Location: Saint Simons Island
Top Things to do in Saint Simons Island
The 10 Best Free Things to do in Saint Simons Island, Georgia (GA)
Enveloped by expansive beaches, moss-draped oaks, and salt marshes, Saint Simons Island, part of the Golden Isles chain near Brunswick, is a nearly 18 square mile island, once dominated by rice and cotton plantations. Today, it’s a recreation wonderland with superb championship golf courses, miles of bicycle paths, great fishing, historic sites, and excellent restaurants. If you love golf, you’ll love Saint Simons Island, which is home to the 18-hole King and Prince Golf Course and 27-hole Sea Palms Golf & Tennis Resort. Nearby are 234 more holes of golf at popular spots like the 63-hole Jekyll Island Golf Club and 36-hole Sea Island Golf Club. Anglers have lots of opportunities to fish in the rivers, tidal creeks, sounds and the Atlantic Ocean. You’ll find charters and guides at the Golden Isles Marina, and you can also fish off the St. Simons Island Pier and surf cast on stretches of beach on the island’s north end. For such a compact island, Saint Simons is brimming with historic sites. Don’t miss the Saint Simons Lighthouse, where you can climb the 129 steps for a magnificent view of the island; the Fort Frederica National Monument, which has remnants of the British fort built in the 1700s; and the Bloody Marsh Battle Site, where the Spanish defeated the British in 1742.
Restaurants in Saint Simons Island
1. Christ Church
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 787 reviews
The Christ Church, Frederica has docents available Tuesday through Sunday from 2pm to 5pm. The churchyard is open to the public from sunrise to sunset Tuesday through Sunday. The church and the grounds are closed to the public on Monday's for maintenance. Bus tours and group tours are available, please call or email the office to set up a group tour. From time to time, the church and churchyard are closed to accommodate funerals and weddings.
Reviewed By CissiK
I absolutely love coming here. The grounds are so peaceful and the historical cemetery behind the church is like stepping back in time. The church has the most beautiful stained glass windows and The Christmas floral decorations both inside and out were outstanding. This is a must see if you're visiting the island.
2. Wesley United Methodist Church
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 42 reviews
3. A Pane in the Glass
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 16 reviews
Reviewed By janesK4470WZ - Jupiter, United States
What a wonderful surprise! This unique shoppe is full of handmade items; from sun catchers and many other stain glass objects, ornaments, jewelry, bar and kitchen accessories-I am so glad I stopped in. There are many hand crafted wood plaques as well, garden ornaments and beautiful one of a kind tote bags. Something for everyone.
4. Golden Isles Bracelet Company
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 10 reviews
The little store with a big reputation for fine handcrafted jewelry, Golden Isles Bracelet Co.(GIBCo) is a must see for local jewelry. Located in the Pier Village on Mallery Street for 15 years, GIBCo. is known for keepsake quality and comfort.
Reviewed By Robyn318 - Baxley, United States
The silver jewelry, hand crafted by a local artist makes a lovely keep sake to take home to remember beautiful St. Simons Island. The shop is located in a very small shop which only adds to it's appeal in my opinion. The young lady who waited on us was very pleasant and helpful.
5. Saint Simons Tea Company
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 15 reviews
Reviewed By chrishP7509OZ
On a rainy afternoon we stopped in to look around and we discovered a wonderful teas shop. The selection is very good and the owner took the time to explain all of our questions. We had a wonderful hot cup of tea and enjoyed the conversation. The prices are reasonable too. We had a great experience and discovered a new island treasure.
6. Golden Isles Olive Oil & Wine Bar
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 67 reviews
Golden Isles Olive Oil provides a unique look into the culinary world of olive oils and vinegars. We sell over 60 flavors of the highest quality EVOO, Infused & Fused Olive Oils and Balsamic Vinegars. Come by and taste these award winning and extraordinary flavors and choose your favorite to take home! Gourmet Food Products, large selection of salts, spices, rubs & marinades, hand made pasta's, delicious sauces, Hunter Cattle Grass-fed meats, olives and antipasto's, local honey, work of local artists & potters, Gifts, Gift Baskets & more. Member & Supporter of Georgia Grown Products. Our Gourmet Market is open 7 days a week and our Wine Bar is open Monday-Saturday.
Reviewed By 2deer - Atlanta, United States
Had a nice lunch on the patio under the trees. My wife and I shared a salad and a sandwich plate. Both were excellent. Flavorful yet not overwhelming and the portion sizes were good. Excellent selection of wines by the glass or by the bottle. We had a leisurely lunch, noshing, reading the paper, drinking wine, and relaxed but good service. The shop has some great gift ideas and a fantastic array of choices for oils and balsamics. Will definitely be back.
7. Fort Frederica National Monument
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,112 reviews
This beautiful park was the site of one of the first British colonies.
Reviewed By mekopp - Middletown, United States
I always take my national park passport book with me when I travel. When I realized I was about 20 miles from this site ,we drove to see it and get my stamp. I was so pleased with our visit. First of all , there is a legit introductory movie. I love when historic sites have this because it really does set the stage. When we got outside the visitor center there were people in colonial dress. One asked me if I wanted to make a candle. The blacksmith made and gave us a hook. This site is home to over 5000 artifacts and many of them were on display. It’s really an interesting piece of colonial history. Being from the north, I forget that the south has its share of colonial history as well. This site was beautiful and I could have spent more time here if I wasn’t traveling. The town of Frederica Georgia was also beautiful.
8. Island Republic
9. Fishing Pier
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 735 reviews
Reviewed By gmg1948
The Village Pier on St. Simons Island is buzzing with activity ranging from crabbing to fishing to gawking at the huge capsized boat (Golden Ray) on it’s side in the channel between St. Simons and Jekyll Islands. A great place to people-watch and enjoy winter warmth and gentle breezes.
10. Wesley Memorial & Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 106 reviews
Reviewed By MarnetteS - Webster, United States
After being cooped up during Covid, we were ready to take a trip. We chose St. Simon's Island, a comfortable three-hour drive from Hilton Head Island, for its sightseeing opportunities. Among the historic monuments was the Wesley Gardens on Frederica Road. We stopped there after first visiting historic Christ Episcopal Church just down the road. The Wesley Gardens are named after brothers John and Charles Wesley who founded the Methodist religion. There is a turn-off from Frederica Road to park; the area is small but probably not many cars will turn up at the same time. The gardens are meticulously maintained. The imposing 18-foot Celtic cross just inside the gate is wondrous. It weighs 15 tons cut from granite in Elberton, GA. Charles Wesley was General Oglethorpe's Secretary of Indian Affairs. He is also famous for writing over 6,000 hymns. The garden is situated on two acres and filled with native trees and plants. It was a pleasant walk around the cross; benches provide a place to sit and rest in this beautifully landscaped retreat. It would be especially lovely in the spring with blooming azaleas. The Wesley Methodist Church is adjacent to the gardens. Bells toll on the half and hour.
