Investopedia
Top 9 Vacation Destinations For Wall Street Geeks
Friday July 18, 12:22 pm ET
Tara Struyk

Renowned investor Peter Lynch came up with this his best investment ideas not by studying in his office, but out on the street, where he could see the value of companies/products in action. No matter where he was or what he was doing, the wheels of investment analysis were always whirring quietly in his head.If you’re geeky about Wall Street and investing, it may not matter whether you’re placing trades with your broker or standing in line at the grocery store - the world of finance is never far from your thoughts. So, rather than try to leave your investor- think behind when you go on vacation, why not embrace your obsession by taking a trip that will please you and your family - and appeal to your inner geek. Here are our top picks.

1. Financial District, New York City
   Assuming you don’t work here already, you’ll want to visit Wall Street, the heart of the U.S. financial system. This lower Manhattan area is the original home of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), one of the world’s largest exchanges, and the headquarters of many of the largest American brokerages and investment banks. You can also visit the famous Wall Street Bull, a 7,000-pound bronze animal, whose flaring nostrils are often rubbed by traders for good luck.While You’re There: Although the NYSE, and many of the other institutions on Wall Street, are closed to the public, you’ll be within walking distance of hundreds of other major museums and attractions, including the Museum of American Financial History, at 26 and Broadway.
2. U.S. Bullion Depository (Fort Knox) - Fort Knox, Kentucky
   According to the U.S. Treasury, the “Gold Vault”, located at Bullion Boulevard at the intersection of Gold Vault Road, houses 147.3 million ounces of the U.S. gold reserves. It is a classified facility that does not allow visitors on the premises - a presidential order is required to gain access - but you can get a good view by traveling along US 31.While You’re There: Visit the Patton Museum of Cavalry and Armor, one of the largest in the U.S. Army Museum System (”Guide to U.S. Army Museums” (1997) by Cody Phillips)
3. Home of Warren Buffett - Omaha, Nebraska
   If you’re obsessed with investing, you might want to check out the birth place and hometown of the richest man in the world in 2008. Omaha is where Buffett earned his first dollars delivering newspapers, bought his first piece of land and where he still lives in the modest house he bought in 1958. It’s also where the headquarters of his company, Berkshire Hathaway are located.While You’re There: Buffett is known to be very down to earth, and still dines in local restaurants. Hang around long enough and you could catch a glimpse of this investing superstar, or at least absorb a little bit of his Midwestern, common-sense approach to investing.
4. Mount Washington Hotel - Bretton Woods, New Hampshire
   This regal historic building, open since 1902, is where the Bretton Woods monetary conference took place in 1944, leading to the creation of the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Stories about the hotel’s ghosts also abound, so although the Bretton Woods agreement was signed more than 100 years ago, you could bump into one of its signatories along one of the hotel’s passageways.While You’re There: The hotel is open for business year-round and attracts visitors for its championship golf courses. The Mount Washing Resort is also New Hampshire’s largest ski area.
5. Caymen Islands
   Located 480 miles south of Miami, this island country is one of the world’s largest offshore banking centers, according to a 2006 report by the Bank for International Settlements. The Caymen Islands are also known for giant turtles. As you watch these creatures lumber up the beach, you may not be able to help but ponder the billions of dollars that are slowly accumulating tax-free gains.While You’re There: Snorkel or scuba dive off the islands’ many beaches and soak up some sun.
6. Bre-X Minerals Mining Area - Busang, Indonesia
   If you’re looking for some adventure, head to the dense and humid jungles of the island of Borneo. It is deep within these jungles, in Busang, Indonesia, that Bre-X Minerals claimed it had found huge gold deposits. The claim turned out to be a fraud, leading to the company’s collapse. An April 1997 article in Nothern Miner, stated that locals panning for gold in the nearby river came up empty-handed, but even if you don’t stumble across a gleaming hunk of ore, the jungle is likely to leave you feeling like anything’s possible.While You’re There: Getting to this remote part of Indonesia is difficult. In addition, ongoing ethnic and religious tensions in the country can result in violence and unrest, so check the U.S. Department of State’s International Travel Information before visiting this region.
7. Jekyll Island, Georgia
   This 12-mile-long island along Georgia’s Atlantic Coast became a part of U.S. financial history when, in 1886, it became a private club for some of the country’s richest capitalists, including J.P. Morgan, William Rockefeller and William Vanderbilt. As such, it was on this island that a secret group of the country’s financiers met in 1910 to discuss the establishment of what would become the Federal Reserve banking system.While You’re There: Check out Jekyll’s National Historic Landmark District and get a sense of how those 20th century “robber barons” lived.
8. The Louvre - Paris, France
   This Museum in France’s famous capital is the home of the Code of Hammurabi, which includes what may be the first official laws governing relations between creditors and debtors. According to an article by Tonietti Alphonse, which appeared in a 1928 edition of Credit Monthly, the code makes a distinct effort to protect debtors from creditors while also holding the debtor legally responsible for meeting his obligations. The sixth king of Babylon’s (now part of Iraq) reputation as a lawmaker is evident in the U.S. as well, as depicted on several U.S. government buildings, including the U.S. House of Representatives and the Supreme Court building.While You’re There: In Paris, you can enjoy the French lifestyle, sample some world famous cuisine and find just about any activity you can think of to fill your time.
9. Yap Islands, Federated States of Micronesia
   This group of Pacific Ocean islands make up the least Westernized state of the Federate States of Micronesia and is best known for its famous stone money, called “rai”. These giant, donut-shaped stone disks can measure between three inches and 12 feet in diameter, and are valued both for their size and their history. Islanders only use the money for ceremonial purposes - tourists will be happy to learn that the U.S. dollar is used for everyday transactions.While You’re There: Relax! This tropical island boasts relatively low rates of tourism and is known for its beaches and scuba diving.

