Brunswick
Around Brunswick
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Metro area · Georgia · 117k people
Brunswick
Locals say Golden Isles · “Shrimp Capital of the World”
Brunswick · St. Simons
Where the marsh meets the sea
Marsh GreenOcean BlueGolden Isles Gold
Welcome to the Golden Isles, where the marsh meets the sea and the pace slows to island time. Grab some shrimp and grits, and let's talk about what brings you here—whether it's the fishing, the beaches, or just the quiet beauty of the coast.
Clubs for Brunswick
No clubs for Brunswick yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Brunswick. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Brunswick. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- St. Simons Island Lighthouse 1872 lighthouse with museum and keeper's dwelling.
- Fort Frederica National Monument 18th-century British fort and town ruins on St. Simons.
- Driftwood Beach Jekyll Island beach famous for dramatic driftwood trees.
- Jekyll Island Historic District Gilded Age mansions and clubhouses of the millionaires' club.
- Marshes of Glynn Overlook Park Scenic overlook of salt marshes, inspired by Sidney Lanier's poem.
- Mary Ross Waterfront Park Downtown Brunswick park along the East River with fountains.
- Outdoors Kayak through salt marshes
- Outdoors Fish off the pier
- With kids Climb the St. Simons Lighthouse
- With kids Explore Fort Frederica
- Evenings Sunset drinks at a beach bar
- Evenings Live music at local pubs
- Locals love Public beaches
- Locals love Fishing piers
Through the year
- Shrimp and Grits Festival September Celebrates the region's signature dish with tastings, live music, and a 5k.
- First Friday First Friday of each month Monthly art walk and street festival in historic downtown Brunswick.
- St. Simons Sunset Concert Series Summer Free outdoor concerts at Neptune Park overlooking the pier.
- Jekyll Island Sea Turtle Festival May Family-friendly celebration with turtle releases, educational exhibits, and crafts.
- Golden Isles Marathon February Flat, fast course through Brunswick and St. Simons, with half and full options.
Subtropical climate with hot, humid summers and mild winters. The best time to be out is spring and fall. Best: Spring and fall are ideal—mild temps, low humidity, and fewer crowds.
Talk like a local
- “The Golden Isles”
- The local name for the region.
- “The pier”
- St. Simons Island fishing pier.
- “The causeway”
- The road to Jekyll Island.
- “Island time”
- A relaxed, unhurried pace.
Getaways
- Savannah Historic squares, riverfront, and Southern charm.
- Jacksonville Big-city attractions, beaches, and the St. Johns River.
- Cumberland Island Wild horses, pristine beaches, and the ruins of Dungeness.
- Okefenokee Swamp Paddle the blackwater swamp and spot alligators and birds.
Local flavour
Rooting for Atlanta Braves (MLB), Atlanta Falcons (NFL), Georgia Bulldogs (NCAA)
Eat and drink
- Brunswick stew A tomato-based stew with meat and vegetables, claimed by the city
- Shrimp and grits Coastal Southern staple
- Boiled peanuts Classic Georgia snack
- Lowcountry boil Shrimp, sausage, corn, and potatoes
- Oysters on the half shell Fresh from local waters
Where people go
- Salt marshes and tidal creeks Expansive, iconic landscape
- Historic downtown Brunswick Antebellum architecture and oak-lined streets
- St. Simons Island beaches Popular for swimming and shelling
- Fishing piers and docks Working waterfronts and recreational spots
- Live oak trees with Spanish moss Characteristic of the region
- Lighthouses Historic St. Simons Lighthouse and others
Heritage and traditions
The Golden Isles are proud of their deep coastal heritage, from Gullah-Geechee culture and shrimping traditions to the moss-draped oaks and salt marshes that inspired poets.
This time of year in Brunswick
- Fall marsh bird migration Fall Birds like egrets and herons migrate through the marshes.
- St. Simons Island Art & Wine Festival October Local artists and wines from around the region.
Say it like a local: “Cooter” — A turtle, especially a freshwater turtle.
Festivals
- Blessing of the Fleet May A shrimping tradition blessing the boats for a safe season, with a parade and seafood.
- Jekyll Island Beach Music Festival June Beach music and shag dancing on the island's shores.
- St. Simons Island Art & Wine Festival October Local artists and wines from around the region.
Landmarks with a story
- Hofwyl-Broadfield Plantation A preserved rice plantation with a museum and trails through the old rice fields.
- Christ Church An Episcopal church on St. Simons with a cemetery dating to the 1800s.
- First African Baptist Church in Darien One of the oldest African American churches in the area, with roots in the Gullah-Geechee community.
- Brunswick Old Town Historic District Victorian-era homes and storefronts along the waterfront.
- Jekyll Island Club A Gilded Age resort that hosted the Rockefellers, Vanderbilts, and other wealthy families.
Food traditions
- Gullah red rice A savory rice dish with tomatoes and spices, rooted in the Gullah-Geechee heritage of the coastal islands.
- Oyster roasts Winter tradition of roasting oysters over open flames, often at community gatherings.
- Shrimp boils Summer shrimp boils with corn and potatoes, straight from the local fleet.
- Church fish fries Friday fish fries during Lent, hosted by local churches, often featuring fried whiting or catfish.
Music and arts
- Gullah-Geechee music and storytelling Spirituals, ring shouts, and oral traditions preserved by the Gullah-Geechee community.
- Coastal plein air painting Artists capture the marshes, oaks, and shoreline in open-air painting.
- Literary tradition From Lanier's poetry to Price's novels, the Golden Isles have inspired writers.
A little history
- 16th century Spanish missions
- 1736 Fort Frederica
- 18th-19th century Plantation era
- Late 19th century Gilded Age on Jekyll Island
Rivalries
- Glynn Academy vs. Brunswick High The local high school football rivalry, known as the 'City Championship'.
- St. Simons vs. Jekyll Island Friendly debate over which island has the better beach and vibe.
- Georgia vs. Florida College football rivalry that splits the region every year.
- Game day PGA Tour's RSM Classic
- Game day Golden Isles Kingfish Tournament
- Outdoors Go crabbing from the docks
- Outdoors Take a sunset cruise
- With kids Feed the fish at the pier
- With kids Take a horse-drawn carriage ride on Jekyll Island
A coastal Southern accent with Gullah-Geechee influences, featuring words like 'cooter' for turtle and a slow, melodic drawl.
Only here
- The Sidney Lanier Bridge is the tallest cable-stayed bridge in Georgia.
- The Jekyll Island Club once hosted the world's wealthiest families.
- Brunswick's shrimping fleet is one of the largest on the East Coast.
- The Marshes of Glynn inspired a famous poem by Sidney Lanier.
New here? A few tips
- Learn to pronounce 'Glynn' as 'Glin'.
- Be ready for humidity and mosquitoes, especially in summer.
- Try the shrimp and grits at a local diner—it's a staple.
- Take a boat tour to see dolphins and the marsh up close.
- Respect the marsh: don't feed the alligators.
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Nearby
Every areaKingslandGeorgiaWhere the marsh meets the sea, and time slows down.FolkstonGeorgiaWhere the swamp whispers and the trains rollJesupGeorgiaPine-scented days and riverbank evenings.HinesvilleGeorgiaSmall-town warmth, big-hearted service.WaycrossGeorgiaWhere the swamp whispers and the rails remember.JacksonvilleFloridaWhere the river meets the sea and the sun never quits.SavannahGeorgiaMoss-draped oaks and riverfront charm.DouglasGeorgiaWhere the fields meet the pines
Brunswick-St. Simons, GA. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.