48 Hours on Amelia Island: A Local’s Perfect Weekend Itinerary
Coming to Amelia Island, Florida for the weekend?
Two days may not feel like enough, but you can experience a lot of what makes this little island so special in 48 hours.
Beaches, Historic Downtown Fernandina Beach, great food, local shops, beautiful sunsets and plenty of time to slow down. Here's how I'd spend the perfect weekend on Amelia Island.
Friday Evening: Start Downtown
Once you arrive, head to Historic Downtown Fernandina Beach.
Walk Centre Street, pop into a few local shops and grab dinner downtown. Don't rush through it. Part of the fun is simply wandering around and taking in the historic buildings and small-town feel.
After dinner, walk toward the marina for sunset. Stop in Fantastic Fudge for ice cream.
It's one of my favorite ways to start an Amelia Island weekend getaway.
Saturday Morning: Coffee + Beach
Start Saturday with coffee at Holy Grounds Coffee House, one of my local favorites.
Then head to the beach.
You don't need an elaborate plan. Walk along the water, bring a chair and a book, or simply enjoy a slow morning by the Atlantic.
It's amazing how quickly island time kicks in.
Saturday Afternoon: Explore Amelia Island
After the beach, spend some time seeing another side of the island.
Walk or bike through one of our beautiful neighborhoods, explore the trails and natural areas, or simply drive around and see what catches your eye.
This is usually when visitors start saying things like:
"I could live here."
And I completely understand why.
Saturday Evening: Waterfront Dinner
For a casual dinner with a view, Salty Pelican is one of my favorites.
Grab some seafood, enjoy a drink and watch the activity along the Amelia River.
Afterward, head back into downtown Fernandina Beach for a little more exploring or a nightcap.
Sunday Morning: Brunch
Sunday calls for brunch.
Leddy's Porch at the Florida House Inn is a favorite of mine and gives you another reason to spend a little more time downtown.
After brunch, stroll Centre Street one more time, pick up something local to take home and enjoy the fact that nowhere on Amelia Island requires you to be in too much of a hurry.
Before You Leave...
Take one more drive along the beach.
There's something about Amelia Island that makes leaving a little difficult.
Maybe it's the slower pace. Maybe it's the beautiful beaches and water. Maybe it's the combination of a vacation destination and a genuine community.
Whatever it is, I've seen plenty of people come here for a weekend and eventually start wondering about living on Amelia Island.
A weekend visit becomes another trip.
Another trip becomes looking at Amelia Island condos or second homes.
And sometimes, Amelia Island eventually becomes home.
If your visit has you wondering what it would look like to own a little piece of the island, I'd be happy to show you around.
