St. Marys Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Washed ashore sea star. #travel #seastar #beach #welovetoexplore https://www.facebook.com/welovetoexplore/timeline/story?ut=43&wstart=0&wend=1422777599&hash=3585313150704558958&pagefilter=3
Quaint town near the Golden Isles
Dungeness on Cumberland Island, Georgia, is a ruined mansion that is part of a historic district that was the home of several families significant in American history. James Oglethorpe first built on Cumberland Island in 1736, building a hunting lodge that he named Dungeness. Oglethorpe named the place after Dungeness, in England. The next Dungeness was the legacy of Revolutionary War hero Nathanael Greene, who had acquired 11,000 acres of island land in exchange for a bad debt. His widow built a four-story tabby mansion in 1803, over a Timucuan shell mound. During the War of 1812 the island was occupied by the British, who used the house as a headquarters. In 1818 Henry “Light-Horse Harry” Lee, a dashing cavalry commander during the Revolutionary War and father of Robert E. Lee, stayed at the house until his death on March 25, 1818, cared for by Greene's daughter Louisa, and was laid to rest in nearby cemetery with full military honors provided by an American fleet stationed at St. Marys, Georgia. The house was abandoned during the U.S. Civil War and burned in 1866. In the 1880s the property was purchased by Thomas M. Carnegie, brother of Andrew Carnegie, who began to build a new mansion on the site. The 59-room Queen Anne style mansion and grounds were completed after Carnegie's death in 1886. His wife Lucy continued to live at Dungeness and built other estates for her children, including Greyfield for Margaret Carnegie, Plum Orchard for George Lauder Carnegie, and Stafford Plantation. By this time, the Carnegies owned 90% of the island. The Carnegies moved out of Dungeness in 1925. In 1959 the Dungeness mansion was destroyed by fire, alleged to be arson. The ruins are today preserved by the National Park Service as part of Cumberland Island National Seashore. They were acquired by the Park Service in 1972.
Dungeness on Cumberland Island, Georgia, is a ruined mansion that is part of a historic district that was the home of several families significant in American history. James Oglethorpe first built on Cumberland Island in 1736, building a hunting lodge that he named Dungeness. Oglethorpe named the place after Dungeness, in England. The next Dungeness was the legacy of Revolutionary War hero Nathanael Greene, who had acquired 11,000 acres of island land in exchange for a bad debt. His widow built a four-story tabby mansion in 1803, over a Timucuan shell mound. During the War of 1812 the island was occupied by the British, who used the house as a headquarters. In 1818 Henry “Light-Horse Harry” Lee, a dashing cavalry commander during the Revolutionary War and father of Robert E. Lee, stayed at the house until his death on March 25, 1818, cared for by Greene's daughter Louisa, and was laid to rest in nearby cemetery with full military honors provided by an American fleet stationed at St. Marys, Georgia. The house was abandoned during the U.S. Civil War and burned in 1866. In the 1880s the property was purchased by Thomas M. Carnegie, brother of Andrew Carnegie, who began to build a new mansion on the site. The 59-room Queen Anne style mansion and grounds were completed after Carnegie's death in 1886. His wife Lucy continued to live at Dungeness and built other estates for her children, including Greyfield for Margaret Carnegie, Plum Orchard for George Lauder Carnegie, and Stafford Plantation. By this time, the Carnegies owned 90% of the island. The Carnegies moved out of Dungeness in 1925. In 1959 the Dungeness mansion was destroyed by fire, alleged to be arson. The ruins are today preserved by the National Park Service as part of Cumberland Island National Seashore. They were acquired by the Park Service in 1972.
Beautiful small town off I-95.You can also get to Cumberland island from St Mary's
SureStay Plus Hotel by Best Western St Marys Cumberland

SureStay Plus Hotel by Best Western St Marys Cumberland

3 out of 5
2710 Osborne Rd St. Marys GA
The price is £61 per night from 1 Apr to 2 Apr
£61
1 Apr - 2 Apr
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in St. Marys. Enjoy free breakfast, free parking and a 24-hour fitness centre. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,009 reviews)
Great breakfast! Staff was very friendly.

Reviewed on 21 Mar 2026

SureStay Plus Hotel by Best Western St Marys Cumberland
Crowne Plaza Hotel Jacksonville Airport/I-95N by IHG

Crowne Plaza Hotel Jacksonville Airport/I-95N by IHG

3.5 out of 5
14670 Duval Road Jacksonville FL
The price is £90 per night from 5 Apr to 6 Apr
£90
5 Apr - 6 Apr
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Jacksonville. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 2 restaurants and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,882 reviews)
Very acceptable room. Hot water for shower. Did not include breakfast of any kind.

Reviewed on 21 Mar 2026

Crowne Plaza Hotel Jacksonville Airport/I-95N by IHG
Hyatt Place Jacksonville Airport

Hyatt Place Jacksonville Airport

3 out of 5
14565 Duval Rd Jacksonville FL
The price is £97 per night from 30 Mar to 31 Mar
£97
30 Mar - 31 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Jacksonville. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
9/10 Wonderful! (2,435 reviews)
The whole stay was great. From the room to the shuttle. The staff were great. They went above and beyond for us. Will always book there anytime I take a cruise out of Jacksonville.

