St. Simons is the heart and soul of Georgia’s Golden Isles. This quaint, picturesque island is one of my favorite getaways in the Southeast U.S. It’s perfect for girls, mother-daughter, or romantic trips. So here’s the ultimate guide of things to do in St. Simons Island, GA.

Southeast U.S. Travel Guide

The other Golden Isles are Sea Island, Little St. Simons Island, and Jekyll Island, and the mainland city of Brunswick is included in this region. These barrier islands are home to fantastic beaches, historic sites, nature preserves, incredible resorts, mouth-watering food, and amazing activities.

Here are the best things to do in St. Simons Island, GA!

When To Go

Georgia’s Golden Isles are a year-round destination, but Spring and Fall are the best seasons to visit. March – May and September – November have cool breezes and warm temperatures in the 60s at night and the 70s and 80s in the day without the humidity of the summer months. These are the shoulder seasons, so accommodation prices and tourist numbers won’t be at their highest.

Summer is hot and muggy with temperatures in the 90s, and the humidity will make it feel much hotter. Mosquitos are out in full force during these months, so make sure you always have bug spray with you. Afternoon rain showers are also common. June – August is the peak travel season for the Golden Isles, so everything will be at its most expensive and most crowded. The public beaches will fill up by mid-morning, many restaurants will require reservations, and you’ll need to book tours ahead of time.

Winter is the offseason, but the island’s mild temperatures mean this is still a great time to visit. You can get some great hotel deals in December (excluding the Christmas – New Year holiday week), January, and February. Nighttime temperatures will be in the mid-40s, and daytime temperatures should stay in the 60s. Some businesses and tour companies are closed for the winter season, but most places will still be open.

Must-Do Activities

Take a horseback ride on Driftwood Beach.

Rent bikes for a self-guided tour of Ocean Boulevard, Saint Simons Pier, World War II Homefront Museum, Neptune Park, and the St. Simons Lighthouse.

Visit the Fort Frederica National Monument

Kayak with Ocean Motion Surf Co.

Lounge on one of the white sandy beaches.

Hike at Cannon’s Point Reserve

Do a tour and tasting at Richland Rum

Take a cruise on the Emerald Princess Casino

Where To Eat

Seafood: Crabdaddy’s, Mullet Bay Seafood Restaurant, Georgia Sea Grill, Porch, The Half Shell, The Crab Trap, Catch 228 Oyster Bar & Grill.

Breakfast Places: Palmer’s, Mallery Street Cafe, Sandy Bottom Bagels, Coastal Kitchen.

Coffee & Sweet Shops: Palm Coast Coffee, The Local Brew, Moo Cow Ice Cream, Sunset Slush of St. Simons, St. Simons Sweets.

Other Top Recommendations: Southern Soul BBQ, Tramici (Italian), ECHO (One of the only waterfront restaurants on St. Simons), Barbara Jean’s (Southern comfort food), Barrier Island Brewing.

Best Day Trips

Some of the recommendations in this guide are for the other barrier islands – Jekyll, Sea, and Little St. Simons Islands – but I want to reiterate that the other Golden Isles are worth a visit.

Other great day trips from St. Simons Island are Amelia Island, the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, and Sapelo Island.

Savannah is also only about an hour and a half drive from St. Simons, though I highly recommend visiting this beautiful, historic city as its own trip. If you spend just a day here, Savannah’s highlights are Forsyth Park, Old Savannah Trolley Tours, River Street, and the City Market.

Where To Stay

My favorite accommodation on St. Simons Island is The King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort (pictured above). This historic hotel has three pools, a jacuzzi, the ECHO restaurant, beach access, and spacious rooms.

The Best Hotels in St. Simons and Georgia’s Golden Isles

Georgia’s Golden Isles also have some incredible vacation homes for every budget and preference.

Pro Tip: St. Simons is where most restaurants, activities, and nightlife are, while the other islands are less-populated and more spread out. So make sure you stay on the Golden Isle that will best suit the activities you want to do on your trip.

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This post is not a sponsored post, and, as always, the thoughts and opinions expressed in this guide of things to do in St. Simons Island, GA are entirely my own. Some of the links in this guide of things to do in St. Simons Island, GA are affiliate links, and, at no cost to you, I may earn a small commission from this guide.