January 19, 2022
Looking for a romantic getaway with that special someone? How about a trip to a peaceful barrier island where all the key amenities — fun activities, perfect places to dine or picnic, spa treatments, and strollable streets and shorelines — are right at your fingertips. Welcome to Amelia Island.
Check in to the Hoyt House in historic downtown Fernandina Beach, your home away from home for the next three days and the place where romance and history go hand in hand. Looking for a hotel on the beach? Book the Romance Package at The Elizabeth Pointe Lodge and treat your loved one to a romantic getaway to be remembered.
Insider Tip: If you were thinking of popping the question, this would be the time to do it. The Hoyt House is the best place for your engagement or elopement plans. It’s not their first rodeo.
Kick off your weekend with lunch at The Boat House located downtown on S 2nd Street. The Boat House is a relaxed and playful dining environment with live entertainment outside on the patio, which is where you should sit. Share a dozen raw or baked oysters to start and sip on a glass of wine or one of their signature cocktails. Just about everything on the menu is delicious but the BBQ Salmon is a personal favorite along with the Hillbilly Fried Chicken sandwich. Polish all of that off just in time for dessert… A Warm Banana Pecan Roll made with bourbon, bananas, caramel and banana cream. Oh man.
Get to know Amelia Island a bit better by renting an electric bike for a day of island adventure. Pedego is located on the south end of the island and they will hook you up with a bike sure to make sure you feel like a kid again. The island provides a number of biking options from rugged trails winding past centuries-old live oaks and natural waterways to smooth scenic coastal paths, or even the beach. Hit the trails and pedal a while, then coast a while. What happens if you run out of juice, you ask? Well the short answer is, you can pedal. But the truth is your fanny will give out long before your electric bike does!
The recently re-opened Beech Street Grill has been a beloved favorite with visitors and locals alike for over 30 years! Located just behind The Hoyt House on Beech Street, the restaurant is as enchanting as the old Victorian home it sits in. To quote a recent diner, “Beautiful atmosphere, friendly staff and a number of delicious selections on the menu to choose from. Their charcuterie board is amazing as well as their desserts! Great place for date night, a friends and family outing, or you can even reserve a portion of the restaurant for celebrations.” I couldn’t have said it better myself. Whatever you do, try the drunken pineapple salad and the crab cakes.
Start day two off the right way — with the most important meal of the day coming right from the dining room of the Hoyt House. There’s nothing better than waking up to the awesome smells of breakfast cooking. Bacon, coffee and all the culinary early morning delights that the kitchen can bring. Guests of the Hoyt House are always well taken care of and breakfast is no exception. Load up. You’ve got a busy day ahead.
Hey, you know what pairs well with wine. Candle making. Yep, at Perfect Wick Candle Makery & Bar you not only get to learn the art of candle making by making your very own candle, but you can also drink wine while you do it. Now that sounds like the perfect date. In addition to a full retail line of candles, Perfect Wick also sells melts and soaps all made from scratch in their store. This place smells seriously amazing. Make a candle and take home to always remind you of your romantic getaway on Amelia Island.
Who doesn’t love a picnic and what it stands for. It’s all about slowing down and taking time to pay attention to the food and to each other. Pair that with the natural beauty of Amelia Island and you’ve got yourself a scene right out of the movies. For a special occasion picnic, Luxe Picnics by Les has you covered with lavishly decorated, yet relaxed Bohemian picnics for small intimate gatherings while Eleve Events offers a variety of picnics for every budget and aesthetic. They take care of everything. You just show up and enjoy!
You’ve heard of miniature golf but have you ever heard of miniature bowling? The latest craze to hit downtown Fernandina Beach is Duck Pinz. It’s like regular bowling but mini. The duck pinz balls are smaller and there are no finger holes in them and the pins are shorter and lighter than traditional bowling. Since it’s pretty hard to get a strike, you are allowed 3 tries each turn. Other than that, it’s the same as regular bowling and it’s way too much fun. Also, did I mention that there’s a craft cocktail and bourbon bar upstairs overlooking the “alley’s”?
After hanging up your bowling shoes, walk next door to Cafe Karibo for a unique, casual and affordable gourmet experience. Dine under the oaks on the beautiful patio or have a seat in the cafe with an fun palette of colors and furnishings. Cafe Karibo offers an eclectic menu of steak, seafood, pasta, and salads.
Insider Tip: The Blackened Mahi topped with a Crab Cake is crazy good.
One of the most popular places to enjoy an ice cold beer is Mocama Beer Company. But, we’re talking breakfast, not happy hour. Enter Mocama Coffee. Housed under the same cool roof as the brewery, the coffee side utilizes state-of-the-art coffee making equipment to deliver premium espressos, drips, pour overs and other signature items. Wake up! Wake up!
One of the most romantic things to do on Amelia Island is to stroll on the beach with the one you love. You’d be surprised at how many plans and decisions have been made simply by breathing in the sea salty air and listening to the rhythmic sounds of the waves lapping against the shoreline. On this, your last full day, let’s get in touch with mother nature. After your stroll, set up a tour with Amelia Island Kayak Excursions. This award-winning family business offers guided kayak tours and rentals, and private motorboat tours. Experience Amelia Island’s waterways and Cumberland Island with fun and personable guides.
Have you been dreaming of Paris and all the wonderful foods you can get there? We have the next best thing right in downtown Fernandina Beach! Bon vivants will delight in the flavors of Provençal France at LeClos. Chef/Owner Katherine Ewing received full degrees in both cuisine and pastry from Le Cordon Bleu and L’Ecole de Gastronomie Francaise Ritz-Escoffier, Paris, and trained at the Ritz Hotel, Paris, France. It’s your last night. Let’s make it memorable!
Insider Tip: Enjoy the perfect vichyssoise, a cool, creamy delight on a sultry night.
After dinner, wrap up your night at the The Florida House Inn, the oldest active Inn in the state of Florida. The Mermaid Bar located inside The Florida House is a small, intimate bar featuring local beers, boutique wines, and handcrafted cocktails… like their signature Mermaid Slap made with some juices, various rums, and a couple of other things thrown in. Be careful, it will sneak up on ya.
These suggestions are just a sneak peek of all Amelia Island has to offer as you plan your Romantic Getaway. Discover more and plan your perfect trip on www.AmeliaIsland.com for a complete list of places to stay, eat and play. We’re looking forward to seeing you back here for years to come.
Amelia Island offers a wide variety of angling opportunities for everyone from the beginner to the hard-core angler. It’s one of the best places to fish under the warm Florida sun.
There’s nothing quite as magical as a Florida sunset and Amelia Island paints a beautiful canvas of skyline colors to end the day. We’ve listed the best places to catch this glorious sight so you can capture the moment.
Take a look at the top 10 family-friendly things to do while visiting Amelia Island. Kid tested. Parent approved!
Take your very own Amelia Island Charcuterie Tour by visiting these dining establishments for their take on this festive board of meats, cheeses, and condiments.
Between the beach and the ocean, Amelia Island offers a myriad of ways to have fun on and off the water. Check out this Beach Lovers Itinerary and get packing!