For a tiny barrier island off the Sunshine State’s northeast coast, Amelia Island leaves a monumental impression. A distinctive blend of Old-World architecture, beguiling history, and modern comforts promises visitors a slice of paradise along 13 miles of unspoiled beaches and a charming downtown district.
Lewis spearheaded the 1935 establishment of American Beach on the island’s southern end, which is now distinguished as a stop on the Florida Black Heritage Trail. The A.L. Lewis Museum illuminates the area’s historical significance thanks to lifelong efforts by Lewis’s great-granddaughter MaVynee Oshun Betsch, known as The Beach Lady.
Stories of the past continue to unfold across the 50 blocks of downtown Fernandina Beach, Amelia Island’s northernmost city. Victorian architecture houses independent shops, cafés, and other haunts, like family-owned confectionery Fantastic Fudge (below, right) and the Fairbanks House bed-and-breakfast (below, left). The circa-1856 Amelia Island Williams House (above) offers a comfortable stay among antique furnishings and hand-carved fireplaces. Ornamented with fleurs-de-lis, the original wrought iron gates and fencing exemplify subtle French influences on the island’s multicultural heritage.
Enticing shops and eateries await around every corner. Set in a restored cottage, Le Clos (right) serves Provençal dishes that showcase locally sourced seafood and classic French flavors. The Plantation Shop (left) carries European antiques and collectibles as well as contemporary home décor, gifts, and fashions.
With fresh seafood and fanfare for all ages, the annual Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival celebrates the seaport’s acclaim as the birthplace of the modern shrimping industry. It also pays homage to the island’s nickname, derived from the various flags flown over its shores since the 16th century.
Visit the state’s oldest lighthouse (above), then view the wildlife by kayak along the Intracoastal Waterway or from a larger vessel captained by Amelia River Cruises. On guided excursions and sunset sails, learn about the ecosystems and maritime heritage of northeast Florida and neighboring Cumberland Island, Georgia. When you’re ready to put your feet in the sparkling quartz sand, public access points across the isle make leisurely beach strolls a breeze.
Read the full “Spirited Isle” feature in our May/June 2021 issue.
Photography by Stephanie Welbourne Steele and courtesy of Amelia Island CVB
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