Think Brunswick, GA isn’t a destination worth visiting? Think again! This historic town has had a major glow-up in recent years. It still has all the small town charm, but now with fantastic restaurants, shopping, bars, and events that bring the whole community out.
You may know Brunswick as the gateway to the Golden Isles since you’ll have to go through it to get to Jekyll Island, St. Simons Island, or Sea Island. But that’s not all it is — come fall in love with Brunswick GA just like we have!
- Location: Golden Isles, southeastern Georgia
- Vibe: Historic port town that loves to have a good time
- Accessibility: About an hour south of Savannah and an hour north of Jacksonville
How to get to Brunswick GA
You’ll find Brunswick just off I-95 in Southeast Georgia. You can get to Brunswick by taking exit 38, exit 36, or exit 29. To get to historic downtown Brunswick, take exit 36 and head east on 341.
Brunswick is driving distance from:
- Savannah, GA — 1 hour
- Atlanta, GA — 4.5 hours
- Jacksonville, FL — 1 hour
If you’re taking the Coastal Georgia Scenic Drive along U.S. Highway 17 you’ll find Brunswick as a suggested stop, and it’s just minutes off of the route.
You have several options to get to Brunswick, GA by plane, too. You can, of course, fly into any of the major airports in Atlanta, Jacksonville, or Savannah and drive from there. But the real pros fly directly into the Brunswick Golden Isles Airport (BQK)!
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Best time to go to Brunswick, GA
Personally, I think Brunswick is a great destination to go to any time of the year, but there are a few things to consider in each season:
Spring
The weather is absolutely beautiful in Brunswick in the spring! You’ll find plenty of warm days and the occasional downright hot day, perfect for getting out on the water.
Unfortunately, the local gnats also love the perfect weather of a coastal Georgia spring. Pick up a can of Olive Oil Sheen Spray (a local secret) and don’t let them slow you down.
If you’re into science and the environment, the Georgia DNR Coastal Resources Division puts on an event called Coastfest every March at Mary Ross Waterfront Park.
You’ll also find The Blessing of the Fleet happening in the same park every May. This special event marks the opening of shrimping season with the blessing of brightly decorated shrimp boats as well as food trucks, arts and crafts, and live music.
Summer
This is the most popular time for visitors to come to Brunswick, but be warned — it gets hot! The good news is, it’s too hot for the gnats, so they’re gone until the fall. It just might be too hot for you too, though, so it’s a perfect time to check out the best restaurants in Brunswick, shop local in the boutique stores in the downtown area, and check out live music in our favorite Brunswick bars.
This is also the very best time to check out one of the many beaches near Brunswick!
Fall
This is my favorite time of the year to be in Brunswick. That may be because it’s what we call “locals season” around here (and, of course, I’m a local), and it may be because the weather is back to being nothing short of perfection, but it’s not just that — the events are popping!
There are all kinds of fall events on the Georgia Coast, but here are a few of our favorites in Brunswick:
- Golden Isles Film Festival –— Every October, independent filmmakers take over the Golden Isles for three days of screenings, panels, and networking.
- Jekyll and Hyde Con — Also in October, Downtown Brunswick transforms into convention central with vendors, panels, and all the spooky stuff you could want.
- Brunswick Porchfest — This free neighborhood music festival where front porches become stages throughout Brunswick’s Old Town Historic District is another one of our favorite fall events in Georgia. You can expect food trucks, performances, and that community vibe that makes small towns so special.
Be warned, the gnats return in August, so I’m going to say it again — get yourself some Olive Oil Sheen Spray! I know it sounds weird, but it really is magic.
Also, be aware that Fall is hurricane season here on the East Coast. Keep an eye on the radar and track those tropical systems brewing in the Atlantic before your trip.
Winter
This is another great time to be in Brunswick! The weather ranges from mild to chilly, the bugs are gone and the crowds are minimal.
Check out the Hofwyld-Broadfield Christmas Tour at the old antebellum rice plantation and the Brunswick Christmas Parade downtown in December!
First Fridays in Brunswick GA
No matter which season you choose, I always recommend that people try to come to Brunswick during the first Friday of any given month. You’ll find Newcastle Street, the main drag of the historic district, closed off to traffic and full of vendors, live music, food trucks, and more.
The whole town (and a lot of the surrounding area) comes out for these monthly events that happen from 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm on Friday nights. You’ll find the festival atmosphere lasts well into the night at late-night venues like The Study at Reid’s, Little Zooks, and Downtown Cooter Browns (3 of the best bars in Brunswick)!
How long should I spend in Brunswick?
That really depends on what all you want to do while you’re here! A few days may be enough if you want to stay in Brunswick the whole time, but this is the gateway to the Golden Isles. If you plan to branch out and visit St. Simons Island, Jekyll Island, and nearby Darien, you’ll want to plan for at least a couple weeks!
Things to Do
We’ve written a whole post about the fun things to do in Brunswick GA, but here are a few of our faves:
- Tour Richland Rum — This rum distillery on Newcastle Street offers tours where you can learn all about the rum-making process as well as tastings so you can try all their delicious spirits!
- Go fishing — You’ll find lots of fishing charters in Brunswick and on the nearby islands, including deep sea, inshore, and nearshore.
- Try the fresh local seafood — More about that below, but we feel so strongly that we’ll say it multiple times. Try the local seafood at one of the best seafood restaurants in Brunswick!
- Play golf — If you’re a fan of hitting the links, you’ll find Heritage Oaks and Sanctuary Golf right here in Brunswick. If it’s too hot (or cold, rainy, or buggy) to spend your day outdoors, head to Caddyshack on Gloucester Street to play the famous courses virtually.
Where to stay in Brunswick
If you’ve only ever passed through Brunswick on your way north or south, you probably stayed at one of the hotels near I-95. They’re perfectly lovely (especially the new DoubleTree by Hilton, which has an awesome steakhouse), but if you really want to spend time in Brunswick, I recommend heading downtown!
Here are our favorite stays near the downtown historic district:
- The Kress Hotel — This boutique hotel is an absolute gem in the downtown area. The rooftop restaurant/bar at the top is also one of the best restaurants in Brunswick!
- Private stay downtown — If a private home is more your style, this little cottage (1 bedroom, 1 bath) is the perfect spot for exploring Brunswick! Have a bigger group? The main house that sleeps 10 is available on VRBO!
Where to eat/drink
For more details, check out the Top 20 Restaurants to Try in Brunswick, GA, but here are some of the highlights:
- Reid’s Apothecary — This restaurant is one of our favorites! I highly recommend the pulled duck nachos, the shrimp and grits ( a must-try dish when you’re visiting coastal Georgia), and checking out the speakeasy-style bar around back called The Study.
- Hootenanny’s — This adorable BBQ joint can be found in a white house across from the old courthouse. It’s only open Thursday-Sunday, and you’ll find amazing specials like lamb barbacoa tacos and homemade sausage as well as live music in the backyard.
- Bubba Garcia’s — This Tex-Mex spot downtown is a favorite of ours. The one on St. Simons Island is amazing, too!
- Downtown Cooter Brown’s — The new kid on the block, this sports bar is our go-to for comfort food like shrimp po’boys, burgers, and mac & cheese bowls topped with fried chicken.
- Little Zooks — This is one of our favorite bars in Brunswick GA. With a funky vibe, craft cocktails, and bar games, you’re sure to fall in love with it, too!
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.
Plan your stay in Brunswick
Here are all the articles about Brunswick listed in one place!
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