Gypsy Guide to ST. SIMONS ISLAND, GA

DISCOVER THE UNSPOILED BEAUTY OF ST. SIMONS ISLAND AND THE GOLDEN ISLES.

Updated June 15, 2024

 

// st. simons island //

Gypsy Guide to St. Simons, Island, GA. Lined with white sand and live oaks, the biggest of Georgia’s Golden Isles, St. Simons Island was recently voted the number one favorite beach town by Travel and Leisure. This barrier island, among the Golden Isles of Georgia together with Little St. Simons Island and Jekyll Island, is full of unspoiled beaches and coastal delights. Like many coastal beach communities, the day-to-day pace moves at a much gentler pace. St. Simons isn’t a contrived vacation destination, it’s a small beach town with a rich history and year round residents who welcome visitors with great dining, good shopping, history, adventure, and oh yeah the beach. Hard to argue with a beach town vacation full of southern charm and serenity.

stay:

The Fig House – Cool and comfortable, this beautiful mid-mod beach house has 3 bedrooms, heated pool, and massive kitchen, Bryce Brock of The Vine has transformed this house into a cozy hideaway is perfect for a family or girls trip to the beach. The house is centrally located near the site of the Battle of Bloody Marsh and a short cruise to the beach, restaurants, and shopping.

The King and Prince – If a resort is more your speed, The King and Prince resort is the only hotel that is right on St. Simons Island beach. The resort boasts several pools, indoor and outdoor dining at Echo, tennis, golf and a variety of accommodation types.

eat:

Palmer’s Village Cafe: This was hands down our favorite place for breakfast every day. Palmer’s Village cafe is located in the village near the lighthouse and serves the most amazing breakfast and lunch all day. It’s no wonder this quaint cafe is a hit with locals and travelers alike. relax and enjoy unique southern coastal food from a five-star/five diamond chef, John Belechak. Enjoy the Farm to Table concept by trying any of the Palmer’s Village Cafe omelets like the hooch with spicy tomatoes, provolone, cheddar and sausage (made in house)  topped with fried onions. No visit is complete without the made-from-scratch biscuits. You don’t want to miss this island gem!

Porch: This eclectic restaurant, with indoor and outdoor seating, was voted Best New Restaurant in the Golden Isles. Porch features a Southern menu with Nashville hot chicken, catfish and fresh off the boat shrimp. Choose between Naked, Novice, Nashville or Napalm (if you’d rather live on the edge) on the hot-o-meter scale. Fixins on the side include Porch corn, Mac & cheese or pimento cheese grits. On tap is craft beer or the island favorite frose, perfect after a day at the beach and you’ll want to leave room for banana pudding.

Sals Neighborhood Pizzeria:  Sal’s is owned by professional boxer turned pizza slinger and New Jersey native Sal Cenicola. Locals hail this neighborhood hot spot as having the best pies on the island. This New York-style pizzeria also offers heaping bowls of pasta, sandwiches and their take on calzones aptly named “salzones”

move:

African American Heritage Tour: The Gullah Geechee are decedents of the African slaves that worked the cotton and rice plantations along the coast. The National Park Service has designated a Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor extending from Wilmington, NC to Jacksonville. Hear the stories of growing up on the island through an African American Heritage Tour with Amy Roberts, Executive Director of the St. Simons African American Heritage Coalition. Amy’s ancestors were slaves on the Retreat Plantation on St. Simons Island. The  St. Simons African American Heritage Coalition’s mission is to save and share the Islands African American history from freedom to civil rights.

Bike Riding: Bicycles are a must on St. Simons. With 30 miles of bike paths on the island it’s a great way to explore. If you can’t bring your own, rent one from Ocean Motion or MonkeyWrench Bicycles.

Neptune Park/Pier/St. Simons Lighthouse: The seaside park is a beautiful place to people watch or enjoy a picnic under giant live oaks. Enjoy walking the path along the water and follow the path to the St. Simons Lighthouse. Climb the 129 stairs to the top of the lighthouse and enjoy the amazing view of St. Simons Island.

Kayak: A unique way to see St. Simons Island is with a kayak tour through the marshes, and out into the ocean. With Kingfisher Paddle Ventures, you’ll Lear about the ecology of the area while enjoying a great day on the water.