Even though the summer months have come to a close, it’s never too early to plan your next vacation, and instead of flocking to traditional tourist hotspots like Nantucket or the Hamptons, try a southern beach town that still offers five-star living with local charm.
St Simons Island off the Georgia coast was named this year’s number one underrated travel destination by US News and World Report.
The island features dune-lined sandy beaches, maritime forests, and a quaint downtown.
Travel and Leisure branded the destination a ‘classic beach town with five-star amenities’.
Pam Brand, a resident of St Simons who runs the travel blog Discovering Coastal Georgia with her daughter, told Daily Mail that the island is family-friendly and offers a slew of vacation amenities.
When asked why St Simons was underrated, Brand said: ‘I would have to say it’s because you get an authentic small town vibe – a friendly, engaging community – but with amenities that make it appealing to vacationers’.
She said the island was beautiful, with live oak trees covered in Spanish moss, marshes, and beaches galore.
Jay Markwalter, the Deputy Commissioner of Tourism for Georgia’s Department of Tourism, told Daily Mail that St Simons was ‘perfectly positioned’ halfway between Savannah and Jacksonville on the Atlantic.
St Simons is a beach town off the coast of Georgia that locals boast has small-town charm
The island is lined with sprawling white sandy beaches
‘Visitors can relax on the island’s pristine beaches, venture along 20 miles of bike trails and step back in time at historic sites,’ he said.
Pam and Sara Brand run Discovering Coastal Georgia
Markwalter added that Pier Village boasts locally-owned boutiques and another popular attraction is an all-inclusive eco-lodge called Little St Simons Island, an undeveloped area with beaches and wildlife.
A local realtor, Trisha Cook, agreed with the town’s quaint appeal, telling Travel and Leisure: ‘St Simons Island is a mix of small-town charm, amazing fresh seafood, and coastal beauty.
‘The quaint little town has great historic landmarks, oak trees, famous hotels, and gorgeous beaches.’
St Simons massive oak trees are famous for their carvings of whimsical faces known as the Island Tree Spirits.
Fort Frederica National Monument preserves the archaeological remnants of a fort and town from the early 18th century.
The small colonial site marked land between British South Carolina and Spanish Florida, before it became a recognized state.
Visitors interested in history can also check out the Lighthouse Museum and climb the 129 steps to take in the views of the island.
Pam Brand, a resident of the island, said St Simons has an ‘authentic small town vibe but with amenities that make it appealing to vacationers’
Visitors and locals are met with luxury hotels and spas, but can still enjoy historical and scenic sights
History buffs can visit the Fort Frederica National Monument on St Simons
‘It is the kind of coastal community, sequestered on just a 18-square-mile barrier island, that feels like a calming breath of salt-tinged air for most of the year and lively at others,’ wrote Kaitlyn Yarborough for Southern Living.
Yarborough shared that she started visiting the island as a child, and continued through her college years, where she’d stay during the annual Georgia-Florida game weekend.
As an adult, she said the island has a different appeal, allowing her to appreciate the local community and enjoy the businesses in the area.
There are a slew of dining options on St Simons Island. Brand recommends Sweet Mama’s for their signature pork pops or Dulce Dough for homemade doughnuts.
She suggested Cafe Frederica and Palmer’s Village Cafe as go-to restaurants and Catch 228 for Oysters.
For those wanting a late-night drink, Brand recommended Murphy’s, Castaways, and The Tree Bar at Bennie’s Red Barn.
‘For outdoor lovers – bike the many miles of trails, hike the Cannon’s Point Preserve trail, go crabbing on the pier in the village, go to the beach, play golf, fish,’ Brand added.
Discovering Coastal Georgia features a variety of budget-friendly accommodations for those looking to make the trip, including Queens Court Inn, Hampton Inn and Epworth by the Sea. Prices for Queen’s Court Inn hotel rooms on weekends this month start at $199.
The island is famous for its massive oak trees covered in Spanish moss
St Simons also has a variety of bike paths, nature trails, and golf courses for those who love the outdoors
Epworth is a conference center owned by the United Methodist Church, but anyone is welcome to stay there.
The Lovely Lane Chapel on Epworth’s grounds is often chosen as a picturesque wedding venue.
This article was originally published by a www.dailymail.co.uk . Read the Original article here. .