The mainland entry point to the Golden Isles, Brunswick directly overlooks the saltwater marshes and the Atlantic ocean. Historic Downtown Brunswick was originally laid out by General James Oglethorpe over 240 years ago, and features magnificent Victorian architecture and colonial buildings preserved and restored with pride. You'll find the Old Town has plenty to offer visitors and locals alike, with lively shops, galleries, restaurants, and theaters that provide a truly unique experience day or night. Don't miss the infamous Ritz Theatre, built in 1899, and the Hofwyl-Broadfield Plantation, which dates to the early 1800s. You'll want to be sure to try our world-famous Brunswick Stew while you're in town, or if you're looking to take a little Brunswick hospitality home with you, we've shared our exclusive Brunswick Stew recipe here on our site for you to enjoy.
The Port of Brunswick is one of the busiest ports on the Atlantic Coast, and is the 6th busiest automobile port in the United States. Leading auto manufacturers including Jaguar, Land Rover, Porsche, Mercedes, Mitsubishi and Volvo import their vehicles through the Port of Brunswick. Other imported items include wood pulp and paper products, heavy machinery, and more.
Brunswick's Shrimping and Seafood Industry is the heart of Georgia's shrimping industry, and was once known as "The Shrimp Capital of the World." Wild Georgia shrimp are plentiful in the local coastal marshes and estuaries, and are renowned for their large size and delicious taste, making them a favorite with local chefs as well as restaurants around the globe. The Georgia Shrimp Association is a non-profit organization that works to promote the area's trademark shrimp.
College of Coastal Georgia is a state college of the University System of Georgia. Located in Brunswick, the college recently expanded to a four-year program and offers a wide variety of academic and athletic programs. The college is expected to include more than 6,000 students by 2020.
Home of Brunswick Stew, the world-famous delightful soup made from local seafood and fresh ingredients. The Brunswick Stewbilee celebrates this favorite every October, featuring a Brunswick Stew cook-off where the culinary skills and secret recipes of dozens of amateur and professional chefs compete for the coveted title of "Brunswick Stewmaster." Click here for our Famous Brunswick Stew recipe.
Originally built in 1889, Old City Hall completed its full restoration in 2004. This historic building is open to the public and serves as a part-time city courthouse and a venue for wedding receptions, class reunions, and family gatherings.
Built in 1899, the Ritz Theatre recently completed a full restoration and serves as a theatre and arts center featuring year-round live performances, films, exhibits, education programs and more.
A wonderful place to watch the sunset across the river, featuring a memorial to Liberty Ships constructed during World War II. Also features public performances on its outdoor staged pavillion.
Newcastle Street
Newcastle St
Brunswick, GA 31520
Located at the west end of downtown, Newcastle Street serves as the primary shopping and dining area in Historic Downtown Brunswick. Featuring many old buildings and historic architecture, including Old City Hall and the Ritz Theatre.
Historic Site Hours:
Wednesday-Sunday / 9am-5pm
Last main house tour at 4pm / Gate locked at closing.
Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Year's Day.
Located to the north of Brunswick, offers a glimpse into the lives of planters and slaves that grew rice along the Altamaha River nearly 200 years ago. You can tour the antebellum home built by the Troup family and examine the nineteenth century farm equipment still stored in the barn.
This beautiful plantation represents the history and culture of Georgia's rice coast. In the early 1800s, William Brailsford of Charleston carved a rice plantation from marshes along the Altamaha River. The plantation and its inhabitants were part of the genteel low country society that developed during the antebellum period. While many factors made rice cultivation increasingly difficult in the years after the Civil War, the family continued to grow rice until 1913.
The enterprising siblings of the fifth generation at Hofwyl-Broadfield resolved to start a dairy rather than sell their family home. The efforts of Gratz, Miriam and Ophelia Dent led to the preservation of their family legacy. Ophelia was the last heir to the rich traditions of her ancestors, and she left the plantation to the state of Georgia in 1973.
A museum features silver from the family collection and a model of Hofwyl-Broadfield during its heyday. A brief film on the plantation's history is shown before visitors walk a short trail to the antebellum home. A guided tour allows visitors to see the home as Ophelia kept it with family heirlooms, 18th and 19th century furniture and Cantonese china. A stop on the Colonial Coast Birding Trail, this is an excellent spot to look for herons, egrets, ibis and painted buntings. A nature trail that leads back to the Visitors Center along the edge of the marsh where rice once flourished.
Brunswick Tours
Historic Tours Downtown Brunswick 912.230.1042
Discover the Heart of Old Town Brunswick. We offer walking tours of historic downtown Brunswick.
City Tour: 9:30 am - 11 am
Residential Tour: 6 pm to 7:30 pm (Summer Hours)
*City Tour leaves from Daddy Cate's Coffees and includes a complimentary cup of coffee to start your day.
*Residential Tour leaves from the steps of Old City Hall (1229 Newcastle Street) *Includes bottled water
On beautiful Oak Grove Island, featuring meticulous fairways and greens with panoramic marsh views and tree-lined fairways. Tucked beneath majestic oaks, this newly renovated course is suitable for all levels of golfer.
Visit our online store for a variety of quality apparel and accessories for men, women and kids featuring our exclusive St. Simons Island designs.
St. Simons is a Fisherman's Paradise
The Golden Isles of Georgia offers a vast coastal ecosystem of salt marshes, tidal creeks, winding rivers, sounds and the Atlantic Ocean is unspoiled, healthy, and brimming with fish of all types. The Pier located in the aptly named Pier Village provides an excellent spot for crabbing, casting a line, or sitting back and watching the action. For those who seek the excitement and challenge of deep sea and offshore angling, there are a number of fishing charters and skilled captains who can help you navigate coastal Georgia's vast ecosystem of salt marshes, tidal creeks, winding rivers, and the expansive Atlantic ocean.
View Fishing Charters in St. Simons »
Famous Brunswick Stew Recipe
Makes (1) gallon. Serve with barbeque or seafood (boiled or fried shrimp, oysters, crabs) from local waters.
(1) 3-lb. chicken, 1 lb. lean beef, 1 lb lean pork, 3 medium onions, chopped. Place meat in a large, heavy pot. Season with salt, pepper. Add onions and cover with water. Cook until meat falls from bones (several hours). Remove from heat and allow to cool. Tear meat into shreds and return to stock.
Add 3 tablespoons vinegar, 2 cans (16 oz.) small limas or butter beans, 2 cans (16 oz.) cream-style corn, 1 can (15 oz.) small English peas, 3 small diced Irish potatoes, 1 box frozen, sliced okra.
Cook slowly until thick. Pop a cold one, and enjoy!
Map of Historic Sites of Brunswick
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Welcome to Brunswick!
The Ritz Theatre
Mary Ross Waterfront Park
Hofwyl Broadfield Plantation
Visit our online store for a variety of quality apparel and accessories for men, women and kids featuring our exclusive St. Simons Island designs.
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