When you’re craving an island vibe, but don’t want to jet off to an expensive tropical locale, get kissed by the salty breeze along the 13-miles of pristine beaches on Amelia Island, Florida. The island is less than 40 minutes from Jacksonville International Airport. There are luxury options for a high-end vacation, but because Amelia Island has a robust local population living there year-round, it’s also affordable and has numerous accommodation options for any budget from quaint beachfront inns to hotel brands where you can cash in some points to save on your stay. Here’s how to spend 48 hours in this slice of paradise in northeastern Florida.
Basecamp at the Residence Inn
The Residence Inn is an all-suite property just a couple of blocks, or less than 5-minute walk, from Fernandina Beach. It’s also along the Egans Creek Greenway, a 5-mile in-and-out/loop you can ride, walk, or run. The Greenway is an excellent area to spot wildlife ranging from alligators to herons and roseate spoonbills.
My friend Adeina and I stayed in Room 312. The two bedroom suite is fabulous for a girls trip, family, or even 2 couples would be comfortable in this suite. We were greeted by Winter when we checked in. Her cheery demeanor set a fabulous tone for our stay. With abundant natural light streaming in, the Residence Inn feels like a newly refurbished property. Plus, I quickly noticed it’s super clean and all of the staff is super friendly. There’s even rocking chairs out front for you to sit for a spell. Our two bedroom suite had a complete kitchen with full size appliances including dishwasher, stove, and refrigerator. There’s a dining area, work area, and a lovely seating area in the center room. Both bedrooms are very light and spacious with televisions and ensuite bathrooms.
Happy Hour at Duck Pinz
After settling into our spacious suite, we headed to Duck Pinz for a happy hour of cocktails, bites, and strikes….well no strikes for me, but I definitely had a lot of laughs trying this sports that’s a cross between bowling and skee ball or 9-pin bowling. Both of us opted for dry libations and ordered a pair of Raspberry Spritzes made with raspberry, lime, Ritual Zero Proof Gin, and ginger beer. It is the non-alcoholic version of their Floradora cocktail, which is made with Aviation gin. Admittedly, I talked a lot of smack as we started our game, which is probably why Adeina won. There are only 4 lanes and they’re first-come, first-serve. While you wait or after your session, enjoy the cool bar, outdoor patio, and expansive upstairs space with a bigger bar, comfy seating, and a couple of electronic dart boards and skee ball machines. From upstairs you can watch and laugh as others bowl.
Dinner at Salt Life
The Salt Life Food Shack has a lovely outside seating area perfect for a warm afternoon or pleasant summer evening. They do have heaters on deck, but we opted for the lively bar with multiple tv screens, high top tables, and live music. The restaurant is two stories with thick wooden tables surrounded by beachy-esque chairs with blue, cream and yellow patterned cushions.
We almost went for the smoked grouper dip as a starter, but ultimately decided on the avocado fries for our shared appetizer. I’m a fish taco fanatic and couldn’t pass up the woodgrilled mahi tacos filled with seasoned woodgrilled mahi and avocado. For dessert it was a toss-up between the key lime pie (tart lime custard on a graham cracker crust) and hot blonde (warm blonde brownie with pecans, vanilla ice cream, and caramel sauce). The key lime pie won. Neither one of us could eat a whole piece and took some back to our suite to savor the next day.
Sunrise Stroll on the Beach
The next morning I was out the door as dawn was breaking and did the short walk to Seaside Park. There were a few other folks there walking, watching, playing with dogs, and enjoying the crisp morning on the beach. You can drive a vehicle with a permit onto the beach in designated areas. After watching a vibrant sunrise of orange and pink hues, I walked for a couple of miles on the expensive beach enjoying the melodic rhythm of the waves crashing on the shore.
Breakfast With a View at Tortuga Jacks
Having worked up an appetite, I was ready breakfast and we stumbled upon one with a view. Adeina met me at Tortuga Jacks above Sliders Seaside Grill. I knew I had found a classic beach diner when I asked the bartender if we could sit outside on the balcony and he quickly responded, “That’s for VIPs only,” then laughed at my stunned face and said “c’mon girl.” As a southern gal, I was thrilled with a simple breakfast of two eggs, toast, and cheese grits, which I quickly devoured. While eating our waitress told us about the right whales sometimes seen close to shore. Their season here is November 15-March 15. Blue World Research Institute (BWRI) collaborates with state, federal, and other nonprofit organizations to protect North Atlantic Right Whales from human impacts. They were hunted for nearly 1000 years but have been protected since 1935. There are still fewer than 400 right whales.
Wandering Around Fernandina Historic District
Fernandina Beach is Amelia Island’s riverfront city with its historic district dubbed downtown. The historic district covers 50-plus blocks and is on the National Register of Historic Places. It’s home to over 400 structures on the National Register of Historic Places including homes, churches, and commercial buildings. The Lesesne House with an expansive porch and second floor balcony was built circa 1860 and is one of the oldest homes in Fernandina Beach. We strolled by the U.S. Post Office. The Italian Renaissance revival building was dedicated in 1912 and was also a customs house and courthouse. The Nassau County Courthouse is an interesting building on Centre Street. It was built in 1891 and is one of the only few remaining courthouse houses in Florida built in the late 19th century. As with any southern town, there are multiple churches within a small radius. We stopped to admire the Memorial United Methodist Church completed in 1930.
As we popped in and out a couple of the cute boutiques, I was already wishing our stay was longer to shop, sip, eat, and explore our way through the historic district. We didn’t have time but I would have loved to check out The Palace Saloon (circa 1903). It’s Florida’s oldest continuously operated drinking establishment. Fernandina Beach is also home to Florida’s oldest still existing lighthouse (circa 1838). A stay in the Florida House Inn (circa 1857), the oldest hotel in the state, would be fun too. Guess I’ve already found reasons for a return trip.
Afternoon with Follow That Dream Sailing
It was gorgeous day to head out on the water with Captain Bud and Mir on their luxury catamaran Follow that Dream to see Amelia Island by water. We had to abide the tide to ensure we had at least 4 feet of water to get out of the marina, so we left after low tide and returned at sunset before the next one. We passed some of papermills, the “Pippi Longstocking House,” and Fort Clinch State Park before crossing the Georgia line. Shortly after seeing Fort Clinch, Bud and Mir hoisted the sails and we rode the wind to Cumberland Island in hopes of spotting some of the approximately 150-175 wild horses on the island. We saw a couple followed by a glimpse of the Dungeness Ruins. As we sailed along the shoreline, Mir made us a fabulous charcuterie to nibble on while we enjoyed the view. I also took a few minutes to explore below deck of the catamaran and was impressed with the size of the cabins and head (bathroom). Shortly after we passed the tiny First African Baptist Church where John F Kennedy Jr. and Caroline Bessette married in 1996, it was time to turn around. Before pick up speed on our return to Amelia Island, we slowly passed the Cumberland Island shoreline looking for more wild horses. We saw 8, but guessing there were quite a few more grazing behind the sand dunes. As we picked up speed on the way back to Amelia Island, we basked in the golden glow of the late afternoon sun. We were treated to a stunning sunset complete with several dolphins breaching the watch in a picturesque moment forever imprinted in my memory. If you’re heading to Amelia Island, cruising with Follow That Dream Sailing is a must.
Super Casual Dinner at Timoti’s
From the Amelia Island Marina, we did the short drive to Timoti’s Seafood Shak. This spot is ultra causal and we felt completely comfortable arriving in our boat clothes and wind whipped hair.
Feeling a little chilled from the late afternoon wind and the temperature drop of a late February evening, a cup of clam chowder sounded heavenly. Since Fernandina is known as the “birthplace of the modern shrimping industry in America” and Timoti’s is known for their fresh and wild caught seafood, I had to go for a shrimp basket. You can get shrimp blackened, grilled, or fried. The basket comes with hush puppies, french fries, and coleslaw. We shared a picnic table and struck up a conversation with a delightful local couple. We quickly dived into an extensive conversation about their favorites on the island and traded some travel stories as we relished every bite of our delicious dinner.
Sunrise Stroll Take 2
I couldn’t pass up another opportunity to watch sunrise along an Atlantic Ocean coastline and headed back over to Seaside Park to watch sunrise and a vigorous walk dodging some seagulls along the way.
Caffeinating at the Locals’ Favorite Coffee Shop
Wanting to try a local coffee shop we ventured back into historic downtown Fernandina and decided on Amelia Island Coffee housed in 140-year-old+ exposed brick building. The coffee shop opened in 1995 and based on the crowd, it’s definitely a local’s favorite. Adeina decided to sample their beignets with her latte. I opted to pair my latte with a delicious blueberry scone that was not too sweet and perfectly moist.
Exploring Fort Clinch State Park
Driving into the maritime forest that’s home to Fort Clinch State Park feels like you’re cruising into a begone era. The oak trees are dripping with Spanish moss that blows in the balmy breeze. There is a $6 entrance per vehicle. You can pay with credit card via a QR onsite or make a reservation in advance. We parked at the fort a little before it opened at 9a.m., so we walked over to the East Inlet to admire the fort from the outside and to enjoy an easy stroll on the beach.
If you want to tour the fort, it’s $2.50 per person in addition to the state park vehicle. Fort Clinch is considered one of America’s best well-preserved 19th century forts. Fortications on the site started in 1736 to protect the entrance to the Cumberland Sound and the St. Mary’s River. Construction of Fort Clinch started in 1847 and continued through 1869. It was abandoned in 1899 and sat empty until the U.S. Army sold it to private entities in 1926. It became one of Florida’s first state parks in Florida. Civilian Conservation Corps Company 1420 did reconstruction between 1937 and 1942. There is a sign that says “It’s 1864 and the Civil War is going on” as you enter Fort Clinch and step back in time. My favorite view was walking across the wooden bridge and watching the flag flap in the wind in front of a beautiful two story brick building. I asked a ranger why there are two different colored bricks. He told me it was because of a change of command. When the second commander came in, he threw his rank around and changed the color of the brick because he wanted it from the state he was from. I thoroughly enjoyed exploring some of the rooms starting with sleeping quarters where they had the schedule and calls of the day. Next I wandered into a kitchen, found the outhouse, and followed a path that ended at the outside wall. I continued around the fort exploring more living quarters and laughed when I saw the jail. Lastly I walked up the ramp to take in the view of the fort and water. Before leaving, I took a short walk beneath a tree canopy and wishing my island vibe could last a little longer on Amelia Island.
