Daytrip/Weekend Getaways: 6 Must-Do’s on Jekyll Island, Ga
One of our favorite family daytrips from Savannah or weekend getaway spots is Jekyll Island, Ga.
Rent bikes and pedal the more than 20 miles of flat trails on Jekyll & stop at some of these 6 must-visit spots: (Bike rentals next to the miniature-golf course).
Georgia Sea Turtle Center
Visit the state’s only rescue & rehabilitation facility to learn about the endangered sea turtles that visit our coast. Meet some of the turtle patients in the center’s hospital & learn their stories that brought them there.
During the nesting months of summer (June and July), the center leads nightly turtle walks. After the turtles hatch in August, the center offers hatchling walks at dawn.
www.georgiaseaturtlecenter.org or (912) 635-4444
Driftwood Beach
A beach teeming with sea-washed trees on the northeast tip of Jekyll that are not only majestic but also fun to climb on. Accessible from the bike paths. FREE.*
4-H Tidelands Nature Center
Guided kayak tours, nature walks, hands-on marine science adventures, and live coastal animal exhibits. The center’s reasonably priced family programs include seining—a naturalist casts a net in the water & talks about all the sea creatures uncovered ($5 per person, free for kids 3 and younger).
www.tidelands4h.org or (912) 635-5032.
Jekyll Island Club Hotel
Founded in 1887 by the Rockefellers, Pulitzers & Astors, this Landmark Historic District still boasts an elegant spirit as when Victorian-era millionaires once wintered here. In addition to the hotel and hotel bar/restaurant, there’s bookstore, croquet on the hotel lawn & an ice cream shop.
www.jekyllclub.com or (912) 635-2600
Summer Waves Water Park
Waterslides, wave pool and floating the lazy river. There’s a special pool for toddlers.
Opens for the Summer 2015 season on May 2 2015.
www.jekyllisland.com/summer-waves
Horton Pond
Check out the new observation deck @ Jekyll Island’s Horton Pond Conservation Project – located on the northern end of Jekyll Island across from Villas by the Sea. When the weather warms up, visitors can enjoy seeing alligators & turtles basking on the new reptile basking platform in the center of the pond. A small island provides a habitat for nesting wading birds. The .7-mile Tupelo nature trail loop will soon be complemented with plant-identification plaques. Passing near freshwater wetlands, the path leads to the only stand of black tupelo trees on Jekyll, as well as water oak, pond pine & wild blueberries. FREE.*
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*Jekyll Island Access (Fee):
Vehicle entry to Jekyll Island requires a valid parking pass which must be purchased at the Pay-In-The-Lane System or the Guest Information Center upon arrival on the island. This pass allows you access to many of the island’s public outdoor areas, including picnic areas, beach parking and access points, playgrounds, soccer complex, National Historic Landmark District, fishing piers and marinas, bicycle and nature trails, and more. Multi-day passes and an annual park decal are also available for your convenience. Bicycles and pedestrians can enter at NO charge.www.jekyllisland.com
Information is subject to change without notice.
One Day Parking Pass: $6* (tax included). Valid for 24 hours (*Parking ticket has barcode that can be scanned at pay-in-the-lane system for re-entry)
Weekly Parking Pass: $28 (Valid for seven-days)
Oversized Vehicles (over 8 feet tall): $10* (daily rate)
*Oversized vehicles are only eligible for daily or annual decals.
For more kid-friendly daytrips/weekend getaways from Savannah, click here.