Amelia Island is located in the historic city of Fernandina just outside of Jacksonville. Fernandina has flown the flags of eight separate nations. In fact, Amelia is known as the “Isle of Eight Flags” because of it, and the island’s fascinating history provides some of the most interesting things to do in Amelia Island.
The island has avoided some of the fast-paced development that makes up much of Florida today. You can travel back to another time in one of the most interesting places to go on the island: Fernandina’s fifty-acre historic district. There is Victorian architecture to admire, lots of delightful shops on the town’s Centre Street, and even a narrated walking tour of the downtown.
Fort Clinch State Park on the northern tip of the island offers wonderful beach activities as well as history. Fort Clinch is a well-preserved nineteenth century fort where you can enjoy tours. The recreation opportunities at Fort Clinch range from fishing from the pier to surf fishing to hiking or biking the six mile trail through the park.
One of the greatest things Amelia Island has to offer, of course, is recreation. Every year visitors travel to Amelia Island for golf at the 54-hole Omni Amelia Island Plantation. Amelia Links offers two courses to visitors and The Golf Club of Amelia Island and Amelia River both offer eighteen holes. The Fernandina Beach Golf Club’s twenty-seven-hole course is considered one of the best public courses in the Southeast.
Of course, the most often visited of all of the places to go on Amelia Island is the Atlantic. There are cruises and sailing excursions, and of course, lots of fishing excursions. The waters surrounding the island literally teem with fish.
Dining is also excellent on Amelia Island with over forty restaurants to choose from. There are a number of luxury spas on the island as well including at the Ritz Carlton and at Amelia Island Plantation.
Sound fun? For more information, check out our Amelia Island neighborhood page.
