Most people drive straight through Brunswick on their way to St. Simons or Jekyll Island. We think that’s a mistake. Brunswick is a historic port city of about 15,000 people, with a walkable downtown laid out like Savannah’s, shrimp boats on the river, and marsh views that inspired one of Georgia’s most famous poems. It’s also the most affordable and central place to stay in the Golden Isles.
We live here, and this is our list of the best things to do in Brunswick, GA, along with the case for making it your home base.
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New to the area? Our Complete Guide to Brunswick gives all the details you need.
Is Brunswick, GA Worth Visiting?
Yes, especially if you want the Golden Isles without island prices. Here’s why we send friends here first.
- It’s central. St. Simons Island and Jekyll Island are each about 20 minutes away. Darien is a short drive north, and Savannah and Jacksonville are both close enough for a day trip.
- It’s affordable. Hotels and vacation rentals in Brunswick usually cost less than comparable stays on the islands, which leaves more room in the budget for boat tours and seafood dinners.
- The downtown is the real thing. Brunswick has 14 historic squares, a restored opera house, a rum distillery, a brewery, a new bookstore, and a growing list of locally owned restaurants and shops. You can park once and spend the day on foot.
- You get the marsh and the shrimp boats. This is a working waterfront with a shrimping history that goes back generations. You’ll see it, taste it, and even ride on it.
Things to Do in Downtown Brunswick
Walk the historic squares
You may know the squares in Savannah, but Brunswick has 14 of its own in the Old Town Historic District. The streets are lined with live oaks and Victorian homes, and the waterfront is only a few blocks away.
For the stories behind the buildings, book with Brunswick Old Town Tours. They offer guided bicycle and walking tours, and we loved our walking tour. The bike tours are for adults, so families with younger kids should choose the walking option.
See the Historic Ritz Theatre and the art scene
The Ritz on Newcastle Street started life as a grand opera house. My husband remembers walking there to see movies from his grandmother’s house. Today it’s beautifully restored and hosts plays, concerts, and gallery shows.
Downtown also has several galleries, places to take an art class, and colorful public murals from the Brunswick Mural Project. For more, read our Art Scene in the Golden Isles guide.
Catch a show or film at SoGlo Theatre
SoGlo Gallery Brunswick Actors’ Theatre on Newcastle Street is a small venue with a big calendar. You can catch local plays, comedy nights, and screenings from local filmmakers. It also hosts film festival events, including the Golden Isles Film Festival. Check their schedule while you’re planning your trip, since a night at SoGlo pairs perfectly with dinner downtown.
Browse the Bookery of Old Town
The Bookery of Old Town opened in September 2026 in a historic building at 1624 Newcastle Street. Owner Frieda Warner spent more than 30 years in children’s ministry before opening the bookstore she’d always dreamed about.
You’ll find books for all ages, a children’s area in the back, and a café serving coffee, espresso, pastries, beer, and wine. Grab a drink, settle into a chair, and lose an hour. Keep an eye out for trivia nights and other events.
Visit Lover’s Oak
This old live oak near the intersection of Albany and Prince Streets is believed to be around 900 years old. Stop by, take a photo, and learn the local legend behind its name.
Tour Richland Rum
Richland Rum on Newcastle Street makes its rum from Georgia sugar cane grown on the owners’ own farm in southwest Georgia, which makes it a single estate rum. Tours walk you through the process, and some end with a tasting.
Spend an afternoon at La Playa
La Playa is a food truck park and bar on Norwich Street that locals call “Brunswick’s backyard.” There are permanent and rotating food trucks, a full bar, indoor and outdoor seating, and room for kids to play. You’ll also find a mini Farm 99 market on site, so you can pick up some of the best produce in town on your way out. Bring a group and stay a while.
Shop at Brunswick Mercantile
Brunswick Mercantile is bringing new life to an 1884 building on Queen Square. Market BQK is open now, with fresh produce from Farm 99, dairy, pantry goods, and work from local makers. Coffee+cream, with homemade ice cream, and PIEDMONT, a restaurant with communal seating, are both coming in December 2026. Read our Local Profile of Zach Siler and the Brunswick Mercantile for the full story.
Shop the Saturday farmers markets
There’s a market at Mary Ross Waterfront Park almost every Saturday. The Brunswick Harbor Market runs on the first, third, and fifth Saturdays with crafts, prepared food, and local vendors. The Forward Brunswick Farmers Market runs on the second and fourth Saturdays and focuses on produce and food from local growers. Grab breakfast from a vendor and walk the waterfront.
Eat your way through downtown
Brunswick’s food scene keeps growing. A few of our current favorites downtown:
- B&J’s Steaks & Seafood opened a downtown location on Newcastle Street, so you no longer have to drive to Darien for their seafood.
- Hootenanny’s At the Yard on Ellis Street serves barbecue and creative twists on classic Southern dishes.
- Arte Pizza is the downtown pizza spot locals argue about (in a good way).
- 1509 Brunswick has rooftop dining with views over downtown and the water.
- Willie’s Wee-Nee Wagon is a Brunswick institution for a cheap, fast lunch. Do yourself a favor, and get the pork chop sandwich. Just trust us.
And if you’re a barbecue fan like us, three stops on the Coastal Georgia BBQ Trail are right here in Brunswick.
See our full lists of the Best Restaurants in Brunswick, GA, Seafood Restaurants in Brunswick, and Best Bars in Brunswick.
Have a beer at Silver Bluff Brewing
Silver Bluff Brewing Co. on Newcastle Street is a family-owned brewery with a taproom and a big beer garden. It’s dog-friendly, there’s often a food truck out front, and it’s where half of downtown seems to end up on a Friday night.
