Jekyll Island, Georgia

The Shrimp & Grits Festival on Jekyll Island, GA, combines two of our favorite Southern favorites - shrimp and grits.
The festival takes place during Georgia Wild Shrimp month and celebrates the delicious Georgia shrimp with a wide variety of event. Festival head quarters is located right in the middle of the historic district where you will find everything from cooking demonstrations, to shrimp eating contest, entertainment, Frisbee dogs and much more.

Come visit beautiful Jekyll Island during this festival and experience tasty Southern coastal cuisine in the Jekyll Island Historic District. Festival goers are invited to relax in the shade under the majestic live oaks and dine on delicious Georgia shrimp prepared by some of the area's top restaurants.

The Shrimp & Grits Festival is scheduled for Friday, September 16, 2011 - Sunday, September 18, 2011

Jekyll Island is a beautiful barrier island on the coast of Georgia between Jacksonville, Florida and Savannah, Georgia. Jekyll Island Club was a winter retreat for some of the most elite families with guests including famous names such as: Pulitzer, Rockefeller, and Vanderbilt to name a few. Jekyll Island Club flourished in the 1930's.
Today, the Jekyll Island Club National Historic Landmark District is one of the largest, ongoing restoration projects in the southeastern United States and it's a fascinating place to visit.
You can take a guided tram tour from the stables next to Jekyll Island Club Hotel.

Jekyll Island is the smallest of Georgia's barrier island, but is rich in wildlife. In Spanish the island was called Isla de Ballenas, which means "Island of Whales." Even now the area is known as the breeding ground for the endangered right whale. Also, the loggerhead turtles return to the beaches of Jekyll Island in the summer to lay their eggs. Jekyll Island is part of the Colonial Birding Trail and is a known resting area for migrating birds. To find out more about Sea Turtles, visit the Sea Turtle Center adjacent to the Historic Landmark District.
Jekyll Island is also known as a place to rest for migrating birds in the spring and fall, and a great place for birdwatchers. Jekyll Island has been designated an "Important Birding Area (IBA)" by the Georgia Audubon Societies. The island is one of eighteen sites on the Colonial Coast Birding Trail with several bird watching sites.
a) The Welcome Center on the Jekyll Island Causeway
b) Clam Creek on the northern side of the island;
c) "Glory" beach near the Jekyll Island Soccer Complex.

Jekyll Island has 10 miles of prestine beaches and is a perfect spot for swimming, sunbathing or watersports. Enjoy the fresh ocean breeze, look for sea shells in the sand and relax.

The best way to experience the island is by bicycle. There is more than 20 miles of paved trail around the island. Ride by the beach, the maritime forest and the historic district. There are several places renting bicycles on the island. Free trail maps are available at the Jekyll Island Welcome Center. Call 1-877-4JEKYLL or (912) 635-3636.