Official State Travel Guide - 2026 Georgia Official State Travel Guide
Savannah Detours: Skidaway Island & Dublin
2025-12-12 09:08:38
Destination: Savannah
DETOURS: SKIDAWAY ISLAND & DUBLIN
It’s natural to gravitate toward a show-stopping city like Savannah – it’s an only-in-Georgia experience, where Gothic mansions and cobbled streets are just a stone’s throw from the coast. But your trip to the “Hostess City of the South” should also make time for a detour to Skidaway Island and Dublin, each offering its own unique interpretation of “warm welcome.”
Skidaway Island: Naturally Awesome
When you’re strolling Savannah’s cosmopolitan avenues, it might be hard to imagine that there’s actual wilderness within reach. But with just a quick jog south on Interstate 95, that’s exactly what you’ll find: Skidaway Island, a haven of salt air and wild things.
Part of Georgia’s Intracoastal Waterway, this barrier island is a living mosaic of salt marshes, tidal creeks, and maritime forest. This is nature at its most diverse, and Skidaway Island State Park gives you access to nearly 600 acres of it – with campsites, cabins, playgrounds, picnic shelters, and a host of other amenities to ensure that everyone in your crew is a happy camper.
Take your time exploring the trails, for there’s much to reward the observant hiker. On any given day, you might be treated to a glimpse of deer or raccoons in the lush underbrush – or fiddler crabs, reptiles, and the occasional gator bobbing quietly in the marsh. Part of the Colonial Coast Birding Trail, the island is also home to around 200 bird species, so you might see a flash of bright feathers from the dapper wood duck, the stately American bald eagle, and many avian creatures in between.
Prefer a bit of education with your exploration? Stop by the park’s Visitor Center to sign up for one of several ranger-led interpretive programs offering insight into the island’s ecology and the fascinating history of the Guale, Indigenous people who lived on the islands centuries ago. More of a handson learner? Visit the University of Georgia’s Marine Education Center and Aquarium, where touch tanks encourage connection with sea stars, whelks, and a variety of local crabs.
During your detour, don’t forget to sample the catch of the day at one of the area’s many local eateries. Score fresh-caught seafood with Southern flair at Driftaway Cafe, fall in love with Lowcountry cuisine at Sandfly BBQ, or quash your Caribbean cravings at Tortuga’s Island Grille.
Dublin: Feel Like Family
Savannah is known as the “Hostess City of the South” for good reason. Here, hospitality is everywhere, as natural as the Spanish moss on live oak trees. But you’ll soon learn that Georgia’s friendliness is more of a statewide thing – it just takes on a different character from town to town. So, when you make the detour to Dublin, just off Interstate 16, you’ll be treated to a more casual, scaled-down version of our world-famous warmth.
As any traveling parent knows, the secret to a smooth group getaway is plenty of pint-sized fun – and Dublin has that in spades. Start with a visit to Stubbs Park: while little ones explore the playground or splash in the creek, parents can picnic on the sprawling, shade-dappled lawn. Or, go with the flow at Southern Pines Water Park, home to water slides, a lazy river and lots of splashy, sprinkly fun.
Of course, nothing makes one feel at home like a lovingly crafted meal. At the old-school diner Lou Ann’s Biscuits & Burgers, the buttery biscuits are said to be the biggest in the state – on their own or as part of a decadent sandwich, they’re guaranteed crowd pleasers. Crooked Finger Brewing likewise knows how to cater to families, with fryer-forward meals for kiddos, craft brews for grown-ups, and a year-round patio, either heated or shaded depending on the season. The barbecue-smothered Dirty Truck Fries alone are worth a trip.
Take the plunge at Saltwater Fishery, which serves up fresh-caught seafood on a breezy rooftop patio that feels like a backyard fish fry with acclaimed Chef Lorenzo Klink. The sweet hush puppies, served light and crispy with housemade butter, will become instant favorites. Or, for the warmest welcome in town, head over to Dublin Farm Bed and Breakfast. The friendly proprietors invite guests to unwind in the picturesque countryside, where recent renovations have blended modern touches with timeless beauty. The innkeepers also own Moe’s on Madison, one of downtown Dublin’s newest dining gems, giving guests a taste of their warm hospitality both in the country and in the heart of town.
Before you go, there’s one final stop on your Dublin detour: Strickland’s Boots. Famously friendly, it’s a place where customers still feel like they’re part of the family. Married founders Rodney and Martha are still walking the walk, well into their 80s, and are happiest when helping you search their impressive selection of blue-chip brands – including Danner, Laredo, Dan Post, and of course, Georgia Boot – for the perfect fit.
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