Ding! Ding! Ding! Goes the Trolley, So Tour Tybee’s Old Homes!

That house on Lovell Avenue with the wraparound porch and sea glass wind chimes? You’ve probably slowed down to admire it—maybe even imagined what it’s like to sip coffee there with the ocean in earshot. There’s no shame, we’re all nosy neighbors at heart! Peeking inside someone else’s house is always fun—especially when it’s old, coastal, and doesn’t come with a monthly payment.

On Saturday, May 3, Tybee’s giving you full permission to do just that. The annual Trolley Tour of Homes is back, with two tour times (9 a.m.–noon or 1–4 p.m.). Expect creaky floors, breezy porches, and if Miss Garland’s The Trolley Song starts playing in your head somewhere around Officers Row, well—you’re not alone.

Historic Homes, Real Personality

These aren’t your average listings with granite countertops and “open-concept” copy-paste layouts. These homes have lived a little—and it shows.

• 1207 Lovell Avenue – A porch-perfect cottage with sea glass accents and the kind of charm that can’t be staged.
• 31 Officers Row – Once part of Tybee’s military past, now restored with wraparound drama and clapboard confidence.
• The Fresh Air Home – A 1930s retreat for kids that’s still full of heart (and salt in the air).
• 14 8th Place – Ocean views, beach-town bones, and a front porch made for people-watching.
• 1 Officers Row – Historic bones and floorboards that creak in all the right places.
• Fort Screven Fire Station – A work-in-progress you’ll want to root for—soon to be home to the Tybee Arts Association!

You’ll also cruise past other charming stops with your trolley guide dishing out fun facts, local history, and at least one opinion about paint colors. Tickets are $45, so don't forget to grab yours here! Each ticket also includes a free tour of the Tybee Island Lighthouse—lit!

Bring That Tybee Energy Home

Can’t afford an oceanfront renovation? Same. But you can fake the coastal vibe without gutting your kitchen:

• Go weathered over polished—driftwood, rattan, and anything that looks like it survived a hurricane.
• Mix in nautical odds and ends—think old maps, glass floats, or a thrifted ship bell!
• Keep it light—pale blues, sandy whites, and just enough coral to feel like summer on purpose.

Find more charm and the folks who bring it home during these trolley tours. And while you're at it, get inspired by local businesses at www.gbj.com/home-builders and www.gbj.com/home-service-contractors.