Easy Family Biking Along Amazing U.S. Southern East Coast Islands

I Like To Ride My Bicycle…Freddie Mercury had it right.  Who doesn’t like to ride a bike??  Especially if it is easy family island biking along a gorgeous beach and/or under sprawling romantic live oaks.  

Bicycling is one of the best exercises there is and it’s fun for everyone.  Any age group can bicycle plus, it is great for the wallet as most biking trails cost nothing to use. Today, it is getting easier to find great bike paths due to the popularity increase for riding bikes.  Many places are beginning to revamp their location and services to include a nice place to pedal along with biking packages.

Along the southern Eastern coast of the U.S., we have visited several locations perfect for that easy family island biking experience.  So grab your helmet and water bottle and let’s go check them out on the ultimate beach/bike road trip.

 

AMELIA ISLAND, FLORIDA

Amelia Island Florida is known for its’ sparkling ocean, history, precious wildlife and uncluttered glistening beaches.  Amelia also has an awesome bicycle route and is considered one of the best places to ride for everyone.

Tours are available, Amelia Island Tours Via TripAdvisor however, if you are like me, you can just hit the trail and wing it. 

Amelia Island offers several bike trail routes along the island, each offering a different view and experience. Encounter wildlife, ocean views and waterways plus you can park the bike and explore the cute downtown sights of Amelia. 

Amelia Island is a unique and popular destination offering coastal town charm, beautiful beaches and luxurious resorts. A spectacular event that occurs on Amelia Island is the Concours D’Elegance, an incredible car show featuring some of the rarest car collections in the world. 

Accommodations are abundant on Amelia Island.  Here are a couple of unique stays.

Amelia Schoolhouse Inn is the one of the neatest boutique inns around.  Located in the heart of downtown it was actually a real schoolhouse in 1886.  Be happy to get sent to The Principal’s Office because it’s now a chic bar.  Click image for Amelia Schoolhouse Inn! OR BOOKING.COM SCHOOLHOUSE INN

Seaside Amelia Inn is an oceanfront charming boutique inn that offers fresh cookies in the lobby.  Not far from downtown and the trail, they are all about making sure you experience their pretty island by offering an Adventure Package. Click image for Seaside Amelia Inn! OR BOOKING.COM SEASIDE AMELIA INN

 

JEKYLL ISLAND, GEORGIA

What a fantastic ride!  This biking system encompasses 25 miles of easy paved trails and glides you by ocean views, huge moss dripping live oaks and a gorgeous historic district.  Plus, you can check out Driftwood Beach, restaurants, shops and natural forests along the way.

Jekyll Island is an historically rich island, and I mean that literally.  The Morgans, Pulitzers, Vanderbilts, basically the super wealthy, built architectural beauties underneath the ancient oaks that you can enjoy today.  

There are also other preserved cottages and buildings constructed in the late 1800’s to early 1900s.  This is one of my favorite places to visit along the Georgia coast and I highly recommend taking some time to meander amongst these island retreats.

Thankfully, they have allowed the island to stay mostly uncommercialized so there is a real feel of the southern tropics here so hence, please bring your bug spray. 

When you are off your bike, I would recommend visiting the Georgia Sea Turtle Center. These folks do amazing work in their efforts to educate the public and to rehabilitate the beautiful sea turtle species. 

There are many lovely Accommodations on beautiful Jekyll Island!  Here are a few unique stays.

Villas By The Sea Resort is an oceanside inn surrounded by 17 acres of pristine coastal scenery.  There are full kitchen options here with easy access to the beach. Click Image For Villas By The Sea Resort OR BOOKING.COM VILLAS BY THE SEA

Beachview Club Hotel is snuggled beneath old and enormous live oak trees so much so you feel as if are in a jungle.  They are beachfront with courtyards and a pool.  Great location for the trail as well. Click image for Beachview Club Hotel OR BOOKING.COM BEACHVIEW CLUB

 

ST. SIMONS, GEORGIA

St. Simons trail system is as beautiful and family friendly as Jekyll Island’s loop.  Here there are over 30 miles of paths that loop the island or take a mid island detour and pedal past shops and eateries.  The entire path system has been done brilliantly well and allows people of all ages to bike these easy paths.

