St. Marys Georgia a South Georgia Destination

There's a whole range of activities to be had in St. Marys. Although tourism seems to be the major industry here, it isn't a hyper-commercialized tourism. Bygone times seem more real here; there isn't a sense that the history of the place has been hijacked and packaged into a buyable commodity.
Of course, if you do like to buy things, there's certainly no shortage of well-appointed antique shops and little family-run boutiques.

For something a little different, you might want to visit the St. Marys Submarine Museum, where you can get your hands on a working periscope and view submarine artifacts.

The beauty of nature is one of the draws that bring people to the town. You can take a kayaking trip, go on a fishing expedition, head to Crooked River Park or take the town's ferry to Cumberland Island. The island is notable for its seaside wilderness, beauty, Carnegie mansion ruins and wild horses. Once you're on the island, there isn't much in the way of amenities; it's more or less a camping area, so you will want to bring your own food and drink.

If you're into grave stone rubbings or times past, take a walk in the St. Marys Oak Grove Cemetery. Each gravestone tells a story, made all the more fascinating by what's left out of the short descriptions and pithy poems. One stone covers the graves of an entire family taken by a yellow fever epidemic that struck St. Mary's in 1801. There's history here, waiting for someone interested enough to uncover it.

Trip Time & Directions: Depending on what side of Jacksonville you live on, a trip to St. Marys, Georgia can take anywhere from a short forty-five minute drive to about an hour and twenty minutes. Take I-95 N into Georgia, take exit 1 and follow the signs.

Where to stay: If you want to make more than a day trip, there is a proliferation of sweet little B & Bs on Osborne Street in the heart of St. Marys, but the Goodbread House (209 Osborne Street (912) 882-7490 goodbreadhouse.com) has a number of amenities that help it to standout from the rest. They have an in-house spa, a tea room and will lend guests their golf cart for short excursions in the historic district. Each room is named after a famous movie star couple (like the Scarlett & Rhett room) and the decoration is inspired by whatever movie the couples inhabit. During the week the rate is about $99, weekends go for about $139.