About this city
Also known as: The Jewel of the Golden Isles
Situated within the Golden Isles of Glynn County along Georgia's southern Atlantic coastline, Jekyll Island is a barrier island renowned for its strict state-mandated conservation and lavish Gilded Age history. Purchased in 1886 by an elite group of America's ultra-wealthy families—including the Rockefellers, Morgans, and Vanderbilts—the island was transformed into the exclusive Jekyll Island Club, famously described as the richest club in the world. In 1947, the state of Georgia purchased the island to turn it into a public park, operating under strict regulations where 65% of the island must remain forever wild and undeveloped. The modern island presents a striking combination of pristine beaches, ancient maritime forests, and meticulously restored historic winter cottages.
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Economics & Local Vibe
Practical Tourism Metadata
Suggested stay: 2–3 days
Photograph the eerie, weathered skeletons of ancient oak trees at Driftwood Beach. Tour the opulent winter estates of America's industrial titans in the Jekyll Island Historic District. Visit rescued sea turtles and rehabilitation exhibits at the Georgia Sea Turtle Center.
