Breakfast
Biscuits and coffee
Warm biscuits with ham or gravy, with a strong coffee, a Southern way to start a day of cycling.
Local tip Ask for the local jam or honey on the side.
Arrival day
Before Day 1. The coast is spread out and the best parts need advance booking, so plan your beds and your ferry first.Details
- Getting here
- Most visitors fly into Jacksonville, Florida, about an hour and a quarter from Brunswick by road, or into Savannah, about an hour and a half. The roads between the islands, the coast and the swamp are all drivable, and the trip is short drives rather than long ones.
- Your car
- A car is the trip. The islands are linked by causeways, the swamp is an hour inland, and the ferry to Cumberland leaves from a different town. Bring insect repellent, sun protection and water, and keep the tank full outside the towns.
- The ferry
- Day 3 depends on the passenger ferry to Cumberland Island. Seats are limited and it runs to its own timetable, so check the schedule and reserve your seats as soon as you have your dates. There are few services on the island, so carry what you need and do not miss the last boat back.
- Where to sleep
- Sleep the first night on Jekyll Island or St. Simons Island, then move to St. Marys for the second and third nights, which cover the early ferry and the swamp. Rooms fill early in the spring and on holidays, so book ahead. Day 1 starts on Jekyll Island, so a morning flight into Jacksonville fits.
Day 1. Jekyll Island
4 stops · 3.9 miThe southernmost of the Golden Isles in one gentle day: a Gilded Age club where the richest families spent their winters, a hospital for sea turtles, an old tabby ruin and a beach of fallen trees at the end of the day. Cycle or drive between the stops, and leave the beach for the light.
Photo: GOLDIEM J on Wikimedia Commons - 1MorningWorth the time
Jekyll Island Club Historic District
The grounds and "cottages" of a winter club founded in 1886 by some of the wealthiest American families, set among live oaks beside the river. Walk or cycle between the clubhouse and the old houses, and read the signs on each.
Go when Morning, when the oaks are cool and the paths are quiet.
Local tip Hire a bicycle or walk the lanes, and read the signs on each house. Check ahead on which buildings open to visitors, and on any tours.
Photo: Bubba73, CC BY-SA 3.0 on Wikimedia Commons About 3 min walk0.2 mi - 2MiddayWorth the time
Georgia Sea Turtle Center
A rescue and rehabilitation center for sea turtles on Jekyll Island, with exhibits and a view of the patients in recovery. A good indoor stop for the middle of the day, and a fine one for children.
Go when Midday, as a cool indoor break.
Local tip It is a working hospital, so you may see turtles in recovery, but what is on view changes. Check ahead on opening and on any special visits.
Photo: Bill Golladay, CC BY-SA 4.0 on Wikimedia Commons - Lunch
Shrimp on the water
Fresh Georgia shrimp in a basket, a salad or a sandwich on a deck by the marsh. The shrimp boats still work this coast.
Local tip Ask whether the shrimp came in that day.
About 14 min by car or transit2.9 mi - 3AfternoonWorth a short stop
Horton House
The tabby shell of a house built in 1743 by Major William Horton, an old ruin beside the river. A short stop among old oaks.
Go when Afternoon, when the light is warm on the tabby.
Local tip It takes ten minutes to see. Read the sign, look at the old oak trees and move on.
Photo: Ebyabe, CC BY-SA 3.0 on Wikimedia Commons About 16 min walk0.8 mi - 4EveningGo for the light, check the tide
Driftwood Beach
A beach at the north end of the island where the sea has toppled old live oaks and pines, which now lie bleached on the sand. Go for the last light and at low tide, when there is room to walk, and keep off the trunks, which can roll or break.
Go when Late afternoon into the evening, at low tide (about 6:54 PM).
Local tip Check the tide before you go, since at high tide the beach is narrow. Keep off the trunks, and bring a bag for sand-flies and sunscreen.
- Dinner
Shrimp and grits
Creamy grits topped with shrimp, the classic dish of the Lowcountry, eaten slowly after a day on the island.
Local tip A little hot sauce on the side is traditional.
Photo: Jason Riedy, CC BY 2.0 on Wikimedia Commons
If it rains. The sea turtle center and the historic district's buildings are under cover. Driftwood Beach is quiet in a drizzle, but storms are not the time for it.
Day 2. St. Simons Island and old Brunswick
4 stops · 19.7 miThe history of the coast in a day. A fort that stood against Spain, a small church under the oaks, a lighthouse on the southern tip and one of the great old trees in Brunswick. The evening ends with an hour on the road to St. Marys, where you sleep.
- Travel from Driftwood BeachAbout 29 min by car or transit7.8 miWhere Day 1 ended.
- Breakfast
Grits and eggs
A plate of grits with eggs and a slice of country ham, with coffee, to start a day of walking in the heat.
Local tip Eat early to beat the heat at the fort.
- 1MorningWorth the time
Fort Frederica National Monument
The archaeological remains of a fort and a planned town built by James Oglethorpe between 1736 and 1748 to guard the southern edge of the British colony of Georgia. Walk the paths among the ruins and the oaks.
