We enjoyed a relaxing long weekend in Amelia Island! Located off Florida's northeast coast, Amelia Island offers a tranquil retreat with its pristine beaches, rich history, and excellent dining scene. Whether you're seeking a family vacation or a romantic getaway, this destination has something for everyone.

The winters can be long in Cleveland, so a girls’ trip to Amelia Island with my sister was just what we needed to relax and rejuvenate. Just 35 minutes outside of Jacksonville, this cozy and quaint town was the perfect getaway filled with delicious eats, endless sun, and fun adventures.

Day 1: Welcome to Amelia Island!

We took an early flight from Cleveland to Jacksonville (with a short layover in Nashville) and arrived in Florida around 10 AM. We secured a rideshare from the airport and enjoyed a 35-minute scenic drive to our destination. We stayed at the Residence Inn Amelia Island, and this spot was exactly what we were looking for. The staff was incredibly friendly and we enjoyed amenities including complimentary breakfast every morning, a beautiful outdoor patio complete with a fire pit, a fitness center, a pool, and our favorite: a FREE shuttle that took us anywhere on the island. Our check-in was not until 3 PM, so we asked to be put on the early check-in list, left our luggage with the concierge, and began exploring the area.

The first order of business was sinking our toes in the sand on Fernandina Beach, only a brief 5-minute walk from our accommodations. We enjoyed a nice stroll along the beach before grabbing a bite to eat at Slider’s Seaside Grille, an oceanside restaurant and tiki bar serving up delicious eats. We especially enjoyed their crab cakes!

After a refreshing walk on the beach and a light lunch, we were informed that our room was ready! We stayed in a 2-bedroom suite, which featured 2 separate rooms, each of which included a king bed and full bathroom as well as a kitchen, dining area, desk, and living room.

Once settled in our accommodations for the weekend, we changed into our swimsuits and set out for the pool. In late March, the pool water was unheated, so we enjoyed relaxing poolside in the warm Florida sun. However, they did have a hot tub that was well-loved by hotel guests during our stay.

Our dinner reservation was not until 7:45 PM, so we enjoyed as much sun as we could before coming back to our room to freshen up. It was so convenient having separate bathrooms as we were able to get ready for the evening so much quicker.

We utilized the free shuttle for our dinner at Lagniappe, an upscale restaurant on the island serving up cuisine with unique twists on Southern culinary staples. The food and cocktails were excellent, and the vibe was very intimate; a perfect spot to go for a date night!

PRO TIP: Our shuttle ran from 9 AM - 9 PM, so if you do not anticipate renting a car, we recommend scheduling Ubers/Lyfts in advance if you plan to be out later, as rideshares are not as readily available on the island!

Day 2: A Leisurely Sunday on the Island

We started our morning bright and early by taking the shuttle to the historic Downtown Amelia Island. We enjoyed shopping at the local boutiques and souvenir shops and learning more about the village that was once a stomping ground for pirates, Gilded Age millionaires, and bootleggers.

For breakfast, we enjoyed authentic, made-to-order donuts from Vintage Donuts — and the best part — YOU get to decide the toppings! We chose from a variety of icing and toppings to create our perfect curated treat.

The weather was warming up, so after some shopping and exploring, we ventured back to our hotel to change and made our way to the beach! They had a rental shack right by the beach, which we took full advantage of by renting beach chairs for the day. This was so convenient for travelers like ourselves who did not pack any!

For dinner, we went with something more casual: Salt Life Food Shack — your typical oceanside restaurant for locals and out-of-towners alike. We enjoyed dinner on the patio while sipping on beachy cocktails and munching on street tacos and the most AMAZING chicken sandwich!

We, of course, can never deny dessert, so we indulged in a delicious blondie and soaked up the amazing ocean views as the sun began to set. It did begin to get chilly on the patio, but the staff brought out heaters to make sure guests were comfortable!

After dinner, we took a quick shuttle back over to downtown Amelia Island to play a round of mini golf at Gregor MacGregor’s Mini Links & Drinks. The course was SO fun, and if we didn’t get there 30 minutes before they closed, we would have loved to try their frozen cocktails, but now it’s the perfect excuse to go back!

Day 3: Learning the History of the Island

On Monday, the weather was looking a bit cloudy, so we had a slow start to the morning. We enjoyed the complimentary breakfast at our hotel and got ready for a visit to Fort Clinch State Park, one of the most well-preserved 19th-century forts in the country. It was so cool to get the opportunity to walk through the many rooms, galleries, and grounds. Whether you’re a history buff, nature lover or both, Fort Clinch is a must-see during your visit to Amelia Island.

By the early afternoon, it was still looking cloudy, so we grabbed a light lunch at Cafe Karibo, an eclectic cafe in downtown Amelia Island. We took advantage of any opportunity to sit on a patio during our trip, so we enjoyed our lunch on their expansive patio. Once we wrapped up our meal, the sun began to peek through, and we knew it was time to head back to the hotel and sit by the pool!

After some much-needed time by the pool, we changed for dinner at my favorite spot of the trip: The Patio at 5th and Ash. We did have to wait for a 2-person table on a Monday evening, so we recommend making a reservation to guarantee your visit. Their cocktails were stellar, the entrees were incredible, and we ended the night with an amazing peanut butter pie. Another fabulous date night spot on the island!

Day 4: Soaking Up the Last Hours on the Island

We had an early evening flight home to Cleveland, so we enjoyed another breakfast at the hotel and packed up our belongings to check out of our room. We left our luggage with the concierge and spent the late morning and early afternoon soaking up the last few hours on the island. We ventured back to downtown Amelia Island to do a little more shopping and sightseeing, and ended our trip with lunch at Mezcal Spirit of Oaxaca and ice cream at Fernadina’s Fantastic Fudge.

We had such an amazing long weekend on Amelia Island soaking up the sun, exploring the town, and indulging in excellent cuisine. We cannot wait to come back and visit the area again!