Fort Frederica National Monument — Attraction in Saint Simons

Free to visit! This historical site is absolutely fantastic!! I can't recommend it enough. I recommend bringing water with you (you can refill your cup/bottle at the drinking fountain with the eco bottle thing), sunglasses, sunblock, and bugspray. Definitely stop by the indoor museum first, and take in all that they have to offer you. There is so much to see and learn. From there, you can head outside, use the restrooms, and then begin down the trail to head towards "Broad St." Which leads you straight to the fort. Along the way, you will see the old grid work and street lines, etc. as they continue to do digs and uncover more of history. I loved walking through and seeing the markers indicating what once was in front of where I was standing. Though like so many others, I wish the original structures were still here today. You can not enter the fort nor go "on top" of it. You can walk around it and watch your surroundings for the local wildlife. It's definitely a beautiful place. We saw quite a few deer around. We were on a crunch for time as we got to stop on the way back from one of St. Simmons Island beaches. The old burying grounds are very fascinating, so much history in such a small space. There is a trail leading farther down from there. However, signs are posted to watch for ticks, and we were not dressed or prepared for ticks. We would like to return and explore further in the future and see what else they uncover on the land. I had a nice conversation with a park ranger who told me how they are still uncovering things all the time, and it's unclear as to when they will ever be done uncovering the ruins of Frederica. The history of the town, what happened to it, and everything leading up to today is very interesting. Check them out when you're nearby! As well as the neighboring Christ Church Frederica-we only saw the cemetery, but it was gorgeous. Again, I would love to come back and delve deeper into that...

Fort Frederica National Monument, located on St. Simons Island in Georgia, is a preserved archaeological site that offers a glimpse into the early colonial history of the state.

Established in the early 18th century by James Oglethorpe to protect the southern boundary of the British colony of Georgia, Fort Frederica was a strategic military outpost. The fort and the town that grew around it played a key role in the struggle between British and Spanish forces for control over the southeastern part of North America.

Today, visitors to the site can explore the remnants of the fort, barracks, walls, and other structures. Though much of the original town is gone, the well-maintained grounds, along with historical markers and interpretive signs, provide a vivid picture of what life was like in this colonial settlement.

The visitor center offers informative exhibits, a short film, and guided tours that delve into the history of Fort Frederica, the people who lived there, and the significance of the site in American history. Rangers and volunteers are available to answer questions and enhance the experience with stories and insights.

Surrounded by beautiful live oak trees draped with Spanish moss, the monument's setting is picturesque and serene. Walking paths allow for leisurely exploration, and the site's location near the Frederica River adds to its natural beauty.

Fort Frederica National Monument is not just a place for history buffs; it's an engaging and educational destination that connects visitors with a formative period in Georgia's past. It's a place where history comes to life, offering a unique opportunity to learn about colonial America in a beautiful...

• Visited on Saturday morning during winter break in December 2023. • It wasn’t very crowded and plenty of parking with lots of shade. • Visitor center was on the larger size and it included a video that played every 30 mins. Lots of things to see and do for kids. They had games that kids played in the past and that entertained our kids for a good while. • The park store was of typical size and had some site specific NPS merch. Got pins, hiking medallions and token. • Junior Ranger Booklet was a medium difficulty one. The front desk gives you a canvas bag with supplies to help complete the junior ranger. See review photos for contents. They also have a Master Junior Ranger Patch option if you complete the park specific one along with 2 others. I think the other options were Junior Archeologist, Junior Angler and Junior Underwater Explorer (I think). They were not all easy to do in 1 trip. • Also at 11AM there was a Ranger Program which was fantastic. We toured the grounds with the Ranger which started at the visitor center and ended at what was left of Fort Frederica. • My personal favorite was the 250-year-old live oak in the middle of the park. It was so huge. Took a picture with my 14 year old for scale and posted to this review. • Passport Cancellation Stamps are located in the Visitor Center at front desk which was staffed by a volunteer. • We were there a total of about 90 mins to 2 hrs. We would consider visiting again if we were in the area. We were told there are a couple other things to do in the area including a BBQ place called southern soul BBQ or something like that. Heard this from...