St Simons Island GA

[cchhbb]

Anyone ever vacationed in St Simons Island, GA? My family is heading down there in a couple of weeks. We rented a townhouse that will be a bit of a walk to the Coast Guard Station.

I have 2 young boys (2 & 4) and look forward to your recommendations on things to do, places to eat, fish markets and where to shop.

Thanks,
Cheryl

[misskitty100]

I haven't been so can't offer specifics. I have been to Tybee island, GA and thought it was awesome!!

I am sure your boys will have the best time. Bring sand toys and kites!!

[Kerri]

I've been to St. Simons a few times, and it is really a nice little beach area. I don't think any of the restaurants I have been to would work well for 2 and 4 year olds, but I remember an island nearby that had bike trails, a little aquarium, that would be perfect. I can't remember the name of it, but I will try to find it and get back to you...ok, I think it was called Cumberland Island. Have fun! I think we are going in October.

[BeachBum]

Bailey Boys main store and factory is on St. Simon's. They have a very large "clearance room" with tons of reduced past season merchandise. Very cute stuff for kids :) Of course they have all the current season stuff as well.

The weird thing to me about St. Simon's is that there isn't a main downtown area. It is very suburban so shopping requires a lot more effort.
I haven't been up in a few years for vacation so I don't have any current recommendations for restaurants. Barbara Jean's seems to be a favorite of many people for casual "southern" food/seafood. I find it very unremarkable but it comes highly recommended from many people.
Overall St. Simon's is a very family friendly place. You wont have any trouble finding restaurants that work well for your kids.

Cumberland Island mentioned by another poster doesn't have an aquarium. It is a barrier island that is a state park. There is one hotel a few private homes and no cars. You have to take a ferry to get there. It is great for biking, hiking and camping and there are some beautiful buildings (left from the Carnagie's). As wonderful as Cumberland is I wouldn't take my 2 yr old unless you guys are really into rustic and your kids are accustomed to family hikes. Plus, it will be hot and buggy this time of year. It really is a magical place--but perhaps not the best choice this trip.

If you guys are looking for a nice day trip you might want to venture down to Amelia Island which is about an hour away (south). Great downtown, marina, nice beach, good shopping. Jekyll Island is closer to St. Simons and would be a nice 1/2 day adventure. There is a water park on Jekyll (Summer Waves? I think) that might be fun for the kids. I haven't been in a very long time so I'm not sure. Sea Island would also be a 1/2 day adventure.

[Kerri]

Cumberland Island mentioned by another poster doesn't have an aquarium.

You're right, aquarium is really a stretch, but it was some sort of learning water center. It was pretty small, but they had some neat stuff to look at.

[cchhbb]

[QUOTE=BeachBum;1240522]Bailey Boys main store and factory is on St. Simon's. They have a very large "clearance room" with tons of reduced past season merchandise. Very cute stuff for kids :) Of course they have all the current season stuff as well.

QUOTE]

I can't wait to hit Bailey Boys clearance room. I was told that SAturday is the best day to go and plan to make it then. I'm hoping to get Christmas outfits this year.

Thanks everyone for the updates. Since St. Simon's is so small, I'm having a tough time finding things on the internet.

I've already put the kites into my pile of things to take. The boys can't wait to try to fly them. Living in Atlanta, we haven't found a safe place that is windy.

Cheryl

[HoschtonQueen]

Cheryl,

Here's a link you might find helpful:

http://www.bgicvb.com/fun_stuff/index.cfm?action=fun

We have friends who have a condo on St. Simons and we absolutely love it down there! DH and I are childless, but I can tell you that I would take my niece and two nephews to any of the following restaurants on St. Simon's: The Crab Trap, Crab Daddy's, The Fourth of May (try the Italian Omelet), Barbara Jean's (best thing on her menu is a dessert called Chocolate Stuff which I have been trying to recreate for years) and a lot of folks love her crabcakes (she has been written up in Southern Living and Bon Appetit for these). These are all in the area of the beach and pier and near the coast guard station. There is a great jeep tour offered by a man who parks his jeep and the turnaround at the pier -- can't miss him. Look for his bulldog who he claims to be a descendent of the UGA line of bulldogs.


In Redfern Village, (anyone can get you there, but you will have to drive from your townhouse), there is a great hang out called Gnat's Landing -- I would classify this as "kid friendly" as well. The Autumn Salad with Blackened Shrimp is exceptional. Viola's is a beautiful home decor store where I generally find something that I can't live without.

There is a Winn Dixie, as well as a very nice Harris Teeter (where we shop for the most part) on the island. Avoid that seafood place at the corner of Demerre and Frederica as they are seriously overpriced. Over in Brunswick there is a place called Knight's Seafood (I know they are listed in the phone book) -- absolutely the best, freshest shrimp ever, for the best price in town. Be prepared, this place is nothing to look at, but the shrimp boat is docked at the back of the building and the guys are true fishermen -- just can't get any fresher unless you were on the boat. The price will range from $4.00 to $6.00 per pound. There is also a newer Super Wal-Mart in Brunswick. Remember that you are paying extra for everything you have to buy on the island as it all has to be brought over the causeway (just my insider's view).

We like Jekyll and usually go over for at least one day for lunch at The Crane Cottage and a bike ride around the paths (you can rent the bikes at the Jekyll Island Club). There is a great tour of the homes of the millionaires who founded Jekyll, but not sure if you boys would enjoy as the tour is about 1 1/2 hours by tram and there is a lot of getting in and out of the tram. Last time we were there the water park was still going strong.

I will chime in with BeachBum that it will be hot and humid and buggy, so be prepared. You will definitely need mosquito repellant, sun screen and lots of water! We have been there in October and watched our drink glasses "sweat" from the humidity.

I hope that you love the island as much as we do. :cool: