By AC Hall

Dulce Dough Bakery. Photo credit: AC Hall.

A part of the Golden Isles of Georgia, St. Simons is the perfect destination for a relaxing vacation. St. Simons, located on the coast of Georgia, is known for its beautiful wide beaches and rich history. The restaurants, beaches, shopping, accessibility, and views make the island ideal for both vacationers and locals.

I traveled to St. Simons, Georgia, for the first time in March. I was able to tag along with my friend June Evins (‘23), and her family, frequent vacationers on the island, on their spring break trip. They showed me around the island and provided me with inside information on the best restaurants and shops. Evins’ dad has been visiting St. Simons since he was a child, so he is very familiar with the island. Along with getting introduced to the island, I was also acquainted with some new (to me) southern food, like boiled peanuts.

For me and many others, the most important part of any vacation is the food. On our trip, we made breakfast where we were staying and ate all other meals out. We had exquisite dinners at Tramici’s, Certified Burger, and Halyards, as well as delicious pastries at Dulce Dough and Donuts Bakery and ice cream at Moo Cow Ice Cream. My favorite meal, however, was at St. Simons’s beloved Southern Soul Barbeque. At Southern Soul, I ordered the pig sandwich with a side of hand-cut fries and a Cheerwine. All of the food was cooked to perfection, and the service was relatively quick.

Inside of Two Friends Boutique. Photo credit: Two Friends via Yelp.

The beach is possibly the best feature of St. Simons. Being extremely wide, the beach allows for less crowding and no fear of the rising tide washing your chairs and belongings away. The vast beach also allows for more room to play games like spikeball, Kan Jam, and Kadima. We visited the island in early March, so the beach was almost empty; however, the ample beach space is definitely filled on hot summer days.

Along with the restaurants, the shopping in St. Simons is impressive. There is an array of boutiques and stores for men, women, and children. Two Friends, Tibi, and Cloth + Label were a few of the many shops we visited. Some of the stores are very high-end and expensive; however, there are other stores with more affordable options. Most stores sell St. Simons merchandise, but the best place to purchase beach gear is the boardwalk. 

The view of the marsh from our house at sunset. Photo credit: AC Hall.

What makes St. Simons so ideal for a family vacation is its accessibility. You can walk, run, and bike almost anywhere on the island. All of the roads have sidewalks or bike lanes, along with crosswalks and bike crossings. Evins and I ran or biked most mornings, and we enjoyed being able to bike into town for breakfast or lunch whenever we wanted. 

“The Island,” as it is sometimes called, has both a beach and a marsh side, which allows for two different options and experiences. We stayed in a house on the marsh side; however, the strip is so narrow that it would only take us five minutes to walk to the beach. It was optimal to be able to experience both places so easily. 

Sunrise on the beach. Photo credit: AC Hall.

My favorite part of staying on the marsh side of The Island was the sunsets. The sun sets in the over the marsh and rises on the beach. Every night, we would sit on the porch after getting ready for dinner and watch the sunset, if time allowed. The reflection of the golden sun setting on the marsh was beautiful. On our last day, Evins and I made the decision to wake up at 6 a.m. to watch the sunrise on the beach, and it was breathtaking. The ocean was calm and motionless, which made for a wonderful view and a lovely ending to our vacation

My trip to St. Simons Island, Georgia, was amazing. The experience was delightful, thanks to the food, shopping, views, and beaches. I am already planning a trip back, and I can not wait to explore and find more charming places on The Island.