The Ultimate Weekend in Brunswick & Georgia’s Golden Isles

The Golden Isles is a stretch of islands across coastal Georgia and the mainland town of Brunswick. Whether planning a weekend or staying longer, the Golden Isles off the coast of Georgia is a magical destination. The Golden Isles include St. Simons Island, Jekyll Island, and Little St. Simons Island, the privately owned Sea Island, and the port city of Brunswick.

Day One – Brunswick

While we didn’t want to spend much time in the downtown Brunswick area, we did want to poke our heads in and look around.

Lunch at The Yellow Deli (4.8)

Our first stop was lunch at the Yellow Deli. Our waitress was down to earth and made us feel welcome. She made us feel like guests in her home with sandwiches, salads, gigantic yogurt parfaits full of fruit, and smoothies. All desserts and breads she says are homemade. The Yellow Deli is run by a religious group (a cult) called The Twelve Tribes and is a communal restaurant. Despite some bad press, I found the folks at The Yellow Deli friendly and didn’t feel out of place eating there.

The Yellow Deli: 801 Egmont St, Brunswick, GA 31520

Where to Stay in Brunswick

Brunswick Manor Bed & Breakfast (4.7)

Sitting on the veranda at the Brunswick Manor in historic downtown Brunswick feels like you stepped back in time. Inside, you will find antiques, a carved oak staircase, high ceilings, and beviled glass mirrors. Strolling through the gardens and the grapevine-covered patio leads you to the full-sized orchid conservatory and koi pond that will enchant visitors. This enchanting bed and breakfast is the perfect home base while exploring Brunswick or the golden isles of St. Simons or Jekyll Islands.

Brunswick Manor Bed & Breakfast: 825 Egmont St, Brunswick, GA 31520

Turn of the Century Homes

While you are in the area, drive through Brunswick’s historic district. Antebellum-style homes draped in Spanish moss stand beneath century-old live oaks. A drive through Brunswick’s historic district is like a trip back in time.

“The Sidney Six”

Charleston has its Rainbow Row, San Francisco has its iconic “Painted Ladies, and Brunswick has the Sidney Six Cottages on Prince Street. You can purchase one of these beauties today for under $100,000.

Lover’s Oak

Lover’s Oak in Brunswick, GA is said to be over 900 years old. Legend has it that the oak was a meeting place for Creek Indian braves and maidens. They would meet under the majestic branches to kiss and vow their love for one another. The tree is approximately 13 feet in diameter with approximately ten limbs. It is not the most beautiful tree I have seen in fact, it reminds me of the talking apple tree in The Wizard of Oz. Lovers Oak is at the intersection of Albany and Prince Street.

Lovers Oak: 828 Albany St, Brunswick, GA 31520

Historic Ritz Theatre

The Historic Ritz Theatre, located within “Old Town Brunswick” was originally built in 1899 to house the Grand Opera House, but later showed movies. Today, downtown Brunswick’s historic theatre and arts center features year-round live performances, films, exhibits, educational programs, and more. The theatre is also available for rental and is used by the local community and touring artists from around the country.  

The Ritz Theatre: 1530 Newcastle St, Brunswick, GA 31520

Sidney Lanier Bridge

From Brunswick, we crossed the Sidney Lanier Bridge en route to Jekyll Island. This is the longest-spanning bridge in Georgia and stretches 7,779 feet across the Brunswick River. Not only is it the tallest of its kind in Georgia, but it’s also the longest-spanning bridge in the state. The bridge, named for poet Sidney Lanier, has become an iconic landmark in the Golden Isles.

The Coastal Salt Marshes

Georgia’s coastline is about 100 miles long and is lined by salt marshes, the muddy expanse of tall grass, and creeks between the mainland and the barrier islands. The island’s frequent, high tides bring in an abundance of bait, which draws wildlife to the shore when the waters recede. You will cross over an endless sea of shimmering, golden-green marsh grass on the way to Jekyll Island.

Day Two – Exploring Jekyll Island

Jekyll Island is a small barrier island off the coast of Georgia. The Island is renowned for the “Millionaire’s Village”, a 240-acre site containing 33 historic structures, including the Jekyll Island Club and surrounding cottages that were once home to some of America’s most wealthy and prominent citizens, including J.P. Morgan, Joseph Pulitzer, William K. Vanderbilt, and William Rockefeller who stayed in the Indian Mound Cottage.

The Mosaic, Jekyll Island Museum offers a variety of tours for the whole family. We took the Millionaire Motorcar Tour which takes place in a 1930’s Model T replica and includes a private tour of the Historic District and entry into one of the iconic Jekyll Island Club properties. Our tour guide shared stories about wealthy families and their luxurious lifestyles during the Gilded Age. The tour costs $125 for up to 4 people.

The first stop is the DuBignon Cottage. The DuBignons owned the island and operated it as a plantation for most of the 19th century, before selling it to wealthy individuals. The cottage is where the deal took place and during the Jekyll Island Club days, it was used as overflow accommodations for club members when the hotel was full.

Moss Cottage is the next stop. This is one of the “rustic” private homes built by club members in 1896. This cottage features a parlor, game room, butler’s pantry, five family bedrooms, plus servants’ quarters. Like many built during the Club Era, the cottage also has a basement. The first owner was William Strothers, a retired owner of a Philadelphia marble works. Later the Moss Cottage was the winter home of George Henry Macy, a tobacconist of Hudson, New York, who became president of Union Pacific Tea (later A&P).

