Shane & Jordan's Local Guide to SSI
Where we like to eat
A hometown favorite, but you don't have to take our word for it...SSBBQ is consistently recognized as the "South's Best BBQ Joint" by Southern Living (2017, 2018, 2019, 2020). Check the board or follow on Instagram to see what specials they have.
Favorite Menu Items: Fried Okra, Smoked Wings, Knuckle Sammich
Tip: Sometimes has long lines so go early or at "off" hours
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Southern Soul Barbeque
2020 Demere RdA hometown favorite, but you don't have to take our word for it...SSBBQ is consistently recognized as the "South's Best BBQ Joint" by Southern Living (2017, 2018, 2019, 2020). Check the board or follow on Instagram to see what specials they have.
Favorite Menu Items: Fried Okra, Smoked Wings, Knuckle Sammich
Tip: Sometimes has long lines so go early or at "off" hours
Sweet Mama's
98 Retreat VillageGet Pork Pops for breakfast and say hello to Boomer and Doug.
Queso queso queso. For more of a bar scene, check out Bubba Up (it's upstairs).
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Bubba Garcia's Mexican Cantina
200 Redfern VillageQueso queso queso. For more of a bar scene, check out Bubba Up (it's upstairs).
Gnat's Landing
310 Redfern VillageIt's the big sister restaurant to Bubba's and easy Island casual.
An easy-going breakfast joint just a short walk up Mallery Street (right across from Georgia Sea Grill).
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Mallery Street Cafe
408 Mallery StAn easy-going breakfast joint just a short walk up Mallery Street (right across from Georgia Sea Grill).
Hot Dog Alley
533 Ocean BlvdCheap eats at its best. Grab a dog or two and take a walk down to the pier.
Opened by the Southern Soul gang, it’s right down Mallery Street (fittingly located in the old Dairy Queen). "Small town worlwide" chili slaw dogs, burgers, shrimp baskets, soft serve, and milkshakes.
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Frosty’s Griddle and Shake
501 Mallery StOpened by the Southern Soul gang, it’s right down Mallery Street (fittingly located in the old Dairy Queen). "Small town worlwide" chili slaw dogs, burgers, shrimp baskets, soft serve, and milkshakes.
As the first brewery on the Island, we especially love that each beer is named for the local area. Our favorite: The Pelican Spit Pilsner.
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Barrier Island Brewing
1226 Ocean BlvdAs the first brewery on the Island, we especially love that each beer is named for the local area. Our favorite: The Pelican Spit Pilsner.
Our favorite seafood restaurant on the Island. And yes, we've been known to go for both lunch and dinner on the same day.
Favorite Menu Items: Crab cakes, Peel & Eat Shrimp, Fried Oysters, Cheese Grits, Sauteed Vegetables
Tip: Sometimes has a long wait so go early or at "off" hours
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The Half Shell SSI
504 Beachview DrOur favorite seafood restaurant on the Island. And yes, we've been known to go for both lunch and dinner on the same day.
Favorite Menu Items: Crab cakes, Peel & Eat Shrimp, Fried Oysters, Cheese Grits, Sauteed Vegetables
Tip: Sometimes has a long wait so go early or at "off" hours
Located inside The King and Prince hotel, this bar has great drinks, snacks, and ocean views. Live music most weekends with plenty of space to dance around.
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ECHO St. Simons
101 Downing StLocated inside The King and Prince hotel, this bar has great drinks, snacks, and ocean views. Live music most weekends with plenty of space to dance around.
A happy hour favorite among the more mature crowd (and by more mature, we mean Jordan's Baby Boomer parents).
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Nazzaro's Italian Cuisine
196 Retreat VillageA happy hour favorite among the more mature crowd (and by more mature, we mean Jordan's Baby Boomer parents).
An Island classic and just a short walk down Mallery Street. Check out the $5 First Call menu from 5-6:30pm.
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Georgia Sea Grill
407 Mallery StAn Island classic and just a short walk down Mallery Street. Check out the $5 First Call menu from 5-6:30pm.
Shopping
Few know that this worldwide designer label by Amy Smilovic began right here on St. Simons Island in 1998.
Tibi Outlet
28 Market StFew know that this worldwide designer label by Amy Smilovic began right here on St. Simons Island in 1998.
Shackelford Shoes
28 Market StStylish women's shoes, sandals, and accessories right next door to Tibi.
Our favorite jewelry store for truly unique gifts and souvenirs. Everything is inspired by nature and designed on nearby Cumberland Island. While you may be tempted to splurge, some of our very favorite pieces are only $25-$100. We especially love the cuff bracelets, Christmas ornaments, and hand-forged earrings.
Gogo Jewelry
217 Redfern VillageOur favorite jewelry store for truly unique gifts and souvenirs. Everything is inspired by nature and designed on nearby Cumberland Island. While you may be tempted to splurge, some of our very favorite pieces are only $25-$100. We especially love the cuff bracelets, Christmas ornaments, and hand-forged earrings.