If you love breweries, don’t miss the best breweries in Savannah either.
Get Out on the Water and Into the Marsh
Take an excursion on the Lady Jane
Captain Cameron and his crew will take you on a 1.5 to 2 hour cruise in protected waters where they will trawl their net 3 different times. A marine biologist or marine naturalist will sort through the “catch” and explain what all the different animals are.
No longer an active shrimp boat, the animals will be returned to the sea after you learn all about them. My grandkids love an outing on the Lady Jane!
Book a fishing charter
Brunswick Landing Marina on Bay Street was named Best Large Marina in North America by Marinalife Magazine. It’s home to fishing charters for deep sea, inshore, nearshore, and flats fishing. Inshore trips through the marsh are great for beginners.
Watch the sunset at Marshes of Glynn Overlook Park
This park on Highway 17 has a fishing pier and picnic tables overlooking the marshes Sidney Lanier wrote about. The Lanier Oak, where he’s said to have found his inspiration, stands in the highway median nearby, with a small pull off for viewing.
Try your luck on the Emerald Princess
Thursday through Sunday, the Emerald Princess casino cruise departs from the base of the Sidney Lanier Bridge. Onboard you’ll find slots, live blackjack, roulette, dining, and an open air deck with views of the coast. Guests must be 18 to board.
Rainy Day Things to Do in Brunswick
Pinball Palace
Pinball Palace on Hopkins Avenue has more than 180 pinball machines plus arcade games and a bounce house room for little ones. It’s been voted one of the best pinball locations in the world by pinball fans, and it’s a family business. You pay for admission and play as much as you want. My grandkids and cousin’s daughter love this place!
Brunswick Rocks
Opened in 2023, Brunswick Rocks is a nonprofit bouldering gym where experienced climbers and novices alike will have a great time. Aside from being fun, rock climbing and bouldering provide a great workout.
You can choose from daily passes, weekly passes, and annual memberships on their site, so whether you’re a local or just traveling through, you have no excuse not to pay them a visit!
Step Back in Time at Hofwyl-Broadfield Plantation
Just north of town, this state historic site was a working rice plantation until 1913. There’s a museum, nature trails through the marsh, and picnic areas. Check the hours before you go.
Play a Round of Golf
Two of our favorite golf courses in Brunswick are Heritage Oaks golf, which has some amazing views and Sanctuary Golf. Both are affordable, well maintained, and offer an enjoyable round for all skill levels.
Golf on Jekyll Island and St. Simons Island are great options, too. The scene below was taken from the cart path of the King & Prince course on St. Simons.
Brunswick Events Worth Planning Around
Check the calendar for your travel dates, because Brunswick loves a festival.
- First Fridays: Downtown comes alive one evening a month with live music, open shops, and gallery events.
- Brunswick Rockin’ Stewbilee (January): Teams compete for the title of Best Brunswick Stew, with live music, a car show, and a Pooch Parade.
- Blessing of the Fleet (Mother’s Day weekend): A Portuguese tradition in Brunswick since 1938. Decorated shrimp boats parade on the river to be blessed for the season. Read our [5 reasons not to miss the Brunswick Blessing of the Fleet].
- Brunswick Porchfest (November): Our favorite event of the year. Front porches across Old Town become stages for an afternoon of free live music.
Use Brunswick as Your Base for the Golden Isles
Staying in Brunswick puts the whole coast within reach.
- St. Simons Island is about 20 minutes away for the pier, the lighthouse, and the village. See our Top 15 Things to Do on St. Simons Island.
- Jekyll Island is about 20 minutes away for Driftwood Beach and the historic district. See our Top 16 Jekyll Island Things to Do.
- Darien, a quiet fishing village up the road, is perfect for a slow afternoon. Read Exploring Darien: Things to Do.
Brunswick itself doesn’t have a beach, but you’re a short drive from several. Here are the 10+ Best Beaches Near Brunswick, GA.
Where to Stay in Brunswick, GA
You’ll find plenty of hotels near I-95, but we’d pick something in the historic district. The Kress, a renovated 1909 building on Newcastle Street, opened as a boutique hotel in 2023. You can walk to dinner, the brewery, and the squares from the front door.
Downtown also has historic homes and cottages for rent, which work well for families and groups.
Brunswick, GA FAQ
Yes! Brunswick has a walkable historic downtown, local restaurants and shops, boat excursions, and marsh views, and it’s an affordable base for exploring St. Simons and Jekyll Island.
Each is about a 20 minute drive.
Not in town, but the beaches on St. Simons and Jekyll Island are a short drive away.
Shrimping, Brunswick stew, its historic squares, and the Marshes of Glynn.
Spring and fall have the most comfortable weather and big events like the Blessing of the Fleet and Porchfest.
Currently planning a trip? Here are some helpful resources:
- Find the best hotel options here.
- Book the cheapest flight here.
- Find tons of tours and activities here.
- Book your rental car here.
Before You Go…
Don’t miss these other posts about Brunswick and things to do in the nearby Golden Isles and beyond!
- 10+ Best Beaches Near Brunswick, GA
- Top 20 Restaurants to Try in Brunswick, Ga
- Top 15 Things to Do on St Simons Island
- Brunswick GA Campgrounds – Tent and RV Camping
- Seafood Restaurants in Brunswick Ga
- Top 16 Jekyll Island Things To Do
- Brunswick is a stop on the perfect Coastal Georgia Road Trip Itinerary
- Fun Things to Do with Kids in St. Marys.
- Coastal Georgia Profile: Cheston Broomell of Broomelli Boys Pizza
- Local Profile: Zach Siler of Brunswick Merchantile
