Jekyll Island Days | Listen

Explore the land of seafood, Spanish moss, and sunsets in Jekyll Island, Georgia

On Jekyll Island, Spanish moss drapes across live oaks, visitors ride colorful bikes through the greenery, and in the summers, sea turtle hatchlings make their way to the ocean beneath starry skies. Restaurants, shops, and markets are where visitors, hungry from a day of exploring the scenery, take a moment to fill their plates and bellies with meals of local seafood and Southern favorites. This itinerary will fill your days on the island with beautiful scenes and memorable bites.

Step Back in Time

When you arrive at Jekyll Island Club Resort, upbeat jazz music floats across the lawn while guests play croquet and socialize. In the late 1880s, members of the Jekyll Island Club primarily came from the North, among them Pulitzers, Vanderbilts, and Rockefellers. The club was a winter getaway for the well-to-do, who gathered for dinner parties, beach picnics, and lawn tournaments. The island opened to the public as a state park in the 1940s and the club reopened as a resort in 1985. Today, most visitors are from Georgia, with some international tourists as well. Black-and-white photographs of the original club hang on the lobby walls.

Once you’re settled in your room, walk over to the Wharf for dinner. Find a spot facing the water and order the shrimp and grits and a coconut mojito. If you can’t get enough, Jekyll Island holds an annual Shrimp and Grits Festival in the fall.

Cruise Beneath Live Oaks

Rise early and drive to Driftwood Beach to see the sunrise over the water, then head back to the club and visit the Grand Dining Room for a classic breakfast: Think scrambled eggs, biscuits, fresh fruit, and coffee.

Rent a bike from Jekyll Island Bike Barn, Beachside Bike Rentals, or Jekyll Wheels and ride along miles of paved biking trails. Take the Historic District Loop to see homes and cottages from Jekyll’s past or the South Loop to visit St. Andrew’s Beach and cruise by maritime forests and salt marshes.

When you start to get hungry again, make your way to Love Shack BBQ Shrimp & Yardbird, tucked in the back of Jekyll Market. Order the fried chicken sandwich or grab the pulled pork sandwich. While you wait, shop the market for gourmet items like jams and pastas. There’s seating outside and lots of local shops nearby.

In the afternoon, walk the Wanderer Memorial Trail, which memorializes the experience of a boy on one of America’s last known slave ships, the Wanderer, and includes interactive exhibits. Grab an early dinner at Zachry’s Riverhouse for peel-and-eat local shrimp and sunset views. 

Grab a Slice and See the Stars

In the morning, head to Sunrise Diner for a bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich before setting off to Mosaic Jekyll Island Museum for a look into Jekyll Island’s storied past. The museum holds Gatorology 101, where you’ll learn about the alligators that live on the island and why they’re an important part of the local ecosystem. Just down the road is the Georgia Sea Turtle Center, which rehabilitates local animals including sea turtles.

The Red Bug Special pie at Red Bug Motors Pizza will hit the spot for lunch. Grab a seat at the picnic tables. Then head back to the resort for a round of crochet on the lawn or a dip in the pool.

For dinner, opt for Driftwood Bistro for a basket of fried okra and the catfish filet before making your way to St. Andrews Beach for stargazing. In the summertime, when there’s low moonlight, you can see vibrant stars strewn across the sky, and you may even spot the core of the Milky Way rise over the beach.

What to Hit in Brunswick

Set just outside of Jekyll, Brunswick offers more to explore

Indigo Shanty
This downtown restaurant with Caribbean and Mexican influences creates flavorful plates like the “jerked” chicken tostadas and fried green tomato sandwich, best enjoyed outside on the deck. Save room for the Georgia Peach Pound Cake with bourbon caramel sauce.

Reid’s Apothecary
Reserve a table at Reid’s Apothecary for creative cocktails and indulgent bites like lobster mac and cheese with parmesan breadcrumbs and the hot honey chicken biscuit. Hidden in the walls of the restaurant is The Study, a speakeasy with live music—call ahead for the daily password.

Willie’s Wee-Nee Wagon 
This casual eatery across the street started out as a hot dog cart in 1975 and has grown into a beloved local staple. Order a slaw dog (or two) slathered in coleslaw and wash it down with a swig of sweet tea. Or try their award-winning fish sandwich and get it “all the way.”