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Travel: Amelia Island, Florida

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   Amelia Island's Lighthouse

Nancy and I live in very different places so we're assembling some travel tips for our own home towns.  Who knows where we'll go next?

Always,
Jane Marie

PS  My historical novel, The Goodbye Lie, is set on Amelia in 1882.  If you like romance, adventure and family, I know you'll enjoy my book.

 

read the first pages of The Goodbye Lie

In Canada: The Goodbye Lie
In the UK: Goodbye Lie, The

 

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Jane Marie,  
I enjoyed reading The Goodbye Lie and about your characters that walk the streets of Fernandina. Thanks for a good book. Looking forward to your next book, Velvet Undertow.

Mary K. Freeman Johns

5th great granddaughter of Don Domingo Fernandez, 1st Spanish Don of Amelia Island
 

 

 

 

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My Home on Amelia Island

By Jane Marie

 

It’s hard for me to decide what I like most about Amelia Island.

Let’s look at the facts:

Amelia Island is Florida’s first barrier island south of the Georgia border.  It’s 32 miles northeast of Jacksonville.  It sits on the Atlantic Ocean, naturally protected from hurricanes (most of the time), and is only 13.5 x 2 miles in size with an average temperature of about 70° F.

Amelia Island is the only place in the United States to have been under the rule of eight different flags: France, Spain, England, Spain again, Patriots of Amelia Island, Green Cross of Florida, Mexican Rebel Flag and the United States. 

The City of Fernandina Beach has a population of some 10,700 and is the main city on Amelia Island.

Fernandina has the oldest weekly newspaper in the state of Florida, now known as the News-Leader.  It is published twice a week.

 

Sightseeing Opportunities 

Amelia Light, our lovely old lighthouse, is not currently open to the public, but there's lots more to do on Amelia Island.

Guiding Light

get sweatshirts and more

Fort Clinch State Park has a pre-Civil War fort.  It stands at the northern point of the island overlooking Cumberland Sound.  Camping and nature trails are offered as well as candlelight tours and weekend encampments by reenactors.   [904-277-7274]

 I play hand bells on the Ft. Clinch ramparts with the Amelia Island Ringers every Easter Sunrise Service.  The scene is breathtaking.

Old Town, the original site of Fernandina until it moved to its present location, can be found via a short drive up N. 14th Street.  Park your car on the bluffs of the Plaza San Carlos parade ground where Spanish settlers defended the point in the late 1700s.   A huge Victorian house overlooks the site and was used as Pippi Longstocking’s home in the movie of the same name.

Historic churches are abundant on Amelia Island.  Some of them are: Saint Michael’s Catholic Church, dedicated in 1872; Saint Peter’s Episcopal Church with its red roof, circa 1884; First Presbyterian Church, circa 1860, and First Baptist Missionary Church, circa 1874.Standard Marine, also known as The Net House, still produces handmade shrimp nets for buyers from around the world.

 

Activities

Take a swim in the ocean or walk along the beach looking for sharks’ teeth.  With thirteen miles of beaches, you won’t feel crowded. Amelia Island Community Theatre and The Fernandina Little Theatre offer local productions of plays, comedies, and musicals year round.

Amelia Island Community Theatre (ACT) - Call for current production.  [904-261-6749]

Fernandina Little Theatre - Call for current production  [904-321-1595]

Golf or tennis anyone?  You’ve got several choices from municipal to private venues.

My son-in-law, a former golf pro, recommends:

Amelia Island Plantation: Amelia Island Links (36 holes)  [904-277-5907] and Long Point (18 holes)  [904-277-5908]

Fernandina Beach Municipal Golf Course - South Fletcher.  [904-277-7370]

Beaks - bird sanctuary and wildlife rehabilitation center just 6 miles south of Amelia Island on Big Talbot Island.  They care for injured birds and release them back into the wild if possible.  If not, the birds live happily at Beaks.  Admission is free, but donations are appreciated.  [904-251-BIRD]

Cumberland Island/Grey Field Inn - Ferry leaves from downtown Fernandina marina for island day trips.  Dining and accommodations available.  [904-261-6408]

Island Falls Adventure Golf - 18 hole miniature golf.  1550 Sadler Road.  [904-261-7881]

Kelly Seahorse Ranch - Horseback beach rides are $35.  Reservations a must.  7500 First Coast Highway.  [904-491-5166]

Schooner: Voyager (from the 1840s) 100-foot gaff-rigged replica, two-hour tours as well as sunset sails.  Docked at the marina at the foot of Centre Street, downtown.  [904-321-1244]

Tradewinds Charter Fishing - Dolphin watching cruises and deep-sea fishing.  [904/261-9486]

 

Shop, Shop, Shop 

Amelia Island provides plenty of choices for the casual the gift shopper as well as the serious antique collector:  Once you've hit Centre St., check out these locations.

Amelia Island Antique Mart - 6500 feet of collectibles.  1105 S. 8th Street.  [904-277-2424]

Eight Flags Antique Mart - Over 50 stalls of antiques in downtown Fernandina.  604 Centre Street.  [904-277-8550]

Special stores where you can purchase The Goodbye Lie:

Alexanders Books - bookstore at 4924 First Coast Highway in the Palmetto Walk Shopping Center

Amelia Island Plantation - resort complex, see hotel listing

Marché Burette

Bailey House Bed and Breakfast - see our hotel or restaurant listings for more information

ABannerDay.com - our friend in the sign business

Books Plus - downtown bookstore (walk from the wharf)

The Florida House Inn - see our hotel or restaurant listings for more information

Ft. Clinch State Park - see our sightseeing activities for more information

Williams House - see our hotel or restaurant listings for more information

 

 

 

 

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click on the photos to enlarge them

 

JM quilting at the Amelia Island Museum of History

Inside the museum hangs a quilt made by our local Amelia Island Quilt Guild, which depicts many of our more historically significant buildings.  I count myself fortunate to have been a part of the construction of this pretty piece.

