Discover Amelia Island Hidden Gems 

Any time of year travelers make their way to Amelia Island, they’re in for an amazing getaway. From the beautiful beaches and ample sunshine to the top-notch dining and shopping stops to explore, there’s no shortage of options when it comes to boosting an itinerary here. Amelia Island also has off-the-beaten-path attractions and unique experiences to discover if you’re willing to go more off-course and dive into the area’s rich history and landscape. The following Amelia Island hidden gems are sure to take your trip to the next level of unforgettable fun! 

Be sure to request our exclusive Amelia Island Vacation Guide before you head out to discover all of the best Amelia Island hidden gems in the area on your next trip. It’s brimming over with incredible recommendations and local insights for enhancing your vacation fun at every turn. When you stay at The Addison on Amelia Island on your next getaway, you’ll be close to the best of it all. 

Discover American Beach 

Amelia Island is an inviting vacation destination for those who are looking to beach hop their way through a sunny stay, but even the shorelines here have meaningful stories to tell if you take the time to look further. A great example is American Beach which was established back in the 1930s by Abraham Lincoln Lewis who owned the Afro-American Insurance Company. The beach was originally built as a place for employees to relax and unwind. It was one of the few beaches in all of Florida that was open to African Americans during segregation.

Throughout the 1950s, American Beach grew in popularity and was soon a staple on the Florida coast. As time went on. Local real estate developments began to threaten the beach. At this point Lewis’s great-granddaughter, MaVynee Betsch, began to initiate efforts to preserve the beach and local dunes system. American Beach was purchased by Trust for Public Land in 2004. This ensured it would be protected for years to come.

American Beach also enjoys a place on the National Register of Historic Places and since 2018, the Nassau County Planning staff have been diligently working to make sure the unique character of this community and shoreline is meticulously preserved. 

Explore Egans Creek Park 

Located at 2201 Atlantic Avenue, Egans Creek Park is another Amelia Island hidden gem. This park spans 300 acres of lush terrain along Egans Creek River and is home to a robust lineup of scenic hiking and biking trails to explore in good company. Here, you have options to enjoy feeling worlds away from the hustle of life whether you’re fishing from the pier or making time to trek by departing from one of the four local trailheads.

If you’re heading here with the entire family, you can check out the Nature Pavilion at the entrance to the greenway, or spend time on the playgrounds and open-air exercise areas. Egans Creek Park is a place where it’s simple to personalize your time and easy to linger longer than you originally planned. 

Enjoy The Greenway Trail 

The Greenway Trail spans 5 miles of terrain and is a loop trail with mild elevation changes. The trail is considered a relatively easy trek, you will want to plan to set aside about an hour and a half of your day to complete it. If you bring binoculars along for the journey, you can pair your hike with birding. It’s also a popular trail for mountain biking adventures. 

Dine at The Down Under Restaurant 

There are many delicious places to explore across Amelia Island. The Down Under Restaurant is a hidden gem that’s sure to inspire your palate. Located at 96106 Wade’s Place in Fernandina Beach. The Down Under Restaurant is an amazing seafood stop where you can walk up to the open-air patio. You can enjoy a meal, or boat in thanks to the restaurant’s convenient dock. The vibe is decidedly laid-back, and aesthetics lean towards fishing camp chic.. The menu is vast and varied with fresh-caught fare of the day. The Down Under has been serving guests here since 1982 and today, can seat over 200 patrons at a time.   

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