A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Jekyll Island vs. Williamsburg for Families, Attractions, Food, and Couples

Should you visit Jekyll Island or Williamsburg?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Jekyll Island and Williamsburg can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Jekyll Island

Jekyll Island is a secluded, natural, and relaxing island. Other popular activities here include museums, beaches, and hiking. See Jekyll Island travel costs.

Williamsburg

Williamsburg is a charming, quaint, and well-preserved town. Williamsburg offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the museums, food, and shopping. See Williamsburg travel costs.

Jekyll Island and Williamsburg: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Jekyll Island or Williamsburg?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Williamsburg. Although Jekyll Island and Williamsburg are popular destinations, Williamsburg has more sights and attractions for tourists. Williamsburg is very popular for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Jekyll Island attracts visitors for its resorts, beaches, and hiking. Williamsburg is more touristy than Jekyll Island and is popular for its historic and colonial charm, its award winning amusement parks, and its historical reenactments. It is also well known for Colonial Williamsburg. Jekyll Island is famous for its quiet beaches and its Historic District.

How is Jekyll Island different from Williamsburg?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Williamsburg and Jekyll Island. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Jekyll Island or Williamsburg?

Williamsburg is a very popular place for its museums and history. Also, Jekyll Island is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Williamsburg. Colonial Williamsburg is like a living museum with reenactments and historic buildings that date back to the colonial days. In addition to the historic area, there are folk art museums and other historic sights in the area.

Jekyll Island is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Mosaic is the history museum on the island. The museum also offers historic tours of the area's sites. The Historic District is a popular place to visit with its well-maintained historic cottages and other structures.

Is the Food Better in Jekyll Island or Williamsburg? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Williamsburg is a very popular place for its restaurants. However, Jekyll Island is lacking in good options for its restaurant scene.

Williamsburg has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. Head to Historic Williamsburg if you want to try some colonial classics. There are historic taverns that maintain their old world charm and serve dishes such as peanut soup and stewed beef. Around town you'll also find casual restaurants with pizza, macaroni and cheese, and burgers.

Jekyll Island offers some easy restaurants to choose from. Many restaurants are casual with low country dishes or fried seafood. You'll find some brunch places as well as cafes and quick dining eateries around town.

Is Jekyll Island or Williamsburg Better for Nightlife?

Williamsburg is a decent place to visit for its evening party scene. However, Jekyll Island is lacking in good options for nightlife.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Williamsburg. Despite its student population, there isn't much of a nightlife scene in town. There are restaurants where you can enjoy fine wine or cocktails, but nightclubs and bars are limited.

Things get quiet in the evenings in Jekyll Island. There are sunset cruises, but otherwise the nightlife scene is quiet.

Is Jekyll Island or Williamsburg Better for Resorts?

Jekyll Island is a island with a few options for its resorts. However, Williamsburg is not a resort destination.

You might not think of Jekyll Island as a resort destination, but it has a few places. You'll mostly find mid-range hotels on the island.

Williamsburg is not a resort destination.

Is Jekyll Island or Williamsburg Better for Beaches?

Jekyll Island is a great destination for the beach. However, Williamsburg is not a beach destination.

Many people visit Jekyll Island for it's beautiful beaches. Unspoiled beaches are the biggest draw. Some areas are rocky, but the beaches are peaceful and perfect for walks if you want to get away from the crowds. Much of the island is a state park, so it's undeveloped and pristine.

Williamsburg is not a beach destination.

Is Jekyll Island or Williamsburg Better for its Old Town?

Williamsburg is a must-visit destination for its historic old town charm. However, Jekyll Island does not have a historic old town.

The rich history of Williamsburg can be explored in its historical center. Colonial Williamsburg is an impressively maintained area with museums, shops, and taverns. There are live reenactments of historic events as well as blacksmiths, wig shops, and carriage rides. You can wander around without a ticket, but for access to many parts of the historic area you'll need to purchase a pass.

Jekyll Island does not have a historic old town.

