5 Places For A Summer Trip To Georgia Beaches

ATLANTA, GA — If it seems like the summer is moving along quickly this year, you're not alone. There's still time to enjoy the outdoors with your family between now and Labor Day.

Georgia has plenty of outstanding beaches, state parks and other destinations for a getaway trip. That's why we've rounded up a bucket list of locations for a summer day trip. So pack up the car, gather the kids and head out to one of these destinations.

With traveling in mind, here are some great Georgia islands to check out this summer:

1. Tybee Island: Tybee Island aka Savannah Beach, is a rustic getaway spot 18 miles away from Savannah. The beach's famously preserved history has made it a tourist destination in recent years. Visitors love to walk the three miles of uninterrupted sand, featuring salt marshes with birds and wildlife unique to the Georgia coast.
2. Jekyll Island: If you're enchanted with the natural beauty of undeveloped beachfront, Jekyll Island, the smallest of barrier islands in the state, is a paradise. Visitors can enjoy a host of wildlife-center activities, such as horseback riding and turtle habitat tours. As a bonus, you can visit the historic Jekyll Island Club Hotel, a 19th-century winter retreat for the rich.
3. St. Simons Island: Fans of historic structures have been flocking here for years because of St. Simon's historic lighthouse, which began operating six years after the Civil War ended. Other preserved structures include Bloody Marsh and several antebellum buildings. St. Simons has also become a shopping and dining mecca.
4. Cumberland National Seashore: Georgia's largest barrier island features huge swaths of marchland and pristine maritime forests across its nearly 10,000 acres of protected wilderness. Visitors can tour the spots where wealthy industrialists vacationed. Cumberland Island is also home to more than 9,800 acres of congressionally designated wilderness.
5. Little St. Simons Island: Explore 7 miles of pristine beaches and 11,000 acres of undeveloped wilderness. If exclusive lodgings are your fancy, check out the the Lodge at Little St. Simon's Island, a 32-guest gem accessible strictly by 10-minute boat ride from the mainland. Stays are all-inclusive of accommodations, boat transfers to and from the island, three prepared meals daily, all activities including naturalist led excursions and use of all recreation equipment.

What's your favorite Georgia beach destination? Tell us in comments.