Brunswick, Ga: What's Open?

Brunswick, Georgia, is a charming historic city by the sea, known for its rich seafood industry and beautiful natural scenery. The city offers a variety of attractions, including annual festivals, outdoor activities, and a vibrant food scene. With its moderate climate, Brunswick is perfect for year-round outdoor pleasures like kayaking, sailing, and swimming. The city's scenic paths and areas, such as the Sidney Lanier Bridge and Mary Ross Waterfront Park, invite visitors to explore and enjoy its natural beauty.

When it comes to dining, Brunswick has something for everyone. From fine dining establishments like Georgia Sea Grill to casual eateries like Willie's Wee-Nee Wagon, visitors can indulge in a range of cuisines, including American, Caribbean, Italian, and, of course, fresh seafood. For a unique dining experience, the Emerald Princess II casino cruise ship offers dinner cruises, sailing seven days a week.

Whether you're a history buff, nature enthusiast, or foodie, Brunswick, Georgia, has something to offer, making it a delightful destination to visit and explore.

Restaurants

There are many restaurants in Brunswick, GA, catering to a variety of tastes and budgets. Here is a selection of some of the best restaurants the city has to offer:

Indigo Coastal Shanty

A highly-rated restaurant serving American and Caribbean cuisine. It offers a range of dietary options, including seafood, street food, and international dishes. It is also noted for its family-friendly atmosphere and is a popular choice for those seeking a relaxed dining experience.

Mr. Shuck's Seafood

A family-owned and operated seafood restaurant that offers a relaxed Southern dining experience. They provide a range of dining options, including a fresh market, dine-in, and quick takeout.

Georgia Sea Grill

This restaurant takes its commitment to fresh ingredients seriously, growing its own vegetables, fruits, and herbs at its own farm. It offers a fine dining experience with a focus on locally sourced seafood, beef, pork, lamb, poultry, and farm-raised catfish.

Tipsy McSway's

Located in Historic Downtown Brunswick, Tipsy McSway's offers a laid-back, local vibe. It is a popular choice for families and neighbours alike, serving pub classics like burgers, flatbreads, and homemade pretzels.

Tortuga Jack's

Also situated in Historic Downtown Brunswick, Tortuga Jack's offers Baja Mexican cuisine.

Reid’s Apothecary

A highly-rated restaurant serving New American cuisine and offering a range of cocktail options. It is known for its shrimp and grits, as well as its steak and eggs.

Hwang Keum Jung Korean Restaurant

This Korean restaurant is praised for its amazing food and service. It treats its customers like family and is particularly popular on Potato Fridays.

Willie Jewell’s Old School Bar-B-Q

A barbecue restaurant that is a popular stop for many travellers. It is known for its delicious ribs and has customers eagerly anticipating their next visit.

Barrier Island Brewing

A brewpub serving New American cuisine, Barrier Island Brewing offers a wonderful dining experience with attentive service and quick food delivery. It has a cool vibe and a great rooftop setting in Downtown Brunswick.

Sista’s Kitchen

Sista’s Kitchen is a soul food and Southern buffet-style restaurant. It offers a quick lunch option and is known for its tasty, down-home Southern meals.

Outdoor Activities

There are plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy in Brunswick, Georgia, with the city's beautiful natural scenery and moderate temperatures providing the perfect setting for a range of pursuits.

For those who enjoy being on the water, there are several boat tour options, including Coastal Tide Excursions, which offers the chance to see native wildlife, and fishing and dolphin boat tours. Kayaking is also a popular activity, with guided and self-guided tours available.

If you prefer to stay on land, jogging and walking paths can be found at the Sidney Lanier Bridge, the Old Town Brunswick National Historic District, and Mary Ross Waterfront Park. The flat terrain and pleasant climate also make Brunswick ideal for year-round bike riding. Blythe Island Regional Park and Brunswick Landing Marina are other great spots to enjoy the outdoors, with the latter offering wide sidewalks for walking and biking along the river.

For those seeking more adventurous activities, there are horseback riding tours, nature and wildlife tours, and even adrenaline and extreme tours, such as canyoning and rappelling. Golf is also a popular outdoor activity in Brunswick, with several courses and clubs in the area, including Oak Grove Island Golf Club and Heritage Oaks Golf Club.

Historic Sites

Brunswick, Georgia, is steeped in history and has many sites of interest for visitors. The city was laid out by General James Oglethorpe over 240 years ago and features magnificent Victorian architecture and colonial buildings. The Old Town Brunswick National Historic District is a great place to start exploring, with its lively shops, galleries, restaurants, and theatres.

