The Altamaha Historic Scenic Byway runs for 17 miles through Glynn County. Along the route, you can explore the cultural heritage of Georgia’s coastal region and its diverse marsh ecosystems. This combination of landscape and history is a great starting point for discovering Glynn in a variety of ways.
Jekyll Island: Coast, Trails and Bikes
Jekyll Island has ten miles of largely unspoiled coastline. More than 24 miles of bicycle paths and trails pass through sand dunes, along beaches and by historic sites. Bike Jekyll rents adult and children’s bicycles, two- and four-seat surreys, tricycles, bicycle trailers and related accessories.
Several public beach access points on Jekyll Island are accessible to people with physical disabilities and may provide beach wheelchairs free of charge. At Driftwood Beach, old driftwood formations line the shore. Public parking is located near the beach access point, just off Beachview Drive.
History on Trails and in Museums
Fort Frederica National Monument presents Georgia’s colonial history and the centuries of history that have shaped Saint Simons Island. The grounds include about two miles of grass and sand trails, including the Yacht Club Trail, the Marsh Trail and the Oglethorpe’s House Trail. Seasonal conditions can affect hiking. The ranger-led Town Tour follows Broad Street to King’s Magazine on the Frederica River; it is a quarter-mile one way.
The St. Simons Lighthouse Museum consists of the 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 present the history of Georgia’s coastal region; the offerings are designed for the whole family.
The World War II Home Front Museum is located in the historic Coast Guard Station at East Beach. Immersive exhibits and interactive experiences cover the history of blimps on anti-submarine patrols, radar training to guide fighter aircraft, and the construction of Liberty ships. Another part of this shipbuilding history can be seen at Liberty Ship Memorial Plaza in Mary Ross Waterfront Park: a full-scale model of a Liberty ship stands there, similar to the ships built in Brunswick’s shipyards during World War II.
Mosaic, Jekyll Island Museum, presents the history of Jekyll Island through detailed interactive exhibits, images and audio. Mosaic also offers the Dolphin Club Days tour on Jekyll Island’s African American and musical history. Tour offerings may change; check whether this tour is available before your visit.
At Hofwyl-Broadfield Plantation, a hands-on demonstration focuses on growing, harvesting and processing a historic variety of rice from the Georgia coast. Participants can pound rice using traditional methods.
Nature Experiences Between Island and River
The 4-H Tidelands Nature Center offers kayaking tours, coastal ecology programs and nature walks on the island. Its exhibit gallery features live sea turtles, fish, invertebrates, horseshoe crabs, snakes and alligators. The combination of outdoor activities and the gallery offers a look at different aspects of coastal ecology.
The Georgia Sea Turtle Center offers indoor and outdoor programs year-round for guests of all ages. Since 2007, the Center has cared for more than 3,000 sick, stranded or injured turtles. It is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., except on select holidays; check current hours before your visit.
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. The seasonally operated Summer Waves Water Park offers something different, with a lazy river, fast water slides and views of the Jekyll River. The park is IBCCES-certified; its attractions may accommodate the needs of visitors with different accessibility requirements.
Discover More Destinations
Brunswick, Jekyll Island, St. Simons Island, Sea Island, Country Club Estates, Jeff Davis County, Spalding, Richmond
For the main travel overview: Georgia.
