Ghost Tours:
St. Simons has its own circuit of tale-tellers who will recruit you for
otherworldly adventures. The ghost walks take visitors over the backwoods
trails and famous historical sites of the island's past. Venture into the
darkness with your guide, who will show the way with lantern light and spin
yarns of spirits who may still linger. This is a great and unique activity for
thrill-seeking families.
Tales of Conquest
Bloody Marsh Battlefield: This site marks the spot where in
1742, Spanish forces from St. Augustine
were sorely defeated by British and Highland foot
soldiers. The marshes are still as much a site of breathtaking natural beauty
as they were when Spanish blood gave the place its name. Markers tell the story
of who fought there, for what gain, and how the battle was won. Spanish moss
accents the Southern view, and this is generally a very quiet, out-of-the-way
spot, perfect for the history enthusiast.
Natural Beauty
Marshes of Glynn: Perhaps you've heard of the poem by
Sidney Lanier titled "the Marshes of Glynn" and wondered what he was
speaking of. Going over the parkway from Brunswick
into St. Simons Island,
you'll see the view that inspired Lanier's mournful sonnet. If possible, travel
over the marshes on a day with little traffic, so you can stop and look out
over the endless marshes, the epitome of Georgia's
beauty. Palm trees dot the landscape, along with an occasional sea bird. This
is a great start to a St. Simons vacation, one that shouldn't be missed. If you
have access to Sidney Lanier’s "Marshes of Glynn," such as a copy
gleaned from the Internet, have one of your family members read parts of this
poem while driving over the famous marshes. It will add to the experience.
Gascoigne Bluff: This little-known tourist spot is offset
by the Frederica River,
and has much history that few people know. To begin with, when Manuel de
Montiano's Spanish soldiers came up from St. Augustine,
they came ashore on the bluff. Also, St. Simons' oak trees, known for their
tough, durable wood, were made into siding for the U.S.S. Constitution
("Ironsides") near this very spot.