Glynn: Coast, Islands and History
Accommodation in Glynn
Glynn combines coastal landscapes with stories you can discover in different ways: on the beach, along cycling trails, in museums and on a historic scenic byway. On Jekyll Island, old driftwood formations line the shore at Driftwood Beach; the island also has ten miles of largely unspoiled coastline. If you enjoy spending time outdoors, you can combine beach days with nature and history experiences. When choosing a vacation rental, what matters most is which of these experiences you want to make the focus of your stay.
Experience the beach and water your way
At Driftwood Beach, public parking is available near the beach access, which is directly off Beachview Drive. Jekyll Island has several public beach access points that are accessible to people with physical disabilities and may provide free beach wheelchairs. These options offer practical guidance for planning your time at the beach, while the coastline itself remains the defining natural experience.
You can also discover water and nature away from the ocean. Blythe Island Regional Park spans 1,100 acres and offers recreation at the freshwater Lake Cindee, as well as marina access to the South Brunswick River. On Saint Simons Island, a park by the pier offers a pier, a swimming pool, mini golf and beach access. This gives you a choice of different kinds of outings by the water, without confusing the beach, lake and river.
Explore by bike and discover the outdoors
Jekyll Island has more than 24 miles of bicycle paths and trails. They wind through sand dunes, along beaches and past historic sites. At Bike Jekyll, you can rent adult and children’s bicycles, two- and four-seat Surreys, tricycles, bicycle trailers and related accessories. This gives you several ways to explore the island on wheels and choose the right mode of transport for your group.
Nature experiences are also a highlight on Saint Simons: the 4-H Tidelands Nature Center offers kayak tours, coastal ecology programs and nature walks on the island. Sea turtles, fish, invertebrates, horseshoe crabs, snakes and alligators live in its exhibit gallery. If you’re especially interested in wildlife and coastal ecology, you can combine this visit with other nature experiences during your trip.
Coastal history, museums and notable routes
The St. Simons Lighthouse Museum consists of the St. Simons Island Lighthouse and the adjacent Keeper’s Dwelling in Pier Village at the southern end of St. Simons. Visitors can climb the 129 steps to the top of the lighthouse. Rare artifacts, historic photographs and interactive exhibits at the museum tell the story of Georgia’s coastal region. At East Beach, the World War II Home Front Museum is housed in the historic Coast Guard Station. Its immersive exhibits and interactive experiences explore airships on anti-submarine patrols, radar training to direct fighter aircraft and the construction of Liberty ships.
Fort Frederica National Monument offers a look at Georgia’s colonial history and the centuries of history that have shaped Saint Simons Island. The grounds have around two miles of grass and sand trails, including the Yacht Club Trail, the Marsh Trail and the Oglethorpe’s House Trail. A ranger-led Town Tour follows Broad Street to the King’s Magazine on the Frederica River and is a quarter-mile long one way. The Altamaha Historic Scenic Byway runs for 17 miles through Glynn County and connects the cultural heritage of the coastal region with diverse marsh ecosystems that visitors can explore along the route.
Other places to discover include Brunswick, Jekyll Island, St. Simons Island, Sea Island and Country Club Estates. Choose your vacation rental based on which aspects of Glynn you want to shape your trip.
For the main trip overview: Georgia.
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