Florida Vacations: Amelia Island Plantation, with Video Tour

Our family has a longstanding tradition of Florida vacations. Amelia Island Plantation, or “The Plantation,” as it’s referred to by locals and regular visitors, is located just north of Jacksonville, on Amelia Island. It’s near the town of Fernandina Beach, Florida’s northernmost seashore. The Plantation is a luxurious four-diamond resort, perfect for the ultimate beach vacation experience!

What does the Plantation offer? Luxurious accommodations in one, two, and three-bedroom condominiums and villas, an inn, three championship golf courses, twenty-three tennis courts, gorgeous swimming pools, lakes, natural surroundings, a spa, world-class shopping, nightlife, a gorgeous expanse of beach, a fitness center, a salon, and both casual and fine dining.

Amelia Island Plantation also has its own Nature Center, with a staff of biologists and naturalists. Activities at the Center include bird watching, walks through maritime forests, kayak trips, bike tours, crafts, shark-tooth hunts, crabbing, and outdoor classes about edible plants.

The Plantation meets the needs of every guest, regardless of age. For the kids, there are special poolside activities, nature tours, and kid camps. The entire family can enjoy swimming, bicycling, sailing, and fishing, or just playing on the warm sands of the Atlantic.

With everything you could possibly need right at your fingertips, you may never want to leave the Plantation! But if you do, you’ll find plenty more activities on the island. There’s a great historic section in downtown Fernandina, with lots of shops and restaurants, many housed in turn-of-the-century Victorian homes. Drive the few blocks to Old Town, where the sea captains used to live. The kids will get a kick from seeing the Pippi Longstocking house – the movie was filmed here.

Another place of interest on the island is Fort Clinch State Park. Here, you’ll find beaches, nature walks, a concrete fishing pier, and of course, the fort itself. Take an hour or so to tour the old fort. Kids will love all the tunnels and ramparts, and they might just learn a little history, to boot.

Just a short drive from the Plantation you’ll find Seahorse Stables, where the whole family can take a horseback ride on the beach. This is one of the few places left in Florida that allows horses on the beach, so this is a real treat.

If you and your family are into animals, head down A1A to the Jacksonville Zoo. The drive itself is worth the trip! You’ll pass little fishing camps, islands, maritime forests, and cross rivers and creeks on the way to the zoo. Once at the Jax Zoo, you’ll see all kinds of wild animals in natural settings, along with rides for the kids.

You probably won’t tire of the Plantation restaurants, but in case you do, you’ll find plenty of eateries on the island. There are lots of fast-food joints, along with restaurants that serve Spanish, Mexican, Italian, seafood, steaks, sandwiches, and good ol’ Southern cuisine.

You can find all kinds of package deals for affordable trips to Amelia Island Plantation. Some of these include all-inclusive packages, stays with unlimited golf or tennis, bed-and-beach deals, and romantic getaways. One of the most popular packages is the book-three-nights-and-get-the-fourth-night-free deal.

Make some memories at Amelia Island Plantation. You’ll get a lot of “bang for your buck” here, and you’ll be amazed at the value you get for the price. This is the ultimate in Florida beach vacations!