Travel + Leisure Readers' 15 Favorite Islands in the Continental U.S. of 2023

These are the best stateside spots to relax island style, according to T+L readers who voted in our annual "World’s Best Awards" survey for 2023.

Catching island vibes doesn’t necessarily require a passport. With water views complimented by palm trees or pine trees, and outdoor activities ranging from swimming to hiking, every type of traveler is bound to find the island getaway they dream of right here in the United States — if they know where to look. Luckily, T+L readers’ 2023 list of favorite U.S. islands can point them to pristine beaches and national parks, from Washington to Texas, and Florida up to Maine. The No. 1 spot on our domestic islands list this year went to the Golden Isles in Georgia, which climbed its way up from No. 5 in 2022.

How Voting Works
Every year for our World's Best Awards survey, T+L asks readers to weigh in on travel experiences around the globe — to share their opinions on the top hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. Nearly 165,000 T+L readers completed the 2023 survey, an increase of nearly 25 percent over pre-pandemic voting levels. A total of more than 685,000 votes were cast across over 8,500 unique properties (hotels, cities, cruise lines, etc.).

Islands were specifically rated on the criteria below:

• Natural attractions/beaches
• Activities/sights
• Restaurants/food
• People/friendliness
• Value

For each characteristic, respondents could choose a rating of excellent, above average, average, below average, or poor. The final scores are averages of these responses.

What Readers Loved
Travel + Leisure readers have long loved a Florida vacation — especially with family — but this year, they’re especially excited about its island destinations. Islands off of the Carolinas also took top spots — some, like Hilton Head and Kiawah, charming readers over and over again. Off the New England coast, Maine’s Mount Desert Island and Massachusetts’ Nantucket both made the list. Heading west, readers loved South Padre Island in Texas for a relaxed vacation and Washington’s San Juan Islands for the dramatic scenery. And last year’s No. 1, Mackinac Island, Michigan, may have dropped to No. 2, but readers still can’t resist its small-town charm.

The Winner
Golden Isles (Jekyll Island, Little St. Simons Island, Sea Island, St. Simons Island)

Nestled between Savannah, Georgia, and Jacksonville, Florida, the Golden Isles consist of four barrier islands with wide stretches of sand, historical landmarks, and a variety of activities for all ages. The isles also boast antique shops, galleries, boutiques, and outdoor markets. And the Peach State’s beach destinations serve their own spin on beloved southern cuisine: coastal favorites like oysters and wild Georgia shrimp are aplenty. A visit to this Georgian gem is sure to give travelers a good dose of sun and sand — with a side of southern charm, of course.

The Full List
1. Golden Isles (Jekyll Island, Little St. Simons Island, Sea Island, St. Simons Island), Georgia

Reader Score: 92.15

2. Mackinac Island, Michigan

Reader Score: 90.67

3. Kiawah Island, South Carolina

Reader Score: 89.27

4. Mount Desert Island, Maine

Reader Score: 86.77

5. Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

WBA Hall of Fame honoree. Reader Score: 85.55

6. Sanibel Island, Florida

Reader Score: 84.96

7. Longboat Key, Florida

Reader Score: 84.44

8. Amelia Island, Florida

Reader Score: 84.19

9. Florida Keys, Florida

Reader Score: 83.47

10. Captiva Island, Florida

Reader Score: 82.90

11. San Juan Islands, Washington

Reader Score: 82.60

12. Nantucket, Massachusetts

Reader Score: 82.48

13. Daufuskie Island, South Carolina

Reader Score: 81.94

14. South Padre Island, Texas

Reader Score: 81.68

15. Outer Banks, North Carolina

Reader Score: 81.61

St. Simons Island Eateries Your Tastebuds Will Thank You For (Part 1)

St. Simons Island is famous for great food and fun things to do! Read about our amazing restaurant selections below.

1. Georgia Sea Grill

Zack Gowen and his crew do an amazing job of creating pure deliciousness. Never had a bad bite (nor do we know of anybody else who has). Order anything. It’s all fantastic. Seriously. If you need more direction than that, go for the Wasabi Pea Encrusted Tuna. If you’re looking for a larger dish and the Fresh Catch is your game, try having it prepared Cajun Spiced. No regrets!