Beaches
We enjoy coming here because it is oftentimes one of the quieter spots on the beach. Be mindful of rip tides and only swim close to shore. We do not recommend swimming out to the sand bar.
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Gould's Inlet Public Beach Access
2300 Bruce DrWe enjoy coming here because it is oftentimes one of the quieter spots on the beach. Be mindful of rip tides and only swim close to shore. We do not recommend swimming out to the sand bar.
Often considered the main beach spot, this is our beach pick for families since it has restrooms, showers, and a seasonal snack bar. There's also a large parking lot and accessible mesh ramp that makes it easy to roll buggies far out onto the sand.
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Coast Guard Station - Public Beach Access #27
Often considered the main beach spot, this is our beach pick for families since it has restrooms, showers, and a seasonal snack bar. There's also a large parking lot and accessible mesh ramp that makes it easy to roll buggies far out onto the sand.
Things to do
Great spot for kids and families to get to know sea turtles and learn about the important coastal habitat that we share with them and other wildlife. The Sea Turtle Center is located on Jekyll Island, which is visible from the St. Simons Pier. It is approximately 30 minutes from The Oak Oasis, with scenic views as you drive across the causeway and Sidney Lanier Bridge. (Note that you must pay a "parking fee" to drive to Jekyll. Rates may vary and are available at www.jekyllisland.com)
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The Georgia Sea Turtle Center
214 Stable RdGreat spot for kids and families to get to know sea turtles and learn about the important coastal habitat that we share with them and other wildlife. The Sea Turtle Center is located on Jekyll Island, which is visible from the St. Simons Pier. It is approximately 30 minutes from The Oak Oasis, with scenic views as you drive across the causeway and Sidney Lanier Bridge. (Note that you must pay a "parking fee" to drive to Jekyll. Rates may vary and are available at www.jekyllisland.com)
We love the walking tours, 20 minute film, and dressing up like colonial soldiers -- and it's all free. Pack a picnic and make an afternoon of it. We recommend wearing bug spray if visiting in the spring or summer. Fort Frederica is operated by the National Park Service, so be sure to get your NPS passport stamp in the visitor center. Fun fact: Jordan's sixth-great grandmother, Ann Harris, lived at the Fort.
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Fort Frederica National Monument
6515 Frederica RdWe love the walking tours, 20 minute film, and dressing up like colonial soldiers -- and it's all free. Pack a picnic and make an afternoon of it. We recommend wearing bug spray if visiting in the spring or summer. Fort Frederica is operated by the National Park Service, so be sure to get your NPS passport stamp in the visitor center. Fun fact: Jordan's sixth-great grandmother, Ann Harris, lived at the Fort.
The best of the best for kayak tours. Robby and the good folks at Southeast will take care of you and show you the Golden Isles in a way you'll never forget. And for when you can't be at the beach, we think they also have one of the best Instagram accounts around.
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Southeast Adventure Outfitters
313 Mallery StThe best of the best for kayak tours. Robby and the good folks at Southeast will take care of you and show you the Golden Isles in a way you'll never forget. And for when you can't be at the beach, we think they also have one of the best Instagram accounts around.
Biking is our favorite way to get around the Island. If you're unable to bring your own bikes, give OMo a call.
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Ocean Motion Surf Co
1300 Ocean BlvdBiking is our favorite way to get around the Island. If you're unable to bring your own bikes, give OMo a call.
Jekyll was a winter retreat for some of America's most well-known families during the Industrial Age. Stroll among the "cottages" that were once home to the Rockefellers, Vanderbilts, J.P. Morgan, and others.
Historic District Trail
Historic District TrailJekyll was a winter retreat for some of America's most well-known families during the Industrial Age. Stroll among the "cottages" that were once home to the Rockefellers, Vanderbilts, J.P. Morgan, and others.
A new museum that is already a favorite among locals. Learn about Coastal Georgia's contributions to the war and how our quiet region was transformed. They have great interactive exhibits (e.g. test your radar skills, tie ship knots, build a Liberty Ship) for both adults and kids to enjoy. Our #1 rainy day activity.
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World War II Home Front Museum
4201 1st StA new museum that is already a favorite among locals. Learn about Coastal Georgia's contributions to the war and how our quiet region was transformed. They have great interactive exhibits (e.g. test your radar skills, tie ship knots, build a Liberty Ship) for both adults and kids to enjoy. Our #1 rainy day activity.
Christ Church is one of the oldest churches in Georgia. A walk through the cemetery can take you back through history to imagine what it was like when John and Charles Wesley first held services on the Island in the 1700s. Fun fact: We were married here in 2016.
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Christ Church Episcopal
6329 Frederica RdChrist Church is one of the oldest churches in Georgia. A walk through the cemetery can take you back through history to imagine what it was like when John and Charles Wesley first held services on the Island in the 1700s. Fun fact: We were married here in 2016.