Forsyth Park in Savannah, Georgia. Photo by @wandernorthga

Forsyth Park in Savannah, Georgia. Photo by @wandernorthga

One Week in Coastal Georgia

Fly to Savannah-Hilton Head International Airport, and then follow this guide to exploring Georgia's scenic coastal communities.

Aerial view of Savannah, Georgia, at sunset
Savannah - 3 nights
Savannah, Georgia

Routinely ranked in the "Top 10 Places to Visit" in the USA, Savannah blends the best of the old and the new in arts, music, and history. One of the greenest, most pedestrian-friendly cities in the country, tour Savannah by exploring its 22 park-like squares, including Forsyth Park, and strolling along 200-year-old cobblestone River Street, which stretches for nearly a mile hugging the Savannah River.

Discover the city’s National Landmark Historic District by taking a walking, carriage, or trolley tour, which will showcase its spectacular architecture, history, and film heritage - "Forrest Gump" being among the most famous movies filmed here. For a beautiful and peaceful slice of nature in an urban setting, don’t miss Savannah Botanical Gardens.

Must-sees in Savannah:

Gould's Inlet beach on St. Simons Island, Georgia. Photo by @benjamingalland
Golden Isles - 3 nights
St. Simons Island, Georgia. Photo by @benjamingalland

Approximately 80 miles from Savannah, the Golden Isles is a collection of four barrier islands (Jekyll Island, St. Simons Island, Sea Island, and Little St. Simons Island) and the charming port-city of Brunswick. Explore all there is to see and do in the Golden Isles; all are brimming with activities from deep-sea fishing to golfing and shopping. Seek out the otherworldly landscape of Driftwood Beach on Jekyll Island, hunt for tree spirits on St. Simons Island, and indulge in luxurious solitude on Little St. Simons Island.

Greyfield Inn on Cumberland Island, Georgia. Photo by Peter Frank Edwards
Cumberland Island - 1 night
Greyfield Inn on Cumberland Island, Georgia. Photo by Peter Frank Edwards

Approximately 45 miles from Jekyll Island, Cumberland Island National Seashore is the largest and southernmost barrier island in Georgia, offering guests more than 17 miles of secluded white, sandy beaches. Wild horses and other island wildlife roam freely throughout the ruins and along the beach. Glimpses of the Carnegie lifestyle can be easily imagined throughout the ruins of Dungeness, Plum Orchard Mansion and Greyfield Inn.

Cumberland Island is accessible by ferry only. Reservations for the 45-minute ferry ride are recommended. Board the ferry to Cumberland Island in St. Marys, a historic small town.

Explore the island on a day trip from St. Marys, or stay at the luxurious Greyfield Inn, which has its own ferry and pampers guests with gourmet dinners, naturalist-led wilderness tours and plush accommodations.

Kayaking in the Okefenokee Swamp
Okefenokee Swamp - 1 night
Okefenokee Swamp

Just 35 miles from St. Marys, explore the wildlife and vast wilderness, past Native American civilizations, pioneers and settlers, waterways and habitats of North America's largest "blackwater" swamp, the wonderfully named Okefenokee (o-key-fen-o-key) Swamp. This ecological wonder is one of the largest intact freshwater wetlands in the world and home to up to 15,000 alligators along with hundreds of species of reptiles and mammals, including the black bear, turtles, and racoons. Whether you're looking for a few hours of family fun by land or water, or whether you're seeking a multi-day immersion in the solitude of the swamp's 438,000 acres of natural splendor, we have something for everyone at our three unique swamp entrances: Stephen C. Foster State Park in Fargo, Okefenokee Swamp Park in Waycross, and Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge in Folkston.

 

Spend more time: Jacksonville, FL → Orlando, FL

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