Fort Morris State Historic Site sits on a bluff overlooking the Midway River in Liberty County, Georgia, where colonial history and coastal marshland converge across 67 acres of preserved ground. This is where American patriots famously defied the British during the Revolutionary War — when demanded to surrender in 1778, Colonel John McIntosh reportedly replied, “Come and take it,” a phrase that became a rallying cry for independence.

The earthwork fortifications remain visible today, giving visitors a tangible connection to both the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812, when the site saw action again. A small but well-curated museum inside the visitor center covers the military history alongside the story of Sunbury, once a thriving colonial port town that rivaled Savannah before fading into obscurity. Interpretive trails wind through the grounds, leading past the fort remnants and down to scenic overlooks of the salt marshes and tidal creeks that define Georgia’s coast.

Birdwatching is excellent here — the marsh environment draws herons, egrets, and osprey year-round. The site also hosts living history programs and cannon firings during special events, which are worth planning around if your timing allows.

Spring and fall deliver the most comfortable weather for exploring the outdoor grounds, with mild temperatures and fewer mosquitoes than Georgia’s humid summer months. Winter visits are pleasant too, with migratory birds adding to the coastal scenery.

With a 4.6-star rating from visitors, Fort Morris rewards those willing to venture off the interstate for a quieter, deeply historical slice of Georgia’s coast.

Explore Nearby

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• South Carolina Highway 170 — Scenic Byway in South Carolina
• James Edwin McTeer Bridge & the Causeways scenic byway — Scenic Byway