Our family spent Christmas 2018 exploring Georgia’s “Golden Isles.” We stayed at the Hilton on the St. Simons Island airport. Since I usually try to find something a little more quaint, I was surprised to find it was so much fun. The staff was accommodating and my kids loved watching the airplanes (though they may have been in it for the evening s’mores by the fire pit). Check out our Georgia coast Christmas, we can’t wait to get back!
Over the years, we’ve learned to embrace that home is where work sends us and we’ve had lots of Christmas on the road. My husband decorated the room by the time we arrived; he loves holidays and always goes all out no matter where we are.
It only took one drive around the historic district for me to decide next trip we’re renting a house. This is the one I have my eye on.
Jekyll Island’s Driftwood Beach
One of the highlights of our trip was exploring the Driftwood Beach at Jekyll Island. We went back twice, the boys loved wandering through the huge fallen trees eroded into sculpture. We saw it at sunrise and sunset, and each was its own kind of magic.
We enjoyed driving through the lights on the island every evening and exploring the historic architecture on Jekyll, as well.
The South’s Best Barbecue
One of the unexpected treats from this trip was being within walking distance of Southern Soul. I grew up in the south and embrace an addiction to Texas-style brisket. I also love Carolina pork. And Memphis ribs. I basically consider myself a connoisseur of fine barbecue of all kinds, and this is the real deal. (Southern Living agrees.) Next time, I’ll take food pics; I was wrangling two boys in a busy barbecue joint.
The sweet tea, the okra, the Shiner, the hush puppies, all my favorite elements are there and well done. (They have this pimento cheese stuff I don’t even know how to describe, just try it.) They even make their own pastrami, which my Reuben-loving husband says is fantastic. I was too busy eating brisket to try it. (They could use a few more parking spaces and tables but to make it bigger would take away its charm, so let’s all just agree to walk and wait patiently. We’re on island time, after all.)
I’d love to hear all about your favorite things to do on the Georgia coast, please share your photos of a Georgia coast Christmas and anything we missed. Tag us at #foodnfabric if you do. It’s a new destination for us but we will definitely be back. There’s a rumor we’ll be spending Christmas there next year and if so, I’ll do a feature on the old homes decorated for the holidays. I’m already looking forward to it.