Is Jekyll Island or Williamsburg Better for Hiking?

Jekyll Island is a great destination for its hiking experiences. However, Williamsburg is not a hiking destination.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Jekyll Island. The state park has some trails that are nice. There are also beach walks, bike trails, and routes that take you through historic sites.

Williamsburg is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Jekyll Island or Williamsburg?

Williamsburg is a very popular place for its shopping areas. However, Jekyll Island is lacking in good options for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Williamsburg. Charming shops both in the historic area and just outside sell unique items that reflect the city's past. There are souvenirs, food items, cookbooks, and home decor to choose from.

Jekyll Island is a good destination for shopping. You'll find a few gift shops and boutiques, but in general, shopping options are limited.

Is Jekyll Island or Williamsburg More Beautiful?

Williamsburg is a town with good options for its scenery and beauty. However, Jekyll Island is not a destination known for its beauty.

Williamsburg offers plenty of beauty for visitors. The area's colonial architecture gives it a historic and traditional beauty that appeals to visitors and residents alike.

Jekyll Island is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Jekyll Island or Williamsburg Better for Families?

Williamsburg is a must-visit destination for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Jekyll Island is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Williamsburg is an extremely popular town to visit for families. Older kids will appreciate the history in the area. For kids of all ages there are a number of amusement parks and water parks such as Great Wolf Lodge, Busch Gardens, and the award winning Water Country USA.

Jekyll Island is a very family-friendly place to visit. Kids will love climbing and playing at Driftwood Beach, which is like a natural playground. Animal lovers will enjoy dolphin cruises or a visit to a turtle hospital. There's also the standard beach activities like minigolf, bike rental, and tram tours.

Is Jekyll Island or Williamsburg Better for Couples?

Williamsburg is a very popular place for couples. Also, Jekyll Island is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

Williamsburg makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Historic Williamsburg is filled with inns and charming restaurants that make this a beautiful destination for couples. There are quaint restaurants that serve colonial food and interesting southern shops with unique trinkets. You can also wander around the campus of William and Mary College.

Jekyll Island is a nice destination for couples. There are several basic hotels as well as a few campgrounds. Couples will enjoy the beaches, but the island is small with limited activities and restaurant options. If you love natural scenery then this is a great destination, but there are fewer amenities than there are in many beach areas.

Is Jekyll Island or Williamsburg Better for Students?

Williamsburg is a must-visit destination for its student-friendly activities. However, Jekyll Island is not popular with students.

Williamsburg is a very popular town for students. The College of William and Mary has a beautiful campus and students enjoy the charming atmosphere with colonial architecture around town. There are also good restaurants and a great collegiate vibe.

Jekyll Island is not popular with students.

Is Jekyll Island or Williamsburg Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Williamsburg is a decent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, Jekyll Island is lacking in good options for its public transit.

Public transit is mostly limited in Williamsburg. There are buses around town, and they offer access to Historic Williamsburg, but for most places you'll need to have your own car.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Jekyll Island. There are bus and trolley tours, but public transportation is mostly non-existent.

Is Jekyll Island or Williamsburg a more walkable city?

Williamsburg is a decent place to visit for its ease of walking around. However, Jekyll Island is lacking in good options for its walkability.

Williamsburg is generally not a very walkable town. Historic Williamsburg and the neighborhoods around the College of William and Mary are all walkable, but if you plan to visit the amusement parks then you'll absolutely need a car.

Jekyll Island is not a walkable island. Resources are spread out, so you really need a car to get around.

For even more information, also check out Is Jekyll Island Worth Visiting? and Is Williamsburg Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Williamsburg or Jekyll Island?

How long in Jekyll Island or Williamsburg?

It's fun to spend time in either Jekyll Island or Williamsburg. In our opinion, Williamsburg has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Williamsburg than Jekyll Island. However, 2-4 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Families should spend more time in Williamsburg than Jekyll Island. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Williamsburg, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Williamsburg than Jekyll Island. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Williamsburg that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Williamsburg than Jekyll Island if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Williamsburg.

