Romantic Things to Do on Jekyll Island
Jekyll Island is a beautiful and romantic destination for couples looking to get away from it all. With miles of pristine beaches, natural beauty and historic sites, Jekyll Island offers a variety of romantic activities for couples to enjoy.
Here are Our Tips for Planning the Perfect Romantic Getaway on Jekyll Island:
Start the day with a leisurely breakfast at Jekyll Island Club. This historic hotel was once a private club for the wealthy families who made Jekyll Island their vacation home at the turn of the 20th century. The club’s luxurious and elegant atmosphere makes for a truly romantic experience.
Follow breakfast with a walk among live oaks draped in Spanish moss in the Historic District, and stop by the Mosaic Jekyll Island Museum to book a history or nature tour with local experts. Explore the historic cottages of the wealthy industrialists who made this island famous in the 20th century. Take a trolley tour of the Historic District for a fun and educational experience.
Rent bicycles at Jekyll Wheels and explore the island together on a leisurely bike tour. The island’s miles of bike trails take you through beautiful landscapes, past historic sites like Horton House, and along the beach. From the untamed marshland environment in the north to tranquil St. Andrews Beach in the south, meandering through Jekyll Island on two wheels is a relaxing and intimate way to take in the sights of the island.
For those who love nature experiences, head to 4-H Tidelands Center for a kayak trip in the marshlands. Guided tours will provide opportunities to view the birds and wildlife of Jekyll Island up close, and to learn about the ecology of the island. The Georgia Sea Turtle Center is another wonderful activity for nature lovers to learn about sea turtle conservation and rehabilitation while observing these magnificent creatures up close.
An afternoon stroll hand-in-hand along one of Jekyll Island’s beaches is the perfect way to enjoy the beautiful scenery and ocean breezes together. Pack a picnic lunch to enjoy on the sand or at one of the shelters in Great Dunes Park. Visit the serene atmosphere of Driftwood Beach, where large driftwood creates a unique and picturesque setting for a romantic walk. Horseback riding is another great way to explore the island’s natural beauty with your significant other. Enjoy a romantic horseback ride along the beach with Three Oaks Farm, or check out one of their moonlight rides or horse-drawn carriage tours of the island.
End your day with a romantic dinner at one of Jekyll Island’s restaurants. The Wharf offers casual open-air dining and gorgeous views over the water, while Eighty Ocean is a great choice for couples looking to cozy up in an intimate setting. After dinner, join a sunset cruise with Dolphin Tours of Jekyll Island. Feel the magic of this area as you watch the sunset from the water and spot bottle-nosed dolphins playing in the waves – a perfect end to a romantic day on Jekyll Island. If you haven’t booked your Jekyll Island accommodations yet, browse our wide variety of vacation rentals on Jekyll Island.
Holiday Events on Jekyll Island
Christmas and New Year’s are a wonderful time to be on Jekyll Island! During the holiday season, the island is full of exciting activities and events that you won’t want to miss. From holiday light displays to outdoor movies, there’s something for everyone. Here are the top ten holiday events to check out on Jekyll Island:
Holiday Light Displays. Take a Holly Jolly Light Tour around the island to enjoy Christmas light displays decorating historic sites and houses. The trolley tour includes festive drinks and music, with tickets available for purchase at the Mosaic Museum, or you can take a self-guided tour by car or bike by following the signs for the Holly Jolly Light Tour. Come watch Santa and other Christmas characters wind their way around the island in festively lit vehicles for the Holly Jolly Jekyll Island Light Parade.
Holiday Drive-In Movie Night. Enjoy holiday movies on the big screen with the whole family at this outdoor movie night. Popcorn, blankets, and warm clothes are all you need for this cozy event. Get there early to catch Santa riding around on a fire truck!
Shopping for the Holidays. Visit the Goodyear Cottage to browse through handmade crafts and beautiful works of art from local artists at Merry Artists Holiday Market. Or stop by the Holly Jolly Trading Post on Pier Road to pick up your holiday gifts of the season and enjoy Christmas snacks and warm beverages. Open daily through Christmas Eve.
Go Christmas Caroling. On Saturdays in December, get in the holiday spirit with a Christmas sing-along put on by Chapel Carols! Local musicians lead the music at the Faith Chapel and admission is free.
Holidays in History. Take a trolley tour through the Historic District to learn what holidays were like for the wealthy families with homes on Jekyll Island at the turn of the twentieth century. Tickets can be purchased at the Mosaic Museum.
Follow the Christmas Bagpiper. Starting at the Riverfront Veranda, this fun live music tradition takes place daily for the week prior to Christmas. Grab a drink and take a stroll following the sounds of bagpipes.
