities, to visiting the unique other islands in the area, to biking the coast, to historical landmarks.
Despite its relatively smaller size, the island has an impressive history with everyone from the Spanish, English and French having fought over it. Its hundreds of year old forts, churches, plantations and lighthouse now provide some rich culture and history to round out your visit.
Not to mention that most people don’t even know about this hidden gem! Head to St.Simons for your next family vacay…before everyone else does!
This is absolutely the type of place people come back to over and over and over for that yearly laid back beach trip.
When to visit St.Simons Island?
I wouldn’t say there is a bad time to visit the island. St. Simons Island has a coastal semitropical climate with hot summers and a warm fall and spring. The winter is pretty short and can regularly have days in the ’60s and ’70s. So it really is a reliable year round vacation spot.
The summers will peak not only in heat (high 80’s, low 90’s) and humidity…as well as crowds and prices. We went in October and it was the perfect time to go IMO. Still warm enough to enjoy some beach days in the sun, but without the humidity and swarms of people that the summer months bring.
By the third week of October, temperatures start to drop and you definitely need a light jacket more so than not- so just keep that in mind! Even with a bit of chill in the air though, there are loads of things to do in St.Simons Island Georgia.
The best things to do in St. Simons Island Georgia
​​Whether you want to immerse yourself in history, have a lazy day at the beach, explore the island via outdoor activities, or simply connect with Mother Nature- St. Simons Island offers a perfect mix of relaxation, history, charm, and adventure.
Spend the day at one of the coastal beaches
Now don’t get me wrong, St.Simons is the white sand, clear waters you might get in the Caribbean or Hawaii. BUT if you are looking to be near the water in a seaside, laid back town (at a fraction of the cost of those vacations)- this area is for you!
The high tide and low tide throughout the day make the beach basically not exist or what feels like an endless shore. The sand is so tightly packed it really does make for a great beach with kids in tow.
“Brown water, brown sand†is what my brother in law said people say about this area. And he’s not wrong. But as you can see from the pictures below- it was still beautiful (sunset and sunrise were my favorite!) and a great place to relax along the coast for a family gateway.
East Beach, Coast Guard Station Beach, Massengale Park, Gould’s Inlet are some of the most popular beaches in the area. Don’t miss collecting shells and sand dollars at Gould’s inlet at sunset with the kids after a dinner- a must do! The simple beach days is one of our favorite things to do in St.Simons Island Georgia.
Eat crab at a Seafood Grill
You’re on the coast, you’ve got to eat some seafood right?! Make sure to grab some crab at CrabDaddy’s Seafood Bar and Grill or The Crab Trap- St.Simon staples!
There are so many great restaurants in St.Simons that are family friendly.
Grab ice cream at MooCow
The cutest little hole in the wall ice cream shop right in downtown. They offer house-churned, homemade, with lots of quirky, artisan flavors. SO creamy, SO good.
Stop in to see Christ Church
Christ Church is probably of the most photographed landmarks in all of St.Simons. It can be found right next to Fort Frederica and the Wesley Memorial in the west area of the island. Maybe not at the top’s of your kids’ list of things to do in St.Simons island, but they won’t mind a quick drop in for a few pictures rights?!
Surrounded by lush green grounds and a idyllic graveyard, it really is a scenic and serene place to visit. Historic Sites likes this across St.Simons are what make it not only a great beach destination, but one oozing with meaning and culture.
Visit Jekyll Island State Park
Take only a 20min drive across Saint Simons Sound and you will land in the gorgeous Jekyll Island. This is well worth a day or afternoon trip and one of our most memorable things to do in St.Simons Island Georgia. Because it is a protected state park, there is a gate entrance and $10 entrance fee.Â
It is a southern paradise of beaches, sandbars, more upscale resorts, and gilded age summer homes that line the coast.
Spend the day exploring the island, Driftwood beach, or the Jekyll Island Resort Club…you will feel like you’ve stepped back in time.
If you are looking to save and want to book a hotel on points in the Golden Isles, THIS is the island to do it on. There are a handful of hotel chains that have staked their place on Jekyll. I personally would redeem some Marriott points at the Westin Jekyll Island if a resort stay is more your vibe.
