13 Best Things To Do In Brunswick, Georgia

Located just inland of St. Simons Island and above Jekyll Island, you'll find Brunswick, Georgia, a quaint port city that is often overlooked on the way to the more well-known beaches. From cute boutiques to stellar steakhouses, Brunswick is worth a stop on your next adventure in the Peach State. With history to spare, along with some neat shops and a boutique hotel that’s an updated version of history itself, there’s plenty of opportunity to get lost in the past and find interesting new delights.

Here's why you should pay a visit to Brunswick, Georgia, including the best things to do on your trip, where to stay, places to eat, and shops to peruse.

Must-See Spots in Town

Visit the Town Square and Parks

Brunswick is a town based on the public square, and there’s plenty of park space for relaxation and enjoyment. Signature Squares of Brunswick is the organization that sustains and beautifies Brunswick historic squares and has returned them to their heritage: lush parks where families and friends can gather and enjoy the community spirit.

signaturesquares.org, Norwich St., Brunswick, GA 31520

Catch a Show at a Historic Theater

After you finish your dinner in town, head to the Historic Ritz Theater for a movie night with your date. Perfect for catching the latest art films or the older classics, the theater has been restored to its original glory in an Old Hollywood style.

goldenislesarts.org, 1530 Newcastle St., Brunswick, GA 31520

Learn About the Local History

The Hofwyl Broadfield Plantation, which is a designated state historic site, serves as a historic reminder and provides insight into the lives of the people who lived and worked there, including enslaved Africans and their descendants. By preserving the plantation buildings, artifacts, and stories, the site helps to honor and remember the contributions and struggles of these individuals, bringing a better understanding of the region’s cultural heritage. Travelers will have the chance to see the grounds, a museum, a model of the original estate, a brief film on the site’s history, and a short trail. The site itself is lined with ancient live oak trees draped in Spanish moss.

gastateparks.org/HofwylBroadfieldPlantation, 5556 U.S. Hwy 17 N., Brunswick, GA 31525

Best Places To Stay

Try a Truly Unique Stay

The Hostel in the Forest, started by Tom Dennard, opened its doors to travelers from around the world on July 4, 1975. Two geodesic domes and tree houses provided the accommodations for globetrotters, and hostellers from other countries helped build what has been described as an oasis in the forest. It offers an environment to find your own path through retreats, workshops, and the daily life of a community focusing on sustainable and ecological science, alternative building, organic gardening, and holistic practices such as yoga, meditation, and Tai Chi.

foresthostel.com, 3901 US Hwy 82, Brunswick, GA 31523

Stay in a Renovated Mid-Century Property

The Kress is a boutique hotel that’s the perfect spot if you’re looking for a higher-end stay. Built in 1909 as part of a Five and Dime store chain, the buildings were demolished and replaced with a mid-century-style brick and mortar design in the 1950s. That aesthetic is carried throughout The Kress today, with rooms that have exposed brickwork, high ceilings, rugged wood rafters, and lots of space to unwind.

kressbrunswick.com, 1505 Newcastle St., Brunswick, GA 31520

Book a Room in a Victorian Manor

The distinguished Brunswick Manor is a step back in time. The interior is full of period appropriate originals from its Victorian roots including bric-a-brac mantels, dark stained woods, and curved grand staircases that take you up to your room, which is appointed in oversized furniture, comfy mattresses, and palatial bathrooms. 

brunswickmanor.com, 825 Egmont St., Brunswick GA 31520

Set Up at a Campsite

At Altamaha Regional Park, you can camp out on one of their 56 sites and cast your rod hooked up with the bait the campground sells. There are boat ramps, a fishing store, bath houses, and laundry facilities which make this park perfect for glamping. The park offers either “primitive” camp sites that come without water or power, or camp sites with power and water.    

glynncounty.org/1036/Altamaha-Regional-Park, 1605 Altamaha Park Rd., Brunswick, GA  31525

Where To Dine

Head to a Local Brewery

Feeling like a pint? Silver Bluff Brewing Company has a selection of 20 beers on tap with a local favorite being their Mexican Lager. This international-style pilsner won silver medals at the World Beer Cup in 2023 and the US Open Beer Championship in 2020 and was the 2023 Beer of the Year at the Brewski Awards. Want something hoppier? Try the Golden Isles IPA. It’s a classic that can stand up to boldly flavored foods with its pleasant bite and strong malt backbone.  

silverbluff.com, 1325 Newcastle St., Brunswick, GA 31520

Indulge in a Steak Dinner

Head out for a night on the town at 1509 Brunswick, the premier steakhouse and cocktail bar in the town. Located right in the heart of downtown Brunswick on Newcastle Street, the restaurant has easy access to all the shops and things-to-do on the historic boulevard of Newcastle Street. Make sure to try their Shrimp Tostones or their Rooftop Crabcake. Pair them with an expertly-crafted Aperol Spritz.  

1509brunswick.com, 1509 Newcastle St., Brunswick, GA 31520

Sing Karaoke at a Family-Friendly Spot

At Fish Tales Pub and Grill, everyone is like family, and the locals are known on first-name basis. The pub hosts bands, trivia nights, and karaoke, in a fun and relaxed atmosphere. People love their burgers—they’ve been called the best in town since they opened their doors in 2022. Need to park your RV? They offer a full service campground where you can hook up and relax.

facebook.com/FishTalesPubandGrill, 7445 Blythe Island Hwy., Brunswick, GA 31523

Best Spots To Shop

Explore a Local-Made Linen Shop

Named after owner Jennifer Zamudio’s maternal grandparents, Dot and Army sells cloth napkins, reusable bowl covers, bread bags, and lavender sachets. The variety of their fabrics is stunning in colorful repeats and vibrant patterns, and they love that Zamudio makes everything in her shop in downtown Brunswick. 

dotandarmy.com, 1426 Newcastle St. #100, Brunswick, GA 31520

Find a New 'Fit

The GC Boutique is the place to shop for trendy basics for women. The shop owners offer dressing services with a design team, and a rotating selection of affordable tops, bottoms, and dresses. They also offer a selection of shoes and accessories that make perfect gifts or items to take home with you. 

thegcboutique.com, 903 Glynn Isle, Brunswick, GA 31520

Peruse Bits and Baubles

Thinking about bringing something special home for your loved ones? Cunningham Jewelry, located right in the heart of town, has all that glitters—and the gold as well. The perfect spot for a last minute birthday gift or a planned proposal, the family fine jeweler has been in existence since 1916. 

cunninghamjewelers.com, 1510 Newcastle St., Brunswick, GA 31520