The building that houses our museum was originally the Nassau County jail.  When the jail moved, the brick structure was abandoned.  My husband was one of those wielding a sledgehammer and paintbrush that turned the place into the wonderful museum you see today.  He helped knock out the old cells and refinished the antique back bar, which is a coordinating section of decorative wood and shelving that was often built to go behind the front counter or bar where customers would sit to be served.  The complete bar stands in the second floor reference room and is often used for social gatherings. 

We both learned the fascinating details of Amelia Island’s history during our docent training at the museum.  My spouse went on to give lectures walking tours of The Historic District.

Martha Bear® and her collection of shark teeth

 

Accommodations

Amelia Island Plantation - Upscale resort with golf and tennis as well as dining and an ocean front hotel.  6800 First Coast Highway.  [904-261-6161]

Best Western Inn at Amelia Island is an easy walk to the beach.  Shoney’s Breakfast Buffet is next door.  2707 Sadler Road   [904-277-2300]

Bailey House Bed and Breakfast, circa 1895 - Charming Victorian B&B.  Ask for Woody, the entertainment director.  28 South 7th Street.  [800-251-5390] [904-261-5390] [Fax - 904-321-0103]  relax@bailey-house.com

Elizabeth Point Lodge - 25 rooms, oceanfront, continental breakfast.  98 South Fletcher Ave.  [904-277-4851]

Florida House Inn, circa 1857 - The oldest tourist hotel in the state.  It can be found in the historic downtown.  Their family style dining is a unique experience and the fried chicken tastes like you think fried chicken should.  22 South 3rd  Street  [904-261-3300]

Purchase The Goodbye Lie in their gift shop.

Hampton Inn Amelia Island / Fernandina Beach - One block from the beach. 2549 Sadler Road.  [904-321-1111]

Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island - Located on the ocean with fine dining.  4750 Amelia Island Parkway.  [907-277-1100]

Williams House - Elegant Victorian house filled with antiques.  Gourmet breakfast included.  103 S. 9th Street.  [904-277-2328]

PLUS

Amelia Island Lodging Systems - Resort rentals from B&Bs, private homes and condos to a lighthouse.  Rates vary.  584 S. Fletcher  [800-872-8531] 

 

 

Delightful Dining

Beech Street Grill - Fine dining.  Catered the secret wedding of John F. Kennedy, Jr.  Reservations recommended.  801 Beech Street.  [904-277-3662]  $$$

Brett’s Waterway Café - Great loaded potato soup on Tuesdays.  Burgers to seafood.  Located at the marina at the foot of Centre Street.  [904-261-2660]  $$$

Down Under Restaurant - Family owned seafood establishment since 1982. A1A & the Intercoastal Waterway.  [904-261-1001] $$ to $$$

El Potro Mexican Restaurant - Filling Mexican food. 2128 Sadler Road in the Food Lion Shopping Center.  [904-277-2011] $

Florida House Inn - All you can eat home cooking served family style at long tables with huge platters of food.  22 S. 3rd Street.  [904-261-5310]  $$

You can read about The Florida House in The Goodbye Lie, my Victorian romance novel.  Or visit the Florida House to purchase a copy of this very special book.

Marina Restaurant - Great seafood for 35 years in downtown Fernandina Beach.  101 Centre Street.  [904-261-5310]  $$

New China Buffet - Good all you can eat Chinese.  1750 S. 8th Street.  [904-261-6598]  $

O’Kane’s Irish Pub and Eatery - Pub specializing in Angus Beef, live music nightly.  318 Centre Street.  [800-711-3470]  $$

Shoney’s - Best breakfast buffet on the island.  2709 Sadler Road.  [904-277-3768]  $

The Veranda - upscale seafood, steak, chicken, and pork.  Reservations recommended.  Located at Amelia Island Plantation’s Racquet Park, 6800 First Coast Highway.  [904-321-5050]  $$$ 

For more information, pick the guide to Amelia Island since.  It’s available in shops and restaurants around town. 

I love our little town.  You will, too.     

 800+ pages

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"Just read your romance novel [The Goodbye Lie] and want you to know I thoroughly enjoyed it.  Captain Waite Taylor reminded me of Rhett Butler and Breelan- Scarlett O'Hara.  The setting [Amelia Island] was most interesting to a native of these parts.  

Congratulations!  I hope your novel is a Big Hit-

Sincerely,

Mary Leary

 

 

 

Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren is a classic children's series of books.  If your children haven't discovered Pippi and her adventures, don't hesitate.   Start them off with the less than delightful 1988 video if you must.  We watched the film just to see the locations on Amelia Island.  Nancy

 

 

 

 

If a book you're looking for is out of print, click on any link to Amazon Books Home Page to find out if it is available as a used book.

 

Those who've been to Disney World might think they've seen it all, but Steven M. Barrett knows better.  Barrett is the author of Hidden Mickeys, a field guide to the countless (or are they?) images of Mickey Mouse the Disney folks have strewn liberally through the parks and hotels.

Even first-timers will want to tuck a copy of Hidden Mickeys in their backpacks to enliven those waits in long attraction lines.  Nancy