Celebrate your inner financial geek by unwinding at one of these destinations. If you’re inspired along the way, it could mean many happy returns.

Tags: coastal georgia, georgia coast, jekyll beach vacation, jekyll island, vacation destination
Posted in Beach Bummin', Diversions, History comes Alive, Horseback Riding, In the News, Kayaking & Canoeing, Nature Connection, On the Water, Serve it Up, Wild Georgia Golf | No Comments »

by Robert Painter

Reprinted from TravelLady Magazine

You won’t run into Ray Charles, but if you head on down to Woodbine, Georgia, you can take in some great country and bluegrass music on the weekend. Friday night at the Woodbine Opry a lot of the local folks will be gathered around to listen to some pretty good acoustic Bluegrass and Gospel and when they come back on Saturday they might just pull the old guitar out of the closet to join in on some of their favorite country

It’s not the Ryman Auditorium, but neither does it cost $50 for a front row seat.  For about eight dollars you have a fine country dinner before the music starts.  The music is free but you can buy a ticket for the homemade cake raffle or make a donation if you’re so inclined.  All in all it’s a terrific evening of good clean family fun.  And dinner for the kids is only four dollars so bring everyone.

From Woodbine you can take a short drive down to Kingsland which is a good starting point for those wishing to venture a bit west into the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuse and Wilderness Area. Or go a few miles east to the delightful little town of St. Marys. Be sure to visit the Oak Grove Cemetery.  Remember to ask someone about the resident ghosts.

If you’re ready for a bit of exercise and looking to find a few dolphins you probably ought to hook up with Up the Creek Xpeditions for a half day kayaking trip on the St. Marys River.  And, if you’re really adventurous they can even arrange a night trip into the Okefenokee to spot alligators with your headlamp.  If you haven’t kayaked before don’t let that stop you.  They’ll give you excellent instruction and the equipment is first rate.

