Trip Idea

Road Trip: Parks to Visit Along the Coast

Multiple Parks

marsh and river
Duration Multiple Days
Topic(s) African American Heritage, Enslavement, Explorers and Expeditions, Maritime - Military, Native American Heritage,
Activities Museum Exhibits, Boat Tour, Hiking, Self-Guided Tours - Walking
Type Kid Friendly, Urban, Road Trip, Group Friendly
Parks Cumberland Island National Seashore, Fort Matanzas National Monument, Timucuan Ecological & Historic Preserve, Fort Caroline National Memorial
Florida Georgia Road Trip
  • Cumberland Island National Seashore

    Hike to Dungeness
    • Activity Fee: Yes
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Hiking
    • Pets: No
    • Duration: 1–2 Hours
    Burnt out ruins of a brick and stone mansion. The blue sky can be seen through empty window frames.

    Take a hike to the southern most historical district to see the ruins of a Carnegie mansion, learn about what it took to upkeep the estate, check out wildlife and enjoy the view of the salt marsh. This short hike can be enjoyed in just 2 hours.

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  • Cumberland Island National Seashore

    Explore the Mainland Museum
    • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Museum Exhibits
    • Pets: No
    • Location: Downtown St. Marys
    • Duration: 15–60 Minutes
    • Time of Day: Day
    A museum display with manikins in uniforms, a historic painting and a large anchor on the wall.

    Open from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM daily , the Mainland Museum for Cumberland Island National Seashore is a great starting place to learn more about the island’s diverse history. Exhibits explore the cultural and natural history of the island from prehistoric American Indians lives, through British occupation during the War of 1812, the Plantation Era, Gilded Age, and the island today.

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  • Timucuan Ecological & Historic Preserve

    Listen to the Lion's Storyteller Audio Tour
    • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Self-Guided Tours - Walking
    • Pets: Yes
    • Location: Kingsley Plantation
    • Duration: 30–90 Minutes
    • Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
    • Time of Day: Day
    a sign on blue stairs reads 3 and has headphones

    Audio Tour at Kingsley Plantation

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  • Multiple Parks

    Read the Names on the Fort Caroline Memorial

    • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Museum Exhibits
    • Age: 0 and Older
    • Pets: Yes
    • Location: Fort Model at Fort Caroline National Memorial
    • Duration: 10–35 Minutes
    • Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
    • Time of Day: Day
    a pergola inside a fort with an exhibit panel listing names

    Read the known names of the French colonists of Fort Caroline, the failed French attempt to establish a colony in Florida. This first conflict between European powers in North America would lead to more bloodshed, for Native Americans, French, Spanish, English, and many more. The impact of colonization, the fight for freedom of religion, and the struggle of survival, can all be reflected on in this space.

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  • Fort Matanzas National Monument

    Ferry to Fort Matanzas
    • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
    • Reservations: Yes
    • Activity: Boat Tour
    • Pets: No
    • Duration: 30–45 Minutes
    • Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
    • Time of Day: Day
    Ferry boat in the water with the Fort in the background

    Here's what you need to know, to take the Ferry ride to historic Fort Matanzas.

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Last updated: February 1, 2024