The Perfect Amelia Island Itinerary
What’s on your dream Amelia Island itinerary? Fernandina Beach, FL, is filled with amazing things to do. Explore sandy beaches, state parks, historic sites, and more on our barrier island. Or simply relax in a guest room at The Addison on Amelia Island. Your visit to The Addison on Amelia Island can be as active or as relaxing as you would like. Below is an example itinerary on how to spend a five-day visit to our area!
Want to know more about what to do in Fernandina Beach, FL? Request a copy of our Amelia Island Vacation Guide when you’re ready to start planning. This free resource is filled with innkeeper-selected things to do on Amelia Island during your trip. With so many options inside, crafting your dream itinerary will be a breeze!
How to Spend a Weekend on Amelia Island
Day One
On the first day of your trip, arrive on Amelia Island in time to check into The Addison on Amelia Island at 3:00 p.m. Lisa or Ron will greet you and take you on a tour of the Inn before showing you to your special guest room. Then, take time to unpack and freshen up before you take a stroll through the Historic District of Fernandina Beach. Be sure to return to The Addison by 5:30 p.m. so you can make it to our daily happy hour!
At happy hour you can enjoy complimentary beer and wine as you socialize with the other guests at The Addison. You planned ahead and asked Lisa to reserve a table at Espana for this evening. Other guests at happy hour have dined there and rave about the menu and the fresh seafood and fish tapas and entrees. España is within walking distance of the Inn, about three blocks, which is a great choice for a convenient dinner on your first night. Our go-to order is a variety of tapas, paella, and, of course, sangria! After dinner, stroll around the block to appreciate the charming ambiance of Amelia Island at night. Then, get cozy in your luxurious guest room for a much-needed peaceful night’s sleep after a day of travel.
Day Two
If you’re an early riser, head to the dining room to snag a cup of freshly brewed coffee. Then, enjoy a peaceful morning to yourself in the parlor, the front porch, or back to your room while you wait for breakfast. You can always count on our innkeeper Lisa to be cooking up something delectable! Each morning of your stay, breakfast will feature a main entrée of something sweet or savory, fresh-baked muffins or mini quiche, in-season fruit topped with yogurt and house-made granola, and meat. Enjoy breakfast on the courtyard verandah with some of the other guests!
After breakfast, take the 10-minute walk down to the marina to catch the 10:00 a.m. Amelia River Cruise. The cruise takes you along the Cumberland Island Shore and you see wild horses, dolphins, and lots of different birds. After the cruise, grab lunch in town at the Salty Pelican, overlooking the Amelia River. After lunch, you can spend some time wandering through the shops and art galleries of Fernandina Beach’s Historic District. Then, head back to the Inn for a soak in your oversized jetted tub and a nap before happy hour.
Chatting with other guests at happy hour is a great way to get more ideas for what to do during your stay! Walking around downtown, you noticed Cafe Karibo which Lisa highly suggests for great salads, shrimp and grits, or burgers. It’s also near the Green Turtle Tavern, which is a great place to stop in for a couple of beers and live music after dinner. Then, it’s back to your cozy guest room at The Addison!
For an alternative day two, head to Cafe Karibo for lunch and board an Amelia Island sunset cruise in the evening!
Day Three
You deserve to sleep in during your trip! After all, you need to decompress from the stress of everyday life! You can still enjoy breakfast on the verandah, as it’s served until 10:00 a.m. After breakfast, take a bike ride to Fort Clinch State Park. The Addison on Amelia Island has complimentary bikes and helmets. Simply let us know that you plan to check one out and we’ll have it waiting in the courtyard for you after breakfast! Along your ride, stop and admire the lighthouse, which is on the highest part of the island across the marsh from the park. Stop at the Fort, wander around the ramparts, and enjoy the breeze and the view. From there, head to the beach for awhile and search for seashells and shark’s teeth. Refuel from your bike ride at First Love Brewing. This local haunt is a great place for locally brewed beer and small bites to hold you until happy hour.
Tonight enjoy a seasonal, farm to table dinner at Burlingame Restaurant located 2 blocks from the inn. Chad, the chef and owner was trained at the Culinary Institute of America and was a chef at the Amelia Island Ritz Carlton before joining former owners, Eric and Deb, to create Burlingame. We love to dine on the outdoor patio and share a bottle of wine or craft cocktail!
After dinner, take a stroll down to the marina to check out the boats. On the way back, stop at Fernandina’s Fantastic Fudge on 3rd Street. We recommend getting an extra square (or three) of fudge to-go, so you can enjoy it later or bring it back to your family!
Day Four
We love arranging special treats for our guests! One of our favorite things to book for our guests is a kayak tour with Amelia Adventures. But first, it’s time for breakfast! On the menu today is a fruit parfait with in-season fruit from the farmer’s market, creme brule french toast, and candied pepper bacon. Drool!
The Amelia Adventure kayak tour is a two-hour excursion through the backwaters of Lofton Creek, through the marsh of Egan’s Creek, or a three-hour tour over to Cumberland Island. You can see spoon-billed roseate, alligators, dolphins, egrets, and, if you’re lucky, some manatees. On the Cumberland Island kayak tour, venture up Beach Creek where you can see the wild horses and chimney tops of the ruins at Dungeness!
After the tour, wander through town for a while and check out some of the art galleries. Enjoy some light, fresh-catch seafood at Timoti’s Seafood Shak. Then, head back to The Addison just in time for happy hour. The other guests can’t wait to hear about your adventure!
Looking for something light for dinner? Head up to Wicked Bao. This bistro on North 2nd Street serves authentic and delicious Asian street food like pot stickers, pork belly bao, and kimchi beef fried rice. After dinner, wander down to the marina and sit on a park bench to enjoy a sunset over the marsh. It’s the perfect way to spend your last night on Amelia Island!
Day Five
Time goes by too quickly on vacation! With so many great local attractions, you might just need to come back for a second trip to experience everything on your Amelia Island itinerary.
For now, though, enjoy your last day of delicious breakfast! Strawberry muffins and a breakfast scramble is the perfect send-off meal. After breakfast, say goodbye to your friends at The Addison before you get ready for your trip home. Don’t forget to check out the gift shop in the parlor to select a memento of your stay at The Addison on Amelia Island. Guests love our ceramic coffee mugs! Then, head off to the airport in your rental car or rideshare service. We can’t wait to see you next time!
We Can’t Wait to Welcome You!
No matter how long you plan to stay, be sure to contact your innkeepers before you arrive so that our Amelia Island concierge service can make reservations and arrangements for you. You don’t want to miss a thing while you are here and planning with an Amelia Island itinerary beforehand helps!
Check our availability to secure your desired dates. We can’t wait to help you plan!