St. Marys

Travel 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
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.
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 CA $85 per night from Feb 11 to Feb 12
CA $85
CA $103 total
Feb 11 - Feb 12
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in St. Marys. Enjoy free breakfast, free parking, and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast and ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,003 reviews)
Clean room. Staff was courteous.

Reviewed on Jan 31, 2026

SureStay Plus Hotel by Best Western St Marys Cumberland
Hyatt Place Jacksonville Airport

Hyatt Place Jacksonville Airport

3 out of 5
14565 Duval Rd Jacksonville FL
The price is CA $150 per night from Feb 23 to Feb 24
CA $150
CA $171 total
Feb 23 - Feb 24
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Jacksonville. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (2,377 reviews)
Staff was very friendly and room was very clean. The only thing the room was missing was a microwave

Reviewed on Feb 1, 2026

Hyatt Place Jacksonville Airport
Extended Stay America Premier Suites - Jacksonville - Airport

Extended Stay America Premier Suites - Jacksonville - Airport

2.5 out of 5
15678 Max Leggett Parkway Jacksonville FL
The price is CA $111 per night from Mar 2 to Mar 3
CA $111
CA $126 total
Mar 2 - Mar 3
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Jacksonville. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Popular attractions Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (216 reviews)
Courteous and professional check in. Clean room and comfortable bed!

Reviewed on Feb 1, 2026

Extended Stay America Premier Suites - Jacksonville - Airport
See all 4,478 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.
Historic 5 Bedroom Home, Walk To Cumberland Island Ferry

Historic 5 Bedroom Home, Walk To Cumberland Island Ferry

St Marys GA
Book a stay at this family-friendly vacation home in St. Marys. Enjoy free WiFi, a water park, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions St. Marys Submarine ...
10/10 Exceptional! (127 reviews)
This was an absolutely beautiful property! Everything about this home was wonderful. The decor and furnishings made us feel at home, cozy and pampered. The kitchen became a gathering place as was the bright and comfy living room with plenty of seating. Each of us in our group of 5 had our own bedroom, ...

Reviewed on Jan 19, 2026

Historic 5 Bedroom Home, Walk To Cumberland Island Ferry
The Villas of Amelia Island

The Villas of Amelia Island

4 out of 5
8 Amelia Village Circle, Amelia Island Fernandina Beach FL
Book a stay at this beach vacation home in Fernandina Beach. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 outdoor pools, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the helpful staff in ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,155 reviews)
So while it is literally on the beach, the room is a little dated and doesn't get traditional turn down service, which would be nice. The space is small, but is doable. Value to price wasn't there for me. We'll probably stay in the main hotel next time.

Reviewed on Feb 2, 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
Book a stay at this beach villa in Jekyll Island. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and an outdoor pool. Our guests praise the property condition in our reviews. ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,103 reviews)
Great time with great accommodations

Reviewed on Jan 13, 2026

Villas By the Sea Resort & Conference Center
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

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 beautiful beaches in this romantic area, or check out its top-notch restaurants.

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

Cumberland Island Ferry

5/5(1 review)

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

Cumberland Island Ferry
Plum Orchard Mansion

Plum Orchard Mansion

You can spend time browsing the exhibits at Plum Orchard Mansion during your trip to Cumberland Island. Wander 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

4/5(1 review)

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 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

CA $62
per adult
94% of travellers recommend
Jekyll Island Dolphin Tours
Our historic buildings are beautiful and full of wonder.

Downtown Fernandina Historical Walking Tour

CA $41
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Downtown Fernandina Historical Walking Tour
Guided Kayak Eco Tour: Real Florida Adventure

Guided Kayak Eco Tour: Real Florida Adventure

CA $83
per adult
90% of travellers recommend
Guided Kayak Eco Tour: Real Florida 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

CA $361
per traveller
Ride the Waves 2 Hour Scenic Jet Ski Tour in Amelia Island
Guided Arcimoto FUV Tour on Amelia Island

Guided Arcimoto FUV Tour on Amelia Island

CA $264
per traveller
Guided Arcimoto FUV Tour on Amelia Island
Family Treasures: Fernandina Beach Discovery Walk

Family Treasures: Fernandina Beach Discovery Private Tour

CA $854
per adult
Family Treasures: Fernandina Beach Discovery Private Tour
See all activities in St. Marys

Cities near St. Marys

EA9H2R View of Fernandina Beach Marina, Amelia Island, Florida

Fernandina Beach

Yulee Sugar Mill Ruins Historic State Park in Homosassa Florida USA

Yulee

Friendship Park which includes night scenes, skyline and a city

Jacksonville

East River Marsh in the Brunswick Jekyll Island area, Georgia

Woodbine