Grab coffee and a treat at Jekyll Island Resort Club
You MUST make a morning of driving over to Jekyll Island. It is only about a 20-25 minute drive over to the other island and well worth the trip. As it is a protected state park technically, you do have to pay a $10 entrance fee.
Follow the signs to the historical center of the city. Walk around the charming old building and shops and they make your way over to the Jekyll Island Resort Club. You’ll feel like you are walking into a Great Gatsby movie, and it is SO dreamy.
The resort dates back to 1888, Jekyll Island Club boasts a rich history with historically inspired accommodations, a wealth of dining options, a variety of activities, bikes to rent and explore to gorgeous property, swimming pools and fire pits, and even complimentary shuttles to the ocean.
Grab coffee and a slice of cake at The Pantry (open to the public!) and take in all the Nicholas Sparks meets glam southern vibes.
Explore the Island via bike!
This is hands down a non-negotiable if you are visiting St.Simons Island and was our favorite things to do in St.Simons Island Georgia without a doubt.
There are over 30 miles of bike path to explore throughout the island. From marshland, to peaceful river views, to the downtown area, to even along the packed sand shoreline of the coast – biking the island is a must when visiting this Georgia gem!
Rates to rent a bike in St.Simons averaged at about $20 for a half day. Many rental shops also has the option for a trailer or baby seat addition for littles!
Kayak through the Marshes
Anyone else immediately think of Where the Crawdad’s sing when you hear anything about marshes?!
They really are a unique landscape feature of the area. Due to Coastal Georgia’s unique ecology, a fascinating mix of marshes, rivers and inlets can be found amidst all its beautiful barrier islands.
There are a few options to rent kayaks, canoe or paddle boards in the area. Spend an afternoon weaving through the island’s marshes and river inlets – whether it be on your own or via a guided tour.
Spend the day at Sea Island resort
Now Sea Island is a (VERY fancy) private resort you can only access via a staying at a property or being members of the exclusive club. Thankfully, when we visited St.Simons we did have a connection through my brother-in-law to get us into this iconic island.
Even if you stay just one night at the Closister or one of the condos on site, it would be WELL worth it. This island feels like pure Southern wealth MAGIC. Make sure to rent some bikes ($25 for a half day) and take in all the gorgeous houses throughout the island. And then spend the day at the resort poolside.
So if you can do anything at all to sneak into this dream of a southern private island, it’s a MUST!
The best things to do in St. Simons Island Georgia Cont.
Climb to the top of the Lighthouse
Although the prices seemed a bit high for a quick lighthouse tour ($12 per adult, $6 for kids ages 6 to 12, 3 and under were free!), this is really an iconic part of the island. We opted to have one adult take the kids up to save, and they had a great time climbing all the stairs to reach the highest viewpoint.Â
…you know I am all about NEVER paying full price for travel 🙂
The island’s maritime past is highlighted at the St. Simons Lighthouse Museum, where you and the kids can get a picture into the daily life of lighthouse keepers and the lighthouse’s WWII significance.
Climb the 129 steps to the top of the lighthouse to enjoy beautiful unobstructed views of St. Simons, including beautiful Jekyll Island. We even saw pods of dolphins jumping in and out of the water when we visited in mid-October!
Visit Frederica National Monument
James Oglethorpe established this monument in 1736 to protect the southern border of his British colony. You can explore this military outpost yourself, which served as a crucial line of defense against the Spanish in the early 18th century.
â€The monument is open daily (except on holidays) from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Fort Frederica is FREE to visit and perfect for all those history buffs out there.
Visit the WWII Home Front Museum
If you are looking for historical things to do in St.Simons Island Georgia, this should be at the top of your list. This museum transports you back to the 1940’s to learn about the Golden Isles role during WWII and the challenges faced by Americans challenges during that time.
â€This museum also tells the story of this area’s three pivotal wartime facilities (a a radar training school, a Liberty shipyard, and an airship base) and really shows you just how close to the Atlantic shoreline the war came.