It’s time to turn a bit north and travel up the coast to Brunswick and the Golden Isles of Georgia.  If you’re getting hungry for some fresh shrimp your next stop should be the Lady Jane Shrimp Boat. This is a real shrimp boat that has been refurbished and Coast Guard certified for passengers.  The good news is that it is still a shrimper.  It’s rigged to troll the waters in a nice, calm protected area (don’t even think about getting seasick) and you’ll have the opportunity to watch the authentic operation.  The net pulls up a lot of creatures. Different kinds of fish, crabs shrimp and even the amazing horseshoe crab. You can even help sort the shrimp and toss the horseshoe crabs back into the water.

The real treat comes when the fresh shrimp are cooked and served right on the back of the boat.  All you can eat, fresh and delicious!

As long as you’re in the neighborhood you wouldn’t want to miss the famous and historic Jekyll Island Club.  It’s a wonderful place to overnight and walk around the grounds to view the historic district.  You’ll recognize some of the names of the early club members. Marshall Field, Joseph Pulitzer, William Vanderbilt, J.P. Morgan, Frank Goodyear, William Rockefeller are but a few on the list.  The grounds are meticulously cared for.

 A visit to the Georgia Sea Turtle Center found here will both entertain and educate you. Injured and ill turtles are cared for in a state-of-the-art facility and you can actually watch the staff in action.  The staff will introduce you to some of the patients and you can learn much about the several varieties of turtles in the facility.

A short walk from the Center you will discover the unusual and scenic Driftwood Beach.  It’s not really “driftwood” but rather trees that have been uprooted by the changing tides and left in place to be polished by the water.  The shapes are beautiful and if you forget to bring your camera you’ll regret it later.

One of the biggest surprises on the island is an enormous colony of wood storks.  Don’t miss them.  I doubt if you’ll ever find a group like this again.

From Jekyll Island and Brunswick it’s an easy two hour drive on up to Savannah, unless you make a few stops along the way.  Wolf Island, Blackbeard Island and Harris Neck and Sapelo are just a few of the National Wildlife Refuges and Sanctuaries you might want to visit.

Savannah is a perfect city for walking.  There are scooters, segways, trolleys and even a GPS tour for the trendy techies.  I like to walk and you can pick up a good map for your tour around the city.  The trolley is an on and off vehicle so you can stop wherever you want and catch the next one when you’re ready.

You may know that Savannah was Georgia’s first city. You may not know that people were free to worship as they pleased.  Excluding Catholics, however.  At first, rum, lawyers and slavery were forbidden.  I wonder what they had against rum.

It could be that the first Sunday School started here.  A fellow named Eli Whitney invented the cotton gin at a nearby plantation in 1793 and in 1912 Juliette Gordon Low formed a little organization called the Girl Scouts.

Savannah has many faces.  America’s Most Haunted City has a wonderful river walk with plenty of restaurants in which to sample the local southern cuisine and enough bars to keep you from getting too thirsty.  There are lots of interesting shops including the typical tourist places on River Street.  And, if you don’t like “tourist shops” stop in a couple of them anyway.  You might stumble upon one pulling taffy or making that delightful southern treat, pralines.  And, don’t miss the City Market in the heart of the Historic District.

If you’re a shopper you’ll discover the many antique shops, galleries and gift shops with lots of local hand-crafted items and folk art that you will find nowhere else.

Savannah is considered by many to be one of the most beautiful cities in the country. There are 22 squares that are experienced by millions every year.  The beautiful sprawling oaks trees decorated by nature with the lacey Spanish moss contribute to the antebellum look of the city along with the restoration of many Colonial, Victorian, Georgian and other architectural gems.

An important part of the history of Savannah is its Black heritage. There are numerous monuments, homes, parks, churches and institutions marking this cultural aspect.  I remember walking past a monument and stopping to read the inscription.  I was surprised to read that the young drummer boy grew up to eventually become the King of Haiti. The oldest standing brick building in Georgia is the First African Baptist Church, built by slaves, for slaves, in the evenings following a full day of work in the fields.  I’ll leave it to you to discover more about the Gullah culture when you visit.

