Exploring Darien GA: Things to do in this Georgia hidden gem

Recently updated on March 7th, 2025

We’ve visited and lived on the Georgia coast our whole lives, and Darien holds a special place in our heart. This small town sits right between Savannah and Brunswick, and while many people just drive past it on I-95, those who stop discover one of coastal Georgia’s true treasures.

From amazing seafood to beautiful marshes and rich history, check out why Darien GA is worth a stop on your trip up or down the coast of Georgia.

A Brief History

Darien was founded in 1736, making it the second-oldest planned city in Georgia. The town started as a Scottish settlement, and you can still feel that heritage today.

You don’t have to look far to see the town’s history – it’s right there in the buildings around you. Take a walk through Vernon Square, which has been the heart of town since those first Scottish settlers laid it out.

Along the waterfront, you can still see the tabby ruins of old warehouses, their oyster shell walls a reminder of the town’s bustling past.

St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church rises above the oak trees, rebuilt in 1876 after the Civil War took its toll.

And just outside town, you can explore Fort King George, the oldest English fort in Georgia, where wooden buildings have been reconstructed on foundations from 1721.

While it’s changed a lot since then, Darien has always been tied to the water. From its early days as a colonial port to today’s shrimping industry, the water has shaped everything about this town.

Where to Stay

You’ll find several great places to rest your head in and around Darien.

Darien’s newest gem is Oaks on the River, a luxury boutique hotel that opened in 2021 overlooking the Darien River. It’s right on the Darien River, with just 16 rooms that all come with private balconies to soak in those water views. The restaurant downstairs is worth a visit even if you’re not staying here – the food is fantastic and the sunset views make everything taste even better.

Learn more about Oaks on the River here.

Want something with a bit more local flavor? The historic district has some lovely bed and breakfasts tucked into restored old homes. You’ll get a proper Southern breakfast each morning, and the owners usually have great stories and insider tips about the best spots in town.

For longer stays or if you’re traveling with family, vacation rentals might be your best bet. You can find everything from cute river cottages to bigger homes that’ll fit the whole crew. Plus, having your own kitchen means you can cook up the fresh shrimp you bought down at the docks.

If you’re just passing through, there are some chain hotels by I-95. But if you can, try to stay closer to the historic waterfront – it’s worth it to be able to walk to dinner and watch those Georgia coast sunsets.

Want to make it a longer coastal Georgia trip? St. Simons Island is just a short drive away, with even more places to stay, from beachfront resorts to cozy island cottages.

Things to Do in Darien GA

Fort King George Historic Site

If you love history, you need to see Fort King George. It’s the oldest English fort left on Georgia’s coast, and they’ve done an amazing job rebuilding it to show what life was like in colonial times.

The fort sits right on the water, and the views of the marsh are incredible.

You can visit Fort King Georgia State Historic Site Tuesdays-Sundays from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.

Boat Tours

One of my favorite things to do in Darien is get out on the water. We have one of the world’s largest estuarine systems right here, and there’s nothing like seeing it up close. You might spot dolphins playing in the water, birds diving for fish, or even a manatee if you’re lucky.

Georgia Tidewater Outfitters, located right in downtown Darien, offers a variety of tours from winetasting to nature tours and private charters. They’ll even take you on a private beach trip to the south end of Sapelo Island!

Captain Gabby is another great option in Darien. Aboard this converted shrimp boat, you can take multi-day tours that include meals, kayak trips, and more!

Sapelo Island

Sapelo Island is really special – you can only get there by ferry from Darien, and that’s part of what keeps it so pristine. The beaches are beautiful and usually empty, and the historic Reynolds Mansion is fascinating.

But what makes Sapelo truly unique is the Hog Hammock community, where Gullah-Geechee culture is still alive and well. If you want to visit, you’ll need to plan ahead since the ferry schedule is limited.

The ferry and tour schedule can change depending on the season, so be sure to check out the most updated information here.

Local Seafood

If there’s one thing Darien does better than anywhere else, it’s seafood. With shrimp boats pulling right up to the docks, you know it doesn’t get any fresher than this.

Check out our full article about the best restaurants in Darien GA

Here are some local favorites for seafood:

• Skipper’s Fish Camp sits right on the Darien River, where you can watch shrimp boats dock while you eat. Keep an eye out for The Gravedigger, a picturesque shrimp boat that often ties up out back. The views are amazing, but it’s the fresh seafood that keeps people coming back.
• Mudcat Charlie’s, just a few miles south of town, serves up wild Georgia shrimp in a casual riverside setting. It’s classic coastal Georgia cooking done right, with the Altamaha River as your dining backdrop.
• B&J’s Steaks & Seafood might not look fancy from the outside (it’s in an old tabby building), but locals swear it’s some of the best seafood around. Their Friday and Saturday night seafood buffet is legendary.

Historic Downtown

Downtown Darien is small but charming. I love walking around early in the morning when everything is quiet and the huge live oaks are casting shadows on the historic buildings. The waterfront park is a great place to sit and watch the shrimp boats come in.

Local Events

Blessing of the Fleet

Every spring, we celebrate our shrimping heritage with the Blessing of the Fleet. The whole town comes out for this 3-day festival to watch the decorated shrimp boats parade down the river. There’s always great food, live music, and a real sense of community. It’s probably my favorite time of year in Darien.

Here’s what you can look forward to each year:

• Shrimp Boat Blessing
• Marine Parade
• Live Music
• Art and Crafts Fair
• Food and Drinks
• Family Fishing Event
• Classic Car Show
• Children’s Activities

The towns of Brunswick and Thunderbolt also have a blessing of the fleet festival. Whether you find yourself in Darien or one of these two areas you can get all the details about a coastal Georgia style Blessing of the Fleet in this article.

