Coastal Georgia Scenic Drives: Southern Surprises Lie Between Savannah and Jacksonville

Many tourists know Savannah, Georgia and Jacksonville, Florida but few stop off Interstate 95 to go sightseeing in Brunswick, St. Simons Island, and Jekyll Island in Coastal Georgia. Why not? If you don't, you might be missing the best part of the trip.

Southern Coastal Georgia is both cultured and isolated. Nowhere can you get a better view of this dichotomy than by taking a scenic drive down some of Coastal Georgia's lesser traveled roads. Here are some short and long detours that are worth your while.

Many people know the beaches of Florida and those around Savannah and South Carolina; not as many venture to the area known as the Golden Isles of Georgia. To get a good look at this area you should visit both Jekyll and St. Simons Island as well as downtown Brunswick.

Scenic Drive to Jekyll Island - Touring Time: 1 Hour to 1 Day

Leave I-95 at Exit 29, turn right and follow the signs to begin your tour on Jekyll Island. You'll cross a causeway that winds across the Marshes of Glynn to arrive at Jekyll Island State Park. The drive is scenic in itself but feel free to stop at the visitor's center to look out on the marsh from the observation tower. Once you cross the causeway, turn right to travel a loop road around the island.

This loop begins on the marsh side of the island and then you'll soon find yourself with a view of the Atlantic Ocean. Jekyll Island has a very natural and isolated beach. You can enjoy a walk there most of the year and see very few people - very different from most of the beaches you may be used to seeing.

If you've seen the movie, Glory, you might want to walk on the boardwalk to the beach at the 4-H Soccer Fields as you make the loop. The final beach battle scenes for the movie were filmed here on Jekyll Island and the movie crew built/left the boardwalk in place as a thank-you.

Continuing on the loop you might also want to stop at Clam Creek Park for a view of the Sidney Lanier Bridge and look across to the lighthouse on St. Simons Island. If you feel like a walk, you'll find a beautiful "driftwood beach" - perfect for photos and exploring.

After leaving Clam Creek Park the most historic part of the loop road begins. Pass the remains of the Horton House, one of the earliest houses on the island, then turn in to the grounds of the Jekyll Island Club, getaway for millionaire's during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. You can remain in your car and wind around the roads on the grounds of the club or take another walking break to look around and explore. The Georgia Sea Turtle Center is also on the grounds of the Jekyll Island Club as well as some interesting shops, restaurants, and museums so spend as long as you like.

Jekyll Island is definitely a beautiful detour from Interstate 95 and you can spend as little as an hour visiting in your car or take longer to enjoy this lovely island.

Scenic Drive to Brunswick, Georgia - Touring Time: 1 Hour

Brunswick - Turn right on to Hwy. 17 after visiting Jekyll Island and cross the Sidney Lanier Bridge while enjoying a bird's eye view of the marsh. On your right, you'll see the marshes and the Jekyll Island Club in the distance; on your left, the town of Brunswick and the busy deep water port. Liberty ships were also built during World War II in the area at the foot of this bridge.

Brunswick was a fishing village, port, and a lumber town during the heyday of the Jekyll Island Club and you'll find a mixture of small shotgun houses and larger more opulent homes of the business owners who lived in town. Visit Union St. to see the lovely homes - Brunswick is recognized as having the largest small town urban historic district in Georgia. Across from the downtown area you'll find Brunswick's shrimp boats and a small replica of a Liberty Ship.

Scenic Drive to St. Simons Island, Georgia - Touring Time: 1 Hour or longer

St. Simons Island - If you'd like to continue your island tour, depart Brunswick, turn left on Hwy. 17 then right on to the F. J. Torras Causeway to St. Simons Island. Bear right as you reach the island and wind your way through trees covered with Spanish Moss on the way to the St. Simon's Island Pier Village. When you reach the Village, it's best to park your car and enjoy the views from the pier or the lighthouse, or get a light lunch from one of the restaurants in the village. You can complete your tour here on get directions to other beautiful areas on the island such as Christ Church, East Beach, or the grounds of Epworth By The Sea.

More specific directions and video podcasts for these tours of Jekyll Island, Brunswick, St. Simons Island and the Golden Isles of Georgia can be found here at the Brunswick Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Sources:
Personal Experience
Brunswick Convention and Visitors Bureau
Sherpa Guides, Jekyll Island Historic District Overview and map
Sherpa Guides, Brunswick, Georgia Overview
Sherpa Guides, St. Simons Island Overview and map