THE ULTIMATE 2-DAY GUIDE TO ST. MARYS, GA
Posted by Liz and John, 3/15/26
Recently John and I went on a short getaway St. Marys, GA, the farthest south you can go on the Ga Coast and fell in love with the small South Ga town. We’ve put together the ultimate 2-day guide to St. Marys that you can just grab and go!
Day 1: Cumberland Island Excursion.
Before heading to Cumberland Island, stop by the St. Marys Visitor’s Center to get more information about all the essential activities downtown, more about Cumberland Island, and shop for St. Marys local goods. Armed with information, you’re ready to go!
Cumberland Island Visitor’s Center photos:
Before we ever set foot in St. Marys, we knew we had to experience Cumberland Island. My aunt used to talk about Cumberland Island, as a local birder and artist, she was found of its natural beauty and I can see why. We boarded the ferry on a brisk February morning and floated into a world left untouched and natural, yet vibrant and adventurous. We spent half the day on the best guided tour with Ben from Molly Old South Tours.
Cumberland Island Itinerary
Here is our suggested itinerary for the 11:45 am Ferry to the island and the 4:45 pm Ferry back.
1. Get to the Ferry at 11:15 am no later to check in at the Cumberland Island Visitors Center in St. Marys. Ferry leaves at 11:45am. Save a few extra minutes to peruse the gift shop!
2. Book a tour with Molly Old South and meet your guide at the dock. You will hear more about the Spanish, indigenous people and history prior to the Carnegies ownership.
3. Walk to the Dungeness ruins. The guide will fill you in on all of the gossip and stories from the late Lucy Carnegie who lived in the home. It caught fire in 1959 and is what you see today.
4. The tabby house is the original structure on the island, originating 1800.
5. Backside of the house, lawn, fountain, and overlooking the water and marsh area.
6. The casino built by Lucy for her unruly sons. It has a pool and many other activities to keep them busy.
7. The stables where they kept the horses
8. The cutest little cemetery tucked away in one of the prettiest spots on the property. We saw a dolphin swimming in the marsh.
9. Other buildings on the grounds from the dormitory to the old kitchen.
10. Go to the beach via the marsh boardwalk. It is my favorite walk a spot of the whole South Island besides the beach!
11. Check out the old boat house on the marsh near the ruins.
12. Enjoy the wild horses!! Don’t ride them tho!
13. On the way back to the ferry stop by the icehouse museum!
We didn’t know there is a van tour of the whole island! We will do that one next time!
Once you get back from Cumberland Island, take some time to check into the hotel we recommend, The Goodbread House!
The Goodbread House
The Goodbread House, a historic St. Marys Bed & Breakfast is a charming step back in time! A historic 1870s charmer that is a nod to the south when picket fences and Parlour were the norm. Not only that, but it marries that southern hospitality and community with famous couple themed rooms! We stayed in the Gable & Lombardi suite, but they had everything from Guinevere & Lancelot to Rhett & Scarlett! It was so unique in the best way, it is a must stay! Thanks to Mardja for her hospitality, you’ll love her!
When you walk up you immediately know you’re in for a treat as you walk through the southern white picket fence there is an eclectic variety of yard artwork from a pirate to a carriage and the porch is meant for warm nights and wine with longing areas on both sides. The upstairs porch has a swing and rocking chairs, we loved it was right outside our room.
Inside you go through the screen door into a whole different world of wood accents, oriental rugs, antique furniture and double doors into a gorgeous old school parlour and fireplace. They have an original five piece parlour set and lounging for evening wine. That’s right, complimentary wine in the evenings to relax! Behind it is the dining room, with tables for the morning complimentary breakfast. AND the breakfast is just as good as the hospitality at the house! The pancakes were scrumptious and the casserole warm and rich!
Upstairs, our suite was the Gable & Lombardi. The large long bed and settee are centerpiece surrounded by antiques and gorgeous hardwood floors. The original fireplace is a stunner and has a twin on the other side in the bathroom. The bathroom feels as large as the bed room with antique vanity, ladies vanity, and dual tub and shower.
A little bit about their history. Built in 1870, and finally the house was bought as an overflow to the Riverview Inn down the street. It was renovated in the early 1980s to keep its 1870 architecture!
