Located along Florida’s Atlantic coast, Amelia Island is a barrier island that has become an incredibly popular tourist destination thanks to it’s numerous attractions and remarkable natural beauty. There’s a great deal to do and see while visiting Amelia Island, and we’ll be exploring some of the island’s most popular activities in this video. From going paddling on Amelia Island’s calm waters to trying out spirits at Marlin and Barrel Distillery, join ViewCation as we take a look at the best things to do in Amelia Island, Florida.
Go Paddling on Amelia Island’s Calm Waters
One of the best parts about hanging around Amelia Island is the fact that the waters surrounding the venerated barrier island are calm as can be. The stillness of the waters make Amelia Island the perfect place for beginning paddlers to try their hand at the popular watersport, though the beauty and serenity of paddling around Amelia Island make it just as popular of a pastime with experienced paddlers, as well.
Paddling can be a ton of fun, and the water surrounding Amelia Island are one of the best places in the world to do it! In addition to the staggering beauty of the island’s landscape and surrounding water, paddlers will also get the chance to see a plethora of interesting creatures as they go about their journey. The immense array of wildlife that tourists may get the opportunity to view while paddling the waters surrounding Amelia Island include birds such as ibis, herons, and egrets, as well as a variety of vividly colored fish.
There are numerous venues offering paddling excursions for those visiting Amelia Island, and tourists should have no problem finding a paddling tour that will fit their needs and abilities. Paddling tours can vary greatly in length, with some tours lasting multiple days! The majority of paddling excursions only last a couple of hours, which means that most should have no trouble scheduling one in during their stay. Regardless of whether you’re planning on paddling for a few hours or a few days, you’re liable to have an experience that you’re never going to forget.
Visit the Area’s Stunning State Park
When visiting Amelia Island, there are two state parks that tourists won’t want to miss on the opportunity to check out. These state parks are Little Talbot Island State Park, and Fort Clinch State Park. Both of these state parks offer something a little bit different, with Little Talbot Island State Park being more focused on the area’s natural beauty and Fort Clinch State Park having a little more to offer for those who are interested in the area’s human history.
First, let’s take a look at Little Talbot State Park. Little Talbot State Park isn’t located on Amelia Island Itself, but instead occupies it’s own tiny neighboring island. Little Talbot Island spans 2,500 acres, and Little Talbot State Park covers the entirety of it. The little island’s state park status makes it far less developed than much of the surrounding area, and this make visiting the island a treat for nature lovers. Little Talbot State Park boasts five miles of beautiful coast, and is also home to such interesting landmarks as Big Talbot Island Boneyard Beach. The beach is named as such due to the fact that it’s covered in twisted and scattered dead trees. This may sound like more of a depressing thing than a beautiful one, but the sight is a good deal more impressive than it sounds. The twisted trees form an incredibly unique landscape, giving the beach an otherworldly feel.
Some of the more popular activities to engage in while visiting Little Talbot Island State Park include fishing, surfing, and hiking. The little island is also home to a plethora of cute creatures, from marsh rabbits to river otters. There’s certainly plenty to do and see while visiting Little Talbot Island State Park, though history buffs may prefer visiting Fort Clinch State Park, which is named after the Civil War-era fort that it houses.
Unlike Little Talbot Island State Park, Fort Clinch State Park actually sits on Amelia Island itself. Of course, the other things that makes the state park stand out from it’s aforementioned cousin is it’s namesake historical fort, which was put to use during the era of the Civil War. While Fort Clinch remains the most notable thing drawing tourists to Fort Clinch State Park, the state park also isn’t without it’s natural beauty. The park feature three miles of protected beach land, and is surrounded by more than a thousands acres of dense woods, which offer plenty of hiking.
