amelia island florida
With the fast pace of life today, fitting in a family vacation seems like nothing short of a miracle. So when we do locate that elusive opening in our overlapping calendars, we want a trip that is family-friendly and fun, yet relaxing and different. How about Amelia Island, Florida?
Situated just a stone’s throw from Jacksonville (a 5-hour drive from Naples), Amelia Island is an historical setting surrounded by some of the most interesting, and distinctly northern Floridian landscapes ready for exploration. Known as the “Isle of Eight Flags”, the island is the only territory in the United States to have been ruled under eight flags of sovereignty. Situated on the Atlantic Ocean, Amelia Island was once a base of operations for pirates and rum-runners and is named after Princess Amelia, daughter of England’s King George II. More recently, Amelia Island placed in five categories in the 2011 Condé Nast Traveler readers’ choice awards, including a No. 8 ranking among the top 10 islands in the United States.
Where to Stay
While there are plenty of options for accommodations on the island, one resort in particular caters to families. The 1,350-acre Omni Amelia Island Plantation blends true southern hospitality with a family-oriented Atlantic beach resort. With everything under the sun (and oaks) for kids and adults alike, it’s a place where kids feel special from the moment they arrive, allowing parents to unplug and return to a simpler time.
Upon check-in, kids are greeted by smiling staff and presented with their very own “Discovery” welcome backpack, filled with everything they need to begin their Amelia Island adventure: mini flying disc, hacky sack ball, magnifying glass, treasure map, crayons, and snacks. A rarity in most travel experiences with children, this freebie sparked imaginative play right away with my own kids, who turned them into jet packs. Milk and cookies await your arrival at your oceanfront room, a welcome snack after some time on the road.
Tree Houses and Turtles
One amenity we especially enjoyed was the complementary resort shuttles. Whether you are playing tennis or golf, shopping, or at the beach, just ask any staff member to call the shuttle for you and you’ll be on your way. You can explore the entire resort without taking your car keys out of your pocket. And there is plenty to discover: spend the day at the beach, relax in the spa, stroll through the quaint lakeside shopping village and have refreshments at the Marché Burrette, or enjoy a changing array of on-site activities including parks, golf, tennis, water sports, inflatable water slides, and educational activities.
Inspired by our jet packs, we decided to explore the plantation so we headed over to Amelia’s Wheels. This cute and affordable little resort shop offers an array of bicycles for rent, from tandem to training wheels. For those who wish to expend less energy getting around, the shop also rents “island hoppers”. These little golf carts can carry from 4 to 8 passengers and are a convenient way to get around. We took our island hopper on a mile ride through canopy roads, up hills, and past scenic marshes and ponds to Drummond Point Park & Playground. This park offers a seemingly endless view of the colorful saltwater marshes, transporting visitors to the Florida of another time. The park itself is haven for kids, complete with basketball courts, ping pong tables, a wonderful playground, and, the best part … a tree house. Kids can leave their own messages on the walls of the tree house for the enjoyment of future visitors.
Another great find is the Nature Center. The friendly staff greets everyone with a smile and a wealth of information about the critters and creatures that live within the island’s unique ecosystem. Kids can talk with a parrot, meet resort mascot Tanner the Turtle, and learn about interesting creatures such as turtles, snakes, eels and the various sea life that call the island home. The Nature Center also coordinates a myriad of family activities. Guests can participate in stargazing, beach combing, marsh walks, crab grabs, fishing, and more. The center also offers arts and crafts, such as shark tooth necklaces and hand painted t-shirts.
Night Time
Once the day is over, it’s time for entertainment! Every evening, in addition to a wide array of restaurant and in-room dining choices, guests are treated to a unique evening of entertainment and themed dining such as the Low Country Shrimp Boil, Boardwalk Bash, and Beach Fire with s’mores. We experienced the Boardwalk Bash, held at the Marché Burrette market and restaurant, and were greeted by live music, great food, and all sorts of activities for the kids including tennis lessons, pick-up football games, and an outdoor movie.
The Details
Omni Amelia Island Plantation offers oceanfront rooms as well as one-, two-, or three-bedroom villas. Vacation packages range from $229 to $329 per night for a double ocean-view room. Many of the packages include a $50 per night credit valid for in-room dining or resort restaurants, a nice perk. Villa packages range from $313 to $419 per night, many with similar dining credits and other added amenities. Some packages, like the “Pirates & Princesses” package, are tailored for families and even provide a parents-only dinner while the kids enjoy their own dinner party. Much more affordable than many south Florida resorts, and providing many more amenities, it’s easy to take a great and affordable family vacation. For more information, visit www.omniameliaislandplantation.com.
Off Island
Resort staff can help you arrange off-property excursions to nearby Fernandina Beach, Amelia City, and the many state parks situated on route 1A, or you can explore the area yourself. Take a walking tour of historic Fernandina Beach, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, visit the Amelia Island Museum of History, kayak, horseback ride, and more. For more information, visit: www.ameliaisland.com.
The Beginning of a Tradition
Amelia Island is truly unique and the Omni Amelia Island Plantation provides a great venue for exploration and relaxation. A hidden Florida paradise and true gem of the South, it’s a tough place to leave behind. I have a feeling that we’ll be back, more than once. In fact, the kids are already tuning up their jetpacks.
Getting There
Getting to Amelia Island is part of the adventure. From Naples, take I-75 north to exit 141. From there, take route 80 east 3 miles to 31 north. At Arcadia, connect to route 17 north. Take route 17 to 27 north at Haines City. Take 27 to I-4 east and continue to I-95 north. Connect to I-295 north, near Jacksonville, then connect to route 1A north to Amelia Island. This first part of the drive provides a pleasurable, scenic view of small town and rural Florida with lots of places to stop for snack and potty breaks. It also takes you past Winter Haven, the home of Legoland, and a great place to take a driving break on your way back to Naples.
Nicole Flesvig Bruland is a mother of two, writer, and educator. Raised near the Canadian border, and having studied in Paris, she is a French/English bilingual with a passion for language. She has been a teacher and education policy consultant at the Florida Department of Education. Nicole is a blogger for the Golisano Children’s Museum of Naples and an adjunct professor at Edison State College. She enjoys traveling and having fun with her sons, Jacob and Evan, and her husband Bronze.