Fernandina Beach On Amelia Island-A Great Place

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Welcome to Amelia Island-Fernandina Beach. Rich in history, natural beauty and charm, Amelia Island offers visitors an unspoiled setting for relaxing. Thirteen miles long and two miles wide, the northern and southern tips of the island are park preserves, making up nearly ten percent of the island.

Surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, Intercoastal Waterway, the Nassau Sound and the Cumberland Sound, Amelia is framed with 13 miles of pristine, Appalachian quartz beach. Amelia Island's size is deceiving in relation to the host of activities offered to guests. From golf and tennis at the world class resorts, to kayaking, sunsets sails, and horseback riding on the beach, Amelia Island provides an array of activities for those who want to stay busy.

Amelia Island is a boaters paradise, with endless opportunities to enjoy a day on the water. There are also plenty of places to fish and watch wildlife throughout the area. Bring your own boat or let one of the captains charter you through the Intercoastal waterway out to the Atlantic Ocean.

Kayaking and canoeing are exciting, even for a novice paddler. Imagine escaping into a wilderness of warmth and beauty, filled with wildlife and adventure, gliding silently along and coming upon a flock of ibis, or watching an eagle soar above.

Amelia Island's location adjacent to the Atlantic Ocean, Cumberland Island, and the Intercoastal Waterway make it an ideal location for sailing. The ocean is within easy each from three marinas. The inshore waters are deep and provide plenty of protected areas in which to sail in almost any weather condition. The west to east movement of continental pressure systems, and the predominant afternoon sea breeze, present the area with excellent winds throughout the year. The beautiful scenery and the abundant marine and wildlife make every sail exciting.

Amelia Island is in north Florida, 15 miles east of I-95, and 35 miles northeast of Jacksonville on Highway A1A. This area is very beautiful and quaint. Fernandina Beach is located here, and when you arrive you will feel like you've stepped back in time. Beautiful Victorian style two story houses are abundant here, and the moss draped oak trees are everywhere that adds to the ambiance of the area.

Centre Street is the place to be. The red brick buildings give this area a 1920's or earlier feel. Here you will find an array of local stores, shops, galleries and boutiques, including antiques, nautical, clothing, souvenir shops, candy and ice creams parlors. The farmers market is a great place for fresh produce and plants on the weekends on Centre Street. The many restaurants here are wonderful with great food. Every year there is a shrimp seafood festival with lots of great food and activities. A great time visit. This is a beautiful place to spend the weekend or longer.

If you are here for boating, there are many public boat ramps. They include Talbot Island State Park Close to the Nassau Sound Bridge, which is located off Heckscher Drive. Holly Point Park is located off Nassau County SR 107. Here you will find restrooms, picnics area and a floating dock. North Amelia Island Park Ramp is located on Intercoastal at North 14th Street, Fernandina Beach, adjacent to Ft.Clinch State Park property.

















Here is Centre Street in Fernandina Beach. Stroll through downtown, with its 40 blocks of historic businesses and homes. Centre Street is the main area here, connecting more than 60 shops and 25 restaurants. Just north of Centre Street is the "Silk Stocking" district, which boasts some of Florida's most elegant Victorian homes. The Amelia Island Museum of History is located in the historic former Nassau County jail on South 3rd Street. The exhibits encompass over 4,000 years of the area's history, and the museum offers several guided tours daily.



















This is Brett's Waterway Cafe on Front Street at the south end of Centre Street. A great place to eat right on the water. A spectacular view here.
















The original train depot at the end of Centre Street along the water. This is now a tourist info center. Get all the information, maps, etc., here. Don't miss stopping by. They can tell you all the great places to see and give you directions.


















Another photo of Centre Street. Make sure you stop at Eight Flags Antique Market located at 604 Centre Street. Inside you will find more than 50 antique dealers each with their own booth. Here you will find old books, jewelry, glassware, china, garden items, and the list goes on. Visit Fernandina Beach on a week day to get a really good parking spot.

Another great shop is Eileen's Art and Antiques located at 702 Centre Street. Here you will find a variety of antiques, reproduction furniture, jewelry, home decor and tons of artwork. Don't miss this unique place.

Also don't miss French Market Antiques at 203 Centre Street. Include here are antique furnishings, reproductions, accessories and gifts. Another great stop.



















The Harbor on Front Street. A relaxing place to hang out with a spectacular view. Don't miss seeing the shrimping boats just up a little from here. Since 1965, they have had a Shrimp Festival here the first weekend of May every year. Fernandina Beach is credited with being the birthplace of the commercial shrimping industry early in the 20th century.


















The Palace Saloon at 117 Centre Street Centre Street. A very historic building. Built in 1878. This is a must see place. A great place to grab a beverage. Most of the decor inside is all original.


















Another photo of the buildings on Centre Street. There are many great places to dine along here. For a gourmet experience, try Joe's 2nd Street Bistro, located in a historic 1903 home with beautiful courtyard dining. Another great dining experience is Beech Street Grill. Also for a more casual place, try Sliders Seaside Grill, located at the beach at the corner of Sadler Road and South Fletcher Avenue, just across from Amelia Hotel and Suites. Sliders truly has "island style" flair. Also gourmet delis with lunch menus are at Gourmet,Gourmet on A1A (south end of the island), Carolyn's Fine Foods on Centre Street, and Old South Yankee on 8th Street.


















Another photo of the Palace Saloon. In the early days between 1880-1910, Fernandina's docks were among the busiest in the south. This place welcomed ships from all over the globe. Of the many saloons that lined the lively streets, only the Palace Saloon had the distinction of being known as the "Ship Captains Bar". Today it is open from noon till 2 am.



















This is the moat crossing at State Park. Fort Clinch was named after General Duncan Lamont Clinch, an important figure during Florida's Seminole war of the 1830's. The Construction on the fort started in 1847 by the federal government and continued during the civil war. The fort is located on the northern part of Fernandina Beach.

















This is the road going to Fort Clinch State Park. A really beautiful drive.

















This is the front part of Fort Clinch as you arrive. Ft. Clinch State Park, little more than a mile north of Centre Street, is one of Florida's oldest State Parks. The main attraction here is the fort, which was built in 1847 to protect Fernandina's deep water port. It served as a military post during the Civil War, the Spanish-American War, and World War 2.



















This is one of the underground entrances at Fort Clinch. A great place to explore.


















Another photo of the inside of Fort Clinch. This is one of the most well preserved 19th century forts in the entire country.



















This is the beachfront side of Fort Clinch. The view is really beautiful. Ft. Clinch also boasts the best view of the Amelia Island Lighthouse which began operation in 1839. The lighthouse is 67 feet high on a 60 foot bluff and has been in constant operation since it opened., except for one night during the civil war when it was darkened.


















Another beachfront view of the backside of Fort Clinch. The cannons are still in great shape and are massive in size.


















Another view of the cannons on the beachfront.



















Another view of the beachfront at the fort.


















Another photo of the inside of the fort.


















This is the front of Fort Clinch upon arriving. You will really get excited as you arrive here. This is a really great place to see.


















Another photo of a underground tunnel entrance at the fort.



















The beachfront beside Fort Clinch. You can actually ride horses along the beach. A really fun and relaxing thing to do on Amelia Island.



I hope you enjoyed my little blog. And I hope you can tell your friends about it. Thanks a bunch and all the best.