St. Simons Island is very popular, winning awards for Favorite Romantic Town and Favorite Beach Town by Travel & Leisure as well as ranking #3 in Conde Nast Travelers “The Best US Islands”.  There is a great deal of unspoiled beauty to enjoy as you bike and explore this coastal gem in Georgia. 

Be sure to keep a lookout as you pedal along the beach.  You might get to see migrating whales or a sunning sea turtle.  

St. Simons offers a unique blend of quaint inns to luxurious places to stay! Here are just a couple of unique inns available.

The King And Prince Beach & Golf Resort, BEACHFRONT

 

Sea Gate Inn is an oceanside inn that makes you feel at home with condo style suites.  Full kitchens are available here with a gorgeous pool to dip in after beach and biking. Click image for Sea Gate Inn!  OR BOOKING.COM SEA GATE INN

 

HILTON HEAD, SOUTH CAROLINA

Hilton Head Island South Carolina is a must stop on your bike and beach road trip.  This island has maintained its lush island landscaping and offers visitors a multitude of activities and sights.

A must see is HARBOUR TOWN on Sea Pines where there are many coastal themed shops and dining options. This is also a great place to stroll and sunsets are gorgeous at this location.

One of my favorite places to eat is CRAZY CRAB RESTAURANT located close to the entrance of Harbour Town. After a great dinner, be sure to sit in one of the red rockers scattered around the marina and digest while looking out over the yachts.   

Paved bike trails are literally everywhere.  Biking is a main form of transportation on Hilton Head with interconnecting pathways all over the island. There are many bike trail systems to choose from (roughly 60 miles) so plan a few days to bike all that Hilton Head has to offer their pedaling visitors.  

Sea Pines is a pine covered forest with 15 miles of paths.  You can stay at the SEA PINES RESORT VIA TRIPADVISOR which places you perfectly to enjoy all the biking and overall amenities of this beautiful community.  

Palmetto Dunes is one of my all-time favorites to bicycle.  It is 5 miles of gorgeous wide trails which lead to beaches and connects to other bike paths.  PALMETTO DUNES OCEANFRONT RESORT is a stunning stay with an ideal location. 

Hilton Head Outfitters is a bike rental and repair shop in the Palmetto Dunes vicinity. They are very helpful with rentals or bike issues (they had to fix a flat on my personal bike for me)

Shelter Cove is one of my favorites as well.  Here you can bike, eat and shop, which is the ultimate combination, along a stunning marina.  Shelter Cove is also a great location for nightlife. 

Hilton Head offers a variety of beautiful ACCOMMODATIONS!

Click image for Disney Hilton Head Island Resort! 

Disney Hilton Head Island Resort is located on the other side of Shelter Cove marina by way of a short bike-able bridge and, although pricey during high season, it is WONDERFUL.  

Click image for Sonesta Resort Hilton Head OR BOOKING.COM SONESTA RESORT

Click image for Inn And Club At Harbour Town Hilton Head OR BOOKING.COM INN AND CLUB AT HARBOUR TOWN

Click image for The Westin Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa OR BOOKING.COM THE WESTIN

FIND THE PERFECT SPACE FOR YOUR RV VACATION

PLAN YOUR ENTIRE TRIP: FLIGHT, ACCOMMODATION, CAR, TOURS, PACKAGES, TRANSPORTATION VIA EXPEDIA

Be safe out there but ENJOY YOUR ROAD TRIP!  And keep on biking!

I am an affiliate of all listed travel agencies and I receive a commission via bookings which add absolutely no extra cost to you.  Thank You

RENTALCARS.COM is an agency we rent through regularly and they have always served us well with excellent price comparisons.