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    Folkston Funnel Train Watching Platform

    4.2 (10 reviews)

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    Matthew S.

    I finally made it out here after years of wanting to see this. It was worth the wait. This platform makes it worthwhile to see the approximately 40-60 trains (that includes 6 Amtrak trains) that pass through the area. There are restrooms on site, and there are plenty of food options nearby without risking missing a train. There are also lights so you can watch the trains after dark! I also liked how they have a scanner feed where I can listen to find out when trains are coming. That is awesome for novice railfans who want to learn more about the railroad than just looking at the wayside signals just north of the platform. Overall this was fun and I am happy I tried it out. I guess I would come back when it is less hot and humid. Also when there is less of a threat of a hurricane... but that is out of my control. *This* is why you come to Folkston.

    Jessica S.

    I stopped at the Folkston Train Funnel - a double track which serves as the main artery for railroad traffic into and out of Florida. From the viewing platform in Folkston, visitors can see trains passing on their way to and from Jacksonville, Florida in the south, and a split north of town where trains go west to Waycross, Georgia, and north to Savannah. The platform features lights, ceiling fans, and a scanner to listen in to radio traffic between trains. Foamers delight! I mostly just wanted to check it out and see what it was all about. The funnel itself was kind of boring, but I think it's the concept. I met some rail fanatics that were SO excited about every passing train and had wonderful stories to tell and that made it a nice little stop. Two of the people I met, Marian and Ron, drove all the way from Ontario, Canada and planned to stay in Folkston for a couple weeks, getting up every day to watch the trains. Ron made the trip the past four years. He grew up alongside the tracks, even used to hop freight train. When he retired, he started traveling around to photograph and record them. I also ran into a few locals, including Emery. He joined the railroad in 1964, left for a little bit in '70, came back in '88 and retired in 2003. He was a dispatcher. He said he comes to the Folkston Overlook to meet the people that travel from all around to spot trains.

    The platform
    Ryan K.

    If you LOVE watching trains this is the spot to come to in the Southeast. ALL trains going in and out of NE Florida come through this location. Amtrak comes through 6 times a day, along with an abundant amount of freight, coal and auto trains daily. People some from all over the country to watch trains here. There is a nice wooded viewing platform with benches and chairs, free WiFi, constant radio communications playing on the platform between the trains coming through, ceiling fans for when it's hot, picnic tables, cooking grills, electrical outlets to charge your electronics and lights for at night to see the trains. It's free of charge and have a donation location if you wish to donate, which I did. Also highly recommend the train Museum adjacent to the platform on the other side of the tracks. It's open M-F: 9a-5p and Sat: 10a-3p.

    Folkston Funnel May 30, 2019

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    Review Highlights - Folkston Funnel Train Watching Platform

    If you LOVE watching trains this is the spot to come to in the Southeast.

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    Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge - Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge  -- Folkston

    Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge

    4.6(23 reviews)
    8.5 mi

    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!

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    Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge - Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge  -- Folkston

    Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge -- Folkston

    Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge - Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge  -- Folkston

    Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge -- Folkston

    Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge - Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge -- December

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    Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge -- December

    Horton House Ruins

    Horton House Ruins

    4.5(11 reviews)
    39.8 mi

    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.

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    Horton House Ruins - Inside the house...

    Inside the house...

    Horton House Ruins
    Horton House Ruins

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    Three Lions Fountain

    Three Lions Fountain

    4.3(6 reviews)
    42.1 miSan Marco

    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.

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    Three Lions Fountain
    Three Lions Fountain - Gorgeous fountain on a gorgeous day.

    Gorgeous fountain on a gorgeous day.

    Three Lions Fountain - The three Lions.

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    The three Lions.

    Jekyll Island - Jekyll Island

    Jekyll Island

    4.1(94 reviews)
    39.1 mi

    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.

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    Jekyll Island - Jekyll Island

    Jekyll Island

    Jekyll Island - Jekyll Island

    Jekyll Island

    Jekyll Island - Jekyll Island

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    Jekyll Island

    Folkston Funnel Train Watching Platform - landmarks - Updated May 2026

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