As locals, were often asked what the best things are to do in Amelia Island within Floridas northeastern county of Nassau, and what are Amelia Islands best hotels, restaurants, shops and places for culture and nature. Bordered by the Atlantic Ocean and 13 miles of beach and the Amelia River with marshland for miles, Amelia Island became the Ilse of Eight Flags for understandable reasons. It was named after King George IIs daughter during Englands rule. In place of interest from pirates, conquistadors and royals these days, residents and visitors flock to the dream destination in numbers recognized annually in tourism polls. In 2023, Amelia Island ranked #3 for Conde Nast Travelers Readers Choice Awards (Best US Island), and #8 for Travel + Leisures Worlds Best Awards (Readers 15 Favorite Islands in the Continental U.S.) Amelia Islands luxury resorts consistently receive high accolades as well, while a dozen earned the Audubon International Green Lodging Program certification. The community is dedicated to nature conservation and sustainability, preserving nearly 10 percent of its landmass as green spaces. Families to retirees are further attracted to convenient services such as Baptist Medical Center Nassau, the Nassau County School District, and private schools including Amelia Island Montessori School, Fernandina Beach Christian Academy and Faith Christian Academy. County seat Fernandina Beach owns the Fernandina Beach Municipal Airport, while Jacksonville International Airport is approximately half an hours drive. It offers the ideal balance of small-town charm close to big-city action.
Amelia Island Hotels
The Ritz Carlton, Amelia Island has gone above and beyond for guests since 1991. Its 30th anniversary brought about renovations from 446 rooms new contemporary dcor and innovations to upgraded amenities. Locals celebrate their own anniversaries and other milestones at Salt overlooking the ocean and dunes. Executive chef Okan Kizilbayir, who cut his teeth at Eric Riperts Le Bernardin in New York, helped launch the resorts first annual Amelia Island Cookout this fall. Guests have access to The Golf Club of Amelia Islands 18-hole links designed by PGA stars Mark McCumber and Gene Littler, while others spend time in the spa with an adults-only pool; fitness center that extends to beach yoga and meditation, and onsite shopping at Lilly Pulitzer, Southern Tide and mens and womens designer fashion boutiques. Most meet for sunset at the oceanfront, al fresco Coquina. The 402-room Omni Amelia Island Resort boasts 1,350 acres along the Atlantic as well as northeast Floridas largest pool deck. In addition to nearly a dozen dining outlets, the resort hosts Sprouting Project Dinners in an onsite aquaponic greenhouse. The sustainable initiative sources organic vegetables, eggs and honey grown and gathered on property, while the barrel aging room churns out condiments. Each five-course dinner features an ingredient theme such as kernel and truffle. In spring, the Omnis annual Fish to Fork weekend combines fishing expeditions, cooking competitions and delicious receptions. More activities include golfing an onsite Beau Welling-designed short course and the private Amelia Island Clubs two courses, as well as playing Cliff Drysdale Tennis centers 23 clay courts and seven pickleball courts, where pickleball pros like Paul Caruso lead clinics. The annual Omni Turkey Trot always gets a good turnout, too. The Queen Bee and Salty Threads are among tenants at The Shops at Omni Amelia Island. There are far too many wonderful boutique hotels. and bed-and-breakfasts to mention all of them, but the historic Amelia Schoolhouse Inn with a pool and The Principals Office Bar; The Florida House Inn dating to 1857, and Elizabeth Pointe Lodge directly on the beach are some notable names.
Amelia Island Restaurants
With approximately 100 restaurants, one doesnt go hungry here. Locals swear by Davids, where David Echeverri cleverly divides the menu into the four elements with caviar under ice and steaks under fire. His new happy hour is a hit on top of six-course tastings in the Wine Room. Ciao Italian Eatery, another local favorite, is a father-son affair. Known for a Salt alums from-scratch kitchen, Burlingames seared octopus and steak frites are even more delicious eaten in its historic bungalow setting. Asian cuisine can be found at sushi spots Akari and Fancy, and Wicked Baos street fare inspired by Taiwans and Singapores night markets. Leddys Porchs Southern specialties include fried green tomatoes and shrimp and grits; start or finish the night in its Mermaid Bar. With the bon climate, al fresco dining is replete here. Caf Karibo has built a following for its oak-shaded garden as much as for its comfort food. The owners are also behind Timotis Seafood Shak, and its nearby Babas Mediterranean. The Boat House complements seafood (shrimp and crawfish gumbo, snapper aside Carolina gold rice) with live music, and the same crew offers elevated dining at their Southern coastal-themed Indigo. Latin American culinary heritage is well-represented by Mezcal Spirit of Oaxaca, a newer venture from Pablos Mexican Cuisine; Espaas pintxos and paella, and a relocated Miami couples Hola! Cuban Caf for authentic pastelitos, croquetas and Cubanos. Amelia Island Brewing Company, a local institution for craft beers born of Hollywood icons to seasonal pumpkins, and Mocama Beer Company in a former car dealerships midcentury modern-era showroom are among the happening hops scene. For more sipping action, visit Amelia Island Coffee and The Decantery for wine and dessert pairings.