One day in Jekyll Island or Williamsburg?

In Jekyll Island, many people enjoy the museums that this relaxing island offers. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and food when visiting the quaint destination of Williamsburg. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Jekyll Island or Williamsburg?

Jekyll Island is a fun place to experience. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Williamsburg. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Five days in Jekyll Island or Williamsburg?

You'll find museums around the secluded destination of Jekyll Island. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the well-preserved destination of Williamsburg. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

A week in Jekyll Island or Williamsburg?

Jekyll Island is a popular place to visit. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

You'll find museums and food around the town of Williamsburg. Visiting the old town is also a must. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Coach Bus Tours in United States of America, The Best Adventure Tours to United States of America, The Best Train & Rail Tours in United States of America, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Jekyll Island and Williamsburg, we can see that Jekyll Island is more expensive. And not only is Williamsburg much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Williamsburg would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Williamsburg and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Jekyll Island would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Jekyll Island than you might in Williamsburg.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Jekyll Island Expensive? and Is Williamsburg Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Jekyll Island or Williamsburg?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Jekyll Island or Williamsburg in the Summer?

Both Williamsburg and Jekyll Island during the summer are popular places to visit. The beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Jekyll Island this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Williamsburg for the family-friendly experiences.

Jekyll Island is around the same temperature as Williamsburg in the summer. The daily temperature in Jekyll Island averages around 82°F (28°C) in July, and Williamsburg fluctuates around 78°F (26°C).

In Williamsburg, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Jekyll Island. In the summer, Jekyll Island often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Williamsburg. Jekyll Island gets 286 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Williamsburg receives 279 hours of full sun.

Williamsburg gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Jekyll Island. Jekyll Island usually gets more rain in July than Williamsburg. Jekyll Island gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Williamsburg receives 4.7 inches (120 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Jekyll Island or Williamsburg in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Jekyll Island and Williamsburg. Many travelers come to Jekyll Island for the hiking trails and the shopping scene. Furthermore, many visitors come to Williamsburg in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Jekyll Island is a little warmer than Williamsburg. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Jekyll Island in October average around 70°F (21°C), and Williamsburg averages at about 61°F (16°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Williamsburg this time of the year. In Jekyll Island, it's very sunny this time of the year. Jekyll Island usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Williamsburg during autumn. Jekyll Island gets 214 hours of sunny skies, while Williamsburg receives 211 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Jekyll Island usually receives around the same amount of rain as Williamsburg. Jekyll Island gets 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain, while Williamsburg receives 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Jekyll Island or Williamsburg in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Jekyll Island as well as Williamsburg. Many visitors come to Jekyll Island in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, most visitors come to Williamsburg for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Williamsburg can be very cold during winter. In January, Jekyll Island is generally much warmer than Williamsburg. Daily temperatures in Jekyll Island average around 53°F (12°C), and Williamsburg fluctuates around 38°F (4°C).

In the winter, Jekyll Island often gets more sunshine than Williamsburg. Jekyll Island gets 191 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Williamsburg receives 168 hours of full sun.

Jekyll Island usually gets less rain in January than Williamsburg. Jekyll Island gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Williamsburg receives 3.6 inches (93 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Jekyll Island or Williamsburg in the Spring?

Both Williamsburg and Jekyll Island are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Jekyll Island for the beaches during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Williamsburg because of the natural beauty.

Jekyll Island is a little warmer than Williamsburg in the spring. The daily temperature in Jekyll Island averages around 68°F (20°C) in April, and Williamsburg fluctuates around 57°F (14°C).

It's quite sunny in Williamsburg. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Jekyll Island. Jekyll Island usually receives more sunshine than Williamsburg during spring. Jekyll Island gets 285 hours of sunny skies, while Williamsburg receives 253 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Jekyll Island usually receives around the same amount of rain as Williamsburg. Jekyll Island gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Williamsburg receives 3 inches (76 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Williamsburg and Jekyll Island