One of the most iconic buildings in Brunswick is the infamous Ritz Theatre, built in 1899 (or 1898, according to some sources). This beautiful theatre has been fully restored and now serves as an arts centre, hosting year-round live performances, films, exhibits, and education programmes. Old City Hall is another stunning historic building, originally constructed in 1889 (or 1888, according to some sources). It has been carefully restored and is now open to the public, serving as a venue for weddings, reunions, and other events.

For those interested in the history of slavery and plantation life, a visit to the Hofwyl-Broadfield Plantation is a must. Located north of Brunswick, this plantation offers a glimpse into the lives of planters and slaves from almost 200 years ago. Visitors can tour the antebellum home, examine 19th-century farm equipment, and learn about the history and culture of Georgia's rice coast.

Another notable historic site in Brunswick is the Court House. The original building, constructed in 1884, was damaged by a hurricane in 1896 and had to be rebuilt in 1907. Mary Ross Waterfront Park is also worth a visit, featuring a memorial to Liberty Ships from World War II and hosting public performances on its outdoor pavilion.

Finally, a stroll down Newcastle Street will take you past many old buildings and historic architecture, including Old City Hall and the Ritz Theatre. This street serves as the primary shopping and dining area in Historic Downtown Brunswick, with plenty of options for visitors to explore.

Tours

Brunswick, Georgia, is a city steeped in history, with a beautiful natural landscape and plenty of outdoor activities to offer. Here are some of the best tours to experience all that Brunswick has to offer:

Brunswick Old Town Tours

Take a journey through time with Brunswick Old Town Tours, which offers a 1.5-hour bike tour through the historic downtown and old town districts. Discover the city's resilience in the face of hurricanes, epidemics, and economic challenges. Explore streets that honour the English dukes and earls who played a role in the creation of Georgia, and learn about the area's Native American history, dating back 6,000 years. The tour also delves into the cultural significance of Brunswick Stew. Brunswick Old Town Tours provides a comprehensive and honest account of the city's rich history, making it a must-do for history buffs and those wanting to learn more about the area.

Coastal Tide Excursions, LLC

For those who enjoy being out on the water, Coastal Tide Excursions offers boat tours and eco-tours. Captain Cameron and Naturalist Jeff are knowledgeable and hospitable guides who will ensure you have a memorable experience.

Adventure Ministries

If you're an adrenaline seeker, Adventure Ministries offers adrenaline and extreme tours, as well as climbing tours and canyoning and rappelling tours. They also provide boat tours and fishing charters for those who want to explore the area's natural beauty and try their hand at fishing.

Golden Isles RC and Hobbies

Explore the great outdoors of Brunswick with Golden Isles RC and Hobbies, which offers 4WD, ATV, and off-road tours. With its flat terrain and pleasant climate, Brunswick is perfect for year-round outdoor activities.

Fishing Charters and Dolphin Boat Tours

Brunswick's local charters offer fishing trips and dolphin boat tours, providing an opportunity to reel in a good catch and enjoy the beauty of the coast.

Events

The city of Brunswick, Georgia, is known for its vibrant festivals and events that celebrate its history, culture, art, music, local cuisine, and more. Here is a list of some notable events:

• Brunswick Rockin' Stewbilee – A festival that takes place in Mary Ross Waterfront Park, showcasing Brunswick's culinary delights.
• Rhythm on the River concert series – A musical event held by the river, combining entertainment with the city's scenic beauty.
• Blessing of the Fleet festival – An annual event held in Mayfair, celebrating the city's blessings and prosperity.
• Old Town Brunswick National Historic District – While not strictly an event, the Old Town Brunswick area is a cultural hub with ongoing renovations and restorations of historic buildings and public squares, including the Historic Ritz Theatre.
• Sidney Lanier Bridge – The challenging bridge offers a unique setting for outdoor enthusiasts, with paths for jogging and walking.
• Pinball Palace – Rated as one of the top pinball arcades in the United States, this attraction offers a museum-like experience with a wide range of pinball machines and a bounce house for kids.
• Golden Isles – The four Golden Isles (St. Simons Island, Sea Island, Jekyll Island, and Little St. Simons Island) offer a variety of attractions, including Driftwood Beach on Jekyll Island, known for its picturesque driftwood scenery.
• Fort Federica National Monument – A short drive from Brunswick, this historic fort on St. Simons Island preserves the archaeological remnants of a structure built to protect the British colony of Georgia from Spanish raids.

Frequently asked questions