At the end of July, a quiet getaway was exactly what my family needed to round out a very busy summer. We’d traveled quite a bit…to Myrtle Beach, to Virginia. However, with school about to start, we were looking for some family time without a lot of hustle and bustle. We found it in Jekyll Island, a perfect place for a long weekend trip with the kids.
As much as we love Myrtle Beach, our trips there tend to be pretty hectic. There are almost too many activities, what with the endless themed mini-golf courses, packed Calabash seafood buffets that populate the strip, bargain beach stores on every corner, arcades and amusement parks too. It’s great fun, but if you’re looking for a relaxing family trip, it’s not the place to go.
Situated in Georgia’s Golden Isles, only a five-hour drive from Atlanta, Jekyll Island offers something completely different: a peaceful retreat away from busy city (or suburban) life. Jekyll is a state park, and the law requires that two-thirds of it remain undeveloped. Wide open, scarcely populated beaches are everywhere. Bicycles, including four-person surreys, are a common mode of transportation. (Since the island is only seven miles long, that’s no surprise.) Don’t expect to find chain restaurants or any traditional grocery stores here. A visit to Jekyll Island is truly an escape!
WHERE TO STAY:
On this trip, we were once again guests of the wonderful, family-friendly Holiday Inn Resort Jekyll Island. Situated on a particularly quiet stretch of beach, even at full occupancy, it’s never crowded. The beaches, and many of the resort's rooms, are dog-friendly, so feel free to bring your furry friends along for the fun too (additional fee applies).
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Choose Your Room:
Take your pick from a selection of room options ideal for families. Oversized oceanfront rooms are plenty big at nearly 500 square feet. We stayed in one of these two years ago, and with a mini-fridge and microwave too, it was perfect for our weekend getaway. The Anchor restaurant, pool, and playground were just steps from our door.
The 157-room beachfront hotel also has 21 suites. At over 700 square feet they're tremendous! Our suite featured two queen beds, a kitchenette with a full-sized refrigerator, a living area with a pull out sofa and a second-floor private balcony with amazing ocean views. Several Kid's Suites are also available, featuring bunk beds and a separate bedroom for parents, as well as the kitchenette and spacious living room.
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Dining Options:
The Holiday Inn Resort features two on-site restaurants and a coffee bar/ lounge. Enjoy breakfast, lunch or dinner poolside at The Anchor. With a variety of sandwiches and fresh seafood options, as well as cocktails and live music on the weekends, The Anchor is the perfect choice for a casual outdoor meal. Our favorite menu item - the shrimp tacos with mango salsa. Yum!
If you're looking for coffee and light bites, head to Northshore, located on the third floor above the lobby. The views from here are stunning! In the evening, Northshore is open for cocktails too.
The hotel's main restaurant is The Beach House. There's something for everyone here, from fresh, local seafood to amazing pizzas and burgers too. Enjoy the eclectic indoor seating (with a great bar for sports lovers), or sit outside and watch the kids play cornhole and ping-pong! My entree of redfish served over risotto was truly phenomenal. Snow crab legs and crab cakes were the choices of my youngest son and husband, while my oldest had a delicious artisan pizza (and we had tons left over - our refrigerator came in handy!). Be sure to try breakfast at The Beach House too, where you can choose from the buffet, or pick a specialty item off the menu.
BONUS!! Kids eat Free! If you’re bringing kids on your trip, prepare to save some money at the Holiday Inn Resort. Up to four kids ages 12 and under eat free any time of day off the kid's menu. This also includes the full breakfast buffet.
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SPECIAL OFFERS AND EVENTS:
Holiday Inn Resort Special Offer Through Sept. 9: Summer Waves Package
The Summer Waves Package is a fun-filled and affordable family getaway. The package includes deluxe overnight accommodations at the oceanfront resort, two tickets to the Summer Waves Water Park, bicycle rentals for two and breakfast for two at the hotel’s Beach House restaurant. This package is available through September 9th, and prices start at $229.00 per night.
Shrimp & Grits Festival Presented by Southern Living, Sept. 14 to 16
A coastal favorite, the Jekyll Island Shrimp and Grits Festival, presented by Southern Living, combines the classic southern dish with family-friendly entertainment, artists market, live music, kids’ zone, food, a craft brew fest, and more.
Fall Break Getaways
Off Season rates at the Holiday Inn Resort Jekyll Island start at only $119 weekdays and $189 weekends! Jekyll is the perfect place to take your kids for a few days or the whole week when they are off from school!
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TOP THINGS TO DO ON JEKYLL ISLAND WITH KIDS
1. TOUR THE BEACHES. Take a driving (or bike) tour and visit all of the island's unique beaches, including the unforgettable Driftwood Beach. We didn't make it there on this trip, but we thoroughly enjoyed the beach at the resort, and also went to see the expansive Glory Beach (pictured above). If you enjoy searching for shells, you'll definitely find them on Jekyll Island. At low tide, Sand Dollars are everywhere! Just make sure you don't try to take home the live ones!
2. PLAY GOLF! I'll be the first to admit that our family has very little experience playing golf. However, Jekyll Island is known for its courses, and my boys really wanted to give it a try. We reserved a tee time at Pine Lakes Course and rented two golf carts. Pine Lakes is the longest course on the island, but it was also designed with families in mind. It's one of the few courses in the nation that provides an even playing ground for players of all ages with tee boxes especially for kids. If you do want to play miniature golf, Jekyll Island Mini Golf offers two courses directly across from the ocean.
3. VISIT THE GEORGIA SEA TURTLE CENTER. On our first trip to the island, we toured Georgia’s only sea turtle education and rehabilitation facility. Year-round indoor and outdoor programs are also available for guests of all ages, including night-time turtle walks!
4. GET A HISTORY LESSON. In the late 1800s, Jekyll Island became an exclusive hunting club for families with names like Rockefeller, Morgan, Vanderbilt, Pulitzer, and Baker. Consider a tram tour to explore the 240-acre historic district.
5. HEAD TO THE 4-H TIDELANDS NATURE CENTER. Tidelands offers kayak tours, coastal ecology programs, Island nature walks, and summer and school group programs as well as an exhibit gallery featuring live coastal species, including sea turtles, fish, invertebrates, horseshoe crabs, snakes, alligators, and more.
Of course, there are many more fun things to do: dolphin watching, visiting Summer Waves water park, fishing and shopping come to mind. Just visit the official Jekyll Island website HERE to find your family fun!
* We were guests of the Holiday Inn Resort Jekyll Island and received complimentary accommodations and meals. All opinions for this review, however, are entirely my own.