Where to Stay

Jekyll Island Club

Driving into the property of the Jekyll Island Club feels like a step back in time to a bygone era. Originally the island’s private club was so exclusive that club membership represented one-sixth of the world’s wealth by 1900. Today, the Jekyll Island Club retains its Victorian charm with modern amenities. It includes guest rooms and cottages, history tours, a swimming pool, croquet, and multiple bars and restaurants.

Jekyll Island Club Resort: 371 Riverview Dr, Jekyll Island, GA 31527

Our Millionaire Motor Car tour also includes admission to Faith Chapel, the non-denominational chapel where club members worshipped during their Jekyll winters. We went to see it after our tour.

Faith Chapel was built in 1904 and was used as a non-denominational chapel until 1942. The chapel features two intricately designed stained glass windows – one signed by the artist Louis Comfort Tiffany. The chapel also features Gothic Revival architectural elements including gargoyles below the steeple. An attendant inside will show you around and answer any questions.

Lunch at The Wharf

The Wharf is Jekyll Island’s only waterfront restaurant on the historic district pier. They offer open-air dining, live music, and delicious Southern seafood like fried shrimp, and fish ‘n chips. We enjoyed lunch outside in July, and while it was hot, a summer breeze off the water, with a cold drink kept the temperature down. Reservations are currently recommended for best service, but we were able to dine without a wait.

The Wharf: 371 Riverview Dr, Jekyll Island, GA 31527

Day Three – St. Simon’s Island

St. Simon’s Island is known for its natural beauty, salt marshes, palm trees, and moss-covered oaks, as well as one of the best beach destinations in Georgia. Even though it’s the largest of the Golden Isles with many shopping, restaurants, and history, it’s still a quiet beach town where the pace of life is a little slower.

Where to Stay:

The King & Prince Resort

The King and Prince Resort has been an island institution for over 80 years. It opened as a dance club in 1935, served as a navy observation post during WWII, and transitioned into a hotel in 1941. This historic hotel is just steps from the Atlantic Ocean and is the only hotel on St. Simons actually on the beach. Equally important is waking up to the sound of the sea from your room, as there are miles of unspoiled beaches to explore.

The King & Prince Resort: 201 Arnold Rd, St Simons, GA 31522

Breakfast at Palm Coast Coffee

Before touring the island, we stopped at Palm Coast Coffee for a delicious breakfast. They sat us right away in the outdoor courtyard. Service was a little slow but the fans made it a pleasant wait. Open Monday-Saturday 8 am until 2 pm.

Palm Coast Coffee: 318 Mallery St, St Simons, GA 31522

Pier Village

After breakfast, we walked to the St. Simon’s Island Pier. Of course, walking to the pier took us past the shops of Pier Village. So, a bit of shopping was needed to grab that souvenir.

Pier Village Market: 215 Mallery St, St Simons Island, GA 31522

St. Simon’s Island Pier

As you stroll down the Pier, you will discover what makes this a special place. The St. Simons Island pier is a great place for fishing. There are tables and water hoses for preparing your bait and cleaning your catch, and at night the pier has lights, so you can stay as late as you‘ want. Besides that, it is also a great place to take a morning or evening stroll. With plenty of marine life surrounding St. Simons Island, you might see a local bottlenose dolphin splash from the pier or watch a pelican as it waits for a handout from a local fisherman.

St. Simon’s Island Pier: 100 Mallery St, St Simons, GA 31522

St. Simons Lighthouse

The St. Simon’s Lighthouse is one of only 3 lighthouses on the Georgia coast. The Lighthouse still serves as an operational navigation aid for ships entering St. Simons Sound, casting its beam as far as 23 miles to sea. The lighthouse and keeper’s dwelling were built in 1872 after the original buildings were destroyed during the Civil War. Climb the 129 lighthouse steps for spectacular views and learn more about the lighthouse’s history at the Keeper’s Cottage, a Victorian structure that has served as the lighthouse’s museum since 1975. Inside you will find artifacts, and exhibits to learn about the history of Georgia’s coast.

St. Simon’s Lighthouse: 610 Beachview Drive St. Simons Island, GA 31522

Christ Church Frederica

One of the oldest churches in Georgia, Christ Church is one of the most popular historic sites on the island. The church is a beautiful Gothic style tucked away in monumental oak trees. The original church was destroyed by Union troops during the Civil War and was rebuilt in 1884 with stained glass windows commemorating the life of Christ. The church is one of the most photographed sites on the island.

Christ Church Episcopal Frederica: 6329 Frederica Rd, St Simons, GA 31522

Conclusion:

Whether your passion is photographing the golden fields of the salt marshes or snapping shots of the turn-of-the-century homes of Brunswick, Whether you’re exploring the historical landmarks of St. Simons & Jekyll Island, or enjoying southern cooking & seafood at your favorite island restaurant, the Golden Isles will be a trip you will always remember! We only got to see a sample of what is available on these islands. There is so much that we were not able to see. Maybe next trip.

What’s Next?

If you are staying the weekend on Georgia’s Golden Isles, take a day to drive to Savannah, Georgia. There is something truly magical about Savannah, Georgia. Some say it is the charming atmosphere, while many agree that it is the numerous parks and rich history. Maybe it’s the famous Southern hospitality and cuisine. Hop in the car with us as we spend One Day in Savannah.