2. ECHO

The Southern Club Sandwich is the tallest and the best. Shrimp and Grits, to die for. Pimento Cheese Hummus- Oh. My. Goodness! Did we mention Sunday Brunch? Bottomless Mimosas or an Unlimited Bloody Mary Bar… oh, and all of that at the Island’s ONLY oceanfront restaurant. Happy Hour is daily. You’re welcome. They also have 5 kinds of ice cream daily (more on satisfying your sweet tooth here). Click here to learn more about ECHO’s specials including Happy Hour, brunch + more!

3. Gnat’s Landing

Great atmosphere, especially during football season. Definitely a “flip flop friendly” place to eat! Everyone loves the bustling porch outside, it’s covered which makes it great for outdoor dining whether it’s rain or shine. If UGA is playing, then this is the place is going to be packed so be ready to cheer “Go Dawgs”! Fried Pickles are always on point, and the Gnat’s Famous Slaw Bowl is just that, it will change your life! The Fried Green Tomato Club is also a local favorite.

4. Crabdaddy’s Seafood Grill

Two words and two words only will come to mind if you ask a local about the menu: Bread. Pudding. Splurge on dessert. In fact, there’s no shame in starting with dessert and working backwards. Life is too short to not try Crabdaddy’s Bread Pudding!

5. Sandcastle Cafe

Oh, the sandwiches. The Crab Cake Sandwich is basically perfection on a Kaiser Roll. (Their breakfast buffet has everything, but more on that in our best breakfast blog here.)

6. Southern Soul Barbeque

Prime Rib Sandwich. The End. This gas station turned restaurant is in the heart of the Island and is the epitome of relaxed, just like the owners. Sound familiar? You may have run into them at any number of Food Festivals or music festivals or maybe saw them in Southern Living. They’ve been at the BBQ game for a decade now and are who we would call a “Home Team”. We’ve all enjoyed cheering them on as they’ve achieved tremendous success & garnered serious respect in the world of Southern BBQ.

9 Kid-Approved Activities for the Best St. Simons Island Vacation Ever!

Kids can be our toughest critics. If anyone is willing to tell you something isn’t fun, it’s going to be them. Shoot, sometimes they’ll say they aren’t having fun even when we know darned well they are. Here are several ideas to make sure the next time you pack the family up and head to St. Simons, you have the best trip ever!

Kids can be our toughest critics. If anyone is willing to tell you something isn’t fun, it’s going to be them. Shoot, sometimes they’ll say they aren’t having fun even when we know darned well they are. Here are several ideas to make sure the next time you pack the family up and head to St. Simons, you have the best trip ever!

((PS. Share your photos using #kingandprinceresort and you might be featured in our blogs and social media))

~ Build a Sandcastle ~

Or sand angel. Or dig a hole to China. Maybe your little one wants to see how many buckets of water they can run and dump in the sand. Doesn’t matter really what the game is; just bring a bucket, a shovel, and some sunscreen and they’ll be set for hours! If you don’t have room to bring buckets and a shovel in your carry-on, we sell them in our resort shop. If you have room to pack lots of beach toys, check out our list of beach must-haves for kids!

~ Explore the Island’s Bike Paths ~

A paved network of winding bike paths is a great way to get to most anywhere on St. Simons Island and the Live Oak tree canopy makes plenty of shade as you and the fam trek around like locals. Bike rentals are available at Ocean Motion Surf Shop (just around the corner from The King and Prince Resort). Call 912-638-5225 for more information. (Note: The tides on St. Simons Island make for hard sand that allows for biking on the beach. Definitely something unique you can enjoy here and not other beach destinations.)

~ Take a Swing on the Greens~

Depending on age, they may not be quite ready for a full round of 18 but we find our sidekicks are pretty darn content hitting range balls + cruising the golf course with Dad.

[Note, the Hampton Club offers youth camps during the summer. Contact the golf course at 912-634-0255 for details or click here.]

~ Tree Spirit Scavenger Hunt ~

Remember that bike adventure we just talked about? This is a TERRIFIC activity to couple with it! All you need is the map and your camera since you know you’re going to want proof of every Tree Spirit discovered. Tip, start in the Village area at The Golden Isles welcome center (529 Beachview Drive) so you can pick up a map.

Tree Spirits on St. Simons Island, Georgia.
Tree Spirits on St. Simons Island, Georgia.
~ Become a Junior Ranger at Fort Frederica ~

Throughout the year, Fort Frederica offers special events and programs for kids such as the award-winning Junior Ranger program. Also offered is a historical archaeology day-camp during the summer. History is cool + kids have a blast here. Besides, nothing will make you appreciate the size of your home quite like seeing the size of living quarters with a shared fireplace!

