Jekyll Island is part of the Golden Isles of Georgia. At first sight, it appears like a sleepy beach town designed for a couples getaway, but don’t be fooled by the Southern laid back atmosphere, there is a variety of activities designed for kids. Below is a list of the top ten favorite things we did on our recent trip to Jekyll Island with the kids.
Ten Things To Do With Kids on Jekyll Island
Rent bikes. Take a leisurely ride around Jekyll Island by bike. If you really want a challenge and workout rent a surrey bike! There are a number of places to rent bikes on Jekyll Island; we had a great experience with the Bike Barn located at the corner of N. Beachview Dr. and Shell Rd. Download this map to see the bike paths in yellow.
Take a Dolphin Cruise. We enjoyed an informative Dolphin Cruise with Captain Phillip of Jekyll Island Boat Tours. They were so informative about all the wildlife on the island, helping us spot a number of things and share facts about the shark population, water uniqueness and history of Jekyll Island. And the tour departs from the marina located right by the Jekyll Island Club Hotel!
Enjoy Hands-On Learning about Sea Turtles. Within walking distance of the Jekyll Island Club Hotel is Pier Road, home to the wonderful Georgia Sea Turtle Center. Created by the Jekyll Island Authority in 2007, the center has an extensive turtle rehabilitation program, an education exhibit, and a great gift shop. Plan to spend a couple of hours exploring the center; you may even get to see surgery as we did!
Visit the Tidelands Nature Center. The 4-H Tidelands Nature Center offers kayak tours, coastal ecology programs, Island nature walks, and an exhibit gallery featuring live coastal species, including sea turtles, fish, invertebrates, horseshoe crabs, snakes, alligators, and more.
Play a round of putt-putt followed by pizza and play. This is a cute place where the kids can play on a well-kept playground, play rounds of putt-putt on the two old fashioned miniature golf course and enjoy pizza by the slice.
Shop and dine at Jekyll Market. The Jekyll Market at Beach Village is truly a one-stop shop. From gourmet grocery items, an ice cream shop to unique gifts, and several fast service restaurants, this is a must-visit on the island.
Spend a day at Summer Waves waterpark. This is a small, cozy waterpark that offers water fun for everyone. From the wave pool (our favorite) to the slides and kids splash area, you are sure to be able to spend several hours here having fun and even enjoy a great lunch in between.
Play at one of the Jekyll Island beaches. There are a number of easily accessible beaches with public parking, picnic spots and bathroom/showers. Though the water is not crystal clear like we are used to in Florida, the waves were fun for the kids and the sand makes for easy running and biking on the beach. Be sure to check out Driftwood beach too!
Explore the Historic District at The Jekyll Island Club Hotel. There is so much history here. And many of the old buildings have been turned into shops and eateries. Take a walk through the beautiful landscaping, hitch a ride on a horse and carriage or grab that bike for a ride around. It is peaceful and educational!
Take a trolley ride. You can soak up the history of the island while the kids enjoy riding around. The trolley starts from the Jekyll Island Historic Museum and lasts approximately an hour and a half.
Despite the deep history or luxury and affluent vacationers on Jekyll Island, this is now a very family and budget-friendly beach town in the South. If you are looking for a small, quaint, and relaxing spot to take the family on vacation then I suggest you consider planning a few days on Jekyll Island.
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Disclosure: This post was written in collaboration with Jekyll Island Authority and the Jekyll Island Club Hotel. I received complimentary admission to some attractions to assist with this article. As always, all opinions and fun are my own and unbiased. All photos & videos on this website are mine and cannot be used without permission.