Girl Meets City: The Golden Isles

The Golden Isles of Georgia: St. Simons Island, Jekyll Island, Little St. Simons, Sea Island, and Historic Brunswick. I’ve grown up going to the Georgia coast nearly every summer of my life. I sometimes call St. Simons Island “Stratford by the Sea”- because we would run in to so many of my mother’s students there at any given time. (She taught at Stratford Academy in Macon for over 20 years.)

 

But there’s a lot more to these Golden Isles than just running in to various Maconites and Barbara Jean’s crab cakes. Let me show you some of my favorites, and cheer up this drab weather, with the Golden Isles version of Girl Meets City.

 

 

Girl Meets City: The Golden Isles

For the first time in my life, I stayed somewhere other than my family condo on a beach trip. I’ve written before about the Jekyll Island Club, how it feels like you have stepped in to the Great Gatsby.

If you ever get the chance to stay here, take it. I can’t speak highly enough of my experience here. Everyone from the valet staff to the restaurant waitstaff to those at the front desk- even their marketing department- has been amazing to work with.

While on Jekyll Island, take a tour and learn about the families who once stayed here. People like the Rockefellers, Pulitzers, Macys, and more.

My first stop when traveling to the Golden Isles generally isn’t even my home there- well I suppose this is my home in a way but it’s not where I rest my head- it’s my shopping home: Tibi. My love affair with Tibi is very well documented here.

Designer Amy Smilovic is from St. Simons Island, so her brand’s outlet is here. It’s one of those not-s0 best kept secrets of the Island. The key here is to know when to hit them up for the most amazing discounts- and sorry loves, I’m not sharing that secret. I will however say, if you can figure it out it’s so worth it because I’ve gotten dresses that retailed for nearly $1,000 for well well under that. (Note: they are sometimes a few seasons out of date but I DON’T CARE.)

Also, if you’re going to get your nails done while on the Island let me recommend the place just a few doors down from Tibi in Redfern Village. I can never remember the name of it, but it was the first places I had gel nails done and they never disappoint. I can typically count on my manicure lasting upwards of 4 weeks! #winning

Brunch at Palmer’s is a must, but be prepared to wait in line, and be prepared to stand while doing it. Or… kill a little time a few doors down at the hugely popular Hope’s boutique.

Hope’s went through a renovation a year or so ago, and it’s nice to see how much they have grown. Their owner was also one of the first boutique retailers outside of the Macon area that I interviewed on this site (here– and note, that contest is long expired).

Once you get in at Palmer’s, try one of their local creations. I had the Islander Omlet. Not something I would usually get- but I wanted to be adventurous and get something unique to their places. Also, I have had it before and loved it. Egg whites, bacon crumbles, cucumber ribbons, seared tomatoes, reduced balsamic AND what has always sold me on it before …. a custom made garden herb cream cheese with goat cheese also and avocado. Our server told me it was their version of a Herb Boursin, and it was folded in to the egg with locally grown tomatoes. #happydance

Also…. in places like these- ah hell anytime I have brunch- I love to order a mimosa and coffee at once. And usually a water, too. It’s become a thing.

So can we sidebar for just a little bit? And just let me mention how inconvenient it is that I discovered the amazingness of really GOOD FOOD after I turned 30 and my metabolism has apparently completely failed me? Yeah. Anyways.

Before moving on to more eating, one of the things I like best about this part of Georgia is all of the history. Brunswick was founded in 1771, and the city laid out in the typical British grid system. Anyone who has visited Savannah will find this familiar. While I did not step in to any of the shops here, I did find it nice to just walk the streets and observe. And Brunswick, according to the city website, has a First Friday celebration with art galleries and retail shops open late.

Little St. Simons Island and Sea Island are a little more difficult to get to; Little St. Simons is privately owned- but has been open to the public with it’s lodge since the 1970’s. This is on my bucket list for sure, for the day in the future when I can actually part with my cell phone or computer to truly enjoy such an escape. Most appealing to me? The seaside dinner and cocktail hour, weather permitting.

 

 

The Lodge on Little St. Simons also uses a variety of locally sourced items for their restaurant, many of which they list on their website.

 

I can remember when anyone could drive on to Sea Island, however now you cannot get on the island unless you are staying at The Cloister. This happened when Sea Island hosted the G8 summit back in June of 2004, and I was there for that as well. It was as if all of St. Simons was on lockdown- quite a sight at the time.

 

For me, I would come back to St. Simons Island to do some more exploring. Be sure to visit Christ Church Frederica at the north end of the island. Christ Church has continuously held church services since 1736, and was even where the-then Episcopalian Reverend Charles Wesley ministered. The current church building was resurrected after the first one was destroyed by Union troops during the Civil War.

 

Luckily for us, the church is also open for brief tours. It’s small, but simply breathtakingly beautiful.

 

 

 

After doing some historical sightseeing, return to The Village on St. Simons Island to mill around the various island shops. There’s a lovely vintage store, Moondance, near the Pier, and Brogan’s has been a staple for as long as I can remember. Be sure to get one of their hamburgers if you have the chance! If you’re willing to wait in line at Barbara Jean’s, stop in and try one of their famous crab cakes. But be prepared to wait. In the mood for some fried shrimp? Then go to Iguana’s.

 

However, one of my new favorites for a coffee or even a glass of wine would be Palm Coast. You can also get great craft beer here!

 

 

Maybe you aren’t in the mood for an adult beverage or coffee or a meal. Maybe you just need something to satisfy a sweet tooth. The Village has that covered as well with St. Simons Sweets.

 

For all of my friends of something truly unique, go in Beachview Books. They have an amazing array of books, and you can feel good about truly shopping local. My grandparents would go in this bookstore every time they were on the island, and even after my grandfather passed away my grandmother still visits. For me, it’s like stepping back in to my childhood.

 

 

On this particular trip, I decided to have pizza for dinner. I wasn’t able to make it to the amazing Southern Soul BBQ on this trip, but luckily for me and for us- CJ’s has a Southern Soul BBQ pizza! And it is every bit as amazing as you might suspect.

 

 

 

 

 

So, that about does it! Food, fun, fashion, St. Simons and the Golden Isles really do have it all. I can’t wait to get back to my home at the beach, and to bring y’all even more to discover.

 

 

Love to all y’all,

 

 

Molly