Attractions

The best way to see the Historic District -- the former enclave of the millionaires of America's Gilded Age, who built what they called "cottages" here -- is to take a guided historical tour departing daily on the hour from 10am to 3pm from the Museum Orientation Center (tel. 912/635-4036) on Stable Road. The tour lasts 1 1/2 hours, costing $16 for adults, $7 for children 6 to 12, and free for children 5 and under. Highlights of the tour include Indian Mound (or Rockefeller) Cottage from 1892 and the du Bignon Cottage from 1884.

On your own, you can view the Goodyear Cottage in the district, housing the Jekyll Island Arts Association (tel. 912/635-3920) -- with a gift shop and a free monthly exhibition. Admission is free, and it's open daily noon to 4pm. Also in the district, Mistletoe Cottage (tel. 912/635-4092) showcases the work of the nationally renowned, late Jekyll Island sculptor, Rosario Fiore, and is open Saturday and Sunday 2 to 4pm.

Last, Jekyll Island is also home to Horton's Brewery Site, Georgia's first brewery, signposted on the northwest end of the island. It was started by General Oglethorpe, who evidently knew how to put first things first for his settlers. This two-story ruin, dating from 1742, is one of the oldest standing structures in the state. It was mainly constructed of tabby, a building material made of crushed oyster shells that is native to coastal Georgia. Very near the brewery stand the ruins of a home built in 1738 by William Horton, one of Oglethorpe's captains.