A Luxurious Story on Jekyll Island
Jekyll Island welcomes visitors with a lot of history and charm. You can start with a stroll through the Jekyll Island Historic District, which includes the Jekyll Island Museum and the district’s centerpiece, the Jekyll Island Club Hotel. The historic resort used to be the winter retreat for the North’s wealthiest people, and guests included prominent personalities such as William Rockefeller, Joseph Pulitzer, William K. Vanderbilt and J.P. Morgan. The hotel offers luxuries as well as activities for the whole family. There you can find spectacular places to take a walk, a swimming pool, professional level croquet, bicycles to explore the island, a pavilion on a private beach, and you can also enjoy afternoon tea. Surrounding the hotel, you’ll find the National Historic Landmark District, which covers approximately 97 hectares and is also incredibly charming. Visit Mosaic, a museum on Jekyll Island, where you can learn about the island’s centuries-long history through interactive exhibits, then begin your exploration with a trolley tour of the historic district’s landmarks. Expert local guides will share the stories of the carefully restored buildings and old houses you’ll see on the hour-long walk.
Jekyll Club Resort
Mosaic, Jekyll Island Museum
Historic Ruins on Jekyll Island
As you explore all that Jekyll Island has to offer, you may come across the ruins of the Horton House dwelling. Horton House was originally built in 1743 by Major William Horton, a trusted officer of James Oglethorpe. The walls that are still standing were built from tabby, a material made with concrete and shells that was widely used in the construction of buildings of that time. The house later became the residence of the du Bignon family, owners of Jekyll Island who lived there until the late 1800s. The family cemetery is across the street. Fun fact: Horton also fermented Georgia’s first beer.
Saint Simons Lighthouse
The imposing Driftwood Beach
During your stay on Jekyll Island, don’t miss Driftwood Beach, located on the northern tip of the island. This spectacular landscape of driftwoods resembles a graveyard of trees. It’s the most surreal place you’ll ever see and it’s also an extraordinary place to take pictures. Take a stroll along the serene beach and observe the twisted roots and branches. The best times of day to visit are sunrise or sunset, especially if you’re looking to get amazing photos and spend a romantic coastal evening.