HISTORY

Think of travel along the crescent of the southeastern seaboard coastline that stretches oceanside from Georgetown, South Carolina through Savannah and the Golden Isles of Georgia to New Smyrna Beach, Florida. The multi-laned, frenetic pace of I-95 may first come to mind.

We invite you to think again. For here, hugging the true Atlantic coastline paralleling I-95 are the old coastal highways US Highway 17 and Florida State Road A1A, crosscut with meandering byways. These beguiling back roads are a pleasurable passage to the incredibly rich American heritage of intriguing history, diverse cultures and incomparable natural beauty.

With the completion of I-95, travelers gained speed and interchanges thick with commerce. Lost was the interchange between people, cultures and experiences. Tantalizingly close to the reach of the superhighways lay America–less hurried, more enriching–and its homespun fabric, spread delicately along the supporting network of less familiar lanes.

Yes, the pace on these ribbon roadways is decidedly slower. But there is so much along the way to be absorbed and encountered.


The Southern Passages Experience
A few short years ago, representatives from South Carolina, Georgia and northern Florida forged a visionary concept–to beckon interstate travelers to the cultural pleasures, historic treasures and natural beauty that await, in abundance, along Highway 17 and A1A, and their intersecting roads. Whether you explore the Atlantic Heritage Coast by car, Amtrak or a pleasant trip on the acclaimed Intracoastal Waterway, you will find more than one way to reach your destination. Taking the Southern Passage involves travel on many levels, not only through space but time, history, and the many fascinating layers of Lowcountry culture.

Those who decide to make their way along these cherished Southern Passages will encounter experiences and places like no other. Places like American Beach in Florida, the “Smallest Church in America” in Georgia, and sweet-grass basket weaving stands in South Carolina.

Like the ancient ebb and flow of the nearby ocean’s tides, the Lowcountry of South Carolina and the coastal lands of Georgia and Florida immerse you in centuries of history and culture, a deep reverence for times past and rich traditions. Along this curve of the coast, days grow softened around the edges. Vistas of sheltering angel oaks, vast saltmarshes, tidal creeks, maritime forests and inviting beaches abound.
History and heritage of every ancestral branch flourish here. The region’s deep African-American roots span from the traditions of the Gullah/Geechee culture, celebrated by exhibitions and annual festivals, to the life of Martin Luther King, Jr., who often visited the Midway area of Georgia where he penned some of his most inspiring speeches.


Small Towns and Gracious Cities
The small town signposts along Highway 17 and A1A are positively lyrical. Isle of Palms, Yemassee, and Edisto in South Carolina; Shellman Bluff, Richmond Hill, and St. Marys in Georgia; Green Cove Springs, Cassadega and Ponte Vedra in Florida. These and an Atlas of quaint inland towns, oceanside villages and unbothered barrier islands hold steadfast to slower times and simpler pleasures.

The charms of the larger cities beckon, too, in Charleston, Savannah and St. Augustine. Life is slow and congenial on the historic streetscapes of Charleston, South Carolina with its stunning architecture, rows of shops and markets showcasing local artists. Explore Savannah, “Georgia’s First City,” with the largest urban landmark district in the United States, dynamic River Street and stately oak-canopied historic squares. The oldest city in the nation, St. Augustine, Florida offers up numerous treasures from fascinating archaeology to terrific restaurants and quaint, picturesque lanes built in colonial days.

What’s the hurry? Stay the night in the collection of small inns, motels, historic bed & breakfasts, camp-grounds or seaside hotels nestled along Highway 17 and A1A. Take time to enjoy the rewards for choosing the roads less traveled along some of the most absorbing, fascinating and storied backroads in America.

Along the Atlantic Heritage Coast, the reign of nature is always majestic. Dense forests of yellow pine and live oak embroider the landscape, beside broad rivers and intertwining creeks, marshlands, dunes and sea waves. The famed 700 square mile Okefenokee Swamp offers a glimpse of a mysterious independent ecosystem sheltered by towering cypress trees, draped with ethereal Spanish moss. The textures of the natural world along this heritage corridor are as diverse as the countless varieties of native wildlife that have thrived here for ages. The air seems wonderfully crowded with egrets, herons, osprey, pelicans and even rare eagles.


Recreation for Every Tempo
While simply passing through the Atlantic Heritage Coast makes a pleasurable journey, reward yourself by stopping and enjoying all there is to do. Explore quaint shops, rent bikes, go shelling along a quiet beach, try your luck at fresh and salt-water fishing, take a guided nature tour by land, kayak or canoe, or wander historic sites.

As you work up an appetite, look forward to the tempting delights of the southern coastal fare that awaits you here, always served with an ample helping of southern hospitality. Try the Frogmore Stew and pork chops with blackeyed peas, Brunswick Stew and barbecue. And, of course, don’t miss the chance to enjoy this area’s world famous fresh seafood dishes.


History in Every Ocean Breeze
From the Native Americans to the European settlers of colonial times and the antebellum era, the history of this corridor is very much alive in historical sites, lighthouses, museums, tours and more. Military history buffs will enjoy Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor, Fort McAllister in Richmond Hill, Fort Morris in Midway, Fort King George in Darien, Fort Frederica on St. Simons Island, Fort Clinch on Amelia Island, Fort Caroline National Monument in Jacksonville, Fort Matanzas National Monument and the Castillo de San Marcos in St. Augustine.


Festivals and Special Events
The Southern Passages corridor knows how to celebrate! On so many weekends of the year in coastal towns, special events are in full and flavorful swing. Cultural celebrations, tours of historic homes, seafood festivals, fleet blessings, art shows, historic reenactments, and sports events entice and delight. The tastes of shrimp, catfish, roasted oysters, crawfish, crab and barbecue mix with the sounds of jazz, bluegrass, beach and country music. Check an area webcalendar and join in the fun!

Visitors who choose to travel the Atlantic Heritage Coast return again and again. They are seduced by the lushness of the area, the easy living, the unique history and and the glorious array of things to see and experience.
Yet this historic corridor is about more than locations. It’s about people, the families who live and work here–many with multi-generational roots deep in the sandy soil and on the waters. The coastal regions of South Carolina, Georgia and Florida are home to some of the friendliest souls you’ll ever meet. They’re more than just interesting folks; they’re interested in you.
Travel is about choices. You can choose to make time, or to make a passage. To trade counting miles for counting memories.

The welcome mat is out. Slow down, pull off and join us! Our invitation to visit requires no RSVP. You’ll be changed forever.