Amelia Island Historic District, Florida, United States

5FancyFree55 5:00 PM Oct 23, 2022

Where Do I Begin?
After attending a wedding in Fernandina, we decided to spend Sunday exploring the Amelia Island Historic District. I'd visited only once prior, probably fifteen years earlier, but that windy March day with maximum temps reaching into the high fifties was not conducive to strolling waterfront streets to explore the sights. Fortunately, during my second visit our balmy mid-October setting turned out to be ideal. I was pleased to learn that the historic district was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2021, so it will always be preserved for future generations to enjoy. The Visitor Center, located in a renovated railroad depot, was closed on Sunday, so we decided to wing it. Our first stop was Amelia Island Coffee, which offers a good selection of gourmet blends. After enjoying iced coffees we headed toward the riverfront and found the historic site of the Revolutionary War invasion in 1777 as well as the site of Florida's first Atlantic coast to Gulf coast railroad in 1853. The tracks that run parallel to the river are still in place, and we walked them like hobos for a few blocks to check out some old train cars parked there. I'm always fascinated with our history, so we took time to stop and read about the war and the railroad and the William Bartram Trail, named after a naturalist who spent four years documenting the unique flora and fauna of our state. The street is lined with historic buildings, like the US Post Office & Customs House that opened in 1912 and the Nassau County Courthouse, which opened in 1891 and is one of few remaining courthouses in Florida that were built in the 19th century. I would have loved to tour the Lesesne House, built circa 1860, which might be the only post and beam construction house remaining on the island. Shopping is especially interesting in the historic district because far more options are available than the typical tourist trinket and clothing boutiques that I'm accustomed to seeing. The Christmas store alone was worth an hour of our time, and the gourmet tea shop is irresistible. Check out Pelindaba Lavender, which sells everything lavender (and nothing else). Our visit could not have been more perfect. The total area of the historic district heart is only a few blocks long - not one/tenth the size of Saint Augustine's ancient city and not half as old. But it's incredibly charming nonetheless. If this wasn't a 2-hour drive from home, I could make a habit of spending time here.

5crocuslover 5:00 PM Jan 1, 2022

So fun for the New Year :)
We were there enjoying dinner at a restaurant on New Year's Eve and decided to walk around the historic district. It was decorated so beautifully with the trees all done in white lights. Everyone was heading down to the water so we followed and enjoyed the New Year countdown to the "shrimp drop" (this was done at 7:00 so that children can enjoy it) where a crane lowers a lit up shrimp and then there is a fireworks show. All super fun! We then walked around the town and enjoyed the few stores that were open. We had a great evening and can't wait to go back and try out some more restaurants and do some shopping!