Amelia Island is the northernmost barrier island on Florida’s Atlantic coast. If it hadn’t been for the natural boundary of St. Mary’s River, she’d most likely have become part of Georgia, along with the other Golden Isles. Just 13 miles long and two miles wide, she’s about the size of Sanibel, but the golden sand, ocean waves, and sunrise instead of sunset over the beach make it different from our side of Florida. It’s still a lesser-known, laid back family destination, packed with nature-based experiences for all ages. As an extra bonus, Amelia has one of the best-preserved 19th century forts in the U.S. There are plenty of family-friendly things to do on Amelia Island.
Historic downtown Fernandina Beach is a charming enclave of gift shops, boutiques, and restaurants, plus a delicious smattering of bakeries and fudge and ice cream shops. At the wharf end is a small but cool maritime museum and the old train depot, now the welcome center/museum. Pick up lots of adventure ideas and then go out and play!
The Fort
Fort Clinch sits atop some of the highest sand dunes in Florida. Visitors can stand on the gundecks of the five bastions, and peek inside restored guard rooms, prison barracks, a hospital, kitchens and bakery, and a blacksmith’s shop furnished with supplies of the period. There’s always a Union soldier on duty in his 1884 uniform, happy to share stories and pose for selfies. On the first weekend every month, reenactors and interpreters make it real, with cannon firings and battlefield maneuvers.
Fort Clinch is a 1,400-acre state park, providing accessible campgrounds with fire rings, restrooms, playgrounds, a store with fishing and camping gear, and ranger programs. Among the best trails are a mile-long nature trail through the oak forest and a paved bicycler’s dream route beneath a shaded canopy of live oaks. Shark’s tooth hunters head for the rock jetties to sift through the sand at low tide.
The Boneyard: A Beach Full of Skeletons
Well, sort of.
“Boneyard” is an old-timey word for graveyard, and many of the spooky apparitions that lie on the beach of nearby Big Talbot Island look like the skeletons of dinosaurs and giant sea serpents slithering back to the sea. These giant sculptures are only the skeletons of fallen live oak and cedar trees, smoothed and bleached by strong tides, sun, and salt water. Their massive root balls are popular backdrops for family portraits, graduation, and quinceañera photos. Climbing is allowed; taking a souvenir piece is not.
There’s no swimming, due to strong tides and more sharp skeletons lurking below the surface. Access to this secret beach is a 1.2-mile hike through the forest from the parking lot.
The Pippi Longstocking Connection
In 1877, a river captain built himself a fine Victorian home, with no clue that a century later it would be invaded by Pippi Longstocking. The movie, that is. The New Adventures of Pippi Longstocking was filmed on Amelia in 1988. Her fictional house, Villa Villekula, is on Estrada Street in Old Town. Get a
selfie in front (but not on the property—it’s private).
Wild Horses, Too
Hop aboard the Cumberland Island River Cruise with ameliarivercruises.com and glide past Fort Clinch, the Pippi Longstocking House, and Cumberland Island, where passengers often get to see the cavorting of the island’s wild horses. Some say their ancestors came over with 16th Century Spanish Conquistadors. The narrated excursion is a fun way to learn about pirates, battles, and wildlife … and the kids can help steer.
To be more hands-on and get closer to the horses, book a paddle with ameliaislandkayak.com, or join an exciting tour of two-person, 30 mph Cat Boats with backwatercatadventure.com. Both land on the beach near the ruins of Dungeness mansion.
Amelia Island Light, Florida’s oldest lighthouse at 187 years old, is closed for repairs, but see it by kayak through the grasslands of Egan’s Creek Estuary with Amelia Island Kayak, or via standup paddleboard at ameliaislandpaddlesurf.com.
Beaching It
Main Beach is a family favorite, with sand volleyball courts, grassy playgrounds, picnic shelters, and a skate park, plus restrooms, showers, and lifeguards. The Salt Life Food Shack, with its vast menu, is across the road.
Electric Skateboarding on the Beach
It’s true! And so cool! Zero experience is required to cruise the hard-packed sand on your remote-controlled e-board. ameliaislandboardrental.com
Horseback Riding on the Beach
Ride at dawn to watch the sky turn pink and the sun peek over the horizon. Or sleep in and go for a later ride. Suitable for all abilities, age 6 and up. Kids especially love the gentle mares, Tundra, Zirc, and Cutter. ameliaislandhorsebackriding.com
Surf’s Up!
Amelia lies at the tip of Florida’s best stretch of surfing beaches. Do some body surfing or grab a board and gear at a local surf shop and hit the waves.
Super-fun Escape Rooms
All five themed rooms at Amelia Island Escape Rooms are family friendly. Greybeard’s Treasure and Return to Tiger Island are especially fun for younger players. ameliaislandescaperooms.com
Putt-putt, putt-putt, putt-putt, putt-putt
Play a different mini-golf course every day, if you wish, with four courses to choose from.
Crab Grab and More
The Nature Center at the Omni Amelia Island Resort is open to the public with displays, rescued wildlife, and naturalist-guided experiences from Segway tours to the “Crab Grab” and Sharks Tooth Discovery. omnihotels.com/hotels/amelia-island
Family-friendly Stays
Amelia Island offers the whole spectrum of accommodations, from cute vacation rentals to luxury resorts. Family reunion? Book all 14 rooms and suites at The Addison, my fave historic inn. addisononamelia.com
Patriots, Pirates, and Scalawags
For 600 years, everyone wanted to plant their flag on Amelia Island. France, Spain, and England of course (because that’s what they did back then), but also a pack of rabble rousers called the Patriots of Amelia Island. Their flag flew for one day. Then came a shady Scottish soldier of fortune, followed by a French pirate on behalf of Mexico (seriously!), and finally, the Confederacy. Eight flags in all, more than anyplace else in the U.S. Hear those stories and more, at Amelia Island History Museum: 4,000 years of island history, from the indigenous Timucua people to the Europeans who destroyed them with disease, to pirates, smugglers, and tragically, the slave trade.
Visit ameliaisland.com