If you haven’t read Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil I would recommend you give it a look before your trip to Savannah.  It might just make you curious about some of the people in this enchanting city.  There is probably a festival of some sort every month so show up and join in the fun.

A couple more hours up the road and you’ll discover Augusta, another Georgia treasure. You’ve probably heard of Augusta National Golf Club, official site of the Masters Tournament, but you may not know about the National Science Center, also in Augusta. It was created by law to promote science and math education for all ages nationwide. It is a fascinating place.  Take your kids or go without them, but whatever time you allot for the visit plan to tack on another hour or two. The interactive displays and hands-on exhibits may just make you forget about looking at your watch.

Augusta is filled with beautiful homes, parks, gardens and monuments.  Spreading oaks covered with Spanish moss and antebellum homes.  A delightful Riverwalk and a great canal that used to be used to haul cotton and other goods. Some of the old mills have been restored and converted into businesses and residences.  You’ll want to visit the childhood home of Woodrow Wilson and learn a bit more about life during the Civil War and Reconstruction. 

I hope you manage to visit the Augusta Museum of History and see The Godfather of Soul, Mr. James Brown exhibit.  It is the first major exhibit dedicated to James Brown and will be at the museum through May 2011.  James Brown was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986.  He grew up in Augusta and used his fame to be a positive advocate of peaceful race relations in the south.

The Southeastern Natural Sciences Academy located in the Phinizy Swamp Nature Park is a great way to spend part of your day in Augusta. The mission of the Academy is to promote environmental stewardship through education, research and public outreach with a goal of seeking solutions to healthy and sustainable natural resources.  You’ll love the boardwalk and you’ll see waterfowl and maybe even an alligator or two.

I had a great time visiting this time and yes, Georgia is still on my mind! Now, I want to see the rest of the state. I’m planning to return, but just don’t know when – maybe I’ll see you there.

Keep on traveling!

Story and Photos by Robert Painter: rpainter2006@comcast.net

Photo of James Brown courtesy of Frank Christian

When You Go:

Woodbine Opry: www.woodbineopry.com

Kayaking & Canoeing info: www.upthecreektrips.com

Lady Jane Shrimp Boat: www.credlesadventures.com

Jekyll Island: www.jekyllisland.com

Savannah. There’s a lot more to this story: www.jekyllisland.com

Augusta. And, there’s more here than golf: http://www.augustaga.org

Tags: georgia beach vacation, georgia coast, georgia vacation, jekyll island, jekyll island history, jekyll island vacation
Posted in Beach Bummin', Diversions, History comes Alive, In the News, Kayaking & Canoeing, Nature Connection, Wild Georgia Golf | No Comments »

Looking for a bit of excitement, a taste of glitzy nightlife?

Jekyll Island isn’t for you.

If you’re interested in lowering your blood pressure, though, Jekyll- about an hour and a half south of Savannah- might be just the balm you need, a splendid destination for a day trip or a weekend getaway.

On Jekyll, the smallest of Georgia’s barrier islands, you can chase a little white ball through sand traps, play tennis, or glide along 20 miles of bike paths. If all that sounds too arduous, there are miles of beach where you can simply veg out, soothed by sea breezes.

Brunswick’s Ernie Williams was enjoying his own favorite low-key pastime Saturday, idly hanging a pole from the fishing pier at the island’s Clam Creek Picnic Area. His son, Trey, sat next to him.

“My daddy taught me to fish on Jekyll,” Ernie said. “Like his daddy taught him. Now I bring my boy out here.”

“Caught anything?”

“Not a (colorful adjective) thing,” he said, laughing. “Sure glad we don’t have to depend on this for supper.”

