14 Best Things To Do In Darien, Georgia

Where to stay in Darien, Georgia

Just as Darien, Georgia, offers activities and destinations for a relaxing break from your everyday life, it also offers top-notch accommodations that will make your vacation more convenient and comfortable. Here, it is easy to find stays where you can wake up to a charming waterfront view, enjoy outdoor and water activities right outside of your doorstep, and make the most out of your out-of-town vacation while still having access to amenities that will make you feel at home. Whether you are a solo traveler, a couple, or a small group of friends, and whether you are on a business trip or a weekend trip, you will surely find a place to stay that can give you enough privacy for you to unwind while still keeping you close to the top attractions of the town.

Here are our top recommendations on where to stay:

• Hampton Inn Darien I-95

• Private cottage by the river near St. Simons Island

• Waterfront home with stunning views

1. Learn more about Darien at Ashantilly Center

Aside from interacting with locals and roaming around from one street to another, one of the great ways to know more about a place is by visiting its local museum. To learn more about Darien as well as McIntosh County, visit Ashantilly Center. Ashantilly Center is an educational center with tour guides who can share about the life and culture in Darien over the years. Inside the center, you can also find a printing press where you can request from the staff to print souvenir cards or special occasion cards. Touring inside Ashantilly Center is by appointment and it’s free. You can help the center by donating any amount for the museum’s maintenance.

Ashantilly Center

Address: 1712 Bond Rd, Darien, GA 31305

Website: Ashantilly Center

2. Spend a day at Columbus Square Park

Smell some fresh air while walking at Columbus Square Park, which was formerly Darien’s transportation center. It was turned into a small park with less strenuous walking trails. The park is a perfect place to unwind because there are many benches where you can sit down and appreciate the beauty of trees surrounding the area.

Columbus Square Park

Address: Washington St. Darien GA 31305

3. Buy quality produce at Turnip Greens

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Turnip Greens is a marketplace styled like an old country store. Here, you can buy seasonal local and homegrown produce at a reasonable price. Aside from fresh fruits, vegetables, and crops, you can also buy specialty foods and gifts here. Almost every product in Turnips Green is guaranteed produced or made in Georgia.

Turnip Greens

Address: 109 N Walton St, Darien, GA 31305

Website: Turnip Greens

Opening hours: Tue - Fri: 10am - 6pm; Sat: 10pm - 4pm (closed on Sun & Mon)

4. Explore and appreciate Fort King George State Historic Site

Fort King George State Historic Site is the longest running English fort in Georgia. This site is also one of the reasons why tourists visit Darien because of the reconstructed fort and the panoramic views surrounding the area. Fort King George State Historic Site has a nature trail, picnic areas, museum, and film center. You can also rent kayaks and canoes to use them in Altamaha waterway that’s just near the site.

Fort King George State Historic Site

Address: 302 McIntosh Rd, Darien, GA 31305

Website: Fort King George State Historic Site

Opening hours: Tue - Sun: 9am - 5pm (closed on Mon)

5. Stroll around the beautiful Vernon Square

Vernon Square is one of the most popular attractions in Darien and in the entire Georgia because a number of tourists who visit here are interested in taking photos of historic sites. Aside from that, Vernon Square is just simply beautiful because of century-old but well-maintained trees. You can also stop by and have a moment of silence at St. Andrews Episcopalian and Darien Methodist old churches which are just within the square’s vicinity.

Vernon Square

Address: 200 Wayne St, Darien, GA 31305-8952

Opening hours: 8am - 8pm (daily)

6. Browse through the exhibits at Old Jail Art Center and Museum

When you’re in Darien for days already and you think you’ve already explored a lot of places but you still want more, go to Old Jail Art Center and Museum. At Old Jail Art Center and Museum, you can spend some meaningful time witnessing Darien’s art scene and viewing the city’s colorful past through live visual arts performances and exhibits. You can also see very old cells with Darien’s finest artifacts here. The museum guides at Old Jail Art Center and Museum are very friendly and knowledgeable and they are very responsive to every question visitors ask.

Old Jail Art Center and Museum

Address: 404 North Way, Darien, GA 31305

Website: Old Jail Art Center and Museum

Opening hours: Mon - Tue, Thu - Sat: 11am - 3pm; Wed: 11:30am - 3pm (closed on Sun)

7. Enjoy wandering around Butler Island Plantation

Butler Island Plantation is Darien’s hidden gem where you can go bird-watching, brisk walking, or biking. You can also tour the plantation for a day and see different trees and Darien’s captivating wildlife scene. At the plantation’s front yard, you can take a picture of two old bricks which mark the plantation as one of the historical sites in Darien. Butler Island Plantation used to be a rice plantation–that’s why it’s part of Darien’s history.

Butler Island Plantation

Address: Butler Rd, Darien, GA 31305

Opening hours: 6am - 6:30pm (daily)

8. Relax watching sailboats at Darien River Waterfront Park & Docks

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

If you want to do something relaxing aside from unwinding in a cafe or sitting at a park, consider sitting down at Darien River Waterfront Park & Docks and watch colorful sailboats. You can also take a stroll while seeing the shrimp boats sailing around Darien River. You’ll surely have a relaxing time at Darien River Waterfront Park & Docks because the ambiance is quiet even though you’ll see a number of local and foreign tourists enjoying their visit at this park. It’s best to visit the park during the afternoon because it will be lit up by the sunset views, accentuated by the charm of Darien River.

