We have rented a house,oceanfront, on Jekyll Island for a family vacation. We have never been to Jekyll island. The kids range from 5 yrs to 13 yrs. Any suggestions for the kids? Can we take a few beers to drink on the beach? What should we do or not do? Should we go off the island to see other things? Thanks, Lynn

It's a make your own fun kind of a place. In warm weather, there is a waterpark and minature golf. Always bike riding, boating, beach. The beach is beautiful. Magnificant dunes in places. Beach can disappear at high tide. Watch out for gators-away from the beach.

You would be out of place if you did not drink beer, though it is not permitted in public parks (cannot speak of ordinances that govern the remainder of the island).

St. Simons is visible from the northern end of island and a short drive. Much more man-made entertainment and historical attractions on SS.

Go have crabcakes at Barbara Jean's.

and take bikes, if you can. JI is great for riding bikes.

lynn, I'm spending Memorial Weekend there this year (Thurs-Mon) so I'll be sure to write a current trip report. It has been years since I've been there.

We aren't renting a house but staying at the Jekyll Island Club.

Thanks everyone for the info. We are very excited about Jekyll Island, but the first hand knowledge given by those who know from being there is the best.

Thanks Go Travel. I can't wait to hear how your trip is. I would love to stay at the Jekyll Island Club but the kids(grandchildren) wanted an oceanfront house. Maybe we can eat there. We are from Kittanning, near Pittsburgh PA and we are driving, sooooooo it will take us a long time to get there. My first trip south.

have a great time in Jekyll. We have a condo in ST.Simons. Try to take a horseback ride on the beach. It's great. St. Simon's has a lot of great resturants - all prices. Biking is great beacuse it is flat. Comfortable and casual is the lifestyle. Enjoy

It has been years since we were there, but we used to be able to rent bikes there. Maybe someone who has been recently can verify that is still possible? The island is great for biking all over.

Oh, yeah. Bikes. Tandem bikes. Low slung bikes. Surries with the fringe on top bikes. Great biking. I think the total change of elevation on the island is something like 7 feet.

There's a great kayak outing in the marsh through the Tidelands Nature Center.

Fishing on the pier.

Horseback riding on the beach and/or the "jungle" part of the island.

Boat trips you can go out on.

Lots of good, easy, family fun on Jekyll. In the summer, a water park, and summer theatre. Be sure to wander the millionaires' "cottages" and take a horsedrawn carriage ride through the area around the Jekyll Island Club.

On Jekyll

1) Bring crab nets (you or the kids, can go crabbing near the fishing pier/clam creek picnic area

2) You can see dolphins by standing on the beach at St. Andrews Picnic area OR take a dolphin tour!

3) You can see the most beautiful remote beach and find conch shells by parking and taking a walk through the board walk at the 4-H center

4) Mini golf (an outdated course and only during the day) is available

5) Sure, take drinks to the beach, enjoy

6) For an amazing Peach Daquiri, go to the pier by the Jekyll Island Club hotel, watch the sunset by the palm trees, magical

7) Bikes are a must, you can always rent them at the Jeklly Island Club Hotel

8) For a dreamy adult dinner, go to the Jekyll Island Club restaurant NOT in the main hotel and sit at the courtyard

Go off Island to St. Simons Island

St. Simons Island things to do

1) Eat at Barbara Jean's (whole family)

2) Shop at the cute stores and boutiques

3) Get lost among the live oaks

4) Enjoy the Coast Guard / East Beach near Coastal Cottages

5) Icecream for the kids here