11 Must-Try Activities in Fernandina Beach FL: A Quick Guide

As Florida locals, Fernandina Beach has hands-down become one of our favorite spots to hang out on Amelia Island, if not all of North Florida! In this guide, we’ve broken down our top 11 favorite activities in Fernandina Beach FL to make planning your upcoming visit a breeze. From checking out their one-of-a-kind Pinball Museum to grabbing a drink at the oldest bar in Florida, we’ve sprinkled in a bit of everything in this ultimate to-do guide! We’ve even designed a 1-day itinerary in Fernandina Beach at the end if you’re short on time. Let’s dive in!

Note: We use affiliate links which provide us a little kickback each time you use one of our links and make a purchase, without any additional cost to you. We do not recommend products that we don’t already love or have heard great things about, so you can trust we’re only suggesting great products to you.

Table of Contents

Toggle

1. Start Your Day at the Welcome Center

Kick off your Fernandina Beach adventure at the Amelia Island Welcome Center on Centre Street. It’s the perfect place to chat with their friendly local guides and inquire about special events that might be going on during your visit!

Their Welcome Center is also a great spot to ask for restaurant recommendations! For our favorite spots to eat, check out our foodie guide to Fernandina Beach, 11 Mouthwatering Restaurants in Fernandina Beach!

Location: 102 Centre St, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034
Hours: Open Daily 10 am – 4 pm
Price: Free

2. Explore Downtown Fernandina Beach

Slowly exploring downtown Fernandina Beach by foot is one of our favorite pastimes, especially when we’re with our dog Ollie!

The Fernandina Beach historic district boasts beautifully preserved Victorian-era buildings that house everything from boutique shops to hotels to some of the island’s best dining spots.

Wandering down Centre Street, you’ll find bustling cafes like Amelia Island Coffee and trendy gastropubs like The Tavern by AIBC—so make sure to come hungry! You’ll also find several small boutiques and small businesses to wander into.

Our favorite spot we’ve eaten at while in Fernandina Beach is Wicked Bao, a modern Asian street food joint!

🎸 Sounds on Centre is a free