It’s a mere 100 miles from where the Georgia coast kisses South Carolina to its southern border with Florida. But what lies between is a diverse, adventurous road trip, with historic cities, 14 barrier islands and some of the country’s most diverse eco-systems.
Stay
Georgia’s southernmost point is historic St. Marys and Kingsland, twin cities offering wildlife viewing, great seafood dining options and fun attractions. The Spencer House Bed and Breakfast provides a comfortable landing place with its short walk to St. Marys’ shops, museums and waterfront. Next stop north are the twin communities of Jekyll Island and St. Simons, both offering lots of accommodations. The historic Jekyll Island Club Resort in Jekyll and the King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort in St. Simons are two elegant options — but smaller accommodations such as Jekyll’s Villas by the Sea offer a peaceful respite that’s close to the photographer’s dreamscape of Driftwood Beach, where ancient trees spray their roots like giant fingers.
Explore
At St. Marys, visitors may board a short ferry ride to Cumberland Island, Georgia’s largest and southernmost barrier island. Visitors to Cumberland must go through the National Park Service and only campers may remain overnight. The protective result delivers a pristine island consisting of dunes, maritime forest and the ruins of a Carnegie estate. Look for the wild horses that roam the island and don’t miss the Atlantic side with its miles of unspoiled beaches.
Eat
Just south of Savannah lies the historic town of Sunbury, which began as a seaport city in 1758 by Georgian settler Gen. James Oglethorpe. At one time this now sleepy village rivaled Savannah’s trade market and was the second largest shipping port in the colony. Enjoy a view of Sunbury Harbor and imagine life before the American Revolution while dining on fresh shrimp and oysters at Sunbury Crab Co.
Listen
Start the night at Steffens Restaurant in Kingsland, an old-fashioned restaurant that dates to 1948. Load up on delicious made-from-scratch chicken fried steak, milk shakes and other Southern comfort foods, then head over to nearby Woodbine where on Saturday nights, fiddles, mandolins, banjos and even steel guitars fill the old school for the weekly Woodbine Opry. If you can arrive early, you can sample some of the potluck specials served in the old school’s cafeteria.
Savannah
The final stop north from Georgia’s border with Florida is historic Savannah, one of the most charming Southern cities if not in the entire country. A stay within the historic district is a must, allowing visitors to explore the city’s many squares by foot or invest in a day’s trolley ride, jumping on and off at leisure. For those who love unusual ghost tales, the Blue Orb Tours spin quite a few. Afterwards, stop at Leopold’s Ice Cream parlor, a Savannah landmark since 1919.
Hit the beach
The northern stretch of coastal Georgia ends at Tybee Island, a barrier island geared less at wildlife viewing — although seabirds, gators and the like may be found — and more towards sun bathing and water sports. There are numerous beach access points to the Atlantic Ocean and, on the other side of the island, ideal spots for paddling.
In between Savannah and Tybee are two historic spots visitors should take time for. Fort Palaski National Monument has both an historic fortification to explore as well as nature trails through marshlands (great for birders) and the 100 acres of Bonaventure Cemetery three miles south of downtown Savannah is one of the most beautiful resting spots in the nation, with historic tombs situated among landscape gardens.
