There are also seasonal kayak and canoe rentals available at Fort King George. TOUR DETAILS: because Sapelo Island is protected, visiting means taking the ferry (25 minute crossing) and then doing a guided bus tour of the island and its sights. Halfway between Jacksonville, FL and Savannah, GA. These medium and long distance intercity services operate at speeds of up to 240km/h, to more than 500 destinations. You will need to get into Savannah and then park your car and so on. Ultimately though, the fastest way to start your Georgia Coast road trip is by flying into Savannah or Jacksonville, FL. You do get to get on and off the bus but its limited to approved areas. We visit as many lighthouses as we can. If so, go 20 minutes out from Beaufort to the Penn Center on St Helena Island. Also, the island is super flat which is perfect for biking. The Horton House on Jekyll Island is an example of that. The top stops along the way from Savannah to St. Augustine (with short detours) are The Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist, Tybee Island, and Fort Clinch State Park. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. The drive from Atlanta to Savannah will have you aching for a day at the ocean, so continue just a half hour past the city for the first beach stop on the Georgia coast. Grab some lunch and then make your way to the Georgia Sea Turtle Center. Seriously, that pass pays for itself in a few days. Theres no shortage of the fascinating historical architecture typical of the South, as well as museums and world-class galleries lining the Savannah Riverfront. When youre doing a Georgia Coast road trip, youre driving through the low country. A low country boil is a combination of local seafoods and corn, served as a basket or platter. Read more about traveling to and from Savannah by bus, Savannah events Pay by the hour for unlimited play. The Jacksonville metropolitan area has a population of 1,523,615 and is the fourth largest metropolitan area in Florida. This will make it both fun and easy to get around. Here youll find several nice beach parks, from the south end at St Andrews Beach to the super cool Driftwood Beach. Our inn is one of the best places to stay downtown and for good reasons. There is so much to do and relaxing around the islands is so easy. Be sure to read the historic plaques on buildings and the captions on statues. If you can get them with jalapeos in them and served with honey butter then youve really hit to Georgia eats jackpot! I'd like to see that kind of thing as well (I'm travelling from the UK). If youve seen Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil the Bonaventure Cemetery will look very familiar. I'm coming from FL passing through Jacksonville with Savannah being the main destination in Georgia to see before probably carrying on up to SC. Visiting with kids is fun and one of the most educational fort sites weve visited. The station connects with public bus services and the Jacksonville Skyway monorail. Micanopy, FL Our last stop on this fun road trip is actually 20 minutes past Gainesville, but it's worth driving a little bit longerbelieve us. The Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort & Spa offers visitors 99 holes of championship golf and access to the resort's Cabana Club with oceanfront views and signature dining at 619 Ocean View restaurant. Read on, take notes, and make your trip to Gainesville the most exciting it can be. Do you like biscuits? How do I plan for a visit on St. Patrick's Day? The last delicious Georgia food to watch for is roasted pecans, candied or as pralines. Try this: walk up Bull Street beginning at East Bay Street, just up from the Riverfront. Greyhound carries around 18 million passengers a year who travel 5.4 billion miles (8.6 billion km) a year on their fleet of around 1700 vehicles. Personal & Social Event Venue in Gainesville. The St Simons Island Lighthouse is a great one for getting a slice of history and a beautiful view. Train travel between Jacksonville and Savannah is between the following locations: Jacksonville Amtrak station at 3570 Clifford Lane, Jacksonville, FL 32209, 5 miles from downtown Jacksonville (see on map). Hop back on again to resume the tour. Locals and visitors usually head to Coligny Beach, where you can rent bikes, play volleyball or simply relax at one of the many beachfront bars. Get up-to-date sailing and fare information for the Cumberland Island Ferry here! Both of these forts are Georgia State Historic Sites so are covered by the pass. Drive to nearby Brewery Ruins Horton-duBignon, the oldest standing tabby structure in Georgia. The road distance is 141.1 miles. