Picture-perfect St. Simons Island is a charming coastal destination, full of endless activities, impressive history & a lively food scene for families.
If you’re looking for a laid-back destination that’s also rich in history, attractions, and dining for your family, welcome to St. Simons Island. It’s one of four barrier islands known as the Golden Isles off the coast of southern Georgia – halfway between Savannah and Jacksonville, Florida. The others are Sea Island, Jekyll Island, and Little St. Simons Island.
St. Simons’ expansive beaches, historic Fort Frederica, famed Avenue of Oaks, and quaint village offer an ideal backdrop for a Georgia coast vacation. And there’ll be no denying the Southern hospitality that will greet you at every turn.
What to do on St. Simons Island?
Kick off your St. Simons Island vacation with bicycle or golf cart rentals from Island Bicycle and Island Carts. Exploring St. Simons Island is most fun by bike, and with standard bikes, bikes with baby seats, bikes with trailers, and more, Island Bicycle has something for everyone in the family! The staff will happily provide locks and baskets, too, so you can explore the village, pier, St. Simons Island Lighthouse & more with ease. Cost: Standard bike $10/hour; Golf cart $35/hour; daily and weekly rates are available.
KidTripster Tip: Don’t forget to pick up I Spy SSI, a family fun booklet that Island Bicycle created in partnership with other local businesses. You even could win fun prizes!
A visit to Fort Frederica National Monument, part of the National Park Service, is a must. Established in the 1700s by James Oglethorpe to protect the southern border of Georgia from the Spanish in Florida, Fort Frederica is now an expansive park complete with archaeological ruins, ranger-led tours, and an engaging visitor center. We loved strolling the grounds, admiring the gorgeous marshland views, and looking back at the fort from the water’s edge, envisioning what life was like for settlers in the 17th and 18th centuries. The visitor center is open everyday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Cost: Free; parking is also free.
KidTripster Tip: Visit the park’s website before planning your trip to see if any reenactments are scheduled. Your family may be able to meet “General Oglethorpe” himself!
For exercise and a view, visit the St. Simons Lighthouse Museum and climb the 129 stairs to the top of the lighthouse. From there, you’ll be able to see Jekyll Island, Brunswick, and the south end of St. Simons Island. After descending, check out the exhibits and period rooms in the Keeper’s Dwelling, which depicts what life was like for the families of the lighthouse keepers from the late 1800s to 1950s. Today, the light is maintained by the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and continues to assist mariners navigating the St. Simons Channel. Cost: Youth (6 and under) Free; Youth (6-12) $6; Adult $12.
KidTripster Tip: The museum continuously plays a 10-minute video that’s really interesting. You’ll learn that the original lighthouse was destroyed by Confederate forces in 1860 to prevent the beacon’s use by Federal troops during the Civil War. Give the video a try even if you have a squirmy child; it’s an informal setting, so you can always make an escape mid-video if need be.
If rain is forecasted, head to The Tinted Tide for a little pottery painting. The family-friendly studio offers walk-in pottery painting as well as special workshops like glass fusing. Guests can paint a range of items from simple trays, dishes or trinket boxes to unicorn mugs, pigs or football-shaped banks. The Tinted Tide is owned by locals Erica & Josh, who often can be seen at the studio with their young son and pup.
KidTripster Tip: The studio will ship your creations to your home if they’re not finished being fired and glazed before your departure date.
Neptune Park is an excellent public park located just steps from the village, public library, lighthouse, and fishing pier. The playground here boasts a large climbable whale, ample benches, picnic tables, and plenty of picturesque oak trees. We stopped multiple times, as it’s close to many of St. Simons’ attractions. A waterpark consisting of three pools and many water features and a mini golf course are open seasonally. A concession stand also is open on a seasonal basis, but with so many takeout restaurants in the village, there’s no shortage of delicious dining options nearby.
KidTripster Tip: Neptune Park is a great spot to watch the sunset while your kids play.
If your family enjoys group tours, you’ll love Lighthouse Trolleys Land and Sea Tours. The 90-minute history and sightseeing tour includes stops at Fort Frederica and historic Christ Church. Teens and adults may enjoy learning about St. Simons Island’s ghostly past during the other trolley tour, the St. Simons Island Ghost Tour. No need to worry about inclement weather, as Lighthouse Trolleys substitutes vans and buses if rain is forecasted. Cost: Youth (9 and under) Free; Youth (10-16) $10; Adult $25.
For nature-loving families, Ocean Motion’s kayak tours offer a way to explore St. Simons Island’s pristine waters and the diverse ecosystem that supports a wide variety of plant and animal life. We “ooh’d” and “aah’d” as we were guided through the salt marsh, admiring fish, birds, an oyster bed, and more along the way. Little ones will have to sit the kayak tour out, as children must be at least 50 pounds and five-years-old to go. Two-hour kayak tour cost: $49/person.
A visit to St. Simons Island wouldn’t be complete without a scavenger hunt search for the St. Simons Island Tree Spirits, a collection of about 20 faces carved into the area’s famous oak trees by local artist Keith Jennings. Jennings has been creating tree spirits since the 1980s, and each takes between two and four days to complete. While many are on private property, seven (currently… new tree spirits are always being created) are in public spaces. We had fun seeking out each and every one of them with my daughter’s favorite being the mermaid outside the St. Simons Island Welcome Center.