Go when Morning, before the heat.
Local tip Walk the paths slowly and read the signs on the lost town. Check ahead on opening and on any talks or events.
Photo: HAL333, CC BY-SA 4.0 on Wikimedia Commons About 9 min walk0.4 mi - 2MiddayWorth a short visit
Christ Church, St. Simons
A small Episcopal church in a grove of moss-hung live oaks, close to the fort. Visit quietly, since it is a working church, and check ahead on the times it is open to visitors.
Go when Midday, when the church is quiet.
Local tip It is a working church, so keep your voice low and check ahead on visiting. The old graveyard is a good place to read the names.
Photo: Bubba73, CC BY-SA 3.0 on Wikimedia Commons - Lunch
Brunswick stew
A thick stew of meat, corn and tomatoes. The city of Brunswick claims to be its birthplace, so it belongs on the menu here.
Local tip Order a cup rather than a bowl if you want room for more.
About 23 min by car or transit6.0 mi - 3AfternoonWorth the time
St. Simons Island Light
A lighthouse on the southern tip of the island beside the pier and the village. Walk the grounds, look at the keeper's house and, if the tower is open, climb for a view over the water. Check ahead on opening.
Go when Afternoon, with the light on the water.
Local tip Check ahead on tower and museum opening. The pier and the village are a short walk, and the sea breeze helps in summer.
Photo by Laura Peruchi on Unsplash About 22 min by car or transit5.5 mi - 4EveningWorth a short stop
Lover's Oak
A huge old live oak in the Old Town of Brunswick, said to be around nine hundred years old, with a spread of limbs that nearly reaches the ground. A quiet stop before the drive south.
Go when Early evening, as the light softens (about 6:54 PM).
Local tip Look from the sidewalk and do not climb on the tree, which is very old. Park respectfully, since it stands among houses.
Photo by Tina Xinia on Unsplash - Dinner
An oyster or boiled shrimp supper
A plate of oysters or boiled shrimp with corn and potatoes, Lowcountry style, before the drive to St. Marys.
Local tip Wear something you do not mind getting messy.
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If it rains. Fort Frederica is open air, so bring a jacket, and the church and lighthouse are short stops between showers. Brunswick has cafes and shops to wait out a storm.
Day 3. Cumberland Island
4 stops · 43.4 miA day on the largest of the Golden Isles, reached only by ferry. Dunes, a ruined mansion by the water and a long empty beach, and you may see the feral horses that live on the island. Be at the dock early, take everything you need, and know the time of the last boat back.
- Drive from Lover's OakAbout 55 min by car29.4 miWhere Day 2 ended.
- Breakfast
A packed breakfast for the dock
Coffee and a breakfast sandwich, and a bag of fruit for the boat. The island has nowhere to buy food.
Local tip Bring a refillable bottle, and fill it before you board.
- 1MorningA morning start
St. Marys
A small historic port at the southern edge of Georgia on the St. Marys River, where the ferry to Cumberland Island leaves from the waterfront. Be at the dock early and allow time for check-in.
Go when Early morning, for the ferry.
Local tip Reserve ahead and be at the dock early. Fill the tank, buy water and snacks and leave your valuables in the car.
Photo: Legohead, CC BY-SA 3.0 on Wikimedia Commons About 20 min by car or transit5.0 mi - 2MiddayWorth the time
Dungeness (Cumberland Island)
The ruins of a grand mansion on the south end of the island, burned in 1959, standing among live oaks and the island's feral horses. Keep your distance from the horses and never feed them.
Go when Midday, when the island is warm and quiet.
Local tip Feral horses graze here. Keep your distance, never feed them and watch where you step. Ticks are common in the grass, so wear long trousers or check yourself later.
- Lunch
A picnic on the island
A sandwich, fruit and snacks carried in your own bag, eaten in the shade of the ruins.
Local tip Pack out all your trash and keep food closed away from the horses and raccoons.
About 24 min walk1.2 mi - 3AfternoonWorth the time
Sea Camp Beach
A wide, empty beach of the Atlantic on the island, reached by a boardwalk through dunes and palmetto. Walk a little way along the sand and keep an eye on the time, because the last boat does not wait.
Go when Afternoon, with time kept for the boat.
Local tip The beach is long and empty. Bring water, since there is none on the sand, and know the time of the last boat before you start to walk.
About 29 min by car or transit7.9 mi - 4EveningAn easy end to the day
Crooked River State Park
A state park on a tidal river just north of St. Marys, with live oaks and Spanish moss, the ruins of an old sugar mill and a quiet shoreline. A calm place for the end of a long day.
Go when Evening, as the light turns gold (about 6:54 PM).
Local tip Walk by the river under the oaks. Bring insect repellent, especially in the warm months, and check ahead on entry rules.
Photo: anoldent, CC BY-SA 2.0 on Wikimedia Commons - Dinner
A fried seafood supper
Fried shrimp, fish or oysters with hush puppies and slaw at a table by the river in St. Marys.
