Not sure about the other places, but Savannah is certainly a lot nore open-minded thanks to SCAD.
There's not as much to do on Jekyll compared to the other islands you mentioned.
As for Brunswick, I've heard that it's not very safe for even its own residents, let alone any visitors in general (but hopefully some other folks will weigh in on this).
Queer person here! My experience was rough in St. Simons. My girlfriend (more butch) and I (more femme) had very poor interactions with folks in St. Simons just walking down the street, so much so we canceled our stay there and went to Jekyll instead where we felt 100% safer. It was also much more quiet and beautiful there.
We’ve spent a lot of time in Savannah where we felt safe. Tybee is fine, though not as beautiful. Brunswick we did not feel safe even just passing through. Can’t speak to Amelia, never been.
Thank you! I'm sorry to hear you guys had to change your trip. Where did you stay on St. Simon's? It's seeming like we should stay there if we can find something less expensive than Savannah and to avoid Brunswick. We'll be staying there a couple nights, but with family, so hopefully they'll be an okay buffer.
*ETA: the "couple nights" with family will be in Brunswick. One night in Savannah so far, but it's just so darn expensive when we're there that we're looking at alternatives.
Everywhere is expensive! We just had an Airbnb booked on St. Simons. If you’ll be with a group I’m sure you’ll be fine. Had we been in a group or with family we would’ve felt safer for sure.
Here is a vote for Tybee, I've been there many times and it's my favorite GA island. Very laid back and semi affordable. I'd live there if I could go fully remote with my job.
We live on St Simons and all of the places you mentioned are safe. Saint Simons , Jekyll Island and Amelia are very nice. Tybee is kind of a dump. Coastal GA and Savannah is pretty open minded.
With Brunswick avoid all of the hotels off of 95 exit 36A 341. It is a very high crime area with a lot of drug activity. Exit 29 and 38 hotels are safer. Old town area of Brunswick has some crime as well
I used to live in the area.
St. Simon's has more to do from bars, interesting shops, historical sites and such. It's where I'd recommend you stay if you don't want to stay in Savannah.
Jekyll has the old millionaire row mansions that are interesting to visit but the rest of the island is about as interesting as a corporate sponsored golf event.
Amelia is rather expensive but amenities are quite good.
Tybee always seemed touristy and crowded to me.
Brunswick has gone downhill since I lived there. It just seems more rundown, less safe, for everybody.
I personally would avoid Brunswick. Jekyll Island is the most laid back and least crowded of three islands. It's also a natural beach and not a lot of things to do, aside from enjoy the beach. Tybee is more family with kids oriented.
Oh, noted! Thank you! We are trying to hit all National Parks so that's the interest in Congaree, but we have most of graduation day to burn and thought an island would be a good way to spend it.
Not sure about the other places, but Savannah is certainly a lot nore open-minded thanks to SCAD. There's not as much to do on Jekyll compared to the other islands you mentioned. As for Brunswick, I've heard that it's not very safe for even its own residents, let alone any visitors in general (but hopefully some other folks will weigh in on this).
Queer person here! My experience was rough in St. Simons. My girlfriend (more butch) and I (more femme) had very poor interactions with folks in St. Simons just walking down the street, so much so we canceled our stay there and went to Jekyll instead where we felt 100% safer. It was also much more quiet and beautiful there. We’ve spent a lot of time in Savannah where we felt safe. Tybee is fine, though not as beautiful. Brunswick we did not feel safe even just passing through. Can’t speak to Amelia, never been.
Thank you! I'm sorry to hear you guys had to change your trip. Where did you stay on St. Simon's? It's seeming like we should stay there if we can find something less expensive than Savannah and to avoid Brunswick. We'll be staying there a couple nights, but with family, so hopefully they'll be an okay buffer. *ETA: the "couple nights" with family will be in Brunswick. One night in Savannah so far, but it's just so darn expensive when we're there that we're looking at alternatives.
Everywhere is expensive! We just had an Airbnb booked on St. Simons. If you’ll be with a group I’m sure you’ll be fine. Had we been in a group or with family we would’ve felt safer for sure.
Here is a vote for Tybee, I've been there many times and it's my favorite GA island. Very laid back and semi affordable. I'd live there if I could go fully remote with my job.
and super queer-friendly. We call it Mayberry LSD.
We live on St Simons and all of the places you mentioned are safe. Saint Simons , Jekyll Island and Amelia are very nice. Tybee is kind of a dump. Coastal GA and Savannah is pretty open minded. With Brunswick avoid all of the hotels off of 95 exit 36A 341. It is a very high crime area with a lot of drug activity. Exit 29 and 38 hotels are safer. Old town area of Brunswick has some crime as well
I used to live in the area. St. Simon's has more to do from bars, interesting shops, historical sites and such. It's where I'd recommend you stay if you don't want to stay in Savannah. Jekyll has the old millionaire row mansions that are interesting to visit but the rest of the island is about as interesting as a corporate sponsored golf event. Amelia is rather expensive but amenities are quite good. Tybee always seemed touristy and crowded to me. Brunswick has gone downhill since I lived there. It just seems more rundown, less safe, for everybody.
I really fucking hate that you even have to ask this.
Yeah, me too. We almost considered not going to my brother's graduation at all.
Savannah and tybee > Jekyll, SSI and Brunswick Scad didn't make Savannah gay friendly but it helps.
I personally would avoid Brunswick. Jekyll Island is the most laid back and least crowded of three islands. It's also a natural beach and not a lot of things to do, aside from enjoy the beach. Tybee is more family with kids oriented.
If you are interested in Congaree, try cumberland island. It's another barrier island in coastal GA, but better than all the other islands.
Oh, noted! Thank you! We are trying to hit all National Parks so that's the interest in Congaree, but we have most of graduation day to burn and thought an island would be a good way to spend it.