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 RM253 per night from 1 Apr to 2 Apr
RM253
RM305 total
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! (1,006 reviews)
Property is older and rooms were not very clean. Rating said 8/10 but this was nowhere near an 8/10 hotel maybe a 6-6.5.

Reviewed on 7 Mar 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
Fully refundable
The price is RM450 per night from 16 Mar to 17 Mar
RM450
RM510 total
16 Mar - 17 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! (2,420 reviews)
Clean rooms, excellent staff, shuttle services exceeded expectations. Highly recommend.

Reviewed on 7 Mar 2026

Hyatt Place Jacksonville Airport
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 RM418 per night from 5 Apr to 6 Apr
RM418
RM475 total
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! (1,877 reviews)
It was clean and everyone was very nice

Reviewed on 7 Mar 2026

Crowne Plaza Hotel Jacksonville Airport/I-95N by IHG
See all 4,513 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! (1,164 reviews)
Very cozy, great view of ocean and beach decor was really nice.

Reviewed on 6 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! (1,112 reviews)
The condo was very nice, check in went smoothly and staff was friendly. Pool area looked nice, whole complex looked nice. Cons: 1-don't pay thru Expedia, it was a mess and total invoice shown in Expedia was almost twice what condo company actually charged. 2-condo bathroom was on second floor 3-pictures ...

Reviewed on 1 Mar 2026

Villas By the Sea Resort & Conference Center
Beach 5 Villas - Immaculate 300 steps from the Ocean

Beach 5 Villas - Immaculate 300 steps from the Ocean

4.5 out of 5
441 S Fletcher Ave Fernandina Beach FL
Stay at this luxury aparthotel in Fernandina Beach. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Egan's Creek Greenway Trail and ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (21 reviews)
Condo was clean and well appointed!

Reviewed on 28 Feb 2026

Beach 5 Villas - Immaculate 300 steps from the Ocean
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

4/5(2 reviews)

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

4.5/5(2 reviews)

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 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

CraigCat Boat Tour from Fernandina Beach

CraigCat Boat Tour from Fernandina Beach

RM573
per adult
98% of travellers recommend
CraigCat Boat Tour from Fernandina Beach
Guided Arcimoto FUV Tour on Amelia Island

Guided Arcimoto FUV Tour on Amelia Island

RM750
per traveller
Guided Arcimoto FUV Tour on Amelia Island
Ameila Island Inshore Fishing Trip

Amelia Island Inshore Fishing Charter

RM2,961
per traveller
100% of travellers recommend
Amelia Island Inshore Fishing Charter
See all activities in St. Marys
Yulee Sugar Mill Ruins Historic State Park in Homosassa Florida USA

Yulee

East River Marsh in the Brunswick Jekyll Island area, Georgia

Woodbine