Travel to Georgia with this guide to the coastal area, especially the Golden Isles along the Atlantic coastline. Beaches, wetlands, and history, all found in this area.
The Spanish explorers first discovered the Golden Isles of Georgia and the port city of Brunswick over 400 years ago. The four islands that comprise the "Golden Isles" are Sea Island, St. Simons Island, Jekyll Island, and Little St. Simons Island.
Sea Island is the smallest of the Golden Isles and accessed via causeway directly from St. Simons Island. It is a renowned resort although much of the island is residential. Activities include golfing, the beach, horseback riding, spa, and other activities that are often found at resorts.
In respect to size, St. Simons is the largest of the islands. One of the many places to visit is the Fort Frederica. Giving the traveler a bit of history, the fort was established as the state's first military outpost in 1736.
In eariler years, trees from the island were milled to build warships that served in the Revolutionary War. Oak planks from St. Simons were used to clad the famous warship, the USS Constitution, or "Old Ironsides." The nickname was given when British cannonballs bounced away from the ship due to the very hard live oak wood that had been used in the construction.
Whether a business trip, or vacation, the Golden Isles offer many forms of recreation, and St. Simons is no exception. The island offers many activities, such as swimming, sailing, or simply lying on the beach. Golf, tennis, shopping, fine dining are all found on the island as well. Sites not to miss include the breathtaking Christ Church and old antebellum plantations found at various locations around the island.
At the section of the island called "The Village," you will find a working lighthouse that is over 200 years old, as well as other points of interest. A museum recreates the history of when the English defeated the Spanish in The Battle of Bloody Marsh in the early 1740s.
A great way to tour St. Simons is by the trolley that departs from the village pier. Between March 16 and September 30, there are two trolleys leaving daily, at 11 a.m. and again at 1 p.m. For the fall and winter schedule, the trolley departs only at 1 p.m. and does not run on Sundays and Mondays. The trolley will take you to the fort, Bloody Marsh, the lighthouse, a plantation, and the Christ Church.
Unlike Sea Island, the resort of Little St. Simons Island has no causeway access. In fact, the only way to reach the island is by boat. Nature's beauty is unparalleled here, but the fact that it is family owned and a private retreat, and that only a limited number of guests are given the opportunity to visit each year, makes it not the best choice for a vacation destination.
For the fortunate guests who are granted access, Little St. Simons offers many chances to explore nature with unspoiled beaches, wildlife tours, and fantastic bird-watching. For the sports enthusiast, you will find canoeing, fishing, swimming, hiking, bicycling, boating, and horseback riding.
The last of the four Golden Isles is Jekyll Island, which is named in rememberence of Sir Joseph Jekyll in the year 1734. The island is known for its cotton production of the past.
By the year 1886, Jekyll Island was bought by a few wealthy and well-known families and turned into a private resort. A few of the owners were the Astors, Morgans, and Rockefellers. The island was purchased by the state of Georgia in 1947 and became a National Historic Landmark in the late 1970s.
The restored homes in which the wealthy families spent their time on Jekyll Island are found in the historic district. Many are open for tours and horse-drawn carriages that travel through this historic district.
Other activities on Jekyll Island include golfing, sailing, tennis, bicycling, and fishing. For tours, you can choose an air tour to see the beauty of the area, and if you prefer watching the ocean, dolphin tours are offered. You will find the Tidelands Nature Center on South Riverview Drive.
The port city of Brunswick is the doorway to the Golden Isles. It is named for the home of King George II, Braunsweig, Germany, and there is a definite touch of England in this Georgian city. The city is filled with history, as you will be able to witness from the historic downtown area.
Brunswick was founded in 1771 and is the home of Brunswick Stew. Shrimping boats are found along the deep water harbor and the town offers much to see and do for the tourist. Live oaks dressed with Spanish moss line the streets. A farmers market and many antique shops are found at the waterfront park.
Visit Brunswick's 35 acre Selden Park for tennis or swimming, or the Mary Ross Waterfront Park for shopping, viewing the sunset, or just watching boats and ships. This is also where you'll find a casino cruise ship, if that is something of interest.
Young and old alike enjoy hearing the legend about the tree called Lovers' Oak in Brunswick. It is said that Indian braves and their maidens consummated under this oak tree. The tree is now more than 900 years old.
There are other places of interest in coastal Georgia that are worth seeing while in the area. Near Savannah, Tybee Island has five miles of public beach, sand dunes, and the tallest lighthouse in the state. The name Tybee is from an Indian language (Euchee) and means "salt."
Legend has it that the French came to Tybee Island for the thing many Europeans believed to be a cure-all, and that was the sassafras root found on the island.
Lying around fifty miles south of Tybee is St. Catherines Island. Here you will see a mission that was begun by the Spanish in 1566. It it is called Mission Santa Catalina and is the state's oldest church.
Whether it is beach time you are wanting, or a trip back into history, sporting, or swimming, it is available in the Golden Isles area. You will find marshes, wetlands, swamps, moss-covered oaks, and do not be surprised to spot some native wildlife such as alligators just lounging around in the Georgia sun.
