Food and Restaurants, Local Community, Recipes, Things To Do

The Ultimate Guide to Your St. Simons Girls’ Trip

September 23, 2024

While St. Simons Island is a premier vacation destination for families, couples, and solo travelers, it’s also an excellent spot for girls’ trips! Nestled along Georgia’s coast, this picturesque destination offers the perfect escape to share with your closest friends. From sipping cocktails to browsing boutiques to savoring local cuisine, here’s what you need to know for an unforgettable getaway with your girlfriends to St. Simons!

How to Get Here

Getting to the St. Simons and the Golden Isles is easy, whether traveling by car, plane, or boat! Our travel guide is an excellent resource for accessing this beautiful vacation destination.

When to Visit

St. Simons Island is known for its temperate, mild weather, making it the perfect destination for a girls’ trip any time of year. July and August see the warmest temps, while winter brings cooler weather and fewer crowds. Longer daylight hours and warm nights in the spring and summer offer an exciting atmosphere that’s hard to resist! For current conditions, check out the local webcams.

Getting Around the Island

Once on the island, you’ll want quick and easy access to all the fun things to do! Here are a few ways to get around:

Bike on St. Simons Island

St. Simons Island is home to well-maintained bike trails offering scenic views at every turn. The St. Simons Island Trail System spans over 30 miles and connects places of interest. Check out this user-friendly bike map to start your adventure!

Cruise in a Golf Cart

Many local companies rent four and six-seater golf carts with gas and electric options, making it easy to get around on your St. Simons girls’ trip. Before heading out, reference the low-speed vehicle laws and acceptable areas of operation, and be aware that many condo complexes prohibit charging in the community and parking garages.

While Coast to Coast offers 8-seater options, Lux Karts and Seaside Carts feature online reservations and delivery options. Take it up a notch with a posh ride from Moke, and you’ll be cruising in style!

Fun Things To Do

Here are a few of our favorite things to do on your girls’ getaway!

Enjoy a cocktail with your girlfriends while exploring the island on a 90-minute trolley tour. Knowledgeable guides offer a glimpse into the island’s rich history, including stops at St. Simons Lighthouse, one of three working lighthouses in Georgia, and Fort Frederica, a historic fort built in 1736. Coastal Tide Excursions offers waterway tours on the Lady Jane, a refurbished shrimp boat. Each trawl brings in a new catch, and it’s a fun way to learn about the local marine life while spending time on the water with your besties in the Golden Isles.

Afterward, hit Frosty’s, a quirky shake and burger shack that pays homage to all things nostalgic about beach life. Need something a little heartier? Porch merges Nashville hot chicken and the beach in the heart of S. Simons Village. Sip your beverage of choice, play a little cornhole, then challenge your friends to a round of giant Connect Four!

Shopping Galore

Shopping with girlfriends in St. Simons is a delightful experience, conveniently broken into a few areas:

Redfern Village

Keep it casual and browse the locally owned specialty shops at Redfern Village. Two Friends offers the best of all worlds, including clothes, jewelry, and accessories. Double the fun at The Bubble Bar, a fun wine and champagne bar inside the boutique. Take advantage of one of their scheduled tasting evenings or even host a private event in the stunning space that includes an outdoor patio!

Pier Village:

Pier Village, the hub of the island vacation scene, is a shopper’s dream, with over a dozen eateries and shops galore! Island Dog has everything your pooch needs to live their best life, including stylish collars, leashes, healthy treats, and toys. Swing by Palm Coast for coffee and delicious handmade desserts, and hit Ocean Motion for all your beach needs!

Shops at Sea Island:

The Shops at Sea Island offers the brand names you crave for your St. Simons girls’ trip. Don’t miss Tibi, on the northside of Sea Island Road. Shackleford has the most on-trend women’s footwear on the island and fun accessories, too. Need to pick up something special for the gentleman in your life? Try Planter’s Exchange!

Spa Day Anyone?

On your St. Simons girls’ trip, you’ll find several day spas for some much-needed pampering. Island Day Spa is known for facials and body treatments that leave skin glowing. Need a new set of lashes? B. Lush Salon and Spa can offer that and more, including haircuts, color, and extensions. Of course, if you’d prefer to relax in your gorgeous vacation rental, Massage Guru will happily come to you!

Hit the Beach

The goal of any St. Simons girls’ trip should always include relaxation. There’s no better way than to spend time on the beaches of Saint Simons and Jekyll Island. Whether strolling along the coast, looking for seashells, or taking a dip, a day on a sun-drenched beach in the Golden Isles is always a good idea!

Maximize your beach day by booking with Hodnett Cooper, with beach gear included! Thanks to our partnership with VayK Life, a premium beach service, guests staying at participating properties can enjoy complimentary beach gear rentals. Simply confirm your reservation at a qualifying Hodnett Cooper property for 2 to 14 nights, arriving between March and October, and receive a daily credit towards beach gear during your stay. Whether you need bicycles, chairs, umbrellas, beach carts, boogie boards, coolers, or even cornhole, the choice is yours!

Dinner and Drinks

St. Simons Island offers dozens of Instagramable eateries serving mouthwatering dishes in stunning settings. Make a reservation beforehand, as many of these hotspots fill up fast!

Dorthy’s Cocktail and Oyster Bar – for delectable cuisine, a stunning raw bar, a stylish atmosphere, and an inventive cocktail menu sure to wow!

Woodside – for a farm-to-table menu, rotating nightly, featuring unique flavor combinations and the freshest ingredients. Expect impeccable service in this impossibly chic eatery, whether in the dining room, patio, or bar. Seating is limited, so book this one early!

The Nest – for your new favorite place to meet up and wind down for drinks and shareables. Located near the Pier Village and with indoor, outdoor, or bar seating, the eclectic tunes from the massive vinyl collection make this a standout!

Southern Soul BBQ – for oak-fired, slow-smoked barbecue and all things delicious. The Soul Rolls (BBQ Eggrolls), pimento cheese, and fried green beans may be why Food Network, Garden and Gun, and Southern Living have all featured this popular smokehouse.

Coastal Kitchen – for incredible views of the marina, delicious seafood, and a lively atmosphere destined to kick off your St. Simons girls’ trip! Stop by for a cocktail, stroll on the dock, and enjoy a beautiful coastal Georgia sunset.

Nightlife

If you still have some gas left in your tank after a full day of play, check out our guide to St. Simons nightlife and hit the local hotspots to enjoy live music on the Golden Isles.

Where to Stay

With over 300 beautiful beach homes and condos available for short weekend trips or weeklong stays, you’ll have no problem finding the perfect place to stay for your next girls’ trip with Hodnett Cooper Vacation Rentals. Book your girls’ trip to St. Simons today!