Worth the Drive

Charming Escapes for a Weekend Away

One of the greatest luxuries of living in St. Johns is knowing that a change of scenery is never far away. Within just a few hours, palm-lined beaches give way to historic cottages, windswept dunes, and charming coastal towns that feel worlds apart from everyday life. When a weekend getaway is calling, two Georgia gems consistently rise to the top of the list: Jekyll Island and Tybee Island.

Jekyll Island


Located approximately two hours north of St. Johns, Jekyll Island feels like stepping into another era. Once the private retreat of America's wealthiest families—including the Rockefellers and Vanderbilts—the island still retains an air of understated elegance. Moss-draped oaks frame quiet roads, bicycles outnumber traffic jams, and time seems to move at a gentler pace.


No visit isn't complete without exploring the Historic District, where grand cottages tell the story of the island's Gilded Age past. Nature lovers will want to visit Driftwood Beach, one of the most photographed shorelines in the South. Here, weathered trees rise from the sand like sculptures, creating a landscape that feels almost otherworldly.


For accommodations, the historic Jekyll Island Club Resort offers timeless Southern charm, while The Westin Jekyll Island Beach Resort provides modern oceanfront luxury steps from the beach. Spend your days biking the island's 20-plus miles of trails, kayaking through tidal marshes, or simply settling into a rocking chair with a good book and nowhere to be.


Historic Tidbit: Long before it became a favorite weekend escape, Jekyll Island served as the private winter retreat of America’s original billionaires, or at least the Gilded Age equivalent. The Rockefellers, Vanderbilts, Morgans, and Pulitzers all spent time here, transforming the island into one of the most exclusive addresses in the country. Jekyll also hosted a famously secret meeting in 1910 that helped lay the foundation for today’s Federal Reserve system. Not bad for a place best known today for beaches, bicycles, and breathtaking sunsets.

Tybee Island


If Jekyll Island is refined and tranquil, Tybee Island—approximately two and a half hours from St. Johns—is its spirited, barefoot cousin.Located just outside Savannah, Tybee embraces its quirky beach-town personality with colorful cottages, laid-back seafood restaurants, and a distinctly unpretentious charm. It is the kind of place where flip-flops are acceptable nearly everywhere and sunset cocktails feel like a daily ritual.


The island’s wide beaches invite long walks and lazy afternoons, while the iconic Tybee Island Light Station and Museum offers panoramic views of the coastline for those willing to climb its historic tower. Visitors can also explore the island by kayak, take a dolphin tour, or venture into nearby Savannah for an afternoon of shopping, dining, and historic sightseeing. For a memorable stay, consider Hotel Tybee, a longtime beachfront favorite, or the stylish DeSoto Beach Hotel overlooking the Atlantic.


What makes both destinations so appealing is their ability to deliver a true escape without requiring a plane ticket or a week of vacation time. By Friday afternoon, you can be watching the sunset over a Georgia beach. By Sunday evening, you’ll return to St. Johns refreshed, inspired, and perhaps already planning your next coastal adventure.


The Perfect Day Itinerary


Start your morning on the water with a kayak or paddleboard adventure through Tybee’s winding salt marshes. Outfitters such as Sea Kayak Georgia and Aqua Dawg Kayak Company offer rentals and guided excursions through the island’s peaceful tidal creeks. As you glide through the marsh grass, keep an eye out for herons, egrets, wood storks, and other coastal wildlife that call this ecosystem home. It’s a side of Tybee many visitors never see and one of its most memorable.


By lunchtime, make your way to Bubba Gumbo’s, a beloved dockside eatery tucked beside the Tybee Island Marina. Grab a table overlooking the water and enjoy fresh seafood, fish tacos, or a basket of shrimp while watching boats come and go from the docks.


In the afternoon, it’s time for one of Tybee’s signature adventures: a trip to Little Tybee Island. Rent a jet ski or charter a pontoon through Tybee Island Watersports, conveniently located at the marina, and make the short journey across the water. Accessible only by boat, Little Tybee is a protected nature preserve that feels untouched. Wander deserted beaches, search for shark teeth and shells, explore the dunes, or simply enjoy the rare feeling of having an entire stretch of coastline almost to yourself.


As the day begins to cool, there’s no better place to be than back on the water. Book a sunset cruise with Captain Derek’s Dolphin Adventure or hop aboard the lively Sunset Tiki Boat Adventure for a front-row seat to one of coastal Georgia’s most beautiful evenings. Along the way, you’ll pass the historic Cockspur Island Lighthouse while bottlenose dolphins often swim and play in the boat’s wake. As the sky transforms into shades of coral, gold, and lavender, it’s easy to understand why so many visitors fall in love with Tybee.


End the day at A-J’s Dockside Restaurant, a longtime local favorite overlooking the Back River. Order the wild Georgia shrimp, settle into a seat on the outdoor deck, and watch the last light of day fade across the water.