Reviewed on 22 Mar 2026

Hyatt Place Jacksonville Airport
See all 4,506 properties in St. Marys
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
The Villas of Amelia Island

The Villas of Amelia Island

4 out of 5
8 Amelia Village Circle, Amelia Island Fernandina Beach FL
Stay at this beach holiday home in Fernandina Beach. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 2 outdoor pools and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,175 reviews)
Hotel is in a lovely area, beautifully landscaped with numerous activities geared to families with children. Main pool areas are crowded, but the beach is long and wide. More hotel than my husband and I need,the room was as described

Reviewed on 21 Mar 2026

The Villas of Amelia Island
Villas By the Sea Resort & Conference Center

Villas By the Sea Resort & Conference Center

3 out of 5
1175 N Beachview Dr Jekyll Island GA
Stay at this beach villa in Jekyll Island. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and an outdoor pool. Our guests praise the property condition in their reviews. Popular ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,115 reviews)
Reserved 1 bed, 1 bath but got 2 bed with extra half bath. We have stayed at the Villas by the Sea several times in different rooms. As always, the complex is beautiful and well maintained and staff is friendly. The condo itself was nicely decorated and you could see the ocean from the upper balcony ...

Reviewed on 16 Mar 2026

Villas By the Sea Resort & Conference Center
Ocean Lodge Resort

Ocean Lodge Resort

4 out of 5
935 Beachview Dr St. Simons Island GA
Stay at this business-friendly aparthotel in St. Simons Island. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a beach locale. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (354 reviews)
Honestly not sure if I’ll stay anywhere else when I come to visit the coast. I love the interior staking, the awesome porch

Reviewed on 21 Mar 2026

Ocean Lodge Resort
See all properties in St. Marys
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Night scene of the ferry to Cumberland Island and the waterfront in St Marys, Georgia.

Cumberland Island Ferry

Explore the waterfront in St. Marys with a trip to Cumberland Island Ferry. Wander through the beautiful beaches and seaside in this romantic area.

Cumberland Island Ferry
USA, Georgia, Cumberland Island National Seashore

Cumberland Island National Seashore Visitor Center

After visiting Cumberland Island National Seashore Visitor Center, make a plan to see the other sights and activities in St. Marys. Stroll along the seaside in this romantic area or visit its top-notch restaurants.

Cumberland Island National Seashore Visitor Center
Plum Orchard Mansion

Plum Orchard Mansion

You can spend time exploring the galleries in Plum Orchard Mansion during your travels in Cumberland Island. Wander through the beautiful beaches and seaside in this relaxing area.

Plum Orchard Mansion
A lovely place to sit and watch the world go by.

Howard Gilman Waterfront Park

Howard Gilman Waterfront Park is just one of the places to see in St. Marys, so why not enjoy the other things to explore during your travels? While in this family-friendly area, you can enjoy the restaurants.

Howard Gilman Waterfront Park

St. Marys Welcome Center

After visiting St. Marys Welcome Center, make a plan to see the other sights and activities in St. Marys. Wander the beautiful beaches and seaside in the area.

St. Marys Welcome Center

St. Marys Submarine Museum

You can spend an afternoon browsing the exhibits at St. Marys Submarine Museum during your trip to St. Marys. Wander through the beautiful beaches and seaside in this family-friendly area.

St. Marys Submarine Museum

Things to do

Jekyll Island Dolphin Tours

Jekyll Island Dolphin Tours

£33
per adult
94% of travellers recommend
Jekyll Island Dolphin Tours
Our historic buildings are beautiful and full of wonder.

Downtown Fernandina Historical Walking Tour

£22
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Downtown Fernandina Historical Walking Tour
CraigCat Boat Tour from Fernandina Beach

CraigCat Boat Tour from Fernandina Beach

£106
per adult
98% of travellers recommend
CraigCat Boat Tour from Fernandina Beach
Guided Kayak Eco Tour: Real Florida Adventure

Guided Kayak Eco Tour: Real Florida Adventure

£44
per adult
90% of travellers recommend
Guided Kayak Eco Tour: Real Florida Adventure
90 Minute Self-Guided Arcimoto FUV Adventure

90 Minute Self-Guided Arcimoto FUV Adventure

£107
per traveller
100% of travellers recommend
90 Minute Self-Guided Arcimoto FUV Adventure
Ride the Waves 2 Hour Scenic Jet Ski Tour in Amelia Island

Ride the Waves 2 Hour Scenic Jet Ski Tour in Amelia Island

£193
per traveller
Ride the Waves 2 Hour Scenic Jet Ski Tour in Amelia Island
See all activities in St. Marys

Cities near St. Marys

Cumberland Island National Seashore. Cumberland Island, largest of Georgia's Golden Isles, is managed by National Park Service. Dungeness Mansion ruins once owned by Carnegie Family, ruined by fire.

Kingsland

Fernandina Beach on Amelia island on October 22, 2017. People often come by car to the beaches to fishing, take some sunbathe and swim in the Atlantic ocean. Florida, USA

Fernandina Beach

Friendship Park which includes night scenes, a city and a fountain

Jacksonville

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