KidTripster Tip: Some tree spirits are in less obvious locations than others, so pick up a map of their locations at the St. Simons Island Welcome Center.
Where to eat on St. Simons Island?
For a laid-back beach destination, St. Simons Island boasts a surprising number of restaurants offering cuisine ranging from freshly-caught seafood to craft burgers, pho to barbecue, and everything in between.
Naturally, fresh seafood is a fan favorite in the area. Crabdaddy’s Seafood Grill and The Half Shell are my favorite spots, and it’s not just because of their famous desserts – bread pudding and butter cake, respectively. Crabdaddy’s Seafood’s take on locally-caught shrimp & grits – which includes mushrooms and sausage – is unique and memorable and is offered in an appetizer portion, which my family appreciates. It’s hard not to fill up on the bread, served warm with cinnamon butter, but try to save your appetite for a delicious entrée and bread pudding!
The omelets at Palmer’s Village Café are not to be missed, and with breakfast all day, it’s easy to find time to fit them in! The Coastal Delight omelet made with sautéed shrimp was my favorite, and Buddy’s Banana Pudding Pancakes are sure to delight little ones. Palmer’s offers a lunch menu starting at 11 a.m., too.
The owners of Palmer’s recently opened Porch, a Nashville hot chicken joint that also serves catfish, wild Georgia shrimp, and more. It’s located just a few blocks away from Palmer’s and with a spiciness scale from “naked” to “napalm,” a “rowdy kids” menu, and frosés (think wine slushy) for the adults, it’s a delicious, family-friendly restaurant that takes a fun, lighthearted approach to dining.
Located in the mid-island area, Certified Burgers & Beverage makes some of the best burgers that I’ve ever had. Its sides and appetizers like smoked fish dip, pimento cheese spread, and tater tots are fabulous. Those with a sweet tooth will love the ice cream floats and shakes. Plus, the eatery has a really impressive wine by the glass list.
Fans of BBQ should try Southern Soul Barbecue, named “The South’s Best Barbecue” by Southern Living magazine. My family loves the smoked meats, and the Southern Soul Sandwich offers a huge portion of pulled pork. The staff will happily package an order to-go.
For a quick bite, Palm Coast Coffee in the village serves delicious coffee and pastries as well as a more extensive breakfast, lunch, and dinner menu. We’ve never visited in the evening, but sometimes they have live music. Sandy Bottom Bagels is another great quick bite option. It boasts New York-style bagels, and as a former Manhattanite, I agree that the bagels are pretty close to the real thing! And last but not least, a visit to Moo Cow for homemade ice cream is no-brainer. My favorite flavor is Tagalong, a take on the classic Girl Scout cookie.
Where to stay on St. Simons Island?
The crown jewel of Golden Isles is Sea Island Resort which is made up of multiple properties, each offering a different style of accommodation: The Cloister, The Lodge, and The Inn at Sea Island. Private cottages also are available to rent. After spending just minutes at the resort, it’s easy to see why it’s the only resort in the world to achieve Forbes’ Five Stars eleven years in a row. The grounds are pristine, service is impeccable, and dining is top-notch. History lovers will enjoy strolling the 90-year-old property and seeing the oak trees planted by past Presidents Coolidge, Eisenhower, Ford, Carter, and H.W. Bush, among other notable dignitaries. Upon check-in, kids are presented with a stuffed marsh rabbit; lucky guests may see the real deal if they rise early enough in the morning.
KidTripster Tip: The Lodge at Sea Island offers a fun-for-all-ages bagpiper ritual that takes place nightly at sunset. Listening to bagpipes is a beautiful way to end the day.
The resort boasts a list of kid-friendly activities as long as the property’s shoreline: swimming, tennis, biking, junior golfing, falconry, fishing, crabbing, nature hikes (including night exploration), archery, air rifle shooting, horseback riding, cookie baking plus arts and crafts. And the resort’s spa offers kiddie manicures, facials, and massages! Yes, you’ll find the adult versions, too.
The starting rate at The Cloister and The Lodge is $395/night. At The Inn at the Sea Island, it’s $185/night. Rates for the cottages vary widely.
An additional lodging option on St. Simons Island is the beachfront King and Prince Beach Resort, a large, dog-friendly resort that boasts multiple pools and restaurants, golf, tennis, and more. Saint Simons Inn by the Lighthouse, an inn just blocks from the village, offers 34 uniquely decorated rooms, some of which are pet-friendly. Those visiting for a week or longer or traveling with extended family may enjoy the St. Simons Grand, a gated, oceanfront condominium featuring three- and four- bedroom units, each with a full kitchen. There isn’t a bad view in the complex, as each of the 81 residences features an unobstructed ocean view from the living room and balcony.
Getting to St. Simons Island
If you’re flying to the area, a rental car is necessary as the nearest airports are Jacksonville International Airport – a 1-hour drive – and Savannah Hilton Head International Airport – a 1.5-hour drive. That being said, the drives from both airports are scenic
Writer Amanda Duff is mom to a “globetotting” toddler who tried her first yogurt in Iceland, chocolate in Belgium, and fries at a German bierhaus. She’s a huge advocate for exploring the United States and has visited all 50 states as well as 23 countries and five continents. When not traveling, Amanda and her family enjoy hiking, exploring New England’s charming towns, and – of course – planning their next trip.
This writer received complimentary bike rentals for the purpose of this review. However, all opinions expressed are solely her own.
Pin to Pinterest & Read Later