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Learn About the Island’s Past at the Amelia Island Museum of History
If history buffs didn’t get enough of a fix while visiting Fort Clinch State Park, they should certainly head over to the Amelia Island Museum of History. There, they’ll be treated to a comprehensive experience granting them all they could ever want to know about the island’s rich history and culture. The museum is specifically focused on the history of Nassau County. In fact, the museum is located within a renovated Nassau Country jailhouse! One of the opportunities that visiting the museum will grant you is the chance to explore an authentically recreated jail cell. This will allow tourists to learn about the history of Amelia Island firsthand, through the eyes of a prisoner! The building that houses the Amelia Island Museum of History was even added to the National Register of Historic Places in November of 2009.
Visitors to the Amelia Island Museum of History will also get the chance to learn about the area’s indigenous population, as well as some of the island’s unique Spanish history. Amelia Island is unique in comparison to much of the surrounding land is that the Spanish, French, and British peoples have ruled it at various points in history. Today, of course, the island sits under American rule as part of the state of Florida. Finally, the Amelia Island Museum of History has an interactive area for children, which means that adults can immerse themselves in the island’s history without having to worry about their kids getting bored.
Watch a Production at the Amelia Community Theatre
Few would predict that Amelia Island would be home to a bustling community of thespians, but it’s true! Those who don’t want to take our word for it can head over to the Amelia Community Theatre and check out one of the many shows that theatre puts on year round. The theatre is much more than just a staple of Amelia Island’s modern culture, as it has been standing on the island since the early 19th century! The Amelia Community Theatre was founded all the way back in 1831, which means that it’s just as significant of a part of the island’s history as most of the things that you’re liable to find in the aforementioned Amelia Island Museum of History.
The Amelia Community Theatre puts on variety of different shows that change each season, so tourists are likely always going to be able to find something that suits their taste. The productions are typically family friendly, so they won’t have to worry about whether or not they can take the little one. The experience is rewarding both for the experience to stand in the historical building and for the opportunity to check out Amelia Island’s thespian population at work.
Learn to Appreciate the Significance of Pinball at the Fernandina Beach Pinball Museum
If historical merit and thespianism aren’t your things, you may find that the Fernandina Beach Pinball Museum is more your style. Anyone who has even the tiniest predilection for pinball will find plenty to enjoy at this incredible museum, which is based upon preserving the history of the classic game. Here, you’ll find a variety of machines spanning all the way back to pinball’s origins. The museum houses machines dating as far back as the early 1900s, as well as plenty of fine examples of pinball machines from more recent times and today. Even if you don’t appreciate the historical preservation element of the Fernandina Beach Pinball Museum, you’ll likely have plenty of fun playing the machines! The Fernandina Beach Pinball Museum stands as one of the more unique attractions that can be found on Amelia Island, and tourists won’t want to miss out on it!
Go Golfing at the Omni Amelia Island Resort
It should come as little surprise to viewers that an island located within the state of Florida should feature some incredible golfing opportunities. Those looking for a great place to golf while visiting Amelia Island need look no further than the Omni Amelia Island Resort. The resort features three separate championship courses, replete with some impressive scenery that will add a great deal to the game. There are dunes, forests, and marshes as far as the eye can see, and each little piece of eye candy adds a little challenge that seasoned golfers are sure to appreciate.
Try Some Spirits at Marlin and Barrel Distillery
If you enjoy great local spirits and have found yourself on Amelia Island, you should head over to Marlin and Barrel Distillery. The distillery has become globally recognized for some of it’s offerings, including Bearing Light Rum and Venture Vodka. Visitors to the distillery will be granted the opportunity to see how these spirits are produced, and they’ll also get the chance to try them out for themselves!
With all of these incredible things to do and see on Amelia Island, it’s no wonder that the barrier island has become such a popular destination with tourists around the world. Now it’s time to hear from you: did you know that the waters surrounding Amelia Island are some of the best in the world for paddling, and that the island has some unique Spanish history? As always, like this video to show your support, and subscribe and hit the notification bell if you’d like to be among the first to know when more globetrotting ViewCation videos are on their way!