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-26134250', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Georgia parks system and is off exit 42 on I-95. How about you download our free Vacation Guide to find out? You can even have a picnic there and snap a cute picture for your Instagram. End the day with an arrival at your Golden Isles hotel or vacation rental. Wandering through the many galleries and over drawbridges, youll feel as though youve stepped back in time. Savannah to Jacksonville FL bus services, operated by Greyhound USA, depart from Savannah station. As you continue on your Georgia Coast road trip, hit up Tybee Island for its unique lighthouse (its not round, but its shape is an octagon), relaxed vacation vibe and beautiful beaches. For a bit of local flavor, grab breakfast at The Pantry, Hibiscus Caf or McCormicks. Report inappropriate content Bbqman3341 Gainesville, Georgia Ticket fares are divided into five subclasses: Saver, Value, Flexible, Business and Premium. A tour of at least one or two of Savannahs impressive collection of beautifully restored homes open to the public as house museums is a must. When were looking for restaurants, we look for local options that have fresh cooking and characterize the area. Trusted Tours Travel Blog You cant do a Georgia Coast road trip if your car gets towed away. Due to the warm climate, visiting Coastal Georgia in fall means that youll have pretty nice weather still with pleasantly warm beaches. Jacksonville is one of the last stops on the highway before crossing into Georgia. Biking on St Simons Island is really fun and with great bike paths, its easy to do. Availability and price of services may change at short notice. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-105180118', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Savannah, take a day trip up to Beaufort SC, the second oldest city in SC, with shopping, good eating, carriage rides and history. This is popular in Florida too, but in Georgia for some reason it tends to run spicier. The Jacksonville metropolitan area has a population of 1,523,615 and is the fourth largest metropolitan area in Florida. http://georgiagolf.org/Hofwyl. If it is the airport, that is north of town so you will have a good start. We created this tool to share some of our favorite local recommendations with you, including restaurants, shops, museums, events, outdoor activities, and more. You could also go via I-20 through Augusta, GA, which would give you lots of interesting Civil War sites to visit. 625 E. University Avenue Visiting the Georgia Sea Turtle Center on Jekyll Island is a must for both learning and seeing turtles up close. Where to Go Georgia's Coast has it all, from miles of shoreline and windswept dunes to historic ports and towns. You can then head up to Savannah on I-95 and be there by lunch. Savannah events by month: January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December What Are the Most Instagrammable Spots in Gainesville, FL? A lot of people ask us about living in the South and how to get the best of both beaches and history. A tour of at least one or two of Savannah's impressive collection of beautifully restored homes open to the public as house museums is a must. Its easy to get your bearings. Categories Georgia, Southeastern US, United States, Yellowstone National Park Tips & Hacks You Need to Know, Review of Hotel Laureate Key West: Family Suites in the Florida Keys. Savor Savannah Tour is for avid foodies interested in Savannahs savory culinary scene. Published by Trusted Tours Guide at under Savannah. There's plenty to do, including going to the beach and walking on the pier, having lunch at one of the many downtown restaurants, and even visiting the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens! Jekyll Island has an entry gate, so the earlier you head to the Island the better. ), each more beautiful than the last. Augustine, Travel between Jacksonville Flordia Airport and Savannah, GA. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-105179044', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Georgia next summer. A discount of around $15 off the round trip price is often available on tickets purchased more than two weeks ahead of travel. Found in the renovated old riverside powerplant, the JW Marriott is full of art, gems and fossils on display for the public. Peaches. If youre planning a trip to the Georgia Coast, no doubt youll spend time here in the Hostess City of the South, and you WILL end up at []. Of course summer is the best time to do a road trip on the Georgia Coast, but fall is really perfect. Seemingly similar to the laidback sprawl of low-rise 1980s California seafront neighborhoods, Tybee is a typical beach town, populated by single story buildings and a wonderful atmosphere. Locals enjoy grabbing a bite to eat here and watching the sun go down. Another detour that might be interesting would be to wind your way over