Shellman GeorgiaATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Shellman, Georgia.
1. Harris Neck National Wildlife Refuge
NATURE AND WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
Harris Neck National Wildlife Refuge offers visitors a lovely green space to explore in Townsend. The refuge provides excellent opportunities for wildlife viewing, hiking, and photography throughout the seasons. Visitors can stroll along well-maintained trails while observing diverse ecosystems and native species in their natural habitat.
2. Smallest Church in America
HISTORIC RELIGIOUS LANDMARK
The Smallest Church in America stands as a unique historical landmark in Townsend. This tiny chapel represents an important piece of local religious heritage that attracts visitors from around the country. Its charming architecture and intimate setting provide a peaceful spot for reflection and photography.
3. Fort King George Historic Site
COLONIAL MILITARY HISTORY
Fort King George Historic Site preserves Georgia's oldest English colonial fort established in 1721. Visitors can explore reconstructed buildings, earthworks, and a museum showcasing military life during the colonial period. The site offers guided tours that bring to life the strategic importance this frontier outpost held in early American history.
4. Hofwyl-Broadfield Plantation
ANTEBELLUM RICE PLANTATION
Hofwyl-Broadfield Plantation offers a glimpse into Georgia's rice coast history through its preserved 19th-century buildings and grounds. Once a productive rice plantation, the site now serves as a museum with original furnishings and a fascinating collection of family heirlooms. Guided tours take visitors through the plantation house and surrounding landscape, presenting the complex social and agricultural history of the region.
5. Altamaha Wildlife Management Area
DIVERSE WILDERNESS EXPERIENCE
Altamaha Wildlife Management Area encompasses vast wetlands and forests along Georgia's coast. The preserve offers excellent opportunities for hunting, fishing, birdwatching, and hiking through diverse ecosystems. Visitors can observe abundant wildlife including deer, waterfowl, and numerous bird species in their natural habitat.
6. Old Jail Museum
HISTORIC CORRECTIONAL FACILITY
The Old Jail Museum in Darien preserves a historic correctional facility that operated from the late 1800s until 1930. Visitors can explore the cells, jailer's quarters, and exhibits featuring artifacts from the region's past. The museum offers a fascinating glimpse into the local justice system and social conditions of bygone eras.
7. Ashantilly Center
HISTORIC HOME AND GARDENS
Ashantilly Center preserves the historic home of Thomas Spalding, a prominent coastal Georgia planter. The restored plantation house showcases colonial architecture and is surrounded by beautiful gardens and grounds. The center hosts cultural events, workshops, and exhibits celebrating local arts and history throughout the year.
8. Midway Historic District
COLONIAL HERITAGE AREA
Midway Historic District preserves one of Georgia's most significant colonial settlements founded in 1752. Visitors can explore the historic Midway Congregational Church, cemetery with Revolutionary War graves, and other colonial-era structures. The district offers a compelling window into early American history and the role this community played in Georgia's development.
9. Midway Museum
COLONIAL HISTORY COLLECTION
The Midway Museum houses an impressive collection of colonial artifacts and exhibits detailing the area's rich history. The museum building itself is a reconstruction of a colonial plantation house typical of coastal Georgia in the 18th century. Tours provide insights into the daily lives, religious practices, and cultural traditions of Midway's early settlers.
10. Fort Morris Historic Site
REVOLUTIONARY WAR FORTRESS
Fort Morris Historic Site preserves earthwork fortifications that defended Georgia's coast during the Revolutionary War. Visitors can explore the reconstructed elements of the fort while enjoying expansive views of the Medway River. The site hosts living history demonstrations and special events that bring the fort's military significance to life.
11. Sapelo Island National Estuarine Research Reserve
COASTAL ECOLOGY PRESERVE
Sapelo Island National Estuarine Research Reserve protects one of the most pristine estuarine ecosystems on the Atlantic coast. Visitors can take a ferry to the island to explore diverse coastal habitats, historic sites, and the Gullah-Geechee community of Hog Hammock. Guided tours highlight the island's natural wonders, research facilities, and cultural heritage dating back centuries.
12. Kilkenny Marina
COASTAL FISHING HUB
Kilkenny Marina serves as a gateway to excellent fishing and boating along Georgia's picturesque coast. The marina offers boat rentals, fishing charters, and access to some of the region's most productive inshore and offshore waters. Visitors can enjoy fresh seafood at the on-site restaurant while taking in stunning views of the coastal marshlands.
13. LeConte-Woodmanston Plantation and Botanical Garden
HISTORIC PLANTATION GARDENS
LeConte-Woodmanston Plantation and Botanical Garden preserves the historic rice plantation established by naturalist Louis LeConte in 1760. The site features reconstructed gardens showcasing native plants, medicinal herbs, and agricultural specimens studied by the scientifically-minded LeConte family. Visitors can walk interpretive trails through the former plantation grounds while learning about the botanical innovations and complex social history of coastal Georgia plantations.
14. Seabrook Village
AFRICAN AMERICAN HERITAGE SITE
Seabrook Village recreates an African American community established by freed people after the Civil War. The living history museum features authentic structures, agricultural displays, and household items used by residents during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Guided tours and demonstrations illustrate the resilience and cultural traditions of these early free Black communities.
15. Blackbeard Island Public Beach
PRISTINE COASTAL RETREAT
Blackbeard Island Public Beach offers visitors a secluded stretch of undeveloped shoreline accessible only by boat. The island's protected status as part of a National Wildlife Refuge ensures pristine natural conditions for swimming, beachcombing, and wildlife observation. Visitors can enjoy the tranquil setting while exploring maritime forests, salt marshes, and dune environments that support diverse coastal ecosystems.