Firefly Cantina
After check-in and evening wine with the Goodbread House, head out for dinner. Get down to the Firefly Cantina, a casual taco and Mexican joint with a large patio and full bar. We filled up on margaritas, burritos, tacos, and chips and queso.
To drink I enjoyed the Jalapeño pineapple margarita is sweet and spicy with a tasty tajin rim. For starters we tried the Elote, a crunchy corn, charred with a spicy aioli and creamy cheese. John opted for the crunchy chips and creamy queso dip.
For our dinner we shared a trio of tacos and the Cali burrito. My favorite was the Cali burrito! It is loaded with tender carne asada with hearty French fries, creamy avocado and cheese, charred tomato salsa and street corn salad, tangy pico, and lettuce. Must try! The tacos were also delicious. We got three the first is sweet south is sweet sriracha fried chicken with a spicy jalapeño vinaigrette and tomato. The second is the Bronco is tender steak with bold and spicy Guajillo sauce and trimmings. Finally, the Firecracker is blackened grouper with a spicy jalapeño and honey citrus slaw.
Day 2: Exploring Downtown St. Marys, GA
Here are the essential activities for your day in Downtown St. Marys, GA! You can pick and choose your adventure and order, but these are the must-do activities we recommend.
🪦 Oak Grove Cemetery. It is a beautiful historic cemetery just a few moments out of downtown with old and new tombstones to explore, as well as several revolutionary war veterans are buried there! Take the morning to just take in everything Oak Grove Cemetery has to offer. It is so fun to explore!
⛲️ St. Marys Waterfront Park. This reminds me of New Orleans! Right on the water, enjoy the beautiful fountain centerpiece. Stroll the piers. Take a relaxing break on one of the swings or benches and take in the coastal vibes. For the kiddos, there is a large play area!
🛥️ St. Marys Submarine Museum. This is one of my favorite spots on downtown! They have a full bridge with chairs, periscope and phones – an immersive spot to feel “in a submarine.” Some of the cool artifacts include a gas mask, a book of Disney artists that designed submarine insignias, a chair from the cast of “The Hunt for Red October” movie, and a scavenger hunt!
🥪Break for lunch at Cafe at Cottle & Gunn, a cute antique shop with a cozy lunch and sweets cafe tucked in the back! I was impressed with their goods and loved they had a whole section of dollhouse furniture!
We got several items from the cafe including quiche, cinnamon roll, and more. Starting with the sausage and cheddar quiche; it is sharp cheddar and savory sausage is a flaky crust. For my lunch I got the tuna salad sandwich is rich, creamy and good with LTO on crunchy toasted wheat bread. It came with a side and I’m glad I got the Amish potato salad. It is creamy, rich egg, hearty potatoes, a good mix of mayo and mustard. To end our meal, we went for the creamy and gooey “cinnamony” cinnamon roll. It is a must try item.
⛪️ First Bank Catholic Church. I stumbled on this my first day! It is the cutest little historic church that only holds mass one day a month. They have a beautiful garden with a Virgin Mary concrete statue.
⛪️ First Presbyterian. I was told this historic church’s ceiling was a bowed ship hull, fitting St. Marys and Cumberland were stripped of their Oak during the war of 1812 to make ships. The grounds and churches are both beautiful as well.
🐎 Cumberland Island National Seashore Museum. Before you go to Cumberland Island, learn everything about the history of the island here! This free museum has everything from the tribes that originally lived on the island to the first African church to Lucy Carnegie and the War of 1812.
🍸It’s dinner time at Captain Seagle’s! A local, casual seafood spot with craft cocktails and the cutest speakeasy bar. I really enjoyed the staff at the saloon out back, as well. That is a great drink spot.
I started the dining experience with gin and vermouth martini with lemon is just perfect, boozy, smooth, lemon. And the staff (all of them) recommended the Fried Green tomatoes. I’m so glad they did, they are everything! They are crunchy and tart, perfectly cooked, delicious spicy and creamy herbed ranch. Some of the best I’ve had in a while! For dinner, John got the teriyaki chicken wings are tender and large, meaty, well-seasoned, great savory and sweet sauce. I got the Redfish blackened. It is tender and flaky, mild fish with a spiced blackened rub and served with crunchy and rich fried squash.
