This coastal town in Maine has been a center of ship building since 1815. Home to Bowdoin College, its streets have Colonial-era homes and the Androscoggin River runs through downtown.
Brunswick, Georgia lies on the Atlantic coast between Savannah and Jacksonville. Walk through streets named after British towns in the colonial-era grid, catch a play at the 1898 Ritz Theatre, or join a shrimping expedition aboard the Lady Jane vessel. At Mary Ross Waterfront Park, you'll see cargo ships and shrimp boats navigate the harbor while massive auto carriers dock at one of America's busiest vehicle ports.
Maritime Industry and Port
The Port of Brunswick handles 10 percent of all U.S. roll-on/roll-off trade, ranking third nationwide for vehicle processing. From Mary Ross Waterfront Park's pier, you'll see ships loading cars, timber products, and agricultural goods throughout the day. The park's interpretive signs explain how the port grew from a small fishing dock to a major commercial hub, and the East River pier puts you right next to passing cargo vessels.
Local Food Culture
A 25-gallon iron pot in Brunswick marks where locals first cooked Brunswick stew in 1898. Each October, more than 50 cooking teams gather at the Brunswick Rockin' Stewbilee to compete for the best recipe. The stew combines corn, lima beans, and okra with meat in a tomato base. Along Bay Street, the local shrimping fleet brings in daily catches, which go straight to nearby restaurants' kitchens.
Arts and Entertainment
Since 1982, the Coastal Symphony of Georgia has performed classical concerts at Glynn Academy's Memorial Auditorium. The restored 1898 Ritz Theatre hosts regular performances through the Golden Isles Arts and Humanities Association. At Art Downtown gallery, you'll find works from regional artists and the Brunswick Actors' Theatre, which stages several intimate productions each season.
Transportation and Island Access
I-95 runs through Brunswick, putting Savannah 75 miles north and Jacksonville 65 miles south. Two causeways link Brunswick to Jekyll and St. Simons islands - both just a 15-minute drive away. Cross the Sidney Lanier Bridge over the Brunswick River to reach the islands' beaches. You can fly into Brunswick Golden Isles Airport, or use Jacksonville and Savannah airports, each about an hour's drive away.
Parks and Public Spaces
Mary Ross Waterfront Park stretches along the East River with a playground, covered pavilion, and riverside walking paths. At Howard Coffin Park, you'll find tennis courts, baseball fields, and a 1-mile trail winding through oak trees. The Old Town Brunswick National Historic District preserves the 1771 street layout, with squares named after British locations like Hanover and Newcastle. At Prince and Albany Streets stands the Lover's Oak, its 900-year-old branches extending across the entire intersection.
