Mossy trees, low country sounds, fresh seafood and old timey history (in a good way), is what makes up Jekyll Island. A biking and laid back beach community, less than 10 miles wide, Jekyll Island has been voted a top destination for families year after year. If traveling alone, with friends, or as a couple (which was us), there is so much to do and learn in a weekend in Jekyll Island, making it a great getaway for anyone.
The DL: My husband and I traveled here during COVID-19 and there were no issues, everyone took precautions and we felt very safe. I grew up going here with family and it has grown so much in the last 10 years. It’s affordable and pretty easy to get to for the most part. Jekyll Island is one of the 4 golden isles in Georgia (you can visit the other 3 while staying at Jekyll if you have a car). We stayed for a long weekend in Jekyll Island and we could have used one more day but we still made it work!
How to Get Here
- Arrive in Jekyll Island (Brunswick Airport, Jacksonville (1.5 hours), Atlanta (5 hours), lots of small airports for private planes).
Where to Stay
- Jekyll Island Club Resort – original historical resort (left) is a must!
- Jekyll Island Ocean Club Resort – newer and on the beach (right) also a good option!
- Many hotel chains on the island but I would recommend one of the Island resorts because you can use amenities and both and they are in great locations.
Weekend Itinerary
Friday
- Arrive, check into the hotel, and head to dinner!
- Eat Dinner at the Wharf (make reservations), if staying at Jekyll Island Hotel you can walk. It’s on the water and they usually have live music on the weekends. You can sit indoors or outdoors. Tip – You will want to be there around sunset so you can see what we did above.
Saturday
- Explore the historic downtown in the morning, you can take one of the many tour options (horse and carriage, biking, walking, etc.) or just do a self-guided tour. Many of the small houses have been renovated into shops.
- Grab lunch at Tortuga Jacks! You can’t go wrong with Mexican, tiki huts, and a view of the water whether you are sitting indoors or outdoors.
- Spend the afternoon at Jekyll Island Ocean Club
- Pool
- Beach – complimentary chairs and umbrellas for guest just talk to the front desk
- Dinner – Zachary’s riverhouse (casual with great views, photo below) or Driftwood Bistro (nicer, well known, no view) or Grand Dining Room at Jekyll Island Club (formal dinner, resort view)
- Grab some dessert to go, a blanket, and your phone/camera and head to Driftwood beach for Sunset
- Looking for a nightcap? Try the bar at the Jekyll Island Resort or one of the other places to eat on your drive back.
Sunday:
- Grab breakfast at the pantry or grand dining room if staying at the Jekyll Island Club hotel
- Hang out at the hotel pool, they have poolside food and drink service if you want to grab lunch here
- Afternoon – play some golf and the orginal dunes course from the 1800’s where big names like JP Morgan, The Goodyear family, and many presidents have played. There is no golf cart path so its a fun course to navigate. Other popular ideas include the sea turtle aquarium, bike on one of the many paths, go back to the beach, or shop at the main shops “downtown”
- Head Home!
Things to know:
- The beach is on the east coast so don’t expect clear water
- Most people drive to the island if they fly in many rent a red bug motor (like a golf cart) to get around the island
- The island is small, this trip is great for a few days but longer than a week and you would need to leave the island to do new things
- There is a water park on this island that is a fun option for kids in the group (or even adults)
- There is not really a nightlife besides bars at the restaurants
- People range in what they wear out to dinners, you have dressed up influencers to families in t-shirts, everything goes!
Hope you enjoy a weekend in Jekyll Island soon!
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