~ Swings + Sundaes ~

It’s important to pause while on vacation to make sure you soak it all in. We recommend grabbing a frontrow seat to the Ocean and ordering a Shipwreck Sundae from ECHO. [At $5, this activity can fit into almost any budget AND you can pretend it’s for the kiddos!]

Ice Cream Sundae at ECHO
Shipwreck Ice Cream Sundae at ECHO on St. Simons Island, GA.

~ Explore the Open Water ~

Every family is a little different but St. Simons Island has options for everyone! From Dolphin Tours with Cap to shrimping aboard The Lady Jane to classy cruises on the String of Pearls to fishing charters with Liquid Assets, there are plenty of ways to enjoy the Golden Isles from the water. Interested in seeing more options? All of our Water Activities can be found here.

~ Climb the Lighthouse ~

It’s not everyday you can see, climb, and explore a Lighthouse or the Keeper’s Dwellings. Make sure to notice what’s below you as you make your way around at the top. Bonus: You can use your birds eye view of the entire Village including the Neptune Park Fun Zone, miniature golf, and the fishing pier to plan your very next Island adventure!

~ KP Kid Perks ~

Staying at The King and Prince Resort? You and the kiddos will have access to our main pool area which has 2 kiddie pools + a sand pit in addition to our main heated pool. During the Summer, you + the fam can enjoy full pool service from the Sea Shack (think frozen drinks, kid’s menus + more) plus a variety of kids activities throughout the day by the pool deck.

Happy Kids + Summer Fun

Summertime at the beach nourishes our souls ~ especially when you see the exuberant expressions and the sheer happiness on our children’s faces.

Summertime at the beach nourishes our souls ~ especially when you see the exuberant expressions and the sheer happiness on our children’s faces. Vacation time is perfect to explore and even make new friends ~ especially while staying at The King and Prince Resort! Vacationing on St. Simons Island means getting up early and enjoying every minute on the beach and at the pool.

The King and Prince tries to make everyone’s visit the BEST summer ever. Each day our activities staff invites our little guests to do something artistic and engaging. In addition to the organized activities, children also need lots of ‘lazy summer afternoon’ time where they just act like kids without over-scheduling. That’s when memories are made ~ even if it’s just walking up to the Sea Shack and ordering a cherry coke and a burger!

When it’s time to dine, it’s easy to keep everyone happy; eating at ECHO with an oceanfront view is always unforgettable. Our casual outdoor menu is easy to arrange ~ and the kids especially enjoy our friendly Sea Shack staff who are always ready to take their order.

ECHO chefs will always help you to plan a picnic lunch to go ~ or just spend your vacation eating one of our delicious ice cream treats!

Settle back for the day and let our chefs treat you to a delicious light summer menu served from the Sea Shack. Our popular Crab, avocado and mango salad or Shrimp Salad wrap might tease your appetite ~ And the irresistible smoothies featuring peaches, berries, mango or berries will cool down any hot sunny afternoon. Dying for watermelon? The chilled watermelon soup is colorfully temping. And by happy hour, imagine an adult Frozen Lemonade while the kids are sipping fruit punch or sharing an ice cream float.

Love digging in the sand? Try building a castle just the perfect size for any prince or princess. Dreaming away the day might include flying a kite on the beach, blowing bubbles while running on the sand or waiting until sundown and just lying on a chaise lounge to enjoy stargazing. The expansive oceanfront is a rich panorama of the planets and constellations!

Rent a bike and helmet for the entire family and explore our island without leaving the endless miles of safe paths to the Pier Village and Lighthouse. Only a block from the King and Prince, Ocean Motion will set you up for safety and even give you a map to find your way back to the hotel.

If the kids are taking a beach break and playing a board game, reading a book or simply gathering shells along the dunes, our Concierge Desk will share a long list of island ‘things to do’ on the high seas while dolphin watching, riding an island trolley or reserving a first golf lesson at the King and Prince Golf Course. Our resident professionals will be delighted to introduce our award-winning golf course that has been a part of The King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort for more than thirty years.

We hope to see you at The King and Prince this summer!

January + February Cocktail of the Month – Martha’s Toast

We are kicking off the New Year on the right foot at The King and Prince with our new featured cocktail of the month, Martha’s Toast.

Hello friends!