Local tip Order a cold sweet tea to go with it.
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If it rains. The ferry can be cancelled in storms, so call before you set out. On the island, shelter is scarce, so bring rain gear and know where you will wait for the boat.
Day 4. The edge of the Okefenokee
3 stops · 50.0 miA morning at the east side of the Okefenokee, a vast swamp of black water, cypress and floating peat. Walk a boardwalk, visit an old homestead on a swamp island and, if you like, watch freight trains at Folkston. Alligators and wading birds are things you may see, and the water level shapes everything.
- Drive from Crooked River State ParkAbout 1 h 1 min by car34.3 miWhere Day 3 ended.
- Breakfast
Boiled peanuts and a biscuit
A warm biscuit and a paper bag of boiled peanuts from a roadside stand, a Georgia breakfast for the road.
Local tip Fill the tank and your water bottles in Folkston before the swamp.
- 1MorningWorth the time, go early
Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge
The east entrance of the refuge, near Folkston, with a visitor area, a boardwalk and a canal where boats can go. Go early, when birds are active and the heat is low, and check ahead on boat tours and on the water level.
Go when Morning, when birds are active and the heat is low.
Local tip Alligators and wading birds are what many visitors hope to see, but sightings vary with the day and the water. Stay on the boardwalk, keep well back from the water's edge and never feed any animal.
Photo: US Fish and Wildlife Serv… on Wikimedia Commons About 14 min by car or transit3.1 mi - 2MiddayWorth the time
Chesser Island
An island in the swamp reached by a scenic drive, with a restored homestead and a boardwalk into the wetland. A glimpse of how people lived at the swamp edge long ago.
Go when Midday, in the cooler months, or earlier in summer.
Local tip The homestead and the boardwalk are an easy walk. Bring insect repellent and water, and check ahead on the road, which can be wet or closed in a flood.
- Lunch
A swamp picnic
Bring sandwiches and fruit, and eat at a picnic table near the visitor area, with cypress trees all round.
Local tip Pack out all your trash and keep food closed away from the raccoons.
About 34 min by car or transit12.5 mi - 3AfternoonWorth a short stop
Folkston Railfan Platform
A viewing platform beside the freight line that runs through the little town, with trains passing at all hours. A happy stop for children and railfans on the way out.
Go when Afternoon, as a fun stop on the way out.
Local tip Trains pass at all hours, so you rarely wait long. Stand where the signs ask, well back from the track.
- Treat
Peach ice cream on the way out
A scoop of Georgia peach ice cream or a peach cobbler, the right last taste of the state.
Local tip Peaches are best in the summer, so ask what is in season.
If it rains. Leave the boardwalk if lightning is close, and keep out of boats in a storm. The railfan platform and a drive on the swamp island are good wet-day stops.
Departure day
After the last day. The swamp is a long way from the islands, so leave more time than the map says.Details
- The drive out
- From Folkston the airport at Jacksonville is under an hour by road. Fill the tank in a town, and allow extra time for the interstate, which can back up on a summer or holiday weekend.
- Your flight
- Do not plan a big sight on the day you fly. Book an afternoon or evening flight, so a slow morning in the swamp is not a risk.
- Returning the car
- Fill the tank before the airport. If you rented in one city and fly from another, ask your rental company about the rules for dropping it somewhere else.
- If you have a few hours
- Watch a freight train pass the platform at Folkston once more, or take a last walk on a boardwalk at the edge of the swamp, then go.
Questions people ask
When is the best time to visit Brunswick?
By average weather from 2021 to 2025, April to June and September to October are the best months for a beach trip to Brunswick. This plan is built for late October, which is one of the best months. Crowds and prices change through the year, so check them before you book.
How many days does this plan cover?
It covers 4 days in Brunswick, planned for late October. Each day is built around a small number of stops, with room to rest.
Who is this plan for?
It was planned for most travelers. The pace and the places reflect that, so check it fits how you travel.
Is anything on this plan booked?
No. Places marked "book ahead" need a reservation. Hours, prices and availability change, so confirm before you go.
Can I plan my own days like this?
Yes. Archie drafts a day by day plan for your dates and takes your pace, the weather and who is travelling into account. You can start one from the Archie app.
Can I change this plan?
Yes. It is a starting point you can change to fit your own trip: swap a place, add a day or move the pace.
How much walking is there?
Each day has about 3.9 to 15.7 miles between its stops, and 45.5 miles in all across 4 days. A short hop is a walk and a longer one a ride. Distances are straight-line estimates, so allow extra for the streets.
Keep exploring
Nearby trips
3 slow days in SavannahAbout 80 miles awayAn easy add-on
3 swoon-worthy days in CharlestonAbout 160 miles away
5 days in OrlandoAbout 170 miles awayMore like this
Make this plan yours
Make it yours in a minute, then move days around and add what you want.
A trip idea · Updated October 2026
Want your own days planned like this? Plan your own trip on the web or get the Archie app.