Folks have been fishing around Jekyll since roughly 2500 B.C., when small groups of hunter-gatherers started visiting the island. In the late 16th century A.D., the Spanish were impressed by the numerous right whales in the area and called the island Isla de Ballenas (”Island of Whales.”)

In the 1730s, General James Oglethorpe, interested in protecting Savannah against the Spanish in Florida, dispatched troops to build fortifications on St. Simons Island. After one of the soldiers, William Horton, was granted 500 acres of land by the colony’s trustees, he established residency on nearby Jekyll Island Sir Joseph Jekyll, a prominent Oglethorpe supporter in England). You can still see the ruins of Horton’s house, one of Georgia’s oldest structures, on the island’s north end.

Jekyll’s most prominent historical structure, however, is the Jekyll Island Club, founded in 1886 as a winter retreat for such mega-rich Northern industrialists as Marshall Field, J.P. Morgan, Joseph Pulitzer and William Vanderbilt. Surrounding the Queen Anne-style clubhouse, several of the club members built grand winter homes - their so-called “cottages” - now restored and open to the public. The clubhouse is now an upscale hotel.

In 1972, the Jekyll Island Historic District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places; in 1978, the 240-acre district was elevated to National Historic Landmark status. Guided tours of the area are available at the Jekyll Island Museum on Stable Road.

Golfers will find three 18-hole courses on Jekyll (Pine Lakes, Oleander, and Indian Mound) and a nine-hole course (Great Dunes). Tee times can be made up to six months in advance. The Jekyll Island Tennis Center features 13 clay courts. Other activities include horseback riding through Jekyll’s maritime forests, kayaking, miniature golf, and the Summer Waves water park, where children can splash through 11 acres of refreshing rides.

For many folks, though, Jekyllis best absorbed in slow motion. Birdwatching is a popular pastime; the island has a sizeable yearlong population and serves as a resting place in the spring and fall for migrating species. Other visitors love to simply amble along the beach, collecting shells.

Some don’t even move that much.

Atlanta’s Kathy Williams and Bonnie Bell, for instance, spent most of last weekend nestled in their cozy beach chairs, gazing out at the Atlantic.

“Just the two of us and a little liquid refreshment,” Williams said.

“Sometimes that’s all a couple of girls need.”

Reprinted from Savannahnow.com

Tags: jekyll island beach, vacation
Posted in Beach Bummin', Bird Watching, Camping, Churches, History comes Alive, Horseback Riding, Just for Kicks, Just for Kids, Just the Facts, Kayaking & Canoeing | No Comments »

Posted on RedOrbit.com: Wednesday, 28 May 2008, 18:00 CDT

By DAVID BAUERLEIN

Coping with higher gas prices used to mean finding other places to shave expenses on vacations — preparing some meals in a hotel kitchenette, for instance, instead of eating out.

But with gas fast approaching $4 a gallon nationwide, tourism officials increasingly see travelers adjust by choosing destinations closer to home.

“We understand that people may be cutting back on their vacations because of gas prices, so we’re really going to be focusing on local residents,” said Visit Jacksonville spokeswoman Lyndsay Rossman.

Visit Jacksonville has been running a “Residents Can be a Tourist in Their Own Backyards” publicity campaign that features discounts from local businesses through June 10.

Flamingo Lake RV Resort on the Northside has been using the same backyard catchphrase in its local advertising. High fuel prices “have really put a strain on our industry,” said Michael Fisher, marketing director for the resort. Still, he said people aren’t going to give up on their vacations.

“They’re still going to use their RVs but they’re not going to go as far,” he said.

Renaissance Resort at World Golf Village in St. Johns County will give gas cards to Florida and Georgia residents who visit at least two nights in July.

The Amelia Island Tourist Development Council decided to tap its reserves to spend an additional $100,000 on marketing in the Jacksonville area. Gil Langley, managing director for the council, said Jacksonville, Atlanta and Orlando have always been the biggest markets for visits to Amelia Island and Fernandina Beach.

