Although summer has just ended, it’s never too soon to start thinking about your next getaway. Instead of visiting the usual popular destinations like Nantucket or the Hamptons, consider exploring a quaint southern beach town that combines luxury accommodations with local allure.

St Simons Island off the Georgia coast was named this year’s number one underrated travel destination by US News and World Report. 

The island features dune-lined sandy beaches, maritime forests, and a quaint downtown. 

Travel and Leisure branded the destination a ‘classic beach town with five-star amenities’. 

Pam Brand, who calls St Simons home and authors the travel blog Discovering Coastal Georgia alongside her daughter, shared with Daily Mail that the island is great for families and brimming with vacation facilities.

When asked why St Simons is often overlooked, Brand explained: ‘It’s probably because it offers that genuine small-town atmosphere—a welcoming and interactive community—along with vacation-friendly amenities.’

She said the island was beautiful, with live oak trees covered in Spanish moss, marshes, and beaches galore. 

Jay Markwalter, Georgia’s Deputy Commissioner of Tourism, mentioned to Daily Mail that St Simons is ideally situated between Savannah and Jacksonville along the Atlantic coast.

‘Visitors can relax on the island’s pristine beaches, venture along 20 miles of bike trails and step back in time at historic sites,’ he said.

Markwalter highlighted Pier Village, known for its unique local shops, and noted the appeal of Little St Simons Island, an all-inclusive eco-lodge renowned for its untouched beaches and diverse wildlife.

Trisha Cook, a local real estate agent, echoed the sentiment of its charm, telling Travel and Leisure: ‘St Simons Island offers the perfect blend of small-town appeal, mouthwatering fresh seafood, and stunning coastal scenery.’

‘The quaint little town has great historic landmarks, oak trees, famous hotels, and gorgeous beaches.’

St Simons massive oak trees are famous for their carvings of whimsical faces known as the Island Tree Spirits.  

Fort Frederica National Monument preserves the archaeological remnants of a fort and town from the early 18th century. 

The small colonial site marked land between British South Carolina and Spanish Florida, before it became a recognized state. 

Visitors interested in history can also check out the Lighthouse Museum and climb the 129 steps to take in the views of the island. 

‘It is the kind of coastal community, sequestered on just a 18-square-mile barrier island, that feels like a calming breath of salt-tinged air for most of the year and lively at others,’ wrote Kaitlyn Yarborough for Southern Living. 

Yarborough shared that she started visiting the island as a child, and continued through her college years, where she’d stay during the annual Georgia-Florida game weekend. 

As an adult, she said the island has a different appeal, allowing her to appreciate the local community and enjoy the businesses in the area. 

There are a slew of dining options on St Simons Island. Brand recommends Sweet Mama’s for their signature pork pops or Dulce Dough for homemade doughnuts. 

She suggested Cafe Frederica and Palmer’s Village Cafe as go-to restaurants and Catch 228 for Oysters. 

For those wanting a late-night drink, Brand recommended Murphy’s, Castaways, and The Tree Bar at Bennie’s Red Barn. 

‘For outdoor lovers – bike the many miles of trails, hike the Cannon’s Point Preserve trail, go crabbing on the pier in the village, go to the beach, play golf, fish,’ Brand added.

Discovering Coastal Georgia features a variety of budget-friendly accommodations for those looking to make the trip, including Queens Court Inn, Hampton Inn and Epworth by the Sea. Prices for Queen’s Court Inn hotel rooms on weekends this month start at $199.

Epworth is a conference center owned by the United Methodist Church, but anyone is welcome to stay there. 

The Lovely Lane Chapel on Epworth’s grounds is often chosen as a picturesque wedding venue.