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amelia island getaway

by erin thursby    scopes1925@msn.com

Located: About 32 miles from Jacksonville, just across the St. Marys River from Georgia. Size: 18.2 square miles, about 14 miles long, varying in width from ¼ mile to two miles.

Attractions: historic American Beach, Fernandina’s historic downtown, spas, shopping, The Ritz, fishing, golf, sailing, Fort Clinch


      Getting away from it all can be an expensive proposition. With high gas prices, it’s even tougher to take a vacation without breaking the bank. Luckily, the First Coast has plenty of destination locations that are just a short drive away. Amelia Island is just one of the local vacation spots that you can visit, whether for a day trip, a weekend getaway or an entire week. Use the money you saved on airfare to shop, charter a fishing boat, get a facial, dine at a fine restaurant or stay at the classy Ritz-Carlton. Its Southern charm mingles with exotic fare. Live Oaks hug the white sand beaches and a gentle surf make this an island to get away to.

      Go by boat, by car or both! From Jacksonville you can drive straight up 95-N to exit 373 (200 E/ A1A N). After about 11 miles, you’ll turn right onto Amelia Island Parkway and then right on Jamestown Road. You can also take the ferry, which has a crossing in Mayport. Everyone should take the Ferry across at least once. Ferry service provides a ferry crossing (northbound and southbound) of Highway A1A connecting Mayport Road to Heckscher Drive on Ft. George Island. The ferry offers seven day a week service. The current fee is $5 for 2 axle vehicles. Larger vehicle rates are posted at the loading site. If you’re traveling by boat, tie up at the Fernandina Beach city dock (Fernandina Harbor Marina).

     History is a big part of Amelia Island’s charm. Fernandina Beach is the only city in the United States to have been under the domain of 8 different national flags. The 50-block radius that encompasses downtown Fernandina is listed in the National Register of Historic Places and makes for a delightful day of shopping and sightseeing while strolling along the boulevard. American Beach, established in 1935 as an all black beach during segregation, is also part of the National Register of Historic Places. Fort Clinch and the Amelia Island Museum of History are both great places to learn about the interesting historic background of the Island. Tourists can also take an historic tour by horse-drawn carriage (ameliacarriagetours.com, 904-277-1555).


nature on amelia

      From nature tours to deep sea fishing, you can charter nearly any kind of tour or excursion. Most of the hotels and B&Bs on the Island have info on charters you can book whether your interest is in renting canoes for backwater nature tours or guides who can show you all the sweet spots for fishing. You can even rent a segway for an eco-tour at the nearby Fort George or Little Talbot Islands. (ecomotiontours.com, 904-251-9477).

      Fishing along the mile long George Crady Bridge in Amelia Island State Park is a popular pastime, and there’s even a ranch near the entrance of the park, so you can take a horseback ride on the beach (kellyranchinc.com).

      Ample coastline means plenty of beach options. Beautiful beachside plants and dunes make for a dramatic landscape around the beaches.

      You’ll find American Beach on Amelia roughly five miles south of Fernandina Beach. This Historic beach is a stop on Florida’s Black Heritage Trail. Though it was an all-black beach during segregation, it’s now a beach that everyone goes to, notable for shell hunting and natural beauty. Colorful houses can be seen through dune grasses as people sun themselves, fly kites and build sandcastles.

      Fernandina Beach provides beach wheelchairs, and it isn’t far from the quaint town and great shopping. Some beachgoers bring metal detectors for a little treasure hunting in the soft sand.

     For those with romance on their minds book a sunset sail on a 19th Century replica schooner called the Voyager. (voyagerventures.com, 904-753-2388 or 904-753-2390).

      There’s no shortage of fishing and charter boats on the island, but if you want a very different experience, why not try flounder gigging. These nighttime excursions are made for those of us who aren’t so enthused about sunlight glaring off the water, making for squinty eyes and sunburned noses. (floundergigging.com)

      For a combination of nature and history, visit Fort Clinch Park. There you’ll find a well preserved fort from the 19th century, daily tours with period reenactors, pier fishing, nature trails, nature tours and camping.


shopping on amelia island

      Got an eye for antiques? A passion for fashion? There’s plenty of retail therapy to be had on the Island. In Fernandina you can find antique and art stores on Centre Street, in shops such as French Market Antiques. The Spa & Shops at Amelia Island Plantation is one of the best places to find unique clothing and décor items that you won’t find anywhere else. Some of the shops feature truly distinctive and pricey items. For fashion finds at a sensible price in The Spa & Shops complex, head to Last Flight Out, my pick for a balance between pricing and originality.


amelia island dining highlights

      Brett’s Waterway Café (Fernandina Harbor Marina at the end of Centre St. 904-261-2660) If you want to dine with a view and drink wine at a restaurant repeatedly recognized by Wine Spectator, Brett’s is the place to be. The cuisine is regional and plays heavy to the fine food standards for seafood and aged beef.

      Carolyn’s on Centre (316-A Centre St., 904-277-6644) Southern cuisine, rooftop dining, serving soups, sandwiches and salads.

      Crab Trap (31 N 2nd St., 904-261-4749) Be it grilled, baked or broiled, this nautically themed seafood restaurant serves entrees in the $9-$20 range. It’s casual, friendly and fun.

      Joe’s 2nd Street Bistro (14 S 2nd St., 904-321-2558) Fine dining and an island atmosphere collide beautifully to create Joe’s. You can either eat in the New Orleans inspired courtyard, or get historical by eating in their 1903 home.

      Kabuki Japanese Steakhouse and Sushi Bar (18 North Second St., 904-277-8792) Sometimes only sushi will do, but if you’re not into that, sit at the grill table for some Teppanyaki theatre.

      Lanna Thai (474260 State Rd. 200 E, 904- 321-0255) For reasonably priced, super delish Thai, Lanna Thai is the place to dine.

      PLAE (80 Amelia Village Circle, 904-277-2137) Relatively new to the Amelia Island scene, this stylish dining option has added to the Island’s prestige. Featuring eclectic foods such as tuna tartar with avocado wasabi.

      Salt (at the Ritz-Carlton 4750 Amelia Island Pkwy, 904-277-1100) The crème de la swank of the Island, it’s also deservedly the most pricey. The menu mixes well-wrought classics with up-to-the minute trend cuisine. Also, it’s got a great ocean view.

      Sliders Seaside Grill (1998 S. Fletcher Ave., 904-277-6652) At this casual oceanfront restaurant, you can drop the kids in the playground and watch them while you eat. Features New York Strip steaks, barbeque, fried seafood and signature fried pickles.


amelia island websources
ameliaisland.org
aipfl.com
ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/AmeliaIsland/Default.htm
spaamelia.com/basic/index.html
ameliacarriagetours.com
voyagerventures.com
ecomotiontours.com
worldgolf.com/courses/usa/florida/ameliaisland/
thegolfcourses.net/golfcourses/FL/AmeliaIsland.htm


summer events on amelia island



Amelia Island Chamber Music Festival
May 30 - June 15
      In its seventh season, the renowned Amelia Island Chamber Music Festival showcases world-class chamber music. Info: aicmf.com or (904) 261-1779.


Sounds on Centre
March-October, first Friday of each month
      This free, monthly community concert is held in the historic downtown on Centre Street between 2nd & Front from 6 pm - 8 pm. June’s band is Instant Groove so bring a chair and your dancing shoes (just in case). Info: downtownfernandina.com.


Fernandina Farmer’s Market
Every Saturday, 9am - 1pm
      Meet local farmers and enjoy a morning of food, fun and camaraderie. The Market features farm fresh baked breads, fresh produce, pickled seasonal vegetables, and pastries, jellies, relishes and marinades, desserts as well as a wide selection of plants including orchids and other tropicals, succulents, herbs and garden flower and shrubs. Located on the corner of Centre Street & 7th Street North in the beautiful downtown historic district of Fernandina Beach.


Fort Clinch Union Garrison
June 7-8, July 5-6 & August 2-3
      Living history interpreters recreate life at Fort Clinch during the Civil War. Activities may include powder artillery demos, marching drills, as well as demos of everyday life. Info: (904) 277-7274.


Salt Cooking School
June 11-12 & August 13-14
      Personal instruction from a five star chef and a look at the kitchen in at the Ritz makes the drive to Amelia Island worthwhile. The two day cooking school might encourage you to stay in this top-rated hotel. Cost varies from about $339-$639. Info: (904) 277-1100.


Nassau Sport Fishing Association’s Kingfish Tournament of Champions
June 19-21
      The NSFA’s Tournament of Champions attracts the world’s best kingfish anglers to Amelia Island. This year the anglers will contend for cash prizes totaling over $75,000. This three-day occasion includes a Saturday fish fry, awards ceremony (with a free performance from The Finesse Band) and other festivities. Info: (904) 607-4224 or fishnsfa.com.


Signature Wine Dinner at Salt
June 27
      Join Chef de Cuisine Richard Gras for a signature wine dinner at Salt at 6 pm. Wine experts will be on hand to discuss the selected wines’ distinctive traits and answer questions, for a captivating dining experience. Served with a seven-course tasting menu designed to complement the featured vintage. Cost is $135 per person. Info: (904) 277-1100


July 4 Beach Bash
      Celebrate July 4th with a Beach Bash at the Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island. Enjoy a full buffet, live entertainment, games and fireworks. The beach bash will take place from 6 pm to 9 pm. Reservations are required. Adults are $75 and children are $35. Info: (904) 277-1028.


Guinness & Golf Boardwalk Bash
August 29
      Enjoy $2 Guinness draughts along with Irish music, food and drink specials. The Spa & Shops at Amelia Island Plantation, 5pm - 8pm.


Guinness & Golf Tournament
August 30
      $85 per person includes tournament entry, boxed lunch, two Falcon’s Nest drink tickets and Guinness branded goodies. After the tournament, head over to Falcon’s Nest for more fun, Guinness and Irish cuisine! At 10 am shotgun starts with awards at Oak Marsh Golf course at Amelia Island Plantation. A contribution of this event will go to Take Stock in Children, a mentoring and scholarship program for students from low-income families. Info: 1-888-261-6162 or aipfl.com. 


Labor Day Celebration
August 30
      Enjoy a full buffet, carnival setting and games for the entire family at the Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island’s Labor Day celebration. The festivities begin at 6:30 pm until 9 pm. Reservations are required. Adults are $75 and Children are $35. Info: (904) 277-1028.



Copyright N2U Publishing, Inc. 2008. Reproduction of any artwork or copy prepared by N2U Publishing, Inc. is strictly prohibited without written consent of the publisher.