Amelia Island Culture
Whether the arts or special events, residents get their culture fix. The Amelia Car Week, one of the islands largest affairs held annually in late winter, culminates with The Amelia Concours dElegance. Car collectors and enthusiasts also come for auctions, driving experiences and receptions at various venues. Amelia hosts festivals of all kinds, with crowd favorites being the Amelia Island Chamber Music Festival, which presents a range of music from Wynton Marsalis to Mozart; Right Whale Festival for ocean and marine animal awareness; Les DeMerle Amelia Island Jazz Festival dotted with famous faces, and Amelia Island Dance Festival and Fernandina Beach Songwriter Festival, both of which program international and local talent. Sounds of Centres monthly outdoor concerts happen first Fridays in spring and fall. Art lovers can join the Artrageous Artwalk on second Saturdays and download the Amelia Island Art Passport app for galleries, studios and selfie-instigating murals covered in mosaics to three-dimensional, metal butterflies. Learn about the past through Amelia Island Museum of Historys and A.L. Lewis Museums exhibits and tours; the latter focuses on American Beachs Black history with a deeper look provided by Ron Millers Coast One Tours. Amelia Community Theatre has entertained audiences since 1981, with upcoming shows like Agatha Christies The Mousetrap on its Main Stage. Amelia Musical Plahouse offers a mix of musicals, plays and holiday revues year-round. The holidays are particularly festive when the Victorian-era Christmas spirit comes alive with the Dickens on Centre festival along with holiday home tours and the Shrimp Drops local twist on the Big Apples New Years Eve tradition. The crustacean has a lot of clout here, especially during the Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2025.
Amelia Island Outdoors & Wellness
Bookended by parks and surrounded by water, Amelia Island is a nature lovers paradise. Located on the north end, Fort Clinch State Park offers myriad outdoor activities beyond touring its Civil War-era namesake. Dont miss the nearby Amelia Island Lighthouse dating to 1838 either. Cyclists, hikers and birders hit Egans Creek Greenways trail network within the 300-acre protected preserve teeming with wildlife, as well as the 7-mile Amelia Island Trail from Peters Point Beachfront Park to the southern tips Amelia Island State Park. Main Beach Park, another primary access point, hosts the Run Like the Dickens family-friendly race in December. Golfers can take a swing at several premier courses, including the 27-hole Fernandina Beach Golf Club, The Amelia Island Club with Tom Fazio and Pete Dye designs, and Amelia River Club recognized for its TifEagle greens. Most sporting pastimes are met here, from Amelia Island Horseback Ridings sunset strolls along the shore to Paddle Jax Amelia Islands naturalist-led kayak tours of Lofton Creek (fishing charters and boat tours are also available). Strike a pose on the beach with Deb Cunningham Yoga, atop a paddle board with Kayak Amelia or at Centered on Yogas decade-old studio. For more bragging rights, the Amelia Island Open is the nations largest ptanque championship.
Amelia Island Shopping
A local couples mini retail empire includes Pearl for womens upscale collections (Gretchen Scott, tyler be, Elliott Lauren), and the more boho and breezy lori + lulu (Hale Bob, Johnny Was). They also partnered in JJ Cooper to dress men from boat to ball (Barbour, Martin Dingman, tuxedos). Tying their lifestyle vision together, Isola specializes in luxe home vendors (Beatriz Ball, Matouk, Juliska), and gift registries. Named after an Amelia natives New York days, Hudson & Perry also meets dcor and gift needs with her vintage, down-home aesthetic. People love to poke around local haunts Eight Flags Antique Market, The Plantation Shop and The Book Loft. They also like to do their part in saving the earth courtesy of Color It Greens eclectic assortment for the whole family including fur babies. Parents and grandparents further spoil little ones with fashions and toys from Monkey Barrel of Amelia. Florist Christie Walsh-Myers transformed a vacant lot into a cut-flower farm for The Heirloom Yard, which hosts workshops and pops up in its vintage Piaggio Ape named Dante at the monthly Mocama Market. A Tiffany & Co. alum founded her eponymous Lindys for precious jewelry by a slew of designers. Driftwood Surf Shop, which has been supplying gear, surf/skateboards, surf lessons and a reliable surf report since 1979, epitomizes the Amelia Island lifestyle of being on and in the water.
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