May 22, 2019
If you’re dodging a rain shower or have had your share of sun for the day, here are some family-friendly treasures to discover on dry land.
The Amelia Island Museum Of History is housed in the old downtown jail (there’s even a preserved cell kids can enter) and is recognized as a “Let’s Move” museum. Little ones stand at the helm here, navigating their own ships and dressing as pirates and their crew. They can collect stamps to commemorate their trip through history, starting with Timucuan Indians.American Beach was founded in 1935 by Afro-American Life Insurance Company President, A. L. Lewis in defiance of segregation and the prevailing Jim Crow laws of that era for “recreation and relaxation without humiliation”. The American Beach Museum tells the story of this special place.The Marina Welcome Center And Shrimping Museum highlights the local shrimpers, boat builders, and innovators who mad shrimping the main industry of Amelia Island in the 20th century.Specializing in maritime and military history, pirates and Spanish treasure fleets, the Maritime Museum Of Amelia Island exhibits US Navy memorabilia and weaponry, Spanish treasure, and other maritime artifacts.Go vintage at the Fernandina Beach Pinball Museum and play more than 20 classic machines.
The AMELIA ISLAND NATURE CENTER, located at the OMNI AMELIA ISLAND RESORT on the south end of the island, is open to all visitors. Kids are greeted with a “hello” by the resident macaw, Buddy and they can view a variety of live turtles, snakes, and fish indigenous to the region while learning about the island’s ecology and history. This is a great place to book educational excursions for the sunny days ahead. Afterwards, pop over to the SHOPS OF AMELIA ISLAND PLANTATION for some serious retail therapy followed by FALCON’S NEST for hamburgers, salads and creamy root beer floats under a hangar-like display of suspended aircraft. For THE RITZ-CARLTON, AMELIA ISLAND guests, RITZ KIDS offers children aged 4-12 a sensory and educational experience in partnership with Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Ocean Futures Society. Older siblings can lounge with other teens at Our Space. Meanwhile, moms can slip away to bliss at their award-winning SPA. (A Heaven in a Hammock massage pairs well with rainstorms.)
The Amelia Island Nature Center, located at the Omni Amelia Island Resort on the south end of the island, is open to all visitors. Kids are greeted with a “hello” by the resident macaw, Buddy and they can view a variety of live turtles, snakes, and fish indigenous to the region while learning about the island’s ecology and history. This is a great place to book educational excursions for the sunny days ahead. Afterwards, pop over to the Shops Of Amelia Island Plantation for some serious retail therapy followed by Falcon’s Nest for hamburgers, salads and creamy root beer floats under a hangar-like display of suspended aircraft.For The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island guests, Ritz Kids offers children aged 4-12 a sensory and educational experience in partnership with Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Ocean Futures Society. Older siblings can lounge with other teens at Our Space. Meanwhile, moms can slip away to bliss at their award-winning spa. (A Heaven in a Hammock massage pairs well with rainstorms.)
The Fernandina Beach Branch Library downtown is recently expanded and has a children’s room complete with computers, plush toys, reading nooks, and ongoing story time and other activities. If you are not a resident of the state of Florida, you may obtain a borrowers card for your family by paying a yearly fee of $40. You will also want to visit the downtown independent book store The Book Loft for the perfect porch read, from thrilling best-sellers to local lore to board books and puzzles. Story And Song Bookstore Bistro in Amelia Park has a children’s corner, cafe, and an upstairs event space that hosts readings and performances.
Enjoy local talent with a variety of live performancesincluding periodic productions just for families. Amelia Community Theatre has two stages and is located in the heart of downtown Fernandina. Amelia Musical Playhouse offers a variety of shows from “Xanadu” to “Les Miserables.”Speaking of films, movie lovers can visit B&B Movie Theatre on island where all auditoriums feature reclining seating.What better way to spend a rainy day than creating something to remember your visit to Amelia Island by. Paisley Grace Makery is a DIY art studio specializing in Painting workshops for all ages primarily on wood, while Artisan Village Of Amelia offers Epoxy-Resin class where various paints are mixed into glass-like resin-epoxy and then swirled onto a 12″ x 12″ wooden board that you can take home after 24 hours of drying time.
Plan your “escape” at Amelia Island Escape Rooms where you and your team will assemble in a themed room and will have one hour to complete your mission and “escape” the room.A successful escape will require you to find hidden clues and solve challenging puzzles throughout the room.And check out our calendar to see what’s going on when you’re on Amelia Island.