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Five Favorite Activities on St. Simon’s Island for under $15

St. Simon's Island

I just love this photo. My head fills in the top with this cute little boy looking out to sea.

St. Simon’s Island is one of four barrier islands along the Georgia coast that make up the Golden Isles and one of my favorite beach towns. Other Islands include Jekyll Island, Sea Island, Little St. Simon’s Island and Brunswick, Ga.

St. Simon’s is a family friendly beach town, with a year round populations of about 13,000, so most businesses are open all year, rather than just seasonal, so no matter when you go, you’ll have a lot to keep you busy.

Southern schools generally get out for the summer in late May and go back in early August, so for those who don’t go back to school until after Labor Day, you may find some good deals toward the end of August.  When you go, here are five of my families’ favorite things to do on the Island. Continue reading Five Favorite Activities on St. Simon’s Island for under $15

Tidelands Nature Center at Jekyll Island offers Affordable Fun

Tidelands Nature Center

Tidelands Nature Center on Jekyll Island offers fantastic affordable family fun.

What: Tidelands Nature Center
Where: 100 S. Riverview Dr., Jekyll Island, GA 31527 | 912-635-5032
When:  Monday – Friday 9 am – 4 pm
Cost: $3 Admission to the Center. Program charges vary.
Nature Walks: $5 Adults $3 Kids 8 – 18 ($25 max per family)
Docent Lead Programs: $6 per person
Canoe Rental: $15 per hour
Guided Kayak Tours: $55 per person for a 3 hrs.
*Note: The Nature Center only accepts cash
Photos: For more photos visit the Tidelands Nature Center album

Jekyll Island is located along the coast of Georgia and is part of the Golden Isles that  also includes St. Simon’s Island, Sea Island, Little St. Simon’s Island and Brunswick, Ga. One of my favorite places to visit at Jekyll Island is the 4-H Tidelands Nature Center. They have some of the best kids programs and they’re exceptionally affordable. I recently took the kids to do a docent lead dock study and we learned about the eco-system around the dock and used nets to pull up shrimp, crabs, oysters and other sea life.

Continue reading Tidelands Nature Center at Jekyll Island offers Affordable Fun

Four High Flying Zip Lines in Georgia

Historic Banning Mills

Zip lines at Banning Mills go over the Snake River and offer gorgeous views.

As my boys get older, we tend to do a lot more adventure travel. Zip line Georgia canopy tours and treetop adventure courses are top on the list right now. Here is a guide to five zip lines in Georgia. There’s something for everyone from the age of four on up. In addition to zip lines, most of these outposts also offer canopy treetop adventure courses. Let us know what you think are the best zip lines in Georgia and if we’ve missed any, tell us about them. Before heading out, take a look at our post on What to Consider Before Booking a Zip Line Tour.

Continue reading Four High Flying Zip Lines in Georgia

Free Entrance Days to 100 National Parks

The Inside of Fort Pulaski National Monument

What: Free Entrance Days Where: 100 Select US National Parks When: August 14 – 15, 2010 September 25, 2010 (Public Lands Day) November 11, 2010 (Veterans Day) Cost: Fee waiver includes: entrance fees, commercial tour fees, and transportation entrance fees. Other fees such as [...]

Become a Shrimper aboard the Lady Jane

What: Shrimpin’ on the Lady Jane Where: Golden Isles, Ga. (Includes Brunswick, Jekyll Island, St. Simons and Sea Island) When: Generally Wed. – Sun., but check the schedule online Cost: $39.95 per person, $25 6 and under

If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to be a shrimper, then a tour on the [...]

Things to do in W. Ga. | Westville, An 1850's Living History Museum

What: Westville, an 1850’s living history museum Where: Lumpkin, Ga. When: Thurs. – Sat. 10 – 5 pm and Sun. 1- 5 pm Cost: Adults $10, Seniors, College Students and Military $8, Students K-12 $5 Click here for a $1 off admission coupon

Westville is a working 1850’s town located in Lumpkin, Ga., [...]

Little St. Simons Island | A Private Paradise

What: The Lodge at Little St. Simons Island Where: An Island off St. Simons Island, Ga. Cost: All inclusive – Rates begin at $495 I realize the price may not be in everyone’s travel budget, but I encourage you to tally ALL your normal vacation expenses, you may find Little St. Simons Island [...]

Summertime 2010 List of Things to do with Kids in Atlanta Area

What: A list of Summertime Activities Where: Atlanta Area When: Summer 2010 Cost: Free and Cheap

Last week Field Trips with Sue posted Cheap things to do in Forsyth County, Ga. and a list of Summer 2010 activities. Here’s another list of cheap and inexpensive things to do with kids for the Summer of [...]

Things to do in W. Georgia | Providence Canyon

What: Providence Canyon Where: Lumpkin, Ga. When: Open Daily Cost: $5 parking fee

Providence Canyon was the impetus for our recent spring break trek across west Georgia. Years ago I had cut out an article in Southern Living on “Georgia’s Little Grand Canyon” but life and then children got in the way of [...]

Kids Love I-75 Helps Parents Navigate From MI to FL

What: Kids Love I-75 Travel Book Where: From Michigan to Florida Cost: $16.95

As we get into summer travel season, you may want to check out my twitter friend, Michelle Zavatsky’s new book “Kids Love I-75.” It’s a great guide for families traveling along I-75, which runs from Michigan to Florida and through Georgia [...]