Hey everybody!
My latest adventure took me to Georgia to explore beautiful St. Simons and Jekyll islands.
I have heard many great things about these islands, but seeing them in person was surreal. I stayed at the Best Western Plus in St. Simons. This was a quaint hotel that provided a delicious breakfast and a fantastic pool. The hotel was newly renovated so it was very clean and the décor was beautiful.
The main place I visited in St. Simons was the Pier Village District. This little village had an abundance of hometown restaurants and unique shops that would satisfy anyone's needs. Although I enjoyed all the shops, the two that caught my eye featured vintage clothing and records, and the other had antique books and postcards from around the world.
In addition to their superb pancakes, they serve a variety of salads, sandwiches, and other breakfast goods. This time we tried the Thyme for Lump Crab salad. This refreshing salad had a hefty serving of crab salad on top of fresh arugula, black-eyed peas, and radishes. It was tasty and unique, perfect for a light lunch on the go.
This was one of my favorite restaurants, and I highly recommend it. Be sure to get there early though, because it is small and fills up fast.
Another of my other favorite restaurants was Porch. This is a true southern restaurant specializing in spicy chicken. When I walked in, the smell of freshly fried chicken reminded me of my grandmother's home-cooked Sunday meals. They make their chicken naked, novice, Nashville, and napalm; napalm being the hottest flavor. They serve it on sandwiches, salads, and in plates. They also have great home-cooked sides. The macaroni and slaw were my two favorites.
Porch also has salads, street tacos, and all different types of sandwiches. I ordered the spinach salad with grilled shrimp, and it was spectacular. The shrimp were delectable and perfectly paired with blue cheese crumbles and candied pecans. This restaurant has indoor, porch, and outdoor seating perfect for every season.
Now onto my favorite destination: Jekyll Island. It's about 25 minutes from St. Simons but worth the drive. There are seven beaches that makeup Jekyll Island, but Driftwood Beach was by far the best. This stretch of beach is filled with the natural art of driftwood and beautiful, calm waters. I could not stop taking pictures of all the wood on this beach. Each piece was so different and unique. I actually came back to this beach twice in one day because I couldn’t miss the view of the sunset behind all the driftwood.
Even though Driftwood Beach was my favorite place, Jekyll Island has other great places to visit. One is the Georgia Sea Turtle Center. For an affordable price, you can visit turtles that are in rehabilitation and learn more about the sea turtles in Georgia. They also have different programs throughout the year.
The island also has a golf course, horseback riding, tennis, a water park, and more. To learn more about Jekyll Island and all it has to offer visit Jekyll Island's website.
-Mahalo,
Salem