Georgia has a ton of Instagram-worthy sites from the bustling metropolis of Atlanta, the mountains in the north and the coastal destination that is Savannah and everywhere in between. But only one won
Architectural Digest's recent beauty pageant.
In August, the design platform released a list of the prettiest towns in each state, looking for those that are "both stunning and abundant in culture." St. Marys took our crown.
Where is St Marys, Georgia?
AD described how St. Marys serves "As the gateway city to Cumberland Island, the largest of the barrier islands along the Georgia coast, and to the picture-perfect Cumberland Island National Seashore."
@kreeirl Sometimes the best adventures are the ones you never planned✨ St. Marys, Georgia is full of small-town charm, waterfront views, and a slower pace that makes you want to stay awhile. From strolling the historic downtown to soaking in the coastal scenery, this hidden gem is the perfect day trip from Jacksonville. 📍Have you been to St. Marys yet? #StMarysGA #GeorgiaHiddenGems #CoastalGeorgia #DayTripFromJax #ExploreGeorgia
♬ original sound - ᴘ4♛
A travel reporter for Forbes detailed his St. Marys experience in 2021, explaining how it's "a fascinating tourist destination packed full of historic landmarks, museums, and drinking and dining venues"
St. Marys is in the most southwest corner of Georgia, about 37 miles north of Jacksonville, FL and just over 42 miles south of Brunswick.
See map of St Marys, Georgia
The 50 'prettiest towns' across the US by Architectural Digest
- Fairhope, Alabama
- Seward, Alaska
- Sedona, Arizona
- Eureka Springs, Arkansas
- Carmel-by-the-Sea, California
- Breckenridge, Colorado
- Mystic, Connecticut
- Rehoboth Beach, Delaware
- Seaside, Florida
- St. Marys, Georgia
- Paia, Hawaii
- Ketchum, Idaho
- Galena, Illinois
- Columbus, Indiana
- Amana Colonies, Iowa
- Lawrence, Kansas
- Berea, Kentucky
- Breaux Bridge, Louisiana
- Stonington, Maine
- Annapolis, Maryland
- Edgartown, Massachusetts
- Holland, Michigan
- Brainerd and Gull Lake, Minnesota
- Natchez, Mississippi
- Cape Girardeau, Missouri
- Whitefish, Montana
- Valentine, Nebraska
- Incline Village, Nevada
- Portsmouth, New Hampshire
- Cape May, New Jersey
- Chimayo, New Mexico
- Ithaca, New York
- Asheville, North Carolina
- Medora, North Dakota
- Put-in-Bay, Ohio
- Davis, Oklahoma
- Cannon Beach, Oregon
- New Hope, Pennsylvania
- Block Island, Rhode Island
- Beaufort, South Carolina
- Sioux Falls, South Dakota
- Gatlinburg, Tennessee
- Fredericksburg, Texas
- Moab, Utah
- Stowe, Vermont
- Culpeper, Virginia
- Friday Harbor, Washington
- Harpers Ferry, West Virginia
- Baileys Harbor, Wisconsin
- Jackson, Wyoming
Samantha Neely of USA Today's Florida Connect Team contributed to this article.
Miguel Legoas is a Deep South Connect Team Reporter for USA Today. Find him on Instagram @miguelegoas and email at mlegoas@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Architectural Digest named this coastal town the prettiest in Georgia








