Escape the holiday hustle and bustle with a relaxing Amelia Island Christmas getaway. Whether you stay in a historic bed & breakfast, a holiday rental by the sea, a luxurious resort, or a room at a familiar hotel, Amelia Island offers you a
home away from home for the holidays complete with magical memory making. Take a look at this Christmas weekend itinerary so you don't miss a thing!
FRIDAY
COASTING INTO THE WEEKEND
Kick off your holiday weekend at
The Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island's Coast Restaurant to enjoy healthy, hearty food from land and sea. Coast offers a fresh new take on coastal cuisine with a seasonal menu that includes local seafood, steaks, fresh pasta, salads and small plates. Try the Lobster Roll served on a Brioche roll with lemon and Old Bay seasoning. Oh my.
INSIDER TIP: You can dine inside but if the weather is nice, I would recommend outside on the terrace for beautiful views.
WORLD'S LARGEST GINGERBREAD PIRATE SHIP
After lunch, you're gonna want to sail into the lobby of
The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island to view the World’s Largest Gingerbread Pirate Ship. "This culinary masterpiece is lovingly crafted by a team of resort pastry chefs who begin baking gingerbread planks in October. The ship is manned by a crew sculpted from rice krispies and clothed in colorful fondant." I'm pretty sure it has served as a backdrop for many a family photo and many a child's dream.
BAR ZIN FOR THE WIN
Dine in a relaxed, upbeat indoor/outdoor atmosphere and enjoy creative American bistro cuisine.
BAR ZIN BISTRO located on the south end of the island, offers a tapas style menu of comfort food everyone loves. Start with the Charcuterie board served with artisan cured meats and cheeses, house pickled vegetables, local honeycomb, and mustards.
INSIDER TIP: The pan seared scallops with wild mushroom risotto is delicious and of course ending it with a mouthwatering dessert is the ultimate trifecta.
HOW THE BIG BAND STOLE CHRISTMAS
If this doesn't get you ready for Christmas, I don't know what will! How the Big Band Stole Christmas is an annual holiday show featuring all your favorite holiday songs, local celebrity singers, dancing, and acting. Word has it that St. Nick himself will make a last-minute appearance before he sets out on his big journey. Take a look at their
official video and then
click here to purchase tickets.
SATURDAY
MEET ME AT THE COFFEE SHOP
It's Christmas Eve, y'all - let’s get this day started!
AMELIA ISLAND COFFEE is located smack in the middle of historic downtown Fernandina Beach and they are always up early. With a variety of hot and cold coffee and espresso drinks, organic teas, freshly baked pastries, and breakfast sandwiches and bagels, I’d say they have all your breakfast items covered. Grab a table or a seat on a comfy sofa and enjoy the eclectic vibe of “the coffee shop”.
LAST MINUTE SHOPPING
If you're worried that you haven't checked off all the recipients on your holiday gift giving list, now's your chance to fix that. Amelia Island is home to many eclectic retail experiences to satisfy even the hardest person to shop for. Check out these
gift giving ideas or peruse through all shopping
here.
LUNCH WITH A VIEW
Watch boats come and go and look out for dolphin in the Fernandina Harbor from the second floor of
THE SALTY PELICAN in historic downtown Fernandina Beach. They feature fresh local seafood, buffalo wings, house made loaded potato spring rolls, Salty Pelican stuffed burgers, and a selection of craft beers and fresh cocktails. Hey, it's Christmas Eve. Time to celebrate!
CHRISTMAS EVE KAYAK
Experience “old Florida” on a 2-hour guided kayak tour through the black waters of Lofton Creek.
Amelia Island Kayak Excursions, a family-owned, award-winning touring company, is offering a
Christmas Eve Kayak where guests can paddle and float through this wooded environment and see the best nature has to offer. Birds, wildlife, and flora & fauna are abundant. Festive holiday attire is encouraged (think Santa hat, jingle bells, light necklaces, or the infamous ugly sweater). You'll also receive a complimentary photo memory of your day on the water.
Photo credit: Amelia Island Kayak Excursions
CHRISTMAS EVE DINING
Enjoy a delicious four-course
Christmas Eve dinner at the Verandah restaurant located at Omni Amelia Island Resort. Delight in their dinner menu with chef's amuse-bouche, choice of appetizer, and entrée including crab crusted grouper and Black Angus Beef Tenderloin. Polish it off with your choice of decadent dessert. $89 per adult and $49 per child (no a la carte service available Christmas Eve or Christmas Day). Advanced reservations required. Book your table
HERE.
CHRISTMAS EVE LIGHT TOUR
Before you turn in for the night, make sure you take in the holiday sights and lights all around the island. Start in historic downtown and make your way to Citrona Drive in the center of the island where lights and merriment can be found in several neighborhoods. Don't want to stop there? No problem.
Check out this list of all the places nearby where you can see fantastic Christmas lights.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
CHRISTMAS DAY CHURCH SERVICES
Amelia Island is home to a number of churches for Christmas Sunday worship. Some that have been around since the nineteenth century! On this most sacred day,
please check with individual churches for more information on Christmas Eve and Christmas day services.
SEA SHELLS AND A SMILE
The way to spread Christmas cheer on Amelia Island isn't always singing loud for all to hear. Sometimes, it's with painted sea shells. The fine folks at
Amelia Shells, a group of people who collect and paint shells and then hide them around our beautiful island for people to find, arrange a fantastic Christmas tree in the sand at Main Beach, full of green colored oyster shells to make up the tree and beautifully painted sea shells as ornaments. Please go and check it out!
CHRISTMAS DAY DINING
Merry Christmas! Whether you don't have access to a kitchen or you just want to relax and enjoy someone else's cooking for a change, there will be something open on Christmas day sure to please every palate. Take a look at
this list of Amelia Island restaurants that are open on Christmas Day to serve you. Whether you dine in or out, we hope this day is joyous.
These suggestions are just a sneak peek of all Amelia Island has to offer during your Christmas Weekend Getaway. Discover more and plan your perfect trip on
www.ameliaisland.com for a complete list of places to stay, eat and play. We’re looking forward to seeing you and your family here for years to come.