Architectural Digest Names St. Marys the Prettiest Town in Georgia
- Marys has been named the prettiest town in Georgia by Architectural Digest, according to a design platform list released in August 2026.
- Marys as the primary gateway to Cumberland Island, which stands as the largest barrier island along the Georgia coast.
- A Forbes travel reporter who visited the destination in 2021 characterized it as a fascinating tourist destination packed full of historic landmarks, museums, and drinking and dining venues.
St. Marys has been named the prettiest town in Georgia by Architectural Digest, according to a design platform list released in August 2026. The coastal community earned the designation for being both visually striking and culturally rich. Miguel Legoas of the Savannah Morning News reported that the publication highlighted the municipality’s role as a key coastal destination.
Gateway to Cumberland Island
Architectural Digest described St. Marys as the primary gateway to Cumberland Island, which stands as the largest barrier island along the Georgia coast. Visitors crossing through the area gain access to the Cumberland Island National Seashore. The waterfront park within the municipal limits provides public docks and kayak launches, according to the St. Marys Convention & Visitors Bureau cited by USA TODAY Network and Reuters.
Local Landmarks and Geography
A Forbes travel reporter who visited the destination in 2021 characterized it as a fascinating tourist destination packed full of historic landmarks, museums, and drinking and dining venues. Geographically, St. Marys sits in the extreme southwest corner of Georgia. The town is located about 37 miles north of Jacksonville, Florida, and just over 42 miles south of Brunswick, Georgia.
National Recognition Across the United States
The design platform’s 2026 compilation featured 50 distinct locations across the country, highlighting one picturesque community in each state. Other selections on the national list included Carmel-by-the-Sea in California, Asheville in North Carolina, Block Island in Rhode Island, and Harpers Ferry in West Virginia. Samantha Neely of the USA Today Florida Connect Team contributed reporting to the coverage.