It’s a city that prides itself on being a place where people can “experience the luxury of letting go.” And letting go is exactly what you’ll fall right into while settling in at your home away from home on Amelia Island. This Florida gem, 13 miles long and 2 miles wide, is roughly 6 hours from Atlanta—20 minutes from the Georgia border and a half-hour from Jacksonville, Florida.
It features breathtaking beauty, offering scenes of nature, a Victorian seaport village, beaches, and a vibrant downtown.
Here, you’ll have no shortage of recreation—from fishing to cruising to biking to skydiving. And if the island is simply a place to unwind, as it is for this traveling writer, that’s certainly fine, too.
Naturally, the island will call you to explore. And when you do, you’ll find plenty of dining options within a matter of minutes by foot from downtown. The Hampton Inn & Suites-Amelia Island Historic Harbor Front, in its Victorian style, offers that convenience, located minutes from restaurants and shops, in its relaxing harbor location. Whether it’s seafood, fresh fudge, a scoop of ice cream, or even something to wear you’ll discover it within a host of eclectic shops.
In this birthplace of the modern shrimping industry, getting a taste of shrimp and seafood is a must. Timoti’s Seafood Shak, in downtown Amelia Island, serves up shrimp, lobster rolls, fish tacos, and more in an atmosphere that includes outdoor dining. Timoti’s serves fresh local, wild-caught seafood from the island.
Of course, visiting Amelia Island also means going to the beach. Fernandina Beach delivers both fun in the water and time for curling up with a good book or winding down on the sand. Afterward, it’s a short walk across the street for dinner at Salt Life Food Shack for, among other eats, Lump Crab Spinach Dip, Asian Salmon Salad, and Fried Calamari.
For more exploration, especially if taking in history is important to you, hop aboard the Cumberland Coastal Tour with Amelia River Cruise for a laidback sightseeing tour along the shorelines of Amelia Island and Cumberland Island, where John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette married in 1996 at the First African Baptist Church. On this adventure, you’ll want to pay close attention, as you may spot dolphins, sea turtles, and feral horses along the way.
Looking to get out and explore or just take it easy? Amelia Island makes both possible, even if you can only settle in for a short stay. And it's sure to beckon you for more than one return visit. This writer is ready to do it all again!