Top Reasons to Visit Jekyll Island
As residents of St. Simons Island, my husband and I love making the short 25-minute trip over to Jekyll Island with our kids. My in-laws are big beachgoers and found Jekyll some 30 years ago after deciding to make a detour on I-95 while returning to Florida. After seeing the sign for Jekyll Island many times, their curiosity had gotten the best of them. They found a secluded island (back then) that quickly became their favorite getaway, bringing them many reasons to visit Jekyll Island again and again.
Fast forward to now, and although it’s not quite secluded, Jekyll is still a great getaway whether you’re a local to the area or visiting from afar. Here are the top reasons to visit Jekyll Island with or without kids in tow.
Kid-Friendly Activities
A new playground, mini golf, water park, beaches, bike trails, and sea turtles, oh my! We rounded up the top things to do with kids on Jekyll Island here. We promise this little island offers something for everyone.
Rich in History
Did you know the first transcontinental phone call was made from the Jekyll Island Club in 1915? Jekyll island was purchased as a private retreat in 1886 for many of America's elite and wealthiest families (we’re talking JP Morgan, the Rockefellers, Vanderbilts, and Pulitzers). The Jekyll Club was their “clubhouse” and was once referred to as the “richest, the most exclusive, and most inaccessible club in the world.”
Jekyll’s Historic District is situated among the moss-covered oaks along the water. Take an evening bike ride or stroll and be sure to catch the sunset with a view of the Sidney Lanier Bridge across the water - you won’t be disappointed.
If you’re interested in learning more about the history of Jekyll Island, book a tour. Explore Jekyll Island has a great breakdown of tours, as does Jekyllisland.com.
Bike Trails
Jekyll Island is best seen by bike, with over 25 miles of paved bike trails that will take you marsh-side, beach-side, and between. If you cannot bring your own, there are plenty of bike rental options on the island.
Click here to view the Jekyll Island bike path maps.
Relax at the Beach
Are your kids with you? Then ‘relax’ might be a stretch. With over 10 miles of beaches on Jekyll Island, there’s no better place to spend a day at the beach. Discover our complete guide to Jekyll Island Beaches here.
Book a Hotel and Unwind
There are plenty of hotel options on Jekyll Island, many of which are oceanfront. A complete list of hotels on Jekyll Island can be found here. Some that are noteworthy are as follows:
The Jekyll Club Resort will be the most upscale hotel choice on the island. Situated in the historic district, you’ll have access to bike rentals, croquet, restaurants, and a pool. You’ll also get to use all the amenities at the Jekyll Ocean Club, including their beach access and pool area.
The Jekyll Ocean Club is a nice boutique option for families as all the rooms are suites with a living room and a separate bedroom (unfortunately, no kitchens). Situated on the ocean, each room has its own patio or balcony, so you can soak in that salty air.
The Westin is oceanfront and sits right in Jekyll’s Beach Village. When you leave the hotel, you can choose whether to walk a few steps to the beach or the shops and restaurants. The pool also looks dreamy. This would be a great option for kids.
The holiday inn is located oceanfront, right on the bike path. The hotel has many well-kept green spaces, including a pool, a small playground, and a fire pit. It’s also super close to mini-golf and a newly revamped playground.
This is the newest hotel on Jekyll and includes the largest pool on the island. This is a great option if you spend all your time between the beach and the pool.
A quiet, 38-room boutique hotel, this one might be best if you’re not bringing the kids with you (have a drink or two for us). Located right on the beach, this hotel is one of those that offers rooms with kitchenettes.
Enjoy Holly Jolly Jekyll in December
Jekyll Island is known around Georgia for how it celebrates the holidays. Holly Jolly Jekyll is a month-long celebration that includes a light show (drive your car or sign up to take a trolley) with half a million lights, a golf-cart holiday parade, visits from Santa, a fireworks display, a drive-in movie, and more. Our kids love December on Jekyll Island. Be sure to view the calendar of events here.
Click here to receive emails and updates regarding Holly Jolly Jekyll.
For a complete list of things to do with kids on Jekyll Island, click here.
