We get it, nobody likes a rainy day while they’re on vacation. Fortunately, there are many indoor things to do on Jekyll Island when you’re vacationing on this beautiful Georgia barrier island so those wet days won’t be a total washout. From historical sites to museums to video game fun, you’re sure to find something for everyone once the clouds come in and put a damper on your planned activities.
Once you’ve booked from the best Jekyll Island condo rentals and planned your activities, prepare a second “rainy day” list from among those destinations discussed here so you can make the most of every day on your vacation.
Jekyll Island Things to Do
You’ll be happy to hear that there are more than a few rainy day Jekyll Island things to do so you never even have to leave the island to have a fun, adventure-filled day.As an added bonus, it’s likely that whichever Jekyll Island vacation rental you’ve chosen, you will not be far from any of these exciting attractions.
Georgia Sea Turtle Center
Come see, learn about, and interact with sea turtles at the Georgia Sea Turtle Center, “Georgia’s only sea turtle education and rehabilitation facility” for an enjoyable rainy day activity.
You’ll meet those turtles who are actively rehabbing at the center and learn about each one. You can also visit treatment rooms, get a 45-minute behind-the-scenes tour, take part in interactive exhibits, learn about sea turtle nesting, and even have the opportunity to get face-to-face with some inhabitants. This is a perfect activity for those interested in animal rehabilitation or those who just want to learn more about these remarkable creatures.
Mosaic Jekyll Island Museum
Find out all about Jekyll Island and its history at the Mosaic Jekyll Island Museum.
Through activities, interactive exhibits, video displays, and more, you and your family can learn how Native Americans lived on this island centuries ago, and how people drove around the island in the early 20th century. You can visit old dwellings, and even see what men and women wore long ago. It is the perfect activity for history buffs or those who would like to learn more about the fascinating history of the island.
The museum is open every day from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Faith Chapel Tours
Marvel at the architectural beauty of Faith Chapel, a historic building with stunning stained glass windows and animal carvings. The building, built in 1904, is constructed of beautiful stained cypress shingles, with heart pine flooring inside and intricately carved gargoyles perched under outside eaves.
Public, private, and even customized tours are offered. A free meditation and prayer is held from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. every day.
Tour Hollybourne Cottage
Another historic landmark you won’t want to miss is the Hollybourne Cottage, a unique structure that served as a vacation home for Charles Stewart Maurice and his family. Maurice was a partner in the Union Bridge Building Company, a bridge fabrication company that erected, among many others, the Poughkeepsie Bridge and the Memphis Bridge.
The home reflects its owner’s trade, with a unique bridge-like support system. The home’s style is referred to as “pseudo-Jacobean” and represents the Tudor architecture popular at the time.
The tour of this truly one-of-a-kind home is 75 minutes. The tour leaves from the Mosaic, Jekyll Island Museum via trolley. Tours are at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.
Things to Do Near Jekyll Island
If the rain persists and you’ve seen all the Jekyll Island attractions, you can travel a short distance from most Jekyll Island vacation condos off the island to see two more museums that are well worth the trip.
St. Simons Lighthouse Museum
From interactive exhibits to displays of rare artifacts, the St. Simons Lighthouse Museum in the lighthouse keeper’s home beside the still-working lighthouse offers a step back in time and an enjoyable, fact-filled afternoon.
Visit the second floor where you’ll see the home as it was during the very early 20th century – even before plumbing and electricity! Downstairs is where you’ll find the exhibits. Learn about St. Simon Island, lighthouse technology, and even the role the lighthouse played in WWII.
You can visit the museum Monday – Saturday from 10 a.m. – to 5 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. Note: if the weather is too inclement, the lighthouse tower may be closed.
WWII Home Front Museum
Built in 1936, the WWII Home Front Museum was once the St. Simons Coast Guard Station. It is known for its war heroics in 1942 when the station’s crew rescued sailors from two American ships torpedoed just off the island in April of that year.
Enjoy interactive exhibits and artifacts as you learn more about this story, the station’s crew, and the building. You’ll find out about anti-submarine patrols, radar training, and even the construction of Liberty ships that brought much-needed supplies to overseas soldiers.
The Museum is open Monday – Saturday from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Sundays from noon – 5 p.m. Tickets can be purchased up to 4:30 p.m. each day.
Things to Do With Kids
Keeping kids occupied on rainy days might be difficult enough at home but can be even more challenging when on vacation.
Luckily, there are a few things you can find on Jekyll Island to keep the kids entertained. Here are two ideas that are sure to brighten those rainy days:
Lanes n’ Games
Bowling, laser tag, and 60-plus arcade games under one roof? Count us in!
Lanes n’ Games Family Entertainment Center has enough to fill an entire cloudy day.
The bowling lanes accommodate five players in each lane and operate Monday – Thursday 5 p.m. – 11 p.m., Friday 5 p.m. – 7 p.m., Saturday noon – 7 p.m., and Sunday 1 p.m. – 7 p.m. Cosmic Bowling hours are Friday and Saturday 7 p.m. – 1 a.m. and Sunday 7 p.m. – 11 p.m.
Laser tag fun can be had 7 days/week, $6/person Monday – Thursday and $7/person Friday through Sunday.
From Guitar Hero to Pacman, the arcade offers games new and old. You just might have to pry the kiddies away from this section! After all that excitement, you’re sure to work up an appetite. Lucky for you, Lanes n’ Games offers an assortment of refreshments. The Grille has pizza, wings, burgers, sandwiches, and wraps. For the parents, there’s a bar with beer, martinis, and specialty drinks. Don’t miss out on their daily specials!
Plan Your Visit
Ready for your Jekyll Island getaway? Browse our entire inventory of Jekyll Island rentals to get started on your next vacation!
Pinball Palace
About 20 minutes northwest of Jekyll Island, Pinball Palace in Brunswick, GA, houses more than 150 pinball machines plus lots of arcade games, a foosball table, and even a bounce room with obstacle courses and games for the little ones. In 2022, the Pinball Palace placed #2 on the list of top pinball arcades in the world!
You can pay an hourly or two-hour rate or purchase a day pass. If that rain doesn’t look like it’s going to let up anytime soon, a day pass just might be the best option to keep you and your family occupied for the entire day.
The Palace is open Monday – Saturday, noon – 8 p.m. through Thursday, until 10 p.m. on Friday, and 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. Saturday.
Stay with Parker-Kaufman
Rain or shine, Parker-Kaufman Realtors offers the top Jekyll Island vacation rentals perfect for any sized family.
You can choose from cottages, homes, and condos, 1- to 5-bedroom accommodations featuring ocean views, open floor plans, king- and queen-sized beds, full kitchens, washer/dryer, flat-screen TVs, and included linens and bath towels.
Other amenities, depending on the rental you choose, could include pools, garages, fenced yards, outdoor grills, and screened porches. Some rentals are even pet-friendly!
Parker-Kaufman vacation rentals can sleep up to 12 comfortably, so even if you’re traveling with your extended family or large group, you can stay in total comfort and luxury. Contact us today to get started on the Jekyll Island vacation of your dreams!
