Why Fernandina Beach Is One of Florida’s Best Weekend Getaways

Tucked away in the northeast corner of the Sunshine State, Fernandina Beach is a place where a relaxed beach vibe meets history. Located on Amelia Island, a barrier island just south of the Georgia line and north of Jacksonville, it offers an easy escape with a more laid-back feel than busier beach destinations. With scenic beaches, a historic fort overlooking the water, and a downtown filled with locally owned shops and restaurants, Fernandina Beach is the perfect weekend getaway. I’ve enjoyed spending time there, and here’s my version of how to spend a perfect couple of days exploring one of the most charming beach towns in Florida.

Fort Clinch State Park isn’t your typical state park. Plan to spend most of your day here, because this park offers a lot—a great beach, a historic fort, and more.

Start your day along the unspoiled shoreline, where a tranquil shell-lined beach stretches along the Atlantic. It’s an excellent spot for shelling, and on my last visit, my boyfriend found the most perfect sand dollar I’ve ever seen. As always, please just make sure there aren’t any animals using the shells you’re picking up. If there are, leave those behind. 

The beach at Fort Clinch State Park is also one of the best spots to find shark teeth in Fernandina Beach. A watchful eye will yield you good results, especially if you search when the tide is low. There is also a nice designated swimming area, but there aren’t any lifeguards on duty, so pay attention to the posted beach warning flags and conditions before heading into the water.

After you’ve filled your pockets with shells, head down the road to check out the park’s namesake—Fort Clinch. Begin at the visitor center and museum, where you can see exhibits and watch a short film about the area’s rich history. Then step inside the main attraction—a historic fort that dates back to the 1800s. 

Although there weren’t any battles fought there, troops were stationed there during the Civil and Spanish-American Wars. You can walk through the fort and explore barracks, storehouses, and other structures that are furnished in period-era decor. As you continue to meander through the fort, you can eventually make your way to the top and take in some impressive panoramic views. 

Pro Tip:  Finding shark teeth is pretty common here, but nature doesn’t make guarantees. If you don’t end up finding any, head to the visitor center near the fort. There is a fun vending machine in there that will supply you with a real shark tooth for just $1. The machine only takes quarters though, so bring some along just in case. 

Downtown Fernandina Beach is a place where you can slow down and explore locally owned shops and restaurants at an unhurried pace. Centre Street is the main thoroughfare in the downtown district, and once you park, you can start your journey at the Amelia Island Welcome Center, housed inside the former train depot. It is a great place to get a lay of the land and learn about the things to see and do in downtown Fernandina Beach. Just outside, you’ll find one of Fernandina Beach’s best photo ops—a statue of David Yulee, the former president of the Florida Railroad Company.

From there, walk across the street to The Palace Saloon, Florida’s oldest bar. It’s been around since 1903 and is a great place to grab a drink and get a glimpse into the town’s past before continuing your stroll. You’ll find several local shops within steps, and when your shopping bags are full, you’ll find some equally impressive local restaurants as well. 

My recommendation for great eats is Garden Street Bistro. Located inside of a historic house on Third Street, the restaurant offers a really cool ambience. Breakfast is served all day, and I recommend that you try the fluffy homemade biscuits. They are so good! The restaurant also offers other items such as pizzas, steaks, fish, lasagna, and more. 

Downtown Fernandina Beach sits right along the water, and a boat tour is another great addition to your day. Amelia River Cruises has a variety of tours, though some operate seasonally. The popular Cumberland Island tour provides opportunities to see wildlife and learn about some of the region’s history.

Pro Tip: The Cinnamon Bear Country Store is a great stop for souvenirs. On my last visit, I went home with an awesome pirate ship Christmas ornament. Try to go hungry so you can also try some of their scrumptious ice cream. 

If you’re looking for easy beach access with a plethora of on-site amenities, you’ll love the Omni Amelia Island Resort. I’ve enjoyed staying here, and the scenic ocean view is a huge factor of what makes this place so special to me. Located right along the shoreline, this resort makes it easy to walk outside and have your toes in the water anytime you want. 

This resort is pet-friendly, and during my last visit, I enjoyed watching my friend’s new puppy enjoy the beach for the first time. The expansive pool deck is stunning as well. It’s massive, and combined with the hot tub and fire pits, it makes the perfect setting to hang with friends and family, while still having ocean views as a backdrop. 

I also love all of the amenities that they have right there, including multiple dining options, shops, and a variety of activities. There’s also a complimentary shuttle that runs throughout the property—a feature that proved helpful during a sudden rainstorm on my last visit. The shuttle service was quick and reliable, and added to the ease of our resort experience. 

You technically could go and spend a whole weekend enjoying the resort, but this is just one of the highlights of Fernandina Beach. Be sure your itinerary allows time to get out and explore some of the other cool places there as well, like the historic downtown and Fort Clinch State Park. 

Pro Tip: Plan a trip to the resort’s nature center to meet Buddy the Macaw. I love seeing all of the critters in there, but Buddy is definitely the star of the show. 

Fernandina Beach hosts a variety of events throughout the year, and timing your visit around one of them adds an extra layer of fun to the experience.

Here are a few of the area’s signature events: 

This popular event offers a relaxed way to explore the downtown district. Ticket holders receive a wristband and a map that guides them to participating shops where wine, beer, and other beverages are available to sample as you browse around the shops. 

This annual festival honors the area’s rich history and its shrimping industry. There’s live entertainment, kid-friendly activities, an arts and crafts show, shrimp boat tours, and lively competitions that include a pirate contest and a shrimp eating contest. 

Fernandina Beach is one of the best Florida beach towns to visit during Christmas, and during this festival, the downtown area is dressed up in its finest Christmas decor. There are theatrical performances, live music, and more. 

The town continues its festive vibes into the new year and is also a great place in Florida to spend New Year’s Eve. Instead of dropping a ball like they do in Times Square, they drop a lit-up shrimp to ring in the new year. 

Just to avoid any confusion, you may hear some people use the terms Amelia Island and Fernandina Beach interchangeably. Amelia Island is the barrier island, and Fernandina Beach is the town that’s located on it.  

If you’re flying in, Jacksonville International Airport (JAX) is the closest airport. From there, you can rent a car and drive to Amelia Island in about 30 minutes. If you’re making a road trip, you can access the area easily from Interstate 95 before hopping off and continuing your journey east to Fernandina Beach. Unless you truly are just planning to stay at a resort all weekend, I suggest having a car so you can easily get around and explore all this charming town has to offer.