Even with high gas prices, he said he’s optimistic people are going to take their family vacations, he said.

“There are certain things in life that you hang onto no matter what, and I think people will always hang onto that,” he said.david.bauerlein@jacksonville.com (904) 359-4581TIPS FOR A GREAT LOCAL GETAWAYVacationing close to home might not seem like a break from everyday life. Here are some ways to boost the vacation experience:DON’T LET FAMILIARITY BREED CONTEMPT. “We have people from all over the world come to the First Coast for vacations,” said Gil Langley of the Amelia Island Tourist Development Council. For instance, AAA gives its highest five-diamond rating for lodging to nine properties in Florida. Two are in Northeast Florida — The Ritz- Carlton, Amelia Island and the Ponte Vedra Inn and Club.PLAN YOUR TRIP THE WAY AN OUTSIDER WOULD. Part of a vacation is the anticipation that comes from scouring guidebooks and putting together a daily itinerary. One advantage of vacationing close to home is you can do some advance scouting. For instance, you can see whether the bed-and-breakfast or beachfront rental home is really as nice as it sounds in the promotional material.REWARD YOURSELF FOR SAVING TRANSPORTATION MONEY. Eliminating tanks of gas and plane tickets will help your everyday household budget. But take at least some of the savings and upgrade your vacation memories by treating yourself to accommodations, meals, or vacation activities whose cost would usually make you think twice.UNPLUG YOURSELF FROM WORK. A recent survey by careerbuilder.com found 25 percent of workers expected to stay in contact with the office even while on vacation. Breaking fee of the e-leash is a good goal no matter where you’re going. But if you’re close to home, those workplace obligations will make it harder to feel like you’ve gotten a clean break from the usual routine.STAYING NEARBY10.5%The increase in the percentage of Floridians who vacationed in-state during the first three months of 2008 as compared to the same period last year, according to Visit Florida. That increase represented 1.2 million in-state trips.FOUR GREAT BACKYARD VACATIONSTo explore these tourist destinations along the ocean coast from Jekyll Island, Ga. to St. Augustine, you won’t need a full tank of gas.

JEKYLL ISLAND, GA.

This barrier island’s tourism roots go back more than 100 years, when wealthy Northeastern industrialists made it their playground. The island has 10 miles of ocean beaches, extensive bike trails, and a historic town center.

In the tank: 150-mile round-trip from Jacksonville. Gas would cost $28.50 at 20 miles per gallon.

Deep pockets: AAA gives three-diamond ratings to Jekyll Island Club Hotel ($189-$453).

More affordable: Quality Inn and Suites ($129-$179) and Days Inn and Suites ($120-$220 for “June Sizzling Rates”) both get two- diamond ratings.

Dining: Mobil Travel Guide’s five-star rating system cites five restaurants, led by the Grand Dining Room at Jekyll Island Club Hotel with three stars. Others are Blackbeard’s and The Surf Steakhouse (each with two stars), and Zachry’s Seafood and Latitude 31 (each with one star.)

Eco-tourism: Jekyll Island Campground ($20-$31) has 206 spaces.

Activities: Summer Waves ($16-$20), Georgia Sea Turtle Center ($4- $6), 63 holes of golf (some hotels include 18 holes in their room packages).

Learn more: www.jekyllisland.com or (912) 635-3636

Tags: georgia beach vacation, georgia coast, jekyll island beach, jekyll island vacation
Posted in Beach Bummin', Bird Watching, Camping, Diversions, History comes Alive, Just for Kids, Kayaking & Canoeing, Nature Connection, On the Water, Press Releases, Two Wheelin', Wild Georgia Golf | No Comments »

Remember the Turner South network? Well they had this series called, “3-Day Weekend,” and they did one about Jekyll Island! Check it out!