Get Festive at Jekyll Island Club. Get a little fancy and festive with Holiday High Tea at Jekyll Island Club throughout the month of December. Tables are set for up to four people and tickets can be purchased up to three days in advance. Or put your own spin on some holiday treats with Christmas Cookie Decorating at Jekyll Island Club Ballroom the weekend before Christmas, a timeless tradition sure to delight the whole family (tickets sold in advance). Jekyll Island Club also offers elegant holiday dining options for Christmas and New Year’s.
Horsin’ Around for the Holiday. Join Three Oaks Carriage Tours for a narrated Christmas Lights Tour of the Historic District in a horse-drawn carriage. Or jump in the saddle for a one hour Jingle Bell Beach horseback ride, led by Three Oaks Farm. The horses will be decked out in festive attire and ready for some photos!
Festive Family Fun. Kids will love the Winter Carnival in early December, offering free carnival rides, games, a visit with Santa and a chance to get up close to fire trucks and emergency vehicles. Or take the whole family to the mini-golf course, which is transformed into Peppermint Land for the holiday season, with life-size gumdrops, gingerbread people and more!
Explore the Local Environment. Visit the Georgia Sea Turtle Center to learn about the lives of sea turtles and tour their rehabilitation center. While you’re there, leave “get well soon” wishes in the holiday stockings for the turtle patients, and decorate a Christmas ornament to hang on the tree. Stop by the 4-H Tidelands Nature Center to learn about coastal ecology and see exhibits about animals native to the area. On your way out, pick up animal-themed DIY holiday ornament kits to complete at home.
No matter how you celebrate it, the holiday season is a magical time of year on Jekyll Island. Come join us in the holiday spirit and book your vacation rental today!
Thanksgiving on Jekyll Island
Thanksgiving on Jekyll Island is the perfect time of year to enjoy everything the island has to offer. There are fewer crowds with the arrival of cooler weather, so you will have plenty of space to explore the island or relax on the beach with family and friends. The natural beauty, exciting wildlife and rich history of Jekyll Island provide a relaxing and fun way to spend time with your loved ones.
If you are planning to serve a traditional Thanksgiving feast in your vacation rental, you can find plenty of supplies at Jekyll Market or Winn-Dixie in nearby Brunswick. You could also take a short 30 minute drive north to St. Simons Island to pick up a pre-made Thanksgiving meal from The Market at Sea Island or Golden Isles Olive Oil, or homemade pies from Dulce Dough Bakery.
If you don’t feel like cooking, enjoy a Thanksgiving buffet at one of several Jekyll Island restaurants. Make a reservation for a traditional Thanksgiving buffet at the Jekyll Island Club or Beach House, or head to Sago on St. Simons Island for a poolside meal (reservations required). Not feeling like turkey?Head to Eighty Ocean Kitchen and Bar or The Wharf for tasty local cuisine.
After you finish dinner, enjoy the refreshing ocean breezes on one of Jekyll Island’s gorgeous beaches or take a walk on one of the trails running through the island. Stick around the day after Thanksgiving for the annual Tree Lighting Festival in the Historic District. The festival includes themed tours, crafts and holiday decorations, and the tree will be lit at sundown.
Come stay at one of our premier vacation rentals and create a new Thanksgiving tradition on Jekyll Island!
Jekyll Island Rentals Perfect for Working Remotely
2020 has presented several challenges and changed the way many people operate day-to-day. Many around the world are working and learning remotely for the foreseeable future. Countless people are feeling a little stir-crazy and itching to get outside of their home, safely. People are heading out of major cities to escape to their own personal oasis, get some fresh air, and make up for the missed family vacations, responsibly.
Here are our top 3 reasons to work and learn remotely in a Jekyll Island Vacation Rental.
Location, Location, Location
You’ve been cooped up at home and your morning commute no longer involves a highway or a subway station. Your commute is now from the kitchen to the desk and ends on your couch in the evening. You’re yearning for a change of pace and even a new background for those Zoom calls. Who says you have to work and learn from the same old space? Walk to the beach when you finish your last Zoom call of the day. Take everyone for a bike ride on your lunch breaks. Pack up the family and head to a new WiFi zone in your Jekyll Island Vacation Rental.
Spend more quality time together
With the beach as your new front yard, your crew will get outside and spend more time together rather than retreat to your corners of the house and glued to your screens all day. Never feel guilty about taking PTO again, you can have the best of both worlds – family vacation without missing out on those Monday through Friday obligations.
Everything you need to work and learn remotely
Your fully equipped Jekyll Island Vacation Rental provides you with a safe, clean spacious home with enough room for everyone. Work, play, learn, and relax knowing that after you press send on the final email, the ocean is waiting just steps away. A hot tub? Pool? Bringing your four legged friend along? With over 130 properties, we have an option to fit your family complete with the amenities you need for working and learning remotely.
Book your winter vacation rental now and enjoy beach life on Jekyll Island, without skipping a beat.