You can visit the World War II Home Front Museum from Monday to Saturday between 10:00 am and 5:00 pm, and on Sundays between 12:00 pm and 5:00 pm. It costs $12 for adults and $6 for children aged 6 to 12!
Have a meal in Pier Village
This is definitely the hub of the small little island and where you will find everything you need while on vacation.
Make sure to stop in for breakfast at Mallery Street Cafe. Popular lunch spots include the Porch, Brogen’s, and Southern Soul BBQ. Or hire a babysitter to stay with kids while you have date night at The Sea Grill.
Walk around after and stop in a few of the boutiques and souvenir shops. The whole downtown area of Pier Village is easily walkable and really charming with its eclectic shops lined with moss covered live oaks. Meandering through Pier Village is a must of things to do in St.Simons Island Georgia.
Take a Dolphin Tour
I don’t know about you but when I think of coastal Georgia, I do NOT think of Dolphins. BUT the Golden Islands are abundant with Bottlenose dolphins believe it or not. We saw some everyday we were in St.Simons off the coast!
Lighthouse Trolleys Land and Sea Tours is the place to go if you want to see these creatures up close and personal. Their dolphin tour will guide you through the most extensive ecosystem on the East Coast and bring you face-to-face with the dolphins.
Lighthouse was voted by locals as the best dolphin tour in St. Simons! The tours are usually about 1.5 hours and cost $35 for adults, $30 for teens (ages 13-17), $15 for kids (ages 3-12), and only $10 for children under 2.
â€Along the tour, you will also explore marshland rivers, with the chance to see rare birds, manatees, sea turtles, and endangered wildlife.
Go Crabbing off the St.Simons Fishing Pier
If there is one thing that is classic St.Simons beach trip activity, it is crabbing. There is no more simple fun than doing something like this along the coast on a beach vacation (what childhood memories are made of right?!)
P.S. Make sure to check out our minimalist packing guide for your next family beach vacation here!
You can go crabbing any time of day, for as long or as short as your vacation schedule allows! BUT if you only visit the St. Simons Island Pier once, definitely try to time your crabbing adventure with sunset because walking up and down the coast as the sun sets is just something truly special.
Stop at St. Simons Island Bait and Tackle to get everything you need for a few hours crabbing and fishing.
Hit up Avenue of the Oaks at Golden Hour
It doesn’t get more southern this this 🙂
â€The Avenue of the Oaks has roots as a cotton plantation but now the VERY idyllic entryway to the Sea Island Golf Club. A gorgeous stretch of road lined with 160 year old live oak trees that have stood the test of time for over 160 years. At sunset, the moss covering the trees seems to just sparkle in the sun.
Bonus Tip! Schedule some professional family photos through Flytographer or Rainey Gregg Photography (we used her and cannot recommend her enough!) here for some pictures you will treasure forever and ever. Getting professional photos was one our most memorable things we did in St.Simons Island Georgia.
Let the kids play at Neptune Park
A must on the list of things to do in St.Simons Island if you are visiting with kids! This iconic park sits right on the coast and is the perfect place to let the kids have some time to just play.
The Fun Zone Waterpark is a HIT in the warmer months. As well, there are two playgrounds, a public swimming pool with water slides, and a mini-golf course!Â
There are tons of community grills and picnic tables too scattered throughout the park. Make sure to take note of the festivals, concerts, and other events (there was a craft market happening while we were there!) happening during the year…as this is probably where those would happen!
Grab lunch right next door in Pier Village and then come over with the kids for an afternoon of fun!
Take a trolley tour around the island
Although the price is a bit higher than you wold think, the St.Simons guided trolley tours are a pillar of the town. “Southern Belle Bunny†and “Kevin the King†share interesting stories from 400 years of island history along with some laughable anecdotes about life in the south.
It includes 36 points of interest and ends in a walking tour of Christ Church graveyard (note! Except on Mondays with the graveyard grounds are closed).
â€The trolley ride is about an hour and a half and runs everyday at 11:00 am. It costs $20 for adults and $10 for children ages 4-12.
