Regarded as the “queen of summer resorts” in 1896, Amelia Island, Fla.’s beauty and charm made it a top vacation retreat for such families as the Rockefellers and Carnegies. Luckily, today you don’t have to have their bankrolls to enjoy the same 13 miles of Appalachian quartz beaches.
You can still see remnants of Florida’s golden era in Fernandina Beach, U.S.’s second oldest city. With about 450 ornate Victorian structures built before 1927, Fernandina Beach has 52 blocks of houses and buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
This barrier island, located about 30 minutes from Jacksonville, may be small, but it has a lot to offer.
Did You Know: Amelia Island is the only location in the country to have been ruled under eight flags.
Try Fly-Fishing: Learn the delicate technique and the language of fly-fishing with Captain Russell Therin, a master certified instructor by the Federation of Fly Fishers. He offers several charters throughout the year.
Get Outdoors: Take a guided kayak tour with Kayak Amelia. This adventure includes instructions before you enter the marsh. If you know what you are doing, rent a kayak and paddle around on your own. Take a Segway tour of either Fort George Island (about 30 minutes from Amelia Island) or Little Talbot Island (south of Amelia Island) offered through EcoMotion Tours.
Here’s a Toast to History: The Palace Saloon, located in Fernandina Beach, holds the distinction of being the state’s oldest, continuously ran saloon.
Mark Your Calendar for a Return Trip: The 45th Annual Island of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival is scheduled for May 2-4 on Fernandina Beach. Come hungry and enjoy various seafood and shrimp dishes. The event also includes fine arts and crafts show as well as family events.
Fun Fact: Amelia Island was the mystical land chosen for the 1998 “Pippi Longstocking” movie.
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