Tags: , 3-Day Weekend on Jekyll Island, georgia coast, jekyll island georgia, jekyll island vacation
Posted in Beach Bummin', Bird Watching, Camping, Churches, Diversions, History comes Alive, Horseback Riding, Just for Kicks, Just for Kids, Kayaking & Canoeing, Nature Connection, On the Water, Serve it Up, Two Wheelin', Wild Georgia Golf | No Comments »

Would you rather surf the ocean or the World Wide Web? Watch a movie or a campfire? Which do you think your children would choose? A Nature Conservancy-funded study showed that many of us would likely choose the movie or the Web. We’re more removed from nature than we have ever been in history. As a nation, we’re becoming more “indoorsy”, and that’s not a good thing.
The study reports that visits to U.S. national parks have been declining since 1987, after having risen for the previous 50 years. Researchers said that video games, home movie rentals, going out to movies, Internet use, and rising fuel prices explained almost 98 percent of the decline. The drop in attendance comes as our use of electronic media has risen - something that researchers call “evidence of a fundamental shift away from people’s appreciation of nature.”
“When children choose TVs over trees, they lose touch with the physical world outside and the fundamental connection of those places to our daily lives,” said Steve McCormick, President and CEO of The nature Conservancy.
Jekyll Island is an ideal place for you and your family to reconnect with nature. It has been and always will be a place of natural beauty and conservation because 65% of the island will always be in its natural state. Everything you need to reawaken your inner Thoreau is here-nestled safely and conveniently on Jekyll Island.
“We demonstrate our values in the way we allocate our time,” said Patricia Zaradic, an ecologist with the Stroud Water Research Center who worked on the study. “Research indicates that children who experience nature with a mentor develop an appreciation of nature as adults.”
Children who are led by their parents to experience nature firsthand also learn habits that support a healthy lifestyle. Spending time engaged in the natural world is far preferable to spending time parked in front of a television screen.
So leave your laptops for another day. You need not give up your video games for good. But you can unplug from this 21st century world, and give your attention to the beautiful, great outdoors and the diverse creatures living within it. Jekyll Island promises something special for every member of your family, regardless of age or interests. How many video games can say that?
Come and see what’s outside on Jekyll Island!
With 10 miles of unspoiled beaches, beach lovers have plenty of space to sunbathe, swim, walk or search for shells. You’re sure to see many live creatures as well, including hermit crabs and sand dollars. Preserve the Island’s shoreline environment by leaving these interesting beach dwellers just as you find them and take only a few of your favorite shells.
As a barrier island, Jekyll Island’s beaches are unique and ever-changing.

