St. Simons Island With its blend of history, natural beauty and varied outdoor activities, St. Simons Island is a quintessential Georgia beach destination. The largest of the Golden Isles, it’s easily accessible by car, minutes from I-95 and just over an hour from Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport . Its modern history dates back more than 400 years, when Spanish explorers came ashore looking for gold. Take advantage of pristine beaches ripe for swimming, beachcombing and soaking up sea breezes, or grab a kayak or paddleboard for a water tour. On the ocean side of the island, East Beach is loved by pedalers on cruiser bikes and families taking a break from beachcombing. At Gould’s Inlet , birders, anglers and paddleboarders can be seen along the boardwalk and the distant sandbars. The Coast Guard Station section offers many amenities alongside its wide, sandy expanses, including a wheelchair mat, showers, picnic tables and a summer snack shop. Off the beach, don some sturdy boots to spy on the birds and sealife that live amid the salt tides—ribbed mussels, periwinkle snails, wood storks, American oysters, redfish and more provide a wondrous coastal classroom. Immerse yourself in history at the stops along the Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor National Heritage Area , including the Historical Harrington School . Built in the 1920s to serve the island’s three African American communities, the school is now a cultural center and museum. Visit the archaeological remnants of Fort Frederica National Monument (also part of the national heritage area), where Spanish and British forces skirmished in 1742. See the Native American grounds at Gascoigne Bluff and go on a scavenger hunt for Tree Spirits —meticulously carved faces seen throughout the island’s dignified oak trees. In between, the island’s Pier Village is a delightful blend of quaint and modern, with a mix of boutiques and restaurants just steps away from the water. Whether you take a guided trolley tour or go it alone on foot or atop a bicycle, there’s plenty to see and do. 98 #EXPLOREGEORGIA GOULD’S INLET, ST. SIMONS ISLAND/BEN GALLAND
Official State Travel Guide 2023 Georgia Official State Travel Guide: Page 98