Darien Fall Fest

Fall Fest brings everyone together for a weekend of fun. Local artists set up stands, there’s always great music, and you can try all kinds of local food. It’s a perfect time to visit if you want to get a real feel for our community.

Outdoor Activities

The natural beauty around Darien makes it perfect for outdoor activities. You can rent a kayak and paddle through the marsh creeks, go fishing with one of our local guides, or just find a quiet spot for birdwatching. Some of my favorite mornings are spent just walking the nature trails with my camera.

Boating, Kayaking, and Canoeing

The Altamaha River BioReserve is one of “The World’s Last Great Places,” and it’s easy to see why. This wilderness wonderland is home to bottlenose dolphins, manatees, otters, alligators, deer, mink, eagles, osprey, and thousands of seabirds.

You can paddle through blackwater swamps dotted with cypress knees and old-growth forests, or camp on deserted islands with white-sand beaches.

Whether you want a half-day escape or a multi-day adventure, the semi-tropical Georgia coast offers year-round opportunities to explore. Altamaha Coastal Tours offers guided kayak and canoe tours as well as rentals if you want to head out on your own.

Fishing & Hunting

Ruff’s Custom Coastal Adventures is who you want if you’re trying to plan a fishing trip in Darien GA! Whether you’re an experienced angler or want to plan a memorable day for the kids, they’ve got you covered.

Ruff’s also offers hunting trips that are perfect for families – whether you’re interested in hunting hogs, turkeys, or gators, they’ll make sure you have a safe and enjoyable experience.

Bird Watching

Bird nerds, this one’s for you – Darien sits right on Georgia’s Colonial Coast Birding Trail, and it’s a gold mine for spotting all kinds of feathered friends. The old Butler Island rice plantation, just three minutes from downtown, is now a waterfowl management area where you can spot everything from wood storks to bald eagles.

The best show happens in fall and winter when you might catch sight of raptors soaring overhead or waterfowl hanging out in the old rice fields. Keep your eyes peeled for some of our local celebrities: swallow-tailed kites, painted buntings (they’re as colorful as they sound), and white ibis.

Insider tip: The trails around Hofwyl-Broadfield Plantation are great for spotting ospreys and warblers.

Want to make the most of your birding adventure? Bring binoculars and hit the trails early in the morning – that’s when the birds are most active. And don’t forget to swing by the visitor center for maps and local tips.

Old City Jail Art Center

One of Darien’s coolest spots is hiding in plain sight – the Old City Jail Art Center. Built in 1888 as the McIntosh County Jail, this historic building kept watch over the town until 2002. But instead of letting it sit empty, the community transformed it into something special.

Today, the old jail cells house a local history museum, and the rest of the building has become a vibrant art center with six galleries showcasing work from the area’s surprisingly large artist community. You can browse (and buy!) local art, take classes, or just wander through the outdoor garden. The exhibits change every few months, so there’s always something new to see.

The building pulls double duty as Darien’s Welcome Center, so it’s a perfect first stop when you get to town. The volunteers can point you toward the best restaurants, help you find a place to stay, and share their insider tips about what to see and do.

Ashantilly Center

Ever wondered what life was like on Georgia’s coast in the 1800s? “Old Tabby,” as locals call the Ashantilly Center, has quite a story to tell. The original home was built around 1820 for Thomas Spalding, a prominent planter and legislator who owned much of McIntosh County. Though that building was lost to fire in 1937, what stands today has its own fascinating history.

The current Ashantilly Center exists thanks to William G. Haynes Jr., an artist and environmentalist with a passion for preserving coastal Georgia’s heritage. He spent years working on the house, and today it continues his vision as a cultural center where history meets art.

Haynes was also known for his beautiful letterpress printing (The Ashantilly Press), and that creative spirit lives on in the workshops and events still held here.

Tabby House Brewing Co.

For a perfect end to your day in Darien, head to Tabby House Brewing Company. Housed in the historic Adam Strain Building (circa 1815), this isn’t your average brewery. The building itself is a survivor – it’s one of the last intact tabby structures on the coast and one of only two buildings that made it through the Civil War’s burning of Darien.

The brewery honors this history while creating new memories. Look for the window in the floor near the counter where you can peek at the original tabby foundation underneath – it’s a building technique brought over by enslaved people from Africa and later used throughout coastal Georgia.

Insider Tip: Soon, you’ll be able to learn even more when the Coastal Georgia Museum opens upstairs.

But what really makes this place special is how it brings everything together – phenomenal craft beers, delicious food (don’t miss those flatbreads or the roast beef sandwich!), and one of the best views in town from their riverfront patio.

After sitting empty for years and landing on Georgia’s “Places in Peril” list in 2008, this historic building has found new life as something rare – a place that celebrates both Darien’s past and its future.

Helpful Tips for Your Visit

Best Times to Visit

• Spring and fall have the nicest weather
• Early morning is best for seeing wildlife
• Weekends are busier but have more dining options
• Local festivals can make your visit extra special

Getting Around

• You’ll need a car to see everything
• Downtown is easy to walk
• Book boat tours ahead of time
• Remember the Sapelo ferry runs on a limited schedule

Before You Go…

Don’t miss these other great articles about Darien and the surrounding area:

• Darien Ga Restaurants (2025)
• 15 Must-Visit Barrier Islands Off the Coast of Georgia
• Seafood Restaurants in Brunswick Ga – 2025
• Georgia Beach Camping: Where to Pitch Your Tent by the Sea
• Fun Things to Do in Brunswick, Ga – 2025