Our weekend getaways have become such fantastic bonding time for me and the boys! A quick jaunt to Jekyll Island – the eleventh most beautiful small town in America – was just what we needed. 

Jekyll Island was actually just named one of the 19 best beaches for families and kids by TODAY, and it was the number one “Best Place to Travel in 2019” according to Money Magazine! And with three kiddos in tow, the Holiday Inn Resort Jekyll Island was a perfect choice. 

This oceanfront resort has a low key tropical vibe – and 21 giant suites to fit the whole fam. Bunk beds for the boys, a spacious double queen for me, and a living area with plenty of space for lounging. Not to mention the balcony overlooking the ocean… every suite has one. Love. 

With everything in one place and plenty of activities for the kids, it was easy for this mom traveling solo. The oversized oceanfront pool and spa were ideal, we took full advantage of The Anchor poolside restaurant, and the fire pit is GORGEOUS at sunset. 

We kept it chill this trip, but there’s plenty to do – here’s just a small sampling:

1. Bike riding – we hit up Beachside Bike Rentals for some DIY exploring, and had a blast. Easy and fun. 

2. Kayaking and paddleboarding – the boys have convinced me to try standup paddleboarding next time we go. I’ll report back…  

3. Jekyll Island Golf Club – this is actually Georgia’s largest public golf resort, and it’s gorgeous. For those of us who want to maintain our amateur status, there’s also a great mini golf spot on the island.

4. Tours – dolphin tours (we had a blast with Jekyll Island Boat Tours for this one), historic tours, trolley tours, water tours, nature tours, haunted tours, tasty tours… should I go on?  

5. Summer Waves Water Park – from a lazy river to epic slides, it’s a terrific way to make a splash for a day.

6. Horseback riding – Driftwood Beach at sunset is a sight to behold from the saddle. Seriously. Stunning.

7. Shopping – adorable boutiques, open-air markets, countless crafts… eek. We’re downsizing, we’re downsizing, we’re downsizing. 

8. Emerald Princess Casino Cruise – for adult-style entertatinment, this 200-foot casino cruise ship offers blackjack, dice, roulette, poker, and slots, with an open air observation deck (I’ll gamble on good views any day). 

9. Dining – you can find everything from caszh beachside noms to high-end craft cocktails and special occasion meals.

10. Georgia Sea Turtle Center – only sea turtle education and rehabilitation facility in the state, plus OMG SO CUTE. 

11. Beaches – if you’re not in a planning mood, or want to plan to do as little as possible, Jekyll Island has 10 miles of stunning coastal beach and lowlands, so literally, pick a beach, any beach, and enjoy!

For us this trip, it was mostly clowning around, climbing trees, good food, good drink (virgin for the boys, maybe a touch stronger for mama), and dance parties in the waves. If there was a “no running on the boardwalk” sign, my guys didn’t see it. And I can’t think of a better way to relax in the sand for a weekend.