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
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 NT$1,959 per night from Feb 1 to Feb 2
NT$1,959
NT$2,372 total
Feb 1 - Feb 2
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! (1,006 reviews)
yes the breakfast was fresh, the parking was easy

Reviewed on 2026/1/19

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 NT$3,473 per night from Feb 1 to Feb 2
NT$3,473
NT$3,942 total
Feb 1 - Feb 2
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! (2,361 reviews)
Yes

Reviewed on 2026/1/22

Hyatt Place Jacksonville Airport
Amelia Hotel at the Beach

Amelia Hotel at the Beach

2.5 out of 5
1997 S Fletcher Ave Fernandina Beach FL
The price is NT$3,950 per night from Feb 23 to Feb 24
NT$3,950
NT$4,579 total
Feb 23 - Feb 24
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Fernandina Beach. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (2,139 reviews)
El hotel esta enfrente de la playa La habitacion estaba limpia y super comoda Ofrecian 4

Reviewed on 2026/1/24

Amelia Hotel at the Beach
See all 4,474 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! (1,148 reviews)
Beautiful grounds, very helpful staff, great amenities. Cedric the tram driver was the highlight of our trip! Great stories, helpful suggestions about where to eat and such a pleasant perspective! The shops are wonderful with unique clothing and accessories.

Reviewed on 2026/1/14

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! (1,102 reviews)
Great time with great accommodations

Reviewed on 2026/1/13

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 ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (17 reviews)
Very accommodating.

Reviewed on 2025/10/20

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

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

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

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

Cities near St. Marys

Cumberland Island National Seashore. Cumberland Island, largest of Georgia's Golden Isles, is managed by National Park Service. Dungeness Mansion ruins once owned by Carnegie Family, ruined by fire.

Kingsland

Sand dunes at Cumberland Island National Seashore.

Cumberland Island

Friendship Park showing a city, night scenes and skyline

Jacksonville