Location: Darien
Top Things to do in Darien
- 1. Fort King George Historic Site
- 2. Waterfront Park
- 3. Sapelo Island Visitors Center
- 4. Old Jail Art Center & Museum
- 5. Ashantilly Center
- 6. St. Cyprian's Episcopal Church
- 7. Darien-McIntosh Visitor Information Center
- 8. Butler Island Plantation
- 9. Wolf Island National Wildlife Refuge
- 10. Nativity of Our Lady Catholic Church
The 10 Best Things to Do in Darien, United States
Darien (/dɛəriˈɛn/) is a city in McIntosh County, Georgia, United States. It lies on Georgia's coast at the mouth of the Altamaha River, approximately 50 miles south of Savannah, and is part of the Brunswick, Georgia Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population of Darien was 1,975 at the 2010 census. The city is the county seat of McIntosh County. It is the second oldest planned city in Georgia and was originally called New Inverness.
Restaurants in Darien
1. Fort King George Historic Site
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 241 reviews
Reviewed By ElaineFrench - Bluffton SC
Toured this fort with a large group. It is a very interesting Fort, unlike many I’ve seen in the south. I was told that they periodically have re-enactments that are very interesting.
2. Waterfront Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 61 reviews
Reviewed By Suzy41 - San Diego, California
If your ever in the area this is a great place to stop and stretch your legs. Shrimp boats are near as well as others. After coffee and tiramisu we strolled down and enjoyed the scenery.
3. Sapelo Island Visitors Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 41 reviews
Reviewed By Josephine C - Midway
You can't get to Sapelo island unless you take the ferry. Time and a river ride takes you back to a simpler time. The visitor's center is full of history and anecdotes about the history of this barrier island and the people who choose to live there. Bring a picnic lunch and a camera. Nature at it's best.
4. Old Jail Art Center & Museum
Overall Ratings
4 based on 29 reviews
Reviewed By Sandra D - Melbourne, Florida
Stopped in while on vacation. The talent hanging on the walls was extremely impressive. Really liked the kid's room. This is more than an art gallery or a museum. It was obviously well utilized by the artist community. Overall a delight!!
5. Ashantilly Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 12 reviews
The Ashantilly Center, known as “Old Tabby,” was the mainland home of Thomas Spalding, early Georgia planter, legislator, and McIntosh County landowner. The original home, circa 1820, burned in 1937, and the current house was an ongoing project of the Haynes family. Today, the Ashantilly Center is a non-profit educational and cultural historic site, organized and founded by William G. Haynes, Jr. Mr. Haynes was an artist, small letterpress printer (The Ashantilly Press), and environmentalist. His legacy, the Ashantilly Center, hosts cultural and historic events and workshops.
Reviewed By scot1ru - Baton Rouge,Louisiana
We stopped to see this site on our visit to Darien. While we understand the state of the home both because of the gentleman who owned the house and his business and lack of funding for the association we do hope that this historic structure can be saved before time takes to much toll. Otherwise and interesting old home!
6. St. Cyprian's Episcopal Church
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6 reviews
Reviewed By drmomaa - Asheville, North Carolina
This is the first African-American Episcopal Church in Darien, Georgia. Originally built of "tabby" by former slaves in 1873, it has continously served as a house of worship since then.
7. Darien-McIntosh Visitor Information Center
Overall Ratings
4 based on 12 reviews
Serves as Tourism Office and Chamber of Commerce
Reviewed By TheBooey - Syracuse, New York
Hardly a five star attraction, but worth a visit if you're in the area and want information. Lots of free brochures, a photo op, and a couple of local information experts. Located in the Darien "outlet mall".
8. Butler Island Plantation
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 13 reviews
Reviewed By barbaragwen270 - Sebastian, Florida
I knew the history behind this plantation before I ever went. So I wasn't expecting a huge plantation home, slave quarters, a museum etc. Since this property is associated with the Nature's Conservancy, ( I saw one of their signs on the property) I was expecting to find a clean, well kept area. What a disappointment to see the property unkempt and even the path leading up to the front door overgrown and full of weeds. The house itself is badly in need of some up keep also. The grounds just looked awful, like nobody gave a damn. I have been a member of The Nature's Conservancy for many, many years. Always in the past when visiting Conservancy sites, I've felt pride and joy--not this time. I was just filled with embarrassment and a feeling of utter sadness. This IS an historical spot and it should be treated with some reverence. Shame on those who are supposed to be caring for this sacred site.
9. Wolf Island National Wildlife Refuge
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5 reviews
A 5,126-acre migratory bird refuge with vast expanses of marshes and tidal creeks.
Reviewed By Kurt R - DeKalb, Illinois
This is a well preserved natural are for bird and animals. It is worth a side trip if in the area. We spent several days in the area picking up site like this.
10. Nativity of Our Lady Catholic Church
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2 reviews
Reviewed By Steven C - Harrisburg, North Carolina, United States
Since my wife and I would be driving from Charlotte NC at 5 am to Port St Lucie Florida on a Sunday, it was important to find a Catholic Church to go to mass. I mapped out our trip and the went onto a website called MassTimes.org to locate churches along our travel route. Nativity of Our Lady Catholic Church was just off I-95 and the mass time that was listed worked out perfectly with the time we would be around Darien Georgia.
The church was so picturesque as we drove up to it. As you walk from the street to the church there are 4 white statues of Our Lady with 3 children right in front of it. To the right under a Spanish Moss tree is a statue Called Rachael Mourning which is dedicated to women who have aborted their unborn children and who need healing and forgiveness. The church has an old-fashioned white washed Spanish look to the front of it with Red Doors a large round Stained glass above it and a bell high atop the peak. We were created by the parishioners and after entering the church I felt a sense of calm drape over me. As I mentioned this is a small old time church that only had a center isle which made the communion line very interesting as compared to the mega churches that have been built now a days. I feel very fortunate to have found the Nativity of Our Lady Catholic Church that sunday and suggest that if you are any where near Darien Georgia and would like to appreciate a beautiful church from the past, then you should stop there.
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