Arts & CultureItinerary
Sample Amelia Island’s thriving arts and culture scene with everything from galleries and theaters to a festival honoring the inspirational beauty and movement of dance. This and much more on an island alive with local artists, actors, musicians, and acclaimed dance and music festivals.
Check into the Amelia Schoolhouse Inn, your home away from home for the next three days and the reason none of their guests mind going back to school.
With 17 guest rooms, a pool, a courtyard with a putting green, and an upscale bar named “The Principal’s Office”, this artsy boutique hotel provides all the comforts of home within walking distance to museums, art galleries, restaurants, and all the culture downtown Fernandina has to offer.
Located on 3rd Street in the heart of downtown Fernandina is the Garden Street Bistro, where breakfast is served all day, every day. Not only do they specialize in original menu items, but they also have incredible freshly baked breads, pizzas, burgers, salads, wraps, and daily specials.
You can sit inside, but you’re gonna want to sit outside in the courtyard – beneath the wisteria vines.
INSIDER TIP: The Hawaiian Omelet is made with Grilled Chorizo, Cheddar Cheese, Pineapple Salsa, Caramelized Pineapple, and Drizzled with Teriyaki Mayo. You MUST try it.
Also on 3rd Street is the Amelia Island Museum Of History. To understand a little more about our island paradise, you’re going to want to take a docent-led tour inside the museum or a walking tour around downtown. Truth is, we have a few dark secrets here that don’t always coincide with the gorgeous place you see today, but pair those secrets with some amazing historical figures and you’ve got quite the storied island!
Soak it all in, then head over to the Welcome Center where you can pick up brochures and see all eight flags that we’ve flown under! If that just whet your whistle for more history, view all of our island museums and make a day of it. Museum Hopping!
Although Mezcal is a relatively new restaurant, the fine owners have been serving up yummy traditional Mexican fare on Amelia Island since 2007. Located right on Centre Street, Mezcal’s interior is as beautiful as the food that comes out of the kitchen.
Favorite dishes include Chicken Enchiladas, Fish Tacos, and Camaron Diabla (sauteed shrimp in habanero sauce). I would totally be remiss if I didn’t mention their tequila drinks, because you literally can’t go wrong with any of them.
Amelia Island is home to two prominent local theater organizations – Amelia Community Theatre and Amelia Musical Playhouse. both host year round shows and both are getting better with each passing year. Founded in 1981, Amelia Community Theatre provides six productions each season on its main stage, plus other shows and events on their studio stage while Amelia Musical Playhouse stages a variety of musicals, plays and revues throughout the year.
Grab a cup of coffee and a crustless quiche at Twisted Table, located on the corner of Ash and S 3rd Streets.
Twisted Table offers a light breakfast of croissants, mini crustless quiche, delicious breakfast sandwiches, and, of course, coffee. All you need to get your day started!
INSIDER TIP: The Goat Cheese Fritter served on a toasted baguette is délicieuse.
Take a Coast One Tour of American Beach and learn about MaVynee Betsch (The Beach Lady), who spent her life educating the public on black history and the environmental importance of American Beach. Namely her beloved NaNa dune, the tallest dune system in the state of Florida!
Talk about the day over lunch on the outside deck at Marché Burette, located at the Shops At Omni Amelia Island Resort. Marché Burette is the market and deli of your dreams, serving up light bites, hefty salads, and delicious sandwiches.
After lunch, stroll along the boardwalk where you can find everything from the latest trends in fashion and accessories to a gift shop and art gallery. Yep, Plantation Artists’ Guild and Gallery is a co-op gallery run by local artists who celebrate art each in their own lovely way and all on display for you. Drop in and take a look at some incredible work done by some gifted artists.
Amelia Island’s natural beauty is the perfect inspiration for artists and a draw for talented creators from around the world who have relocated here.
Visit artisan galleries, studios, makeries, and public art installments perfect for Instagrammable backdrops.
Located downtown and just slightly off the beaten path, Wicked Bao offers small plates, noodle bowls, rice bowls, and their signature Baos – steamed buns filled with choices of fried shrimp, adobo pulled pork, braised pork belly, buttermilk fried chicken, crispy tofu, Bugogi beef, and topped with dressings.
Everything here is delicious. Sit inside or outside on the deck and toast with a homemade Saki of the month. Don’t leave without taking a selfie next to the #lovewall.
INSIDER TIP: Crispy Pork Chop Rice with a side order of spicy Sichuan dumplings will have you wondering how you can get this food shipped home after you leave.
The bagels at Aloha Bagel & Deli are so good that if you close your eyes, you’ll think you’re at your favorite NYC deli.
Committed to serving only the freshest, most delicious bagels, Aloha Bagel & Deli claims to be the “best little bagel shop on Amelia Island,” and I’m pretty sure they are. Try the Nova Bagel, toasted with plain cream cheese, NOVA salmon, tomatoes, capers, and onions. You won’t be disappointed.
Amelia Island is clearly a place for you to peruse beautiful art in many specific mediums and forms of artistic expression by some very talented folks. But we also want you to create your own and be part of it all. Meet Paisley Grace Makery, Amelia Island’s answer to “do it yourself”. From wood signs and epoxy trays to ornaments, porch décor, and sea-glass art, you’ll discover the inner artist you never knew existed.
And the creativity doesn’t end there. You can also get creative on ceramic, wood board, and canvas at Amelia Makery, where audience participation is always encouraged.
Spend a relaxing afternoon at Story & Song Bookstore Bistro, where you can browse shelves filled with books and unique gifts before settling in for a delicious lunch.
Beyond the bistro, this beloved community gathering place is home to the Story & Song Center for Arts & Culture, which hosts an ever-changing lineup of events like acoustic guitar sessions, author talks, children’s activities, and other cultural events. Check the calendar during your visit—you just might discover a memorable performance or workshop to round out your Amelia Island experience.
INSIDER TIP: Ina’s Chicken Salad Sandwich is as good as it gets!
If you have a love for music and the arts, the Amelia Island Chamber Music Festival and Amelia Island Jazz Festival are two events not to be missed. AICMF showcases prominent artists in various island locations from January to May, while the AIJF is held every year in October and features greats from the world of Jazz.
The Amelia Island Book Festival celebrates the love of the written word while the Amelia Island Dance Festival brings together world-class dancers, choreographers, and educators for inspiring performances and workshops. And, we can’t forget our beloved Shrimp Festival, where we celebrate our favorite crustacean with several thousand of our closest friends.
Our little island is loaded with arts and culture, so visit the Arts & Culture Travel Guide for a complete list of events held throughout the year.
When asking locals about their restaurant favorites, the resounding response always includes España. Specializing in traditional flavors from Spain and Portugal, España features just-caught local seafood, an array of hot and cold tapas, and their traditional paella, which is to die for.
The always homemade sangria is full of fruit and is so refreshing on warm Florida days. A varied beer and wine list is also available. Choose to dine inside in the cozy main dining room or outside on the enclosed patio overlooking the garden.
INSIDER TIP: The sangria, breads, and desserts are from family recipes, so you know they’re good.
These suggestions are just a sneak peek of all Amelia Island has to offer as you plan your Artsy Getaway. Discover more and plan your perfect trip on ameliaisland.com for a complete list of places to stay, eat and play.