Explore St. Simons Island

St. Simons Island offers a wide range of activities that cater to all interests. Nature enthusiasts can explore the island's stunning natural beauty by visiting the iconic St. Simons Lighthouse Museum or taking a leisurely bike ride through the picturesque tree-lined streets. The island also boasts pristine beaches, perfect for sunbathing, swimming, or trying out various water sports like paddleboarding and kayaking. History buffs will be captivated by the island's rich heritage showcased in the fascinating Fort Frederica National Monument and the intriguing Bloody Marsh Battle Site. Golf enthusiasts can tee off at the world-class golf courses and take in breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean. St. Simons Island is also known for its vibrant art scene and charming shops, allowing visitors to indulge in retail therapy and bring home unique souvenirs. With its perfect blend of outdoor adventure, cultural exploration, and relaxation, St. Simons Island is an idyllic destination for all ages.

St. Simons Island carries a quiet but deeply rooted artistic identity, shaped by the beauty of its coastal landscapes and the creative community that calls the Golden Isles home. The hub of it all is Glynn Visual Arts (GVA), located on Island Drive, which serves as the island’s premier arts organization — offering gallery exhibitions, classes, workshops, and community events throughout the year. Several independent galleries dot the island as well, including Anderson Gallery, ArtTrends Gallery, and Julep Gallery, each showcasing a mix of local and regional artists working in painting, photography, and mixed media. The Coastal Center for the Arts and the active arts community on nearby Brunswick’s First Friday Art Loop extend the creative experience beyond the island itself. For those who love handmade and artisan work, Crafts in the Village at Postell Park brings 50–70 talented makers from across the Southeast to the island’s iconic Pier Village on a regular basis.

Eugenia Price (1916–1996) — While on a book tour in 1962, Price discovered St. Simons Island and fell in love with it — and spent the rest of her life writing about the area. She moved to the island permanently in 1965 and produced a series of meticulously researched historical novels — the St. Simons Trilogy and the Georgia Trilogy — that brought the island’s colonial and antebellum history to vivid life. A New York Times bestselling author, Price is buried at Christ Church Frederica, and her fans make pilgrimages to the island from across the country. The Golden Isles Touring Company even offers a dedicated Eugenia Price tour of her most beloved settings.

Tina McElroy Ansa (1949–2024) — A Georgia-born novelist who made St. Simons Island her home for decades, Ansa was a trailblazing voice in African American Southern fiction. Her debut novel Baby of the Family was named a Notable Book of the Year by The New York Times, and she was the only two-time recipient of the Georgia Authors Series Award. She founded DownSouth Press on St. Simons, dedicated to amplifying Black voices, and created the Sea Island Writers Retreats to nurture literary talent in the coastal Georgia region. She was inducted into the Georgia Writers Hall of Fame.

Joyce Blackburn — A respected author of children’s and young adult biography, Blackburn moved to St. Simons alongside her close friend Eugenia Price and became deeply embedded in the island’s creative community. Her books, particularly her biographies of James Edward Oglethorpe and Martha Berry, introduced generations of young readers to Georgia history through vivid, accessible storytelling.