If you’re looking for a beautiful, relaxing escape from the everyday city hustle, Jekyll Island is it.
Nestled on an island, Jekyll Island is located in the Goldens Isles of Georgia. When you first arrive here, you are greeted by many grand live oak trees with Spanish moss draping from them. They line the roadway and create a beautiful tree tunnel that is so picturesque. These grand trees are speckled along the grass and bike paths and provide the perfect amount of shade during the hot summer months. This town is truly a unique town with so much history, charm and character.
We stayed at Jekyll Island Club Resort again this year, and we had the best stay yet! Every time we are here, it is truly a great time. But this year we made sure to add plenty more time onto the calendar for just relaxing, and it was so nice. I love how outdoors and bike-friendly the resort is. It is just so relaxing and peaceful here. It is definitely not your typical beach stay. We have never brought the kids here, but it would be great for families or couples. And depending on whether you visit the marsh area or the beach area, you can get a completely different stay and different vibe of the area.
The restaurant at Jekyll Island Club just reopened their Grand Dining Room, and we loved how convenient it was and how amazing all of the food was. We loved that everything we needed was right there at the resort – a coffee shop, a gift shop, dining, bike rentals, a swimming pool, croquet and more. There is so much to do here and explore. Keep reading to learn about some of my favorite things to do while staying in Jekyll Island.
Things to Do in Jekyll Island
1.) Stay at Jekyll Island Club Resort. When we came here a few years ago, we stayed at Jekyll Island Ocean Club, but the last couple times we have stayed at the Club Resort. We were on the waterway side over by the marsh. It is in the historic district where there are tons of cottages to see and shops to pop into. There are several dining options right here within the hotel. And it is just in the center of it all, but yet, it is still really quiet and peaceful here.
Right around the hotel, there are plenty of trails where you can walk or ride bikes. The hotel has the Pantry inside where you can grab a coffee and a small breakfast or small bites and snacks. The hotel has a great little gift shop inside along with an outdoor pool, gorgeous verandas, patrons to sit out on, and a beautiful bar. We had a good-sized room with 1 king-sized bed, a queen bed, a bathroom, and a nice little balcony. This hotel is in the heart of it all, and there is so much to do and see here!
2.) Play croquet together at Jekyll Island Club Resort. Whether you have ever played croquet before or this is your first time, you just have to try your hand at it. It is so much fun and especially if you’re there with a group of friends or family. We love to play for a relaxing way to spend the afternoon.
3.) Visit Georgia Sea Turtle Center. They are right next to the hotel and are Georgia’s only sea turtle and rehabilitation facility. Here you can see sea turtles and learn more about them also through exhibits. This was my first time visiting, and I cannot wait to bring the kids back next time!
4.) Spend the afternoon at Driftwood Beach. Driftwood Beach is a must-visit! Driftwood Beach is formed from years of erosion. It really is a sight to see! You can drive here and park right outside the beach entrance, or you can even ride a bike here. It is a bit chilly this time of year, but it’s a great spot to explore, go for a walk and picnic and even collect some shells to take back home for the kids.
5.) Bike through Jekyll Island Historic District and the bike trails. This is always hands down my favorite thing to do when on Jekyll Island! Jekyll Wheels is right next to the hotel, so you can quickly and easily rent a bike for a day or the duration of your stay. You can bike most anywhere on the island. And with the slight breeze this time of year and gorgeous moss in the trees, you are sure to have such a beautiful scenic ride.
6.) Take the historic trolley tour. This is another favorite on each of my trips, and I always come back learning more each time. You will ride through the historic district on a red little trolley with a tour guide that will tell you all about the history of Jekyll Island, which used to be a privately owned island. It is very interesting, and the cottages and buildings’ architecture are so pretty.
7.) Grab an ice cream at Island Sweets Shoppe. We had to pop in several times on our trip to grab some of our favorite ice creams. They also have freshly made sweets and chocolates like peanut butter cups, truffles, fudge, praline cookies, and more. I highly recommend stopping by and grabbing something after a nice bike ride.
8.) Go swimming at the hotel pool. The hotel pool has a little restaurant and bar that are super convenient. The pool is really nice, and it’s even heated too. It’s a great way to spend the afternoon.
9.) Take a boat sightseeing tour. You can go out on the water on a boat ride and even see the dolphins or go fishing. The water is just beautiful!
10.) Try all the amazing dining at the hotel. The Wharf is right across from the hotel, and it’s on the water. It has always been one of our favorite restaurants on Jekyll Island. They have a great menu including some wonderful oysters. You can send inside or out by the water, and they have a live band on weekends. They serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner. You will love the food! The just renovated it recently too. The Grand Dining Room just reopened in the hotel too. They serve breakfast and dinner, and it is absolutely incredible! We ate there every single day on this trip and weren’t disappointed. We never had the same thing twice. They also have a bar with a menu and the Pantry that serves coffee and small bites. You can’t go wrong with any of these great choices!
Have you been to Jekyll Island? What would be on your list first?
