St. Marys, GA

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
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.
Beautiful small town off I-95.You can also get to Cumberland island from St Mary's
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 ₩95,256 per night from Apr 5 to Apr 6
₩95,256
₩115,084 total
Apr 5 - Apr 6
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 ...
SureStay Plus Hotel by Best Western St Marys Cumberland
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 ₩158,821 per night from Apr 5 to Apr 6
₩158,821
₩180,261 total
Apr 5 - Apr 6
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Jacksonville. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 restaurants, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,866 reviews)
Stopped for a quick overnight stay. Hotel very clean and staff friendly.

Reviewed on Mar 13, 2026

Crowne Plaza Hotel Jacksonville Airport/I-95N by IHG
Hyatt Place Jacksonville Airport

Hyatt Place Jacksonville Airport

3 out of 5
14565 Duval Rd Jacksonville FL
Fully refundable
The price is ₩169,551 per night from Mar 23 to Mar 24
₩169,551
₩192,441 total
Mar 23 - Mar 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 ...
9/10 Wonderful! (2,424 reviews)
Friendly staff. Free shuttle to/from airport and local restaurants.

Reviewed on Mar 14, 2026

Hyatt Place Jacksonville Airport
See all 4,520 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
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! (1,167 reviews)
The pictures of the villas are a bit confusing. They seem to be right on the beach. The overall experience is wonderful.

Reviewed on Mar 13, 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! (1,113 reviews)
Ocean view, spacious, clean

Reviewed on Mar 9, 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
Book a stay at this luxury aparthotel in Fernandina Beach. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Egan's Creek Greenway Trail ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (21 reviews)
Condo was clean and well appointed!

Reviewed on Feb 28, 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

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

Cumberland Island Ferry
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 seaside in this romantic area, or check out its top-notch restaurants.

Cumberland Island National Seashore Visitor Center
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

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

Reviews of St. Marys

4.4
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
26
5 - Excellent 52%
4 - Good
19
4 - Good 38%
3 - Okay
3
3 - Okay 6%
2 - Disappointing
1
2 - Disappointing 2%
1 - Terrible
1
1 - Terrible 2%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Many options for good food in St. Mary’s. Good parking and easy walking to shopping and dining.

5/5 - Excellent

Bill

Nice quaint town with historic district. Great fresh seafood restaurants.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Very clean and quiet; never been there, but plan to return.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

More there than you might think. Nice little town interesting history

2/5 - Disappointing

Greg

With the lack of communication and last minute scramble to find the property we would not recommend this property to anyone. The water heater isn't large enough for a single shower and the heat was not turned on... making our arrival very cold. Whe

5/5 - Excellent

Trish

St. Marys is a beautiful small town, excellent food and great people. It's undergoing major renovations, though. I wish they'd schedule these during off-season--not during late June, early July. Bad timing.

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