Historical Sites and Tours
Georgia's Golden Isles are steeped in hundreds of years of history. St. Simons Island's rich and extensive past draws visitors year after year to explore its unique charm. With area folk lore, stately plantations, monumental battle sites, and historic churches, culture and history abounds on St. Simons Island.
View Guest
Comments
Fort Frederica – Frederica is a story of
dreams, struggle, victory, and defeat. Established in 1736, the fort guarded
Georgia’s southern frontier. More than a fort, the town of Frederica was
home to colonists seeking to start a new life. Park Ranger-led tours and
soldier/colonial life programs throughout the year recall life in Georgia's
second town. The park visitor center features exhibits and an orientation
film, which is shown every 30 minutes. Admission fee. Visitor
Center open daily (except Christmas Day) 9 am to 5 pm.
Christ Church – This lovely, historic church
was built in 1883 by Anson Phelps dodge Jr. as a memorial to his first
wife. In 1736 John and Charles Wesley, acknowledged as the fathers of
the Methodist church, began holding services under the live oak trees near the
location of Christ Church. Open daily (except Christmas Day) 2 pm to 5 pm.
Click to view the YouTube video here.
St. Simons Island Lighthouse Museum &
A.W. Jones Heritage Center – Whether you climb the 129 circular
steps to the top of the lighthouse, or explore the original keeper’s dwelling
(now the Lighthouse Museum of the Coastal Georgia Historical Society) at its
base, you’ll discover new and absorbing perspectives on St. Simons Island and
its rich history. Visitors enter the museum through the A.W. Jones Heritage
Center, featuring "The Sea Island Summit: Coastal Georgia welcomes the
World". This exhibit tells the story of the 2004 Group of Eight Sea
Island Summit. The center also features a state-of-the-art research
library and a rather popular store that carries a variety of books, gifts, and other items
related to the lighthouse and St. Simons Island heritage. Admission fee for
Lighthouse Museum; free admission for the Jones Heritage Center. Open
Monday-Saturday 10 am to 5 pm; Sunday 1:30 pm to 5 pm. Summer hours (Easter to
mid-August): Mon., Wed., Fri. and Sat. 10 am to 5 pm; Tues. and Thurs. 10
am to 9 pm; Sun. 1:30 pm to 5 pm. Click to view the You Tube video here.
The Coastal Maritime Center –
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this Roosevelt-era Coast
Guard Station now offers a very personal encounter with the coast’s nature and
its fascinating history. Seven galleries feature a variety of hands-on exhibits
and activities. May - August, the outdoor nature center offers hands-on nature
tours, workshops, and programs for visitors of all ages. Admission fee. Open
Monday - Saturday 10 am to 5 pm; closed Sunday. Summer hours (Memorial Day to
Labor Day): Monday - Saturday 3 pm to 9 pm; closed Sunday. Click to view
the YouTube video here.
Lighthouse Trolley offers historical tours of St. Simons Island. Tours depart from the 4th of May Restaurant, St. Simons Fishing Pier, Glynn Art Center and any local hotel. Sunday through Friday at 10 AM and 1:30 PM. Rates are $20 for adults, $10 for children, five and under are free. For more information call 912-638-3333 or click here.
St. Simons Colonial Island Tours offers you the complete island experience in 75 minutes. Ride in comfort and style aboard William of Orange, visiting historic locations and learning of the island's history, culture and geology. Boarding times are 10:00am, 12:00pm and 2:00pm daily. $20 per person ($10 DVD video available). Call 912-230-9103 for more information.
Historic Trolley Tours– You will truly enjoy the entertaining and informative narrative of 400 years of island history and folklore as you ride along in the Original Vintage Green Trolley. The drive-by tour includes the Lighthouse, Battle of the Bloody Marsh site, Fort Frederica, and a walking tour of Christ Church. We also point out the best places to eat, shop, and play. Public tour leaves daily at 11:00am from The Pier at 117 Mallery Street. Tour length is 90 minutes. Adults $22.00; children (4 - 12) $10.00; Under 4 free. Reservations are not required, but please arrive early. Trolley also available for weddings, parties and private tours. Click to view the YouTube video here.
Saint Simons Island Ghost Walk –
Join the Ghost Walk of Saint Simons for a fun-filled and informative glimpse
into old Saint Simons Island. Listen to strange tales of legends, lovers, and
the lost... as well as quite a few who won’t stay lost. Let yourself be guided by
lamplight through the moonlit streets and moss-draped passageways of the
Village, Neptune and St. Simons parks.
Hofwyl-Broadfield Plantation –
This beautiful plantation represents the history and culture of Georgia’s rice
coast in the early 1900’s. The museum features silver from the family
collection and a model of the Hofwyl-Broadfield during its heyday.
Three Oaks Carriage Service
Three Oaks Carriage Service offers a unique and novel experience to our guests as a full-service carriage company. They offer Village Area Tours, Dinner Outings, Christmas Caroling, Weddings, Sunday Church Transport, Princess Birthday Parties, Special Events, and their famous Winter Sleigh Rides. Tour tickets are sold at the St. Simons Island Bait Shop in the pier area: 121 Mallory Street.