This very faded marker in front of the Charlton County Courthouse tells the history of the county…read more It reads, "Created by an Act of February 18, 1854 out of Camden County, Charlton County was named for Judge Robert M. Charlton of Savannah. Trader's Hill (Fort Alert), an important shipping point and head of navigation on St. Marys River, was the first County Site. In 1901, Folkston became the County Site after the Savannah, Florida & Western RR was in operation. The first County Officers, elected in April, 1854, were: Daniel R. Dedge, Sheriff; J.H. Oliver, Clerk of both Courts; Francis M. Smith, Ordinary; John E. Gibson, Tax Receiver; J.H. Bessant, Surveyor; James S. Bennett, Coroner; Louis N.G. Strickland, soon replaced by H. Roddenberry, Tax Collector." Yeah, *that* Roddenberry. The "H. Roddenberry" would have been the great grandfather or the grandfather of Gene Roddenberry. The Star Trek guy. [Review 13240 overall, 557 of 2020.]

Love this little park! I live nearby and enjoy sitting by the lions statue/fountain often. It's a…read morequiet place to stretch out before/after going for a run. We attended the AMAZING arts festival here last year and are looking forward to it again. They hold beer festivals, charity runs, and more events in this small park. There is free street parking around the square. Note- there are no public restrooms at this park. The park is well maintained and they always update the landscaping each season. During the holidays, they put lights all over the park surrounding the Christmas tree under the gazebo. I love San Marco and it's many parks!

Balis Park is very pretty and a great place to sit and people watch. It's never overwhelmingly…read morecrowded and it's very peaceful. I came here recently for a yoga meetup. The park provided ample space for my yoga group to practice near the gazebo.

Super unique experience in such a special place! This is Georgias well kept secret! It is amazing…read moreto study before going and it will make you appreciate it so much more when you go! In a spot the whole world is interested in and its future preservation is extremely important for future generations! The visitor center is so kid friendly and fun to explore! Coloring books a climbable treehouse, jukebox with animal sounds, large glass windows to see the swamp, an animatronic man telling stories about the swamps history etc and even a movie theater and shop! Truly a great visitor center and they're building a new one which I bet will be even bigger and better! We walked the trail to the large tower and then also walked to see the homestead! The tower hike was missing shade from the fire in 2017 but besides that it was super enjoyable. The homestead was locked up when we went but it was still super fun to walk around and peek in the windows. The adventure boat company was worth it to get out into the swamp with knowledgeable guides! Truly a remarkable special place. It's HUGE so make sure you know which entrance you need to go to. There are two and they are not close to each other haha.

A very informative 1.5 hour boat ride thru the swamp. Our guide was very well versed in all the…read morefacts of the birds, turtles, gators, plant life, history etc! The price per person has gone up alot since we were here years ago (now $35 pp) but I guess federal money to the preserve has decreased alot over the years too. We were here on a Friday and they were busy!

If you have any appreciation for early American history, the Horton House ruins on Jekyll Island…read moreare absolutely worth a stop. Built in 1743 from tabby, a fascinating oyster shell and lime mortar used throughout colonial Georgia, these walls have survived Spanish raids, Georgia hurricanes, and nearly three centuries of harsh coastal weather. The atmosphere is wonderfully peaceful. No crowds, no noise, just moss-draped trees, the sound of the breeze and the birds singing. This site could use a little more facts about Major Horton, the DuBignon era, and the plantation history would make the experience even more meaningful for first-time visitors. Across the street from the Horton House ruins is the small DuBignon Cemetery, a tabby-walled enclosure containing the graves of five people: Ann Amelia du Bignon, Joseph du Bignon, Marie Felicite Riffault, Hector deLiyannis, and George Harvey. They owned the Horton House from 1790 to 1886 and operated the land as a plantation for over a *century. Still an over-all interesting history stop.

This was such an interesting historical site to explore. It's easily accessible -- right along the…read moreside of the road. We parked and walked over to the house. There are explanatory plaques about the tabby-built house along with a sign about tabby (the building material formed from a mix of sand, lime, oyster shells, and water). The house is one of the oldest of its kind in Georgia and is on the National Register of Historic places. Horton was in charge of the British troops stationed on island. He built this house as his residence and lived here from 1736 until 1748. (He died in Savannah in 1748 or 1749 -- I've read two different dates.) One other interesting note about Horton was that he had the first beer brewery in the state. What you see when you come here is the shell of the house. Open aired without a roof or paned windows. You can walk around the outside and inside. It's a good photo op for various views through the open windows. Later on, the house was occupied by the French du Bignons (who owned the island until they sold it to the American millionaires in 1886) from 1790 to the mid 1800's. Their cemetery is located across the street from the House, and you can easily walk to see this, as well, which we did.

Once a year they have this juried art show; this is the 10th annual. The museum and art show are…read moremanned by volunteers; they provide a lovely lunch to all the artists (which is appreciated). They have an award ceremony for painting, photography and 3D art. To encourage the youth they also have awards for high school kids. I entered under 3D art my gourds ( was 4 gourd artists, metal sculptures, clay, wood and barnacle 3D art)and was pleased to take 1st place for the 2nd year in a row! Thanks a lot...it made my day!

