Jekyll Island Convention Center – Bucket List

Jekyll Island Convention Center on Jekyll Island, Georgia, is one of the only oceanfront convention centers on the East Coast. The facility is surrounded by palm trees and lush, verdant lawns, and is just steps from the Atlantic Ocean. This location provides visitors to Jekyll Island Convention Center with beautiful views both inside and outside the venue.

As if this impressive convention center wasn’t enough, Jekyll Island itself is a fantastic destination with plenty to offer. Generations ago, the island was the preferred winter vacation hot spot for some of the richest and most influential families in the country. People like J.P. Morgan, Joseph Pulitzer, William Rockefeller, and William K. Vanderbilt all vacationed there.

To this day, the island remains a popular tourist destination. Get to know some of the attractions available on Jekyll Island by reading the bucket list below.

Jekyll Island Mini Golf

Just two minutes down the street from Jekyll Island Convention Center is Jekyll Island Mini Golf. This family-friendly attraction is great for groups of all sizes and is affordable since admission is only $7 or less.

There are two courses at Jekyll Island Mini Golf Course: an easy beginner course, and a more challenging course with twists and turns throughout. Kids will enjoy a simple game of mini golf on a course filled character statues like a dinosaur, alligator, gorilla, and a smiling squirrel.

Beachside Bike Rentals

One of the best ways to get around Jekyll Island is by bike. Conveniently, there is a fantastic bike rental company only three minutes from Jekyll Island Convention Center. Beachside Bike Rentals has traditional bikes in all sizes, as well as tandem and surrey bikes.

Cycling is considered a must-do on Jekyll Island, as there are miles of beautiful beaches and lots to see.

4-H Tidelands Nature Center

Take advantage of Jekyll Island Convention Center’s waterfront location by visiting 4-H Tidelands Nature Center. The goal of 4-H Tidelands Nature Center is to foster an appreciation for local wildlife, and teach visitors how to truly care for the natural world around them.

The nature center offers nature walks, kayak and canoe rentals, and an animal exhibit, so plenty of fun awaits you. Any nature or animal lover will enjoy a visit to the 4-H Tidelands Nature Center.

Georgia Sea Turtle Center

Another Jekyll Island attraction perfect for animal lovers is the Georgia Sea Turtle Center. Founded in 2007, this facility is the only sea turtle education and rehabilitation center in Georgia and is one of the best on the East Coast. The Georgia Sea Turtle Center is located inside Jekyll Island’s former power plant, providing plenty of space to care for turtles and educate the public.

The thousands of visitors that stop by each year have the opportunity to engage with hands-on exhibits, learn about turtle habitats, and see the turtles swim around in their recovery tanks. Learn all about sea turtles, an endangered species, by visiting the Georgia Sea Turtle Center, just four minutes from Jekyll Island Convention Center.

Summer Waves Water Park

Jekyll Island Convention Center may be steps from the ocean, but there’s another way to experience some fun in the water. Summer Waves Water Park, located less than five minutes from the convention center, is a family-friendly destination where visitors of all ages can cool off.

The attractions at Summer Waves Water Park vary in intensity, so visitors of all ages can take part in the fun. Swim in the wave pool, float down the lazy river, or take the extreme, five-story plunge on the Pirate’s Passage water slide. Younger kids can play in the Splash Zone, a shaded area with toddler-friendly water features. Families can rent a cabana to relax in, so consider spending the day having fun in the sun while you’re on Jekyll Island.

Jekyll Island Museum

As mentioned before, there’s a lot of history behind Jekyll Island. Visitors can learn all about it by stopping by the Jekyll Island Museum. The museum was completely renovated and modernized in 2019, much to the delight of island residents and history buffs.

For less than $10, guests can take a deep dive into the history of the island once known as a winter retreat for the country’s wealthiest families. The story of Jekyll Island is told through educational exhibits featuring visuals, audio, and artifacts. Notable artifacts include dresses, bicycles, stained-glass windows, and antique tennis rackets, all belonging to former Jekyll Island residents. Even the museum itself is historic; it’s located inside of a former stables building with numerous windows, high ceilings, and a spacious open floor plan.

Driftwood Beach

Probably the most fascinating site on all of Jekyll Island is Driftwood Beach. Dozens of weathered and worn trees are scattered throughout the sand, with gnarled branches reaching up into the air. Many visitors have described it as otherworldly and say that you need to see it to believe it. The Walking Dead even filmed scenes on Driftwood Beach; that’s how unique and post-apocalyptic it looks.

It’s a great place for photos, with the flat sand, calm ocean, and trees of various hues scattered throughout. In addition to taking photos, children will enjoy climbing the trees and exploring the beach. You definitely can’t visit Jekyll Island Convention Center without visiting Driftwood Beach!

Horton House

In 1738, the colony of Georgia awarded military aide Major William Horton all of Jekyll Island. Horton built his home on the island and went to work farming and producing crops, such as hops and barley. With these plants, he brewed the first beer in Georgia. He also created the first brewery in the state on Jekyll Island.

While the brewery is mostly in ruins, the Horton House still stands. The Horton House is one of the oldest buildings in Georgia, and has been preserved for more than a century. The structure is a simple, roofless shell of the original house, but it’s still a popular and worthwhile place to visit.