A hidden jewel among the many islands that make up Georgia’s Golden Isles.

Several years ago, when my family first vacationed on St. Simons Island, I knew we’d found a place to call our second home. To know what makes it special you must first know what makes it different from Georgia’s other barrier islands.

Tybee Island is touristy. Think swim and surf shops on every corner. Paid parking in every parking lot. It’s crowded and it’s noisy. For some, this sounds like the typical beach vacation but it simply isn’t my style.

Jekyll Island, while quaint and charming in its own way, is managed by the State of Georgia. This becomes quite clear as you descend off the land bridge onto the island and straight into a toll booth. These fees certainly keep the beaches clean and the landscape pretty but paying a toll to enter doesn’t exactly scream welcome.

Cumberland and Sapelo Islands are only accessible via boat or ferry. Cumberland Island is uninhabited with the exception of its occasional visitors and a beautiful herd of wild horses. Sapelo Island is inhabited by families that can trace back generations upon generations of history on the island.

So what makes St. Simons Island so different? It feels like home. It’s a small island town that attracts tourists without being touristy. The majority of the restaurants on the island are mom-n-pop owned establishments. The stores are boutiques ran by individuals who moved to the island years ago for a slower easier life. While, you will find a Winn-Dixie and Harris Teeter on either end of the island, they are a necessary convenience among the small town feel of the community. It’s a welcoming community of southerns who have embraced the island life.

Our family, like most visitors, has always utilized rental homes through VRBO.com or AirBnB.com. There is a beach-side resort called the King and Prince along with a couple of small hotel chains such as Hampton Inn and Holiday Inn tucked in the middle of the island if you prefer a hotel or efficiency style room.

Most of the island is easily accessible via car, bike, golf cart, or a leisurely stroll. Several restaurants offer outdoor seating and most establishments are very pet friendly; so don’t forget to bring along you four legged friend.

Top 10 things to do on St. Simons Island.

1) Shopping in The Village - Located at the end of Mallory Street, you’ll discover what is referred to as The Village. Boutiques, restaurants, a couple of outfitters, and a very unique vintage shop line the sides of this quarter mile strip. There’s something for everyone!

2) Beach combing - Metal detecting is permitted on the beaches as long as you cover up any holes you dig and throw away any trash you find. Treasures can be found if you are diligent and patient enough. Coins, tent pegs, beer caps, and the rare piece of jewelry will keep you active all day long. As a bonus, you are helping keep the beach clean for future travelers.

3) Biking around the island - Sidewalks run along most streets on the island. This, along with bike crossings equipped with flashing lights, makes it easy to get from point A to point B without much concern for safety. Bring you own bikes or rent one from Ocean Motion with great hourly, daily, and weekly rates.

4) Fishing on East Beach - Grab your pole, tackle box, and fresh shrimp then head to the most northern beach on the island, East Beach. Follow Ocean Boulevard all the way north then hang a right to find the beach access (note: there is limited parking). You’ll join fellow anglers equipped with beach chairs, coolers, and plenty of sunscreen in hopes of catching the big one.

5) Walk your pup at St. Simons Park - A beautiful stand of ancient oaks shade the lush green grass of this park located along Mallory Street. Bordered on three sides by a community of island homes, you and your dog will likely be greeted by others but it’s never crowded.

6) Enjoy handmade ice cream at St. Simons Sweets - Found in the heart of The Village, 23 different ice cream flavors and sweet confections will tempt your sweet tooth. Made fresh daily in their second floor kitchen, these creamy delights are a refreshing treat on a hot south Georgia summer day.

7) Enjoy fresh seafood at Crabdaddy’s Seafood Grill - Serving locals and visitors alike for over 30 years, Crabdaddy’s was voted The Best of 2019 in Elegant Island Living magazine. Offerings include daily fresh catches, shrimp and grits, pastas, crab legs and more. Don’t leave without enjoying their famous bread pudding.

8) Kayak between East Beach Causeway bridge and East Beach - The direction of the tide and the time of day will determine your course. Following the tide will make your trip most enjoyable. If launching at the causeway (tide going out), you’ll float along the intracoastal waterways until it spits you out just off the top of East Beach. As the tide comes in, you will launch at East Beach, paddle north, turn and stay left just inside the mouth of the many fingered delta. Don’t have a kayak? Join one of the group excursions hosted by Southeast Adventure Outfitters.

9) Climb to the top of the St. Simons Lighthouse - Climbing the 129 historic steps of the lighthouse is just part of the experience offered at the St. Simons Lighthouse Museum. Built in 1872, this is still a working lighthouse and has a story to tell. It’s lights can best be observed at night from the pier just a short walk away.

10) Soak in the history of Fort Frederica - Located on the northwest coast of the island, this fort - built by James Oglethorpe in the mid 1700s - once protected the British settlers from invading Spaniards from the south. While there aren’t buildings to walk through or much in the way of architecture to appreciate, you can still see the layout of the colony and the footers of many buildings. Rangers offer stories and tours throughout the week. Check their website for dates and times.

Ready to plan your coastal Georgia getaway? Simon says GO!