For your convenience, public showers and restrooms are located at several sites and picnic areas.
Here is a bird lover’s paradise. A vast variety of birds make the island home. In addition to those, the island serves as a resting place in the spring and fall for migrating species on the Atlantic Flyway. The island has been designated an “Important Birding Area (IBA)” by the Georgia Audubon Societies. It is one of 18 sites along the Colonial Coast Birding Trail and boasts several significant birding sites: near the Welcome Center on the Jekyll Island Causeway; at Clam Creek on the northern side of the island; and at the “Glory” beach near the Jekyll Island Soccer Complex. New birding platforms are scheduled for construction at Driftwood Beach and the St. Andrews picnic area.
With 206 campsites available on 18 wooded acres, Jekyll Island has something for everybody– from tent sites to full hook-up to pull-through RV sites. The campground offers a long list of amenities, including restrooms, showers, pay phones, laundry and a full-service store with food, ice, bait, propane, supplies and bike rentals. Daily rates are available year round. For guests wishing to stay a bit longer, the campground offers a week-long special: stay six days and the seventh is free. Monthly stay rates are available November through March. Other times, a 14-day camping limit may apply.
The Georgia 4-H Tidelands Nature Center offers hands-on exhibits for the kids as well as guided nature walks and kayak or canoe tours. Guided activities include nature walks, Historic District Landscape Tours, and Turtle Walks (from the Georgia Sea Turtle Center), offered from May through August).
On a guided nature walk, you will spend a couple of hours to walking the beach, maritime forest or marsh with an experienced naturalist.
Explore the area by kayak or canoe on a three-hour guided tour of the local salt marshes and estuarial waters. Learn about wading birds, fiddler crabs, marsh grass and dolphins. There’s no better way to observe birds, fish and other coastal creatures in their native habitat.
Both canoe rentals and kayak tours are available March through October. Sea Kayaks, a more maneuverable and stable relative of the traditional kayak, also are available for saltwater excursions. Rentals, instruction and guided tours are available by calling (912) 635-5032.
Jekyll Island is perfectly suited for travel by bicycle. With more than 20 miles of paved trails, you can explore a broad range of scenery, from beaches to forests to Jekyll Island’s own Historic Landmark District and campgrounds. Free trail maps are available at the Jekyll Island Welcome Center.
Jekyll Wharf and Jekyll Harbor Marina are two points of access to the many water activities along coastal Georgia. Spend a day sightseeing, dolphin spotting or on a sailing tour.
For the fishermen, the island’s knowledgeable fishing captains know all of the best spots to catch a variety of fish, including Tarpon, Whiting, Red Drum, Sea Trout, Triple Tail, Spotted Sea Trout, Striped Mullet, Sheepshead, and Black Drum, just to name a few. Loggerhead sea turtles have found safe haven on Jekyll Island. Their nests, tucked among the dunes of Jekyll Island’s beaches, have made the island a major site for conservation and education. Sea turtle nests are marked and monitored by the Georgia Sea Turtle Center. From May through August, female loggerhead turtles swim ashore, dig their nests and lay their eggs.
The Georgia Sea Turtle Center, a $3 million center, includes a learning center, rehabilitation center and veterinary clinic, is the first of its kind in Georgia. The Center officially opened June 16, 2007. For more information about the Georgia Sea Turtle Center and related programs, visit www.georgiaseaturtlecenter.org
Jekyll Island has been a golf destination since 1898, when Jekyll Island Club members added the first course on the island near the present-day airport. Today, Jekyll Island boasts 63 holes of golf on three 18-hole courses and one 9-hole course, earning Jekyll Island the bragging rights as Georgia’s largest public golf resort. During course design of Pine Lakes Course, Clyde Johnston incorporated “Family Friendly” tee boxes, making this the only course in America that allows players of all ages to compete evenly.
Boasting 13 clay courts (seven of which are lighted), the Jekyll Island Tennis Center earned a spot among Tennis Magazine’s “25 Best Municipal Tennis Facilities” in the country. The Jekyll Island Tennis Center hosts six USTA-Sanctioned tournaments annually, as well as junior camps throughout the summer. Ongoing adult programs include clinics and round-robin tournaments, which are offered between October and March. The Center’s staff can arrange pick-up games for single players, as well as offer private and group lessons. Also available are rental racquets and ball machines, as well as equipment repair. Weekly, monthly and annual single-person and family memberships can be purchased as well.
For a totally different perspective, saddle up and experience Jekyll Island on horseback. Guided tours originate from the Clam Creek picnic area on the island’s north end, make their way though maritime forests and along the salt marshes, then return along beautiful Driftwood Beach. Reservations are required and can be made Monday through Saturday (weather permitting) at Victoria’s Carriages and Trail Rides at the Island History Center on Stable Road.
There are plenty of ways to unplug and unwind on Jekyll Island. If you need some ideas, just check out www.jekyllisland.com or our Welcome Center on the Jekyll Island causeway!

Tags: beach vacation, biking, georgia coast, golf vacation, golfing, jekyll island, nature conservancy study
Posted in Beach Bummin', Beachscape, Bird Watching, Camping, Diversions, History comes Alive, Horseback Riding, Kayaking & Canoeing, March 2008, Nature Connection, On the Water, Serve it Up, Two Wheelin', Wild Georgia Golf | No Comments »