Small local museum but with varied exhibits. The building is an old train depot built in the…read more1880's. There are exhibits on trains (see the caboose!), turpentine production, roadside motels, and Revolutionary War battles, along with history of the local towns. They recently added an exhibit on the FAA. The museum is open Saturdays (9 am - 1 pm) . They host special events like Railroad Days, ice cream social, art shows, and farmer's market.

This fountain is the landmark of the historical San Marco Square in the San Marco neighborhood of…read moreJacksonville. It is a statue of three lions, climbing on top of each other, with water spouting out of the top of the mountain of lions. San Marco is one of Jacksonville's oldest neighborhoods, if not the oldest, and is known for being a very artsy neighborhood, mixed with a substantial amount of wealth, which also makes it one of the most desirable neighborhoods in Jacksonville. River Rd. runs through this neighborhood, with it's mansions lining the street just along the St. Johns River. Old houses, of all different kinds of architecture, from the Spanish and Mediterranean styles, to the Victorian, to the Colonial, to the Hampton styled beach homes [although they aren't on the beach], give it a stunning aesthetic. River Rd is a beautiful place to go for a walk if it is out of your reach for living [aka nearly everyone]. The Square, which this fountain is situated smack in the middle of, is home to many restaurants, shops, and bars, making this almost like a town inside a city. It's a very walkable neighborhood, with even it's own theater for catching the latest movie. Come see this fountain, grab a bite to eat in one of the many delicious restaurants, and top the night off with a cocktail at Square One. It is a wonderful way to spend your time.

The Three Lions Fountain in Jacksonville is a nice, peaceful spot with some really cool detail on…read morethe lions. It's not a huge attraction, but it's great for a quick stop and a few pictures. Solid little place that adds some charm to the area.

Visited Friendship Fountain and honestly it was one of those spots that just feels good to be at…read morewithout trying too hard. The fountain itself is huge and impressive when it's running, with water shooting up and moving in these patterns that make it weirdly calming to just sit and watch. It has that "you could stay here way longer than planned" kind of vibe, especially with the river right there and the open space all around it. My family and I just hung out nearby, walked along the water, and let the kids run around while we took in the view. It is one of those places where nobody is in a rush and everyone is just kind of enjoying the moment. The whole area feels peaceful but still active enough that there's always something to look at--boats passing, people walking, and the fountain doing its thing like the centerpiece of it all. Five stars. Perfect mix of relaxing, pretty views, and a great spot in Jacksonville to just slow down and enjoy the day.

Beautiful waterfront spot with great views and peaceful vibes. Friendship Fountain is perfect for a…read morewalk or relaxing by the water.

We adored our time here! Drift wood beach was so unique and beautiful. I saw a family ride horses…read morethrough it and if we come back I'm going to figure out how to get to do that! Haha. The seemingly endless sidewalk to circle the island or become immersed in the forest or stroll by the historic district were enchanting! We were lucky enough to see the turtle sanctuary, see some surgery being performed, and even the release of some turtles back to the ocean! It was a special stay and we truly would love to come back.

Jekyll Island: A Beautiful Nowhere…read more Let's start with the facts. Jekyll Island is gorgeous. Postcard-level gorgeous. If you're into palm trees, slightly ominous marshland, and skies that look like they're about to film a Nicholas Sparks movie, this place is for you. The Vibe: The historical district is stunning. Seriously. I half-expected a ghost in a hoop skirt to appear and offer me a glass of mint julep. But once you finish whispering "wow" at the old buildings and the Spanish moss, a strange feeling hits you... boredom. Beautiful, well-landscaped boredom. For Families? Perfect. Kids? Bring them. They'll love it. There's enough open space for them to run around and maybe learn a little history if that's your thing. For Lovers? Surprisingly... yes. If you and your significant other want quiet, privacy, and zero distractions, Jekyll is your spot. Want to disappear from the world and have deep talks about life while staring into the ocean? You got it. Want to cheat in peace and not get recognized? This place is not a Coldplay concert; no one will find you here. For Party People? Absolutely not. If you're looking to party, dance, go wild, or even just see a stranger under 50 doing something mildly questionable, keep driving. Jekyll is where excitement comes to retire. The Hotel: I stayed at the Holiday Inn. It was great in a "this-is-definitely-not-a-five-star" kind of way. Clean room, ocean view, no bugs doing parkour on the bathroom mirror. But make no mistake, this was a luxury motel at best with beach access. They say it's a resort, but your expectations should hover somewhere between "summer training barracks" and "bougie rest stop." Amenities: There's a Starbucks on the island if you feel like leaning into your basic side. It's right by the roundabout, because of course it is. Nothing screams 'island escape' like iced coffee in a paper cup near a traffic circle. The Toll: Yes, there's a toll. Ten dollars to get on the island. That's not a metaphor. You will literally pay to enter. By the time you read this, inflation might've nudged it up to fifteen. But if you're paying for privacy and to avoid humanity, it's arguably cheaper than therapy. Final Thoughts: Jekyll Island is like dating someone really attractive who has no hobbies. You'll enjoy the view for a while... then start wondering why you came. Would I go again? Yeah! but only if I had kids, a book to finish, or a secret I needed to bury.

This has always been one of my favorite parks. Great place to bring a date, family or your fur…read morebaby. I personally love grabbing a coffee close by and walking the park just enjoying the weather and people watching. Great mixture of sun and shade.

Beautiful, peaceful park. I attended a sound bath at Memorial Park and it was incredibly relaxing…read more I also love coming here to read with my daughter or have picnics with the kids.