Fernandina Beach, Florida

1. Sunbathe and relax in Main Beach Park

Main Beach Park is the premiere beachfront park and beach access area in Fernandina Beach, located along North Fletcher Avenue and offering waterfront access to the city's beautiful ocean shoreline. The park is known as the city's most family-friendly beach spot, offering a children's playground with safe play opportunities for kids of all ages and a large grassy lawn for families to enjoy picnics and pick-up sports games. Lifeguards are staffed on duty at the park between Memorial Day and Labor Day to ensure swimming safety.

Two sand volleyball courts and a multipurpose sporting court are also offered, along with outdoor showers, picnic shelters, and a full skate park facility. Guests can explore the beach's marine welcome center for regional ecosystem and activity information or stroll along the waterfront on the park's beautiful wooden boardwalk. Ample public parking is available, with overflow beachfront facilities offered nearby at Peter's Point Park.

Address: 32 N Fletcher Ave, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034, Phone: 904-310-3350

2. Explore local history at Fort Clinch State Park

Fort Clinch State Park is anchored around the 19th-century Amelia Island fortress of the same name, which was originally constructed as a seaside fortification in 1847 and named after famed Seminole War general Duncan Lamont Clinch.

The Fernandina Beach park, which was originally established in 1938 and sits adjacent to the Cumberland Sound, strives to protect the region's sensitive estuarine tidal marsh, maritime hammock, and sand dune ecosystems. Park visitors can enjoy a wide range of outdoor recreational activities, including opportunities for ocean fishing on the park's half-mile pier.

A six-mile hiking trail is also offered, along with ample opportunities for cycling, marine wildlife watching, birding, surfcasting, and shelling. Guests can camp overnight at the nearby Amelia River Campground or attend monthly military reenactments honoring the park's fort history.

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

3. Go fishin on George Crady Bridge Fishing Pier State Park

George Crady Bridge Fishing Pier State Park is named in honor of Florida State Representative George Crady, known as a major advocate for the state's park system throughout his political career. The lovely park, which is accessible from Fernandina Beach via State Route A1A at the border of Duval and Nassau Counties, is open to the public daily between dawn and dusk, offering a mile-long pedestrian fishing bridge accessible to visitors of all mobility levels.

George Crady Bridge Fishing Pier State Park visitors can stretch out and observe the beautiful Nassau Sound landscape, enjoying some of the state's best fishing conditions for catching whiting, jack, drum, and tarpon. The pier is best known as the site of the world record for flounder catches, set in 1983 and measuring over 20 pounds in weight.

Address: 9000 Heckscher Dr, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034, Phone: 904-251-2323

4. Learn about history at The Amelia Island Museum of History

The Amelia Island Museum of History is the premiere cultural and historical museum of Amelia Island, housed within the city's historic Nassau County Jail building, constructed in 1878 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The museum, which is located within Fernandina Beach's core downtown district, showcases a variety of museum exhibits detailing the human history of the "Isle of Eight Flags" from indigenous times through the modern day.

Visitors can peruse exhibits such as a recreated Timucuan indigenous village from the pre-Columbian era, which is showcased alongside displays about the region's Spanish Mission and railroading periods. A recreated jail cell exhibit is also presented, along with the interactive children's ship The Margery, which offers maritime skill play experiences for young visitors.

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

5. Stay at Omni Amelia Island Resort

Set along the shores on Amelia Island and a few miles from Amelia Island State Park, Omni Amelia Island Resort is a luxury oceanfront resort that features a world-class spa and wellness center, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, and three championship golf courses.

The resort boasts airy and elegant beach-themed guest rooms and suites with en-suite bathrooms, kitchenettes, dining tables and sitting areas with pull-out sofas, and balconies or patios with ocean views.

Several restaurants offer a range of dining experiences from fine-dining to family-friendly, and a Nature Center provides guests with a wealth of recreational activities such as kayaking, paddle-boarding, cycling, Segway, and walking tours.

Address: 39 Beach Lagoon Rd, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034, Phone: 904-261-6161

6. Meet local artists at Blue Door Artists

Blue Door Artists showcases eight art studios used by Fernandina Beach area artists, which are open to the public for observation Mondays through Saturdays during the morning and afternoon hours.

The collaboration-focused studios showcase the work of artists working in a wide variety of media, including watercolor and oil painting, sculpture, jewelry, photography, and mixed media artists.Visitors can meet and greet with the studio's artists as they work on current projects and hear stories about the inspiration behind pieces' creation.

Fine contemporary art and crafts are available for purchase at the studio's store, including handcrafted home items and artisan pieces. Gallery visitors of all ages and ability levels can also participate in artist-run workshops or attend Second Saturday events, which showcase works by featured artists as part of public receptions.

Address: 205 Centre St, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034, Phone: 904-491-7733

7. Jog in Egan's Creek Park

Egan's Creek Park protects 300 acres of lovely natural terrain in Fernandina Beach along Amelia Island's Egan's Creek, which were originally developed as a greenway and passive recreation site in 2000. The labyrinth-like park and trail system are open to island walkers, joggers, and cyclists throughout daylight hours, offering chances to observe a plethora of regional wildlife, including snakes, bobcats, alligators and a variety of native bird species.

Interpretive displays along the park's trail system showcase information on the region's wildlife and ecosystems, with benches offered along the way for visitor relaxation.

Young visitors can play at the children's Explorer's Dome playground, while water sports enthusiasts can make use of the park's kayak launch. Other amenities offered include a day-use picnic pavilion area and a quarter-mile fitness trail with outdoor fitness stations.

Address: 2201 Atlantic Ave, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034, Phone: 904-310-3363

8. Stroll through Fernandina Beach Marketplace

Fernandina Beach Marketplace is Fernandina Beach's premiere weekly farmer's market, open to the public each Saturday morning year-round in all weather conditions.

The market, which is hosted within the city's downtown district on North 7th Street, showcases booths from area farmers, producers, and bakers, selling a wide variety of seasonal food items and pantry goods to community customers. Regional food trucks and carts are also showcased, along with live music performances and appearances by area celebrities and media personalities.

Visitors can bring well-behaved pets to the market or talk to representatives from the Nassau Humane Society about humane pet adoption. Every other Saturday, the Fernandina Beach Arts Market is held in conjunction with the event, showcasing the works of splendid area artists and crafters.

Address: N 7th St, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034