to A1A and take the Mayport Ferry across and continue on A1A to Fernandina Beach. Read on, take notes, and make your trip to Gainesville the most exciting it can be. A Tanger Outlets is also located in Pooler, GA, right outside Savannah. Need help booking travel? In this blog, well tell you about four fun and often forgotten stops you should make to spice up your journey. This leaves you time to make stops along the way and turn the journey into a fun adventure. The top stops along the way from Savannah to Jacksonville (with short detours) are The Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist, Tybee Island, and Fort Clinch State Park. Amazing, large amethyst geodes and dinosaur fossils are all around. The St Augustine Lighthouse has 219 steps, so this one is pretty easy in comparison. Minimum travel time is more than 3 hours (connecting in Charlotte, NC or Atlanta), and flights will usually cost several hundred dollars. It s home to the Fort Pulaski National Monument the setting of some pivotal turning points during the war. Lake Mayer can be fun. Youll find that there are so many great places to eat in Savannah; youll want to eat your way around the city. Just outside of downtown Savannah on the way to Tybee Island is Old Fort Jackson. This leaves you time to make stops along the way and turn the journey into a fun adventure. Savannah really is a highlight, if not THE highlight of a Georgia Coast road trip. Do I have to wear a face mask on public transport in Jacksonville FL? Filled with useful and timely travel information, the guides answer all the hard questions - such as 'How do I buy a ticket? Brunswick, Georgia is a beautiful town complete with public squares, parks and fountain. No?! Living in Florida, we have a pretty far walk out to the bigger waves for body surfing and boogie boarding. Copyright 2023 2TravelDads, St Augustine FL, Flying to Jacksonville, Florida for a Georgia Coast Road Trip. The rural community is characterized by gorgeous restored cottages and extravagant homes lining the streets. You can even spot shells that have been stuck deep in the walls since the 1800s. Greyhound USA operates a bus from Savannah to Jacksonville once daily. Another extraordinarily close destination a mere 10 miles from downtown Savannah is the wonderfully quaint community of Isle of Hope. Friendship Fountain is a large fountain in Jacksonville, Florida. Its a marvelous place to hike or spot some wildlife. Save this link to stay updated on COVID-19 restrictions, If you need help, visit the national COVID-19 website or call the COVID-19 Helpline 800-232-4636. Taxi and limited bus services are available to and from the station. Cheapest way from Savannah airport to Historic District? End the day back in town visiting the galleries of the JW Marriott Plant Riverside and then a rooftop dinner or drinks. Its a pretty interesting drive but you would need to know the ferry schedule. Our friend and trusted travel planner Jenn can help! To go straight to Savannah to begin sightseeing as tours and attractions in the historic district begin open, take the shorter, 2-hour drive up I-95. Comfy shoes are a must. The closest zip code to the midpoint is 31520. Never again! Wildlife education, and in particular sea turtles, needs to be a part of visiting the Georgia beaches. Savannahs Historic District Take the loop around for an overview, or hop off at any one of the 15 stops along the route to explore. We really enjoyed how unique this pre-Civil War era fort is and the musket and cannon demonstrations were great. Take a selfie at the iconic fountain. This trip is just a two-hour drive along U.S. Route 17 and I-95. I love doing the Georgia waterfalls road trip and doing the many hikes in gold country, but if your goal is having a Georgia beach vacation, you may want to skip it. You can go two different ways: the scenic route through North Georgia or the main freeway. So heres what Imma do: tell you some great things to watch for and then give you my picks for places weve enjoyed on the Georgia coast across our many road trips. Have fun, drive safely, and make this plan fit with whatever YOUR travel style is! The biggest and most well maintained spirit tree is the large mermaid named Cora by the visitor center. Also, there are paid parking lots and street-side parking, so check the posted signs before leaving your vehicle. Get my book, The Road Trip Survival Guide, to help create a memorable vacation! Something fun thats popular, and we have them in our hometown of Saint Augustine, is ghost tours. Jekyll Island has 10 miles of shoreline and beaches to suit everyone. See our full guide to the Best Things To Do in Savannah! Rome2rios guide on the bus operator has all the information you need, Rome2rio has everything you need to know about travelling with Amtrak. Mmmm. On July 25, 2014, EverBank made a $43 million deal to keep the name for ten more years, to end in 2024. In this blog, well tell you about four fun and often forgotten stops you should make to spice up your journey. Centers for Disease control and prevention (CDC), Historic Luxury Home - Casa Grace (Highly Recommended), Hilton Garden Inn Jacksonville Downtown Southbank, Savannah to Marriott s Barony Beach Club Hilton Head Island, Savannah to The Pearl Hotel Rosemary Beach FL USA, Lexington Station KY USA to Jacksonville FL, There is a social distancing requirement of 2 metres. & Main St. eb via JRTC Bay D. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 3h 34m. This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. Traditionalist should visit Telfair Academy off Telfair Square, where two 19th century period rooms and a collection of 20th century American and European art are exhibited in a an exquisite 1819 neoclassical Regency style mansion. Have you ever done a Georgia Coast road trip? Rise and shine and head to Old Fort Jackson before its too hot out. Read more about getting to Savannahs train station. The regular train fare between Jacksonville and Savannah is around $35 each way ($70 round trip). Videos featuring 2TravelDads webisodes, TV, promos and more! Explore here the many communities, each with a distinct personality and attractions, that make up our coastal region. Founded in 1971, it is based in Washington, D.C. and offers four classes of travel: First Class, Sleeper, Business and Coach. Show only these on map 1 E River St On 48 lists Notable street Sights & Landmarks Covering 21,000 route miles (34,000km) Amtrak operates more than 300 trains daily. What its most famous for is the mile and a half live oak tree tunnel. The island is only 20 minutes from Savannah and attracts friendly visitors and locals alike to its beaches and dunes, particularly in the summer months. Make yourself known to an official member of staff and/or call the national coronavirus helpline number on 800-232-4636. Before you hop on US-301, spend some time in the city! Beaches near Savannah Gainesville vs. Jacksonville: Which Ones the Best for You? This is the perfect place to inspire kids to develop a love of nature and an understanding of human impact. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. The drive between Jacksonville and Savannah is around 140 miles, a little over 2 hours in good traffic. Gainesville, Florida 32601. Its a part of the Georgia State Parks and Historic Sites (get the annual pass). From Tybee Island to the Florida-Georgia border youll find British colonial history, Civil War history, the Underground Railroad, prohibition and more. We're working around the clock to bring you the latest COVID-19 travel updates.This information is compiled from official sources. The top stops along the way from Savannah to Nashville (with short detours) are Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca-Cola, and Stone Mountain Park. Highlights are the pristine Georgia beaches you can swim and beachcomb at, the ruins of the Dungeness Mansion and the wild horses. That is a day trip but worth it, lots of alligators all over and a walking trail with otters and a black bear and several other animals, also a long boardwalk thing through the swamp with a tall observation tower at the end. ), each more beautiful than the last. Commonly served on a hoagie in the style of a poboy, blackened fish tends to be whatever the local catch is, rubbed with lots of herbs and seasonings and then grilled or sauted up. Historical and nature tours of Savannah and vicinity. ; Fort Pulaski National Monument (Tybee Island, 15 miles) - Well-preserved brick fort, site of . Its not too tall, at just 104 feet (129 steps). Small pets in carriers welcome, fee applies. Here is a plan for 6 days of Georgia beaches and historic sites. Tip: use your America the Beautiful National Park Pass here! For some of the most beautiful beaches along the east coast, take the relatively short drive down to Jacksonville, Florida; in two hours you can be strolling past palm trees through fine white sand. Drive to St. Marys, where youll find the ferry to take you to this gorgeous stretch of land along the ocean. The Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens, located in Jacksonville, Florida, sits at the mouth of the Trout River. The Riverside District was the center of the cotton trade in the 1800s, so there is a lot of history, including both the slave trade AND the Underground Railroad. Follow A1A into the FB historic district. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Winter on the Georgia coast is wet. The journey consists of 36, 72 and 100-mile routes traversing some of the country's most breathtaking beaches . 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