We are kicking off the New Year on the right foot at The King and Prince with our new featured cocktail of the month, Martha’s Toast. The cocktail is named after Martha Gellhorn, she was a seasoned war correspondent. She was also the third wife of Ernest Hemingway. They were together during his time in Cuba.

What’s in it….

1 oz. Richland Rum

• Brunswick, GA

1 oz. Bee-Town Mead with Fig and Creamsicle

• Bluffton, SC

½ oz. Tres Agaves Organic Agave Nectar

2 oz. Prince de Richemont Brut

This cocktail will be available in January and February, so make sure to stop by ECHO and try it!!

A Royal Holiday Celebration at The King and Prince

Cherished Holiday Traditions and Events Return to Historic St. Simons Island Resort!

The Royal Holiday Celebration will include signature holiday events along with festive, family-friendly activities throughout the month of December. The celebration begins on Thanksgiving Day with the debut of a larger-than-life and handsomely decorated Christmas tree in the grand lobby. The King and Prince welcomes resort guests and local residents with southern hospitality to savor the season on St. Simons Island.

Teddy Bear Tea

The King and Prince will host two Teddy Bear Tea events this holiday season, an annual tradition where children are invited for a holiday tea party and storytime with Santa Claus. Each child will receive a plush stuffed animal upon arrival to keep as their own. This ticketed event features an assortment of festive treats and refreshments. Please note all children must be accompanied by an adult. Teddy Bear Tea will be held on Saturday, December 4, 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., and Saturday, December 18, 2:30 – 4:00 p.m. Registration is required in advance via Eventbrite. The cost is $35 per child and $25 per accompanying adult. Click the link here to purchase your tickets!

Fireside Stories with Santa

On two separate evenings this December, Santa Claus will share Christmas stories fireside at The King and Prince. Cozy up with an expertly made hot chocolate as Old Saint Nick reads a classic holiday novel. This family-friendly event will be hosted outside at The Cottage Custard + Coffee shop on Thursday, December 2 and again on Tuesday, December 21 inside the resort’s grand lobby, both events in the evening from 5:00 – 6:30 p.m. Fireside Stories with Santa events are open to the public at no charge.

Paint with Santa

On Sunday, December 5, 2:00 – 5:30 p.m. The King and Prince will partner with local pottery and art studio, The Tinted Tide for an ornament-making and handprint cookie plate workshop. Santa Claus will welcome guests with holiday storytelling before the painting begins. Attendees will create personalized holiday ceramics to adorn their homes for years to come. Hot chocolate and tasty treats will be provided.

This holiday crafting event is a great opportunity to gather family members of all ages. Tickets start at $36 per child and include all craft materials and plate firing post-event. Tickets can be purchased in advance by clicking this link.

Christmas Caroling

Local school choirs and music students will present Christmas Caroling in The King and Prince Resort’s grand lobby throughout the month of December. Enjoy the sounds of the season among beautifully decorated fresh-cut evergreen trees and stunning holiday décor. Complimentary and delectably cozy refreshments like hot chocolate, Christmas tea, and a mixed array of sweet treats will be provided. Frederica Academy performs on Tuesday, December 7, Oglethorpe Point Elementary on Thursday, December 15, and St. Simons Elementary on Thursday, December 16. All performances are held from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. Christmas Caroling events are open to the public at no charge.

For a full lineup of holiday programming and events, please check out our calendar, or follow along on social @kingandprince. A link to The King and Prince event calendar can be found here.

Pecan Milk Punch Recipe

After a temporary break from our featured cocktails of the month, it is back!! This November AND December, we will be featuring a delicious bourbon cocktail recipe, the Pecan Milk Punch!

The Pecan Milk Punch is the perfect dessert cocktail to cozy up by the fire with! Whether you make this at home or you come and join us at Echo, we hope you enjoy this delicious cocktail.

Pecan Milk Punch Recipe
Mama always said, “drink your milk!”. But with sugar, bourbon and a divine pecan syrup. This cocktail is served frozen.

A few scoops of vanilla ice cream, a cup of bourbon, and a few dashes of pecan syrup. Mix in a blender and top with candied pecans and nutmeg.

How to make the Pecan Simple Syrup…

• 1.25 cups water
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup pecans

Bring water to a boil. Stir in brown sugar and Pecans. Turn down to the lowest setting. Simmer for 25 minutes. Let cool, then fine strain out the pecans.

Order yours all month long at ECHO and check back next month to see what’s new. We’ll be featuring our cocktails here and on social media, so be sure to follow ECHO on Instagram and Facebook!