Illustration by Marissa Johnson

Along Center Street, old brick buildings feature striped awnings and flower boxes, and illuminated trees sway in the harbor breeze. This Amelia Island port town, with more than 50 blocks listed on the National Register of Historic Places, has coastal charm in spades. The Nassau County Courthouse (the oldest in Florida) stands proud with its steeple and bell tower once used as a fire alarm. A former railroad depot houses a visitor center across from the Fernandina Harbor Marina, where small fishing boats and luxury yachts dock. Amid these landmarks, Center Street is full of attractive storefronts and welcoming restaurants that invite you to stroll, stop and enjoy.

Fuel Shutdown
Since 1995, Amelia Island Cafe is a gathering place for islanders and vacationers. With indoor and outdoor seating (where pets are welcomed with water bowls at the ready), the 140-year-old building is the perfect place to grab a cappuccino and a decadent pastry.

Sisters Act
Palm Beach Princess Meets Her Coastal Grandma at Twisted Sisterswhere breezy dresses and elegant accessories are sold alongside decorations and gifts. Ciebon’s printed dresses, Shiraleah quilted totes, and Amelia Island-themed candles and tea towels satisfy the fashionista and guest looking for a perfect hostess gift.

Page turner
Open for 35 years, the Book Loft is an independent store filled with classic and contemporary fiction, culinary titles, young adult reads, and books about local pirate history. The upstairs houses offer discounted hardback novels and wingback chairs in which to sit and listen for telltale signs from Katherine, the resident ghost.

Casual coastal
The atmosphere is relaxed and chic on the island Lemongrassan independent boutique brimming with handmade leather accessories, men’s and women’s shoes designed for active adventure, stylish bohemian dresses, and Southern-made jewelry.

From bottom to top
Headquarters of Amelia Island Brewing Co., the Tavern by AIBC serves up fancy pub fare like shrimp po’ boys, truffle fries and crispy Brussels sprouts, along with house brews designed to complement the menu. Indoor dining is bright and airy, but you can’t beat the people-watching on the patio overlooking Center Street.

Sweet treat
The smells float outside Fernandina’s fantastic fudgewhere hand-dipped chocolate confections and marble slab fudge are made daily. After dinner, crowds line up for generous scoops of ice cream served in homemade waffle cones, the perfect end-of-meal treat and a must-try Fernandina experience.

Common rum
Florida’s oldest operating bar, Palace Lounge opened in 1903 and survived Prohibition by operating as a general store. Since the 1950s, the bar in front of the pirate statue has served its famous Pirate’s Punch, a secret recipe said to contain up to nine liqueurs and liqueurs.

This article appears in the Fall 2024 issue of Heading south.

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