Catch a local Island Event
One of the best things about a small town community is all the local events that seem to always be happening.
To see what’s going on in St. Simons and the surrounding areas during your stay, check out the Explore St. Simons Events Page or the Golden Isles Calendar of Events for the latest calendars.! The Golden Isles Welcome Centers are also a great place to stop in for info on the happenings around the island.
Visit one of the many famous golf courses
St.Simons and the surrounding islands are a golfer’s PARADISE. Set among the natural landscape of salt marshes, oceanside dunes, and historic Oak trees- it makes for such a unique setting for a T-up. Amidst the whole area there are 200 holes to be played!
Whether it’s a round at the King & Prince Resort, Frederica Golf Club, or the Sea Palms Resort save up to 65% and book your tee times online on the St.Simons website.
This is by far one of the most popular things to do in St. Simons Island, GA. Schedule a private tour, send your husband off to hit a round of 18 holes by himself, or spend the afternoon at the driving range.
Whether it’s one of the three Sea Island Golf courses (famous for where professionals have trained!), the King and Prince Golf Course, (which features some of the best marsh views and wildlife sightings)  the Sea Palms Golf Course (the best value course), St. Simons is a great place if you want to hit the greens.
A few more things to do in St. Simons Island Georgia
Spend the afternoon at the Sea Turtle Rescue Center
Georgia’s only sea turtle education and rehabilitation facility is a must see when visiting Jekyll Island. The Center offers a chance to learn about sea turtles and see rehabilitation with tons of interactive exhibits.
They are only accepting timed-entry admissions, so make sure to make your reservations in advance. Tickets are $6 for children ages 4-12 and $11 for 13+. This is such a unique opportunity and perfect if visiting St.Simons island with kids!
Explore the Island via Horseback
â€The Stables at Frederica is probably the most popular horseback riding option in the area. It offers rides for every age and experience level. You can choose to ride on the beach, take a tour through the Musgrove Plantation, or tour the woods of Frederica Township,.
They also offer pony rides at the actual stable for kids ages 3-10. Horseback rides can accommodate up to 10 people in one outing and prices typically start at $85 and up.
A very popular activity in the list of things to do in St.Simons Island Georgia.
Go on a “Hidden Spirits†Scavenger Hunt
This is definitely one of the most unique things to do in St.Simons Island.
â€The “tree spirits†are carved faces amongst the live oaks throughout the island. Created by artist Keith Jennings and his son Devon, the faces of these oak tree carvings each have their own distinct personality and spirit. Supposedly the legend says that the images immortalize the sailors who once sailed aboard ships made of St. Simons oak.
â€This is such a fun activity if you have kids in tow in St.Simons…although some are definitely harder to find than others. Swing by the St. Simons Island Welcome Center to get all the information you need and begin your scavenger hunt there.
Stop by Driftwood Beach
Another MUST when taking a day trip out to Jekyll Island. Located on the far north end of the island, Driftwood Beach really feels like a scene out of another world. The gnarled and weathered trees are left behind from years of erosion.
This is such a unique and beautiful spot to get some professional photos taken too. And all to the cost of F-R-E-E (MY KIND OF PRICE). (PS- If free travel is your kinda language, this is a must read!)
Let the kids play at King and Prince Resort Coffee Shop
This is maybe the best coffee shop in the whole Golden Isles area for families. Not only is the coffee delicious, but the front half of the coffee shop is a fenced in yard. Sit around the fire pit, sip your latte, and let the kids play in the castle playground. Yes pleaseeee!
Take a Chartered Fishing Boat Tour
We aren’t fishing people, but if you are this is a great area to do just that! Soak up the sun and views of the coast, while trying your hand at catching one of the many specific that lives in the Golden Isles.
We saw actually multiple people catch sharks while we were there in October (YIKES).
You can see some of your charted fishing boat tour options here!
St.Simons Island really is the perfect stateside beach trip along the Georgia coast for your next family vacation. Affordable, a hidden gem within the US, and oozing with charm and history…it checks all the boxes!
Let us know if you visit and if you hit anything on this list of things to do in Saint Simons Island!
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