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| A horseback tour on Jekyll Island's Driftwood Beach |
Where to Stay
Most of the history surrounding Jekyll Island is centered on the ultra-exclusive club which once shared its name. After the club disbanded in the 1940's, the grounds and facilities were taken over by the state, and later reopened as the Jekyll Island Club Hotel. Fast forward a few decades, the property is now a member of the prestigious Historic Hotels of America and connects guests in a way that only it can with the unique story of Jekyll Island.
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| The Jekyll Island Club Hotel |
What to Do
Every vacation on Jekyll Island should begin the same way ours did, with a visit to the Georgia Sea Turtle Center. This state of the art facility specializes in the treatment and rehabilitation of injured sea turtles, with the ultimate goal of returning them to their natural environment. While under care at the center, the turtles provide valuable learning opportunities for both training marine biologists and visitors who have always dreamed of meeting Crush from Finding Nemo. We enjoyed the interactive exhibit which chronicled the life of a sea turtle, before observing some of the center's patients in the adjacent hospital.
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| Inside the Georgia Sea Turtle Center |
During our visit to the center, MJ and I adopted a turtle named Cadet, who was brought to Jekyll Island after being entangled in fishing line. Unfortunately, the run-in cost Cadet one of his flippers, but thanks to this incredible facility he'll have a place to live out his years in the lap of turtle luxury.
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After leaving the Sea Turtle Center we considered exploring some of Jekyll's 20 miles of dedicated bike paths, but I quickly remembered how exhausted we were after I had the same idea on neighboring St. Simons Island. So we hopped in the car and headed up to the north end of the island to Driftwood Beach. Growing up in Florida, I'm a little jaded when it comes to beaches, but this one might have been the coolest I've ever experienced. Not to mention it was a great spot to watch a few dolphins playing right off shore, while a container ship passed in the distance heading in to the nearby port.
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| Driftwood Beach |
Of course, no visit to a destination would be complete if I didn't check out their options for golf. Jekyll Island has a long history with the game, and features several courses from the likes of Donald Ross and other renowned designers. We opted to spend the afternoon on the 9-hole Great Dunes course, which was commissioned by the club in 1926 to be "the best course money can purchase." Its oceanside setting and postage stamp sized greens brought both a smile and frustration to this hardened purist of the game.
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| What's not to like? Credit |
Although the options for restaurants on Jekyll Island are somewhat limited, there are several options to satisfy any appetite. For a casual bite, head over to Latitude 31 where they serve up casual fare and are famous for their Low Country Broil. For some reason I went with a fish sandwich, and though it was quite tasty, when the steaming seafood spread came out for a neighboring table I came down with a serious case of entree envy. Note to self: If a place is "famous" for something...order it.
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| The former pier for arriving club members today is the site of Latitude 31 |
Finally, if you're heading to Jekyll Island plan on having at least one meal in The Grand Dining Room at the hotel. This is arguably one of the most historic restaurants in the country with the space being a holdover from the original club. More importantly, the food and service match the spectacular setting to deliver the best dining experience available on Jekyll Island. Order the shrimp and grits, you won't be sorry.
After two days on Jekyll Island it was easy to see why America's elite chose it for their exclusive club. The feeling of seclusion combined with the island's history invites visitors to slow down, turn off the cell phone, and absorb a few moments of relaxation which are becoming harder to find. Much of the charm and beauty of the island which sold the likes of the Rockefellers and Vanderbilts still remains, and my guess is if it was good enough for them, chances are it's good enough for you.
If you go...
- There is a $6 toll to enter the island.
- Stop into the sweet shop at the hotel for homemade fudge.
- Say hello to Cadet for me.
Enjoy Your Stay