Darien River Waterfront Park & Docks

Address: 103 Fort King George Dr, Darien, GA 31305

Website: Darien River Waterfront Park & Docks

Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)

9. Relish delicious seafood at Skipper's Fish Camp

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Tired of the usual beef steak or pasta for lunch or dinner? Go to Skipper’s Camp and enjoy dishes out of fresh seafood. Some of their bestsellers are crab soup, shrimp salad, fried shrimp & oyster combo, and barbecue oysters. Skipper’s Camp also serves non-seafood meals such as ribs, sandwiches, and desserts. Aside from serving succulent dishes, you can also enjoy the views of Darien River which is just very close to the restaurant.

Skipper's Fish Camp

Address: 85 Screven St, Darien, GA 31305

Website: Skipper’s Fish Camp

Opening hours: 11am - 9pm (daily)

10. Have fun kayaking with Captain Gabby Charters

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Make your Darien trip unforgettable by engaging in a water adventure with the help of Captain Gabby Charters. Here, you can explore the timeless beauty of Georgia coast through kayaking. You can also hire a service of a guide here who can take you to less crowded yet safe places or islands where you can relax. Aside from kayaking, you can also have fun fishing and beach combing.

Captain Gabby Charters

Address: 85 Screven St, Darien, Georgia 31305

Website: Captain Gabby Charters

Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)

11. Stay overnight at Darien Inland Harbor Campground

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Darien Inland Harbor Campground, also known as Inland Harbor RV Park, is a popular gated park where tourists can enjoy the lush views surrounded by pretty trees. It is not just a park where you can chill and hang out but also a place where you can stay overnight and take advantage of amenities such as comfortable beds, cable TV, full-service laundry, WiFi connection, and clean restrooms. Inland Harbor RV Park is also a perfect stopover if you’re having a trip to Georgia’s prime attractions such as Jekyll Island and St. Simons Island.

Darien Inland Harbor Campground

Address: 13566 Ga Highway 251, Darien, GA 31305-3653

Website: Darien Inland Harbor Campground

Opening hours: 9am - 7pm (daily)

12. Indulge in fried shrimp at B & J's Steaks & Seafood

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Traveling to Darien would not be complete without trying out local restaurants serving mouthwatering dishes. Fill your tummy with nothing but great-tasting meals from B & J’s Steaks & Seafood. B & J’s Steaks & Seafood offers a country-style dining experience and takes pride in serving the freshest seafood. You’ll surely love their crowd favorite meals such as crab leg plates and their famous fried shrimp plates. They also serve rib-eye steaks, pizza pies, baby back ribs, salads, fried chicken, wings, and pasta. Aside from a la carte meals, their seafood buffet will make you feel that it’s the best time to be alive at the moment. All meals are served hot as well. You’ll also have pleasant dining experience because of their excellent customer service and friendly staff.

B & J's Steaks & Seafood

Address: 901 North Way, Darien, GA 31305

Website: B & J’s Steaks & Seafood

Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 7am - 9pm; Sun: 8am - 2pm

13. Sample decadent sweets at Sugar Marsh Cottage Specialty Confections

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

If you want to get energized from a sugar rush, head to Sugar Marsh Cottage Specialty Confections. Whether you’re having a sweet tooth or not, you’ll love the shop’s artisan toffees, chocolates, and shortbread cookies. Since Darien is a coastal city, the sweets you’ll get from Sugar Marsh Cottage Specialty Confections are designed like seashells or sea creatures. The packaging of every product they sell is elegant and can be considered Instagrammable. On the other hand, you can also purchase some gift boxes containing assorted sweet confectioneries – your recipient will surely appreciate the “sweet” gesture!

Sugar Marsh Cottage Specialty Confections

Address: 300 Franklin St #2699, Darien, GA 31305

Website: Sugar Marsh Cottage Specialty Confections

Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 10am - 5pm (closed on Sun)

14. Chill with a glass of wine at Waterfront Wine & Gourmet

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

After a day in Darien filled with adventure and long walks, sit down and enjoy a glass or two of finest wines at Waterfront Wine & Gourmet. It is a wine bar serving boutique wines and delicious craft beers. Aside from unwinding at the wine bar, you can also meet friendly locals and experience world-class customer service here, brought by their well-trained staff. Waterfront Wine & Gourmet also serves delicious meals such as shrimp salads, gourmet steaks, and sausages.

Waterfront Wine & Gourmet

Address: 107 Broad St, Darien, GA 31305

Website: Waterfront Wine & Gourmet

Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 10am - 8pm; Fri - Sat: 10am -10pm; Sun: 1pm - 7pm

15. Engage in an art-filled day at Mcintosh Art Association

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Feel inspired by seeing impressive visual artworks at Mcintosh Art Association. It is dedicated to promote local art creations through exhibits, sales, and educational tours within the museum premises. The guides here are very attentive, knowledgeable, and friendly. There’s also a gift shop at the right side of McIntosh Art Museum, where you can purchase art supplies and locally crafted items.

Mcintosh Art Association

Address: 404 North Way, Darien, GA 31305

Website: Mcintosh Art Association

Opening hours: Mon - Tue, Thu - Sat: 11am - 3pm; Wed: 11:30am - 3pm (closed on Sun)

Darien's beauty is irresistible

If you’re into a kind of lifestyle involving fishing or water sports, Darien is probably one of the best places you could visit in Georgia. You’ll never run out of things to do in Darien, Georgia such as kayaking, shopping, fishing, wine-tasting, boating, hiking, and a lot more. You might be overwhelmed by the number of activities you can enjoy in this city so be sure to plan your trip ahead. Have fun at Darien and go home smiling from ear to ear!