Best Southern Beach for Empty Nesters

As a 50+ traveler with no children in tow, my travel priorities have changed. I remember having to schedule our family trips during school breaks or during the blistering summer when everyone else was traveling. Flashback to beaches full of [crying] children, towels covered in sand, sunburn, and a scene from Jaws. Of course, I loved every minute! BUT, as an empty-nester, I am grateful for more flexibility, and I have some tips for you!

I prefer to enjoy the beach when the surroundings are relatively quiet (I have the beach to myself), and the weather is just warm enough. For the Southern landscape, an early April, before Easter and Spring Break, is the perfect time to visit. The weather is warm enough during the day to enjoy the water and potentially get sun, plus you have the added advantage of less crowds and lower rates.

Walking the beach is one of our favorite activities. We have become the experts in which beaches are flat, smooth, clean, and easily walkable. The winner – Jekyll Island! Unmatched!

Murray, our frequent companion and best bud, needs a pet friendly resort as well. Jekyll offers a wide variety of beautiful accommodations, but I was pleasantly surprised to learn that The Jekyll Island Club Resort was pet friendly. Check out this beautiful house! The Sans Souci is the pet friendly option, and it is a WOW. (Use the link to browse the beautiful room options!)

I learned something on our most recent trip to the Golden Isles about one of our favorite meals while at the beach, Georgia shrimp! Georgia has amazing sweet shrimp. Of course, as a Georgia girl, I am bias, but it is the best. I’ll prove it to you. Georgia shrimp, particularly white shrimp, are known for their sweet, delicate flavor due to their natural diet in the clean, coastal marshes and estuaries along the southern Atlantic coast. Georgia shrimp also have a firm texture. “You can barbecue it, boil it, broil it, bake it, saute it. Dey’s uh, shrimp-kabobs, shrimp creole, shrimp gumbo. Pan fried, deep fried, stir-fried. There’s pineapple shrimp, lemon shrimp…” You want some now?

We have a few favorite places to eat we always visit when we go to Jekyll and its surrounding areas. Never disappointed at Marshside Grill. Best shrimp, best hushpuppies. We end up comparing all our other meals to this place. Oh, the best brunswick stew I have ever had. Ever. Ever better than this next place you must visit for BBQ. Southern Soul BBQ is a must! People fly in their private jets just to eat at this place! Southern Soul has been a choice for The Master’s dinner. It’s just that good. We always ask the locals where they eat. By the way, when my husband and I (the other side of the we) are getting ready for a trip, I am looking up what we might DO; he is looking up what we might EAT. Great pairing! 😊  Local Dining

So much more to do on Jekyll Island other than walking its beautiful beaches. Biking, visiting The Georgia Sea Turtle Center, playing golf, taking a historical train tour, catching a gorgeous sunset, shopping on the island or taking a quick drive to St. Simons are all the normal beach “to dos.” Of course, don’t forget to check out Driftwood Beach!

What makes Jekyll different? The Jekyll Island Authority has taken much time, money, and effort to preserve the natural beauty, landscape, and history of the island. Jekyll Island is more than a beach vacation destination, but the beach is a great reason to come. #goldenisles #jekyllisland #travel #exploregeorgia #golf