St. Simons Island Best Kept Secrets

The beach may be what brings you to St. Simons Island, and the miles of bike paths will keep you entertained while you are here. Of course there are lots of shops, and some fantastic restaurants too. This article from 365 Atlanta Family is a great resource on where to eat and what to do on St. Simons Island; but what are the secrets unique to our island? Here are three of our favorites.

Look for Tree Spirits: Hidden among housing developments, outside restaurants and other establishments are the tree spirits. Carved into the trunks of old trees, these works of art are fun to find. It’s like a scavenger hunt through town. Each tree spirit is a little different and you can find them all over the island. Visit any of the Golden Isles Welcome Centers for a list of locations.

Visit Fort Frederica: St. Simons wasn’t always a vacation destination. In Colonial times, there was an English settlement on the island that pre-dates the American Revolution by forty years. Fort Frederica was set up to guard the coast from the Spanish. It was the Battle of Bloody Marsh, also on St. Simons that secured the land as an English colony instead of a Spanish one. Fort Frederica has a small, but very engaging museum and a fantastic Junior Ranger program where kids borrow a haversack with a spyglass and compass to complete their mission.

Say Hello to Mr. Bird: He’s been written about in the New York Times, and countless other publications. He’s an African Grey parrot that lives at the St. Simons Bait & Tackle shop on Mallory Street just off the pier. If he’s in a good mood that day, he might let you put him on your shoulder, if not, it’s best to just admire him up on his perch.

Sweet Endings: To round out your St. Simons Island adventure, visit Sweet Mamas in Retreat Village for a delicious peanut butter cookie with chocolate icing.