Amelia Island

Fernandina Beach is the primary community on Amelia Island and one of the principal communities within the Greater Jacksonville region, home to many unique attractions. As the northernmost city along Florida's Atlantic Ocean coastline, the city is best known as the filming site for the 1988 feature film The New Adventures of Pippi Longstocking, which used its historic Captain Bell's House as the location for its title character's home. Throughout the city's history, it has been part of eight separate nations, earning Amelia Island the title of the "Isle of Eight Flags." Visitors can enjoy excellent shopping and dining choices in the city's 50-block historic downtown district or stretch out and swim and sunbathe along 40 public beach access areas, including the delightful Main Beach Park or the historic Fort Clinch State Park. A number of kayaking, paddleboarding, and offroad Segway touring companies offer guided excursions of the region's undeveloped areas. Each May, the Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival presents an antique vendor show, live music performances, and a fireworks display.

Fort Clinch State Park is a spacious 1,100-acre Florida state park located along Amelia Island's northernmost peninsula, preserving the site of the 19th-century military fortress of the same name, which was named in honor of Seminole War figure General Duncan Lamont Clinch and constructed in 1847. The park, which opened to the public in 1938, protects significant sand dune, maritime hammock, plains, and estuarine tidal marsh habitats, located adjacent to Fernandina Beach and the Cumberland Sound. Park visitors can explore the remains of the former fort or enjoy a plethora of outdoor recreational activities, including fishing along the park's half-mile fishing pier. Several miles of beachfront are also offered, along with a six-mile hiking trail and opportunities for birding, shelling, surfcasting, cycling, and wildlife watching for native wildlife such as alligators, dolphins, manatees, and rare purple sandpipers. Overnight camping is offered at the Amelia River Campground, while military reenactments are presented at the fort the first weekend of each month.

2601 Atlantic Ave, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034, Phone: 904-277-7274

Fernandina Beach Historic District preserves 1,500 acres throughout the Amelia Island town of Fernandina Beach, an area listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973. The district, which is bounded by South 5th and 8th Streets, North 9th Street, and Broome, Ash, and Date Streets, preserves historic buildings connected to the development of the region by United States senator and railroad entrepreneur David Levy Yulee in the mid-19th century. Prior to Yulee's development, Fernandina's town center had been located at the area that is now known as Old Town. Significant buildings preserved within the district include landmarks such as the Nassau County Courthouse, historic homes such as the Fairbanks, Waas, Bailey, and Tabby Houses, and structures such as the Amelia Island Lighthouse, as well as an historic post office building designed by United States Department of the Treasury architect James Knox Taylor. Visitors can enjoy a wide variety of shopping, dining, and bed and breakfast accommodation options within the district or visit attractions such as the Amelia Island Museum of History, which preserves the region's social and cultural history through locally-curated exhibits. Each May, the district hosts the annual Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival.

Amelia Island Kayak Excursions is a family-owned kayaking tour and rental company operating out of Fernandina Beach, rated as the island's top guest-rated kayaking service. The company strives to cultivate memorable kayaking experiences for all of its tour participants, exploring the scenic inland waters of the Amelia Island area. Two, three, and five-hour guided tours are offered, along with overnight excursions offering stays at nearby tourist destinations. Class III personal flotation devices are provided for all tour participants, along with the safest and highest quality possible kayaks and paddles. Private boating tours are available for a maximum of six participants, showcasing sights such as the majestic Cumberland Island National Seashore, the riverfront town of St. Mary's, and the historic attractions of nearby Fort George and Jekyll Islands.

Amelia Island Kayak Excursions, Phone: 904-557-5307

Amelia Island State Recreation Area is a Florida state park located approximately eight miles south of the city of Fernandina Beach on Amelia Island, accessible from Little Talbot Island State Park along State Route A1A. The 200-acre recreation area is home to beautiful preserved salt marsh, coastal maritime forest, and beachfront areas along the Atlantic Ocean coastal plain. It serves as one of the American East Coast's few coastal horseback riding destinations, with horseback riding tours available by appointment from Kelly Seahorse Ranch. Park visitors can surf fish along the island's shoreline or on the mile-long George Crady Bridge Fishing Pier, which stretches across Nassau Sound. Other popular recreational activities include cycling, paddling, shelling, birding, and wildlife watching for threatened piping plovers and sea turtles in their native nesting habitats. Day-use picnic sites are also offered, along with ADA-accessible amenities and outdoor showers.

State Road A1A, Jacksonville, FL 32226, Phone: 904-251-2320

The Amelia Island Museum of History strives to preserve and promote the history and culture of the Amelia Island region, showcasing exhibits within the National Register of Historic Places-listed former Nassau County Jail facility in Fernandina Beach's downtown district. Museum exhibits showcase the island's social and cultural history from its indigenous roots through the present day, educating visitors on the story of the "Isle of Eight Flags." Permanent exhibits include a recreation of a typical Timucuan indigenous village, showcasing the island's pre-Columbian culture dating back as far as 4,000 years ago. The region's Spanish Mission history is also detailed, along with the impact of the railroading industry as overseen by area entrepreneur David Yulee. A recreated jail cell brings the building's past to life, while an interactive children's discovery ship, the Margery, teaches young visitors to pilot their own ship and develop maritime skills such as knot-tying.

233 S 3rd St, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034, Phone: 904-261-7378

Amelia Island Horseback Riding offers personalized equestrian expeditions for island visitors of all ages, owned and operated by horseback riding veteran Debbie Manser. All of the company's excursions embark from Peters Point Beachfront Park in Fernandina Beach, available for groups of two to three riders. Riders ages six and older can explore Amelia Island's beautiful beachfront areas on horseback, with step assistance provided for novice riders and those with mobility concerns. Sunrise and sunset rides offer opportunities for visitors to see the island's shoreline in beautiful lighting conditions. Private expeditions are also offered for events such as weddings, proposals, birthdays, and anniversaries, including complete wedding and date packages available for visitors looking for romantic equestrian expeditions. Protective helmets are required for riders under the age of 15, with helmets available upon request for riders of all ages.

4600 Peters Point Rd, Fernandina Beach, FL, 32034, Phone: 904-753-1701