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Why Amelia Island is the Place to Be


If I were to write everything that I know about Amelia Island, you would be reading this all day. But I won't do that to you. There are many reasons as to why Amelia Island is the place to be. Whether that be living here, vacationing here, or just taking a day trip here, I'll let you decide. Nonetheless, this island is one of the best places you will ever discover.

Amelia Island is only 13 miles long. WOAH. That's like, really small, right? Correct. But there is so much more to it than that! It was named after Princess Amelia, the daughter of George II of Great Britain and EIGHT flags have flown over the island. The history here is just endless. Now, I am not a history buff so I won't go into any of the history of the island. So let's continue on to the reasons why Amelia Island is the place to be! 1. Food

Ahh, one of my favorite things in life! And there is no shortage of it here on Amelia Island. Whether you are looking for a fine dining experience or just a quick casual bite, we have it all. Calling all seafood lovers! The island is known for having some of the best shrimp. Feelin' some peel n' eat shrimp dipped in tangy cocktail sauce? Head over to The Salty Pelican in the downtown historic district (and try the shrimp tacos, too!) The restaurant is located directly across from the marina and offers breathtaking sunset views from both the top and bottom floors. They also offer live music and happy hour specials. What's not to love about this local's favorite? Alright, so I know not everyone loves seafood. But fear not! The island has more to offer than just that. One of my favorite local spots is a tiny cafe with big charm, Cafe Karibo. It boasts the perfect blend of eclectic atmosphere and affordable gourmet. Enjoy sitting outside on the patio, lite by the stars and cafe-style lighting. If you are vegetarian or vegan or have special dietary needs, this is place you definitely want to try. I just love their veggie wrap! It's loaded with various veggies, black beans, feta cheese, and tofu. YUM! Now, both of those restaurants are not formal so you don't need to wear anything super fancy, but if you are in the mood to get all dressed up and have a night of sophistication, Salt is the place you want to go. You can find this jewel at the Ritz-Carlton on the south end of Amelia Island. This high-end restaurant crafts seasonal New American cuisine and holds a 4.3 star rating. So as you can see, the food possibilities here are endless. Just on the island alone, there are OVER 70 restaurants. Did I mention the island is only 13 miles long? If you're a foodie, this should be enough of a reason to be on Amelia Island.

2. Picnics & Parks

About a month ago, myself and best friend came up with the idea that we need to figure out something to do that won't cost us much, if anything at all. I remembered receiving a picnic basket from my husband at Christmas time and wondered if I would ever even use it. Well, that basket finally came in handy because we actually went out on a picnic that cost us virtually nothing. Unfortunately, it ended up raining towards the end of it for us, but the time that we got to spend with each other was worth it. There are SO many different state parks on Amelia Island to have a picnic. A personal favorite is Fort Clinch, located at the very tip of the North end. There's playgrounds, picnic tables, and lots of wildlife. Grab your nearest picnic basket, or even just a lunchbox & cooler will do, and head on over. It's only $6 per vehicle for an all-day pass! So if you find yourself needing something different to do and you don't want to spend a fortune, head on over to a local park here on Amelia Island and let nature be your entertainer.

3. Beaches

I'm 99.9% sure you saw this one coming. It's almost a given that this would be included in an article about an island in Florida surrounded by water. How would you like to visit a different stretch of beach every day? Well, you can. Amelia Island has more than 40 public beach access points along the coastline. Experience a world of beautiful rolling sand dunes and find turtle nests around every corner. If you're lucky, you may even get to see the eggs hatch! If you need your dose of vitamin sea, the beaches of Amelia Island are exactly what you need.

4. Backdrops & Photos

You're probably thinking, "Wait, what?" That's definitely what I would be thinking too. Have you ever really stopped what you're doing for just a moment and taken in the natural beauty of the ocean waves and how they crash onto the shore over and over? What about the way a bird dashes to find the perfect tree branch to rest for the evening? Backdrops are everywhere. But Amelia Island surely takes the lead for the most beautiful and unique. scenery. I just LOVE renting scooters from Amelia Island Adventure Rentals and riding around the island, underneath the never ending canopies of moss-covered trees and feeling the island breeze hit my skin. The island also makes the perfect spot to take photos! Time to update those family photos? Great Wide Somewhere Studios services all of Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia and offers professional portrait sessions and event coverage. Enjoy making beautiful and magical moments with your loved ones and treasure Amelia Island in the most simplistic way.

5. Festivals

I have never seen such a small community put together so many festivals like Amelia Island does, let alone free ones. There is ALWAYS something going on in town. From April to October, bring a chair and head over to the historic downtown area for Sounds On Centre, a free concert every first Friday of the month. Craving some delicious shrimp? You're in luck. The Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival is held on Amelia Island annually with family activities, art shows, live music, and plenty of shrimp!

6. Location, Location, Location

Yes, the oldest real estate tip known to man. Whether you are buying a home or condominium, the location is the key to success. And Amelia Island is sure to hit the mark. It is conveniently 25 minutes to interstate 95 and approximately 40 minutes to the Jacksonville International Airport. Tons of shopping sprawl the whole county so you never even have to leave town. And let's not forget about the A+ schools! If I've convinced you to purchase here, check out the team of Realtors® at Amelia Island Plantation Real Estate and see for yourself how easy it is to own a little piece of paradise. Now, even if you aren't looking to buy, vacationing here is just as wonderful! Museums, historical landmarks, and adventures are around every corner. The island is also home to two oceanfront resorts, the Ritz-Carlton and the Omni Resort. So if you are looking to get the most out of your vacation, you will surly want to stay at either of those.

7. People

There is something about being in a small town that makes you feel a sense of comfort. Almost everyone I have had the pleasure of encountering have always been the friendliest people I've ever met. Living here and being on an island with such down-to-earth people makes it all worthwhile. There is nothing like Amelia Island anywhere else. I wouldn't trade it for the world.

Disclaimer: This is a personal blog. Any views or opinions represented in this blog are personal and belong solely to the blog owner and do not represent those of people, institutions or organizations that the owner may or may not be associated with in professional or personal capacity, unless explicitly stated. Any views or opinions are not intended to malign any religion, ethnic group, club, organization, company, or individual.All content provided on this blog is for informational purposes only. The owner of this blog makes no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any information on this site or found by following any link on this site. The owner will not be liable for any errors or omissions in this information nor for the availability of this information. The owner will not be liable for any losses, injuries, or damages from the display or use of this information.

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