AN INTRODUCTION TO AMELIA ISLAND (AMELIA ISLAND, FLORIDA 101)
The only location in the U.S. to have flown eight flags throughout history (as dibs on the island changed hands), the bounty of Amelia Island was not plundered by pirates of the past. Nor was this barrirer island’s historic seaport of Fernandina Beach over-commercialized. Its historic character was not lost to modernization of the twentieth century. Amelia Island’s treasures remain to be appreciated today as they were long ago. Especially the relaxed, laid-back pace of island time at this beach vacation destination. The atmosphere is one of simpler days past — a priceless pace to embrace these days.
It’s no wonder in contemporary times, Conde Nast Traveler’s discriminating readers have ranked Amelia Island the “top Florida island” and one of the“Top 10 North American Islands,” according to a Reader’s Choice survey. The Victorian-era seaport of Fernandina Beach, located on Amelia Island, has made the National Trust’s list of “12 top vacation destinations in the United States for historic preservation.”
WATCH AMELIA ISLAND, FLORIDA DESTINATION VIDEO, FEATURING HIGHLIGHTS OF THE BEST OF AMELIA ISLAND, FLORIDA…
The barrier island in northeast Florida (near the Georgia border), was the original Florida tourist destination, dubbed “The Newport of the South” in its 19th century heyday. Northern tourists flocked to Amelia back in America’s Golden Age (1870 to 1910). Fernandina Beach, known as “the queen of summer resorts” in 1896, attracted wealthy, high-society families — the Carnegies, Vanderbilts, and Duponts, were among visitors.
These days, Amelia Island hosts many fun festivals (Shrimp & Art, Music, Books, Nature, and Film) at various times throughout the year to complement the island’s compelling allure. (ALSO SEE AMELIA ISLAND LIVING’S “FESTIVALS” PAGE…)
FERNANDINA HISTORIC DISTRICT WITH 450-PLUS STRUCTURES ON NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES
Fernandina’s 52-block historic district (with 450-plus historic structures on the National Register of Historic Places — homes, churches, commercial buildings) has been preserved like a Victorian time capsule, providing a glimpse of small-town, yesteryear Florida. Visitors to Amelia Island can hop aboard a trolley for a riding tour of the island’s key attractions. Or enjoy a narrated horse drawn carriage ride through the historic district, romantic for couples and also fun for families. Visit the Amelia Island Museum, take guided tours with museum docents (including a “Pub Crawl” to enjoy “Happy Hour History” with a drink at four historic pubs, and fun ghost tour to explore island haunts), or take a self-guided walking tour of the historic district (just pick up a tour map at the Tourist Information Center near the Fernandina harbor).
FORT CLINCH STATE PARK, A “MUST SEE” DESTINATION IN FERNANDINA BEACH, FLORIDA
One of America's Best Preserved 19th Century Forts
Of interest to history buffs will also be the Amelia Island’s civil-war era fortress (surrounded by more than 1,100 preserved acres of maritime forest in Fort Clinch State Park). Fort Clinch is one of the best preserved 19th century forts in America. Amelia Island is also home to the oldest existing lighthouse in the state of Florida, the Amelia Island Lighthouse, dating back to 1839, the oldest surviving hotel (the 1857 Florida House Inn), and the oldest continually-operating Saloon (The Palace).
FABULOUS OCEANFRONT RESORTS NESTLED IN SAND DUNES ON AMELIA ISLAND’S SOUTHEND
Luxury resorts with golf, pampering spas, tennis, fine dining restaurants, oceanfront pools and more are Amelia Island Plantation resort and the Ritz-Carlton hotel. (For golf lovers who are not staying at thsese posh resorts, the island also offers a great public course to play, the City of Fernandina’s municipal golf course with 27 holes.)
MORE ABOUT FERNANDINA’S HISTORIC DISTRICT — A GLIMPSE OF YESTERYEAR FLORIDA
Besides the oceanfront luxury resorts, at the other end of the spectrum is Amelia Island’s 52-block historic district in Fernandina Beach. Offering quaint, historic bed & breakfast inns, this idyllic small harbor town (sometimes called “a tropical Mayberry,”) showcases some of the best preserved Victorian-era architecture on the eastern seaboard in the U.S. Just stroll down some of the streets off Centre to admire gracious Queen Annes, charming Victorian cottages and bungalows, sweeping verandahs, and sidewalks lined with ancient oaks draped in moss. Various architectural styles were fashionable during the Victorian era, in the 1850 to 1910 period. Stately magnolia trees, cabbage palms, sagos and hibiscus add to the southern landscape in this small, nostalgic town by the sea.
AMELIA’S NATURAL BOUNTY IS PLENTIFUL — WILDLIFE, PRESERVED STATE PARKS, COASTAL NATURE ABOUNDS
But it is Amelia’s natural treasures, a gift of mother nature, that appeal to those seeking the bounty of the beach and the simple pleasures of the outdoors. Amelia Island, literally, is surrounded by waterways and the preserved lands of three other nearby islands. To the north is Cumberland Island, GA (a protected National Seashore), to its south is Big Talbot and Little Talbot Islands (Florida State Parks). The abundance of nature and wildlife in the Amelia Island area attracts eco-tourists desiring outdoor activities like hiking, biking, birding, boating, fishing and paddling.
Amelia’s natural bounty includes salt marsh, 13 miles of beaches on the Atlantic coast, maritime forest, coastal hammocks, and, of course, its waterways – Egans Creek (and the Egans Greenway preserve), the Amelia River/intracoastal, Cumberland Sound and the Atlantic Ocean. The Amelia Island State Park encompasses the southern tip of this barrier island and is a nesting ground for shore birds. And as noted above, Fort Clinch State Park sprawls across the island’s northern tip.
There’s opportunity to venture on the East Florida Birding Trail in Fort Clinch State Park, the “gateway” to the birding trail on Florida’s east coast. Dolphins are a common sight in the surrounding waterways (sometimes manatees), sea turtles nest on Amelia’s beaches, and Audubon enthusiasts will marvel at the quantity and variety of birdlife, not to mention anglers coveting the fishing. Highly endangered northern right whales migrate during winter months and can be spotted in the waters around Amelia Island.
Naturally, the island’s waterways are a maritime playground with several marinas and boat ramps to launch your boat, including the Dee Dee Bartels public boat ramp toward the north/west side of the island. It’s here on the western side of the island where you’ll witness stunning sunsets over the Amelia River/intracoastal waterway. Charter boats are available for nature tours of the waterways and fishing trips.
FERNANDINA’S SHRIMP BOATS — BIRTHPLACE OF THE MODERN SHRIMPING INDUSTRY
Birthplace of the modern shrimping industry in America, Fernandina shrimp boats remain docked near the city marina (although fewer in number these days). Amelia Island’s “Isle of 8 Flags Shrimp Festival,” attracts over 100,000 visitors (always held the first weekend in May each year.) The bonus of shrimp boats here in Fernandina means fresh, wild-caught shrimp from local waters appearing on plates in Amelia Island restaurants in a day or less, sometimes (be sure to ask for the local shrimp when dining out.) Let’s put another check mark in the “good life” column, here in Fernandina Beach.
AMELIA ISLAND’S FINE DINING, ANTIQUE SHOPS, ART GALLERIES
For those seeking to satisfy the palate, fine dining awaits at top-rated Amelia Island restaurants, including Salt (Ritz-Carlton), Ocean Grill, PLAE and Verandah (Amelia Island Plantation resort), and Horizons (all located toward the south-end of Amelia Island); and in the historic district in downtown Fernandina Beach, are Beech Street, Joe’s 2nd Street Bistro, and LeClos. Also browse eclectic boutiques, antique shops and art galleries in the historic district. Every Saturday morning, visit the Fernandina’s Farmers Market, voted #2 in the country in a 2009 Farmer’s Market competition.
Yet there’s more to relish on this barrier island and nearby. For those seeking adventure and romance, ride horses on the beach or set sail on a sunset cruise. The Amelia Island State Park located at the island’s southern tip is the only state park in Florida to offer horseback riding on the beach (via Kelly Seahorse Ranch). Experience coastal nature from the water with a sightseeing nature cruise, tour boats depart from the Fernandina Harbor Marina. Kayaking on Amelia Island waterways or camping under the stars in Fort Clinch State Park will delight outdoor adventurers.
NEARBY CUMBERLAND ISLAND NATIONAL SEASHORE, GEORGIA AND ST. MARYS
We’ve all heard the number one rule of real estate, “location, location, location….” Well Amelia Island’s location as the most northeastern barrier island of Florida, very near a group of Georgia coastal barrier islands, means that Amelia Island is just across the Cumberland Sound from a very rare wilderness island practically untouched by modernization and development of the 20th (and now 21st) centuries. Amelia Island’s close neighbor is the spectacular Cumberland Island, Georgia, the largest wilderness island in the United States, a protected National Seashore with wild horses and pristine maritime forest, coastal hammocks, massive dunes, miles of untouched beachfront, lovely salt marsh. The close proximity of the Georgia mainland and Cumberland Island allows visitors to Amelia Island to experience a unique glimpse of coastal nature on two barrier islands and visit two historic towns, St. Marys, Georgia just across the waterway from Fernandina Beach, Florida. The Cumberland Sound Ferry now connects these two historic cities with its new ferry service that departs Fernandina and St. Marys three times a day (seasonal changes to ferry schedule, so call for latest schedule updates 904-261-9972.
TOURIST INFORMATION: TOURIST MAPS, BROCHURES, AMELIA ISLAND TOURIST COUNCIL
Get all the info you need at the Amelia Island Visitor’s Bureau at foot of historic Centre Street in Fernandina, located by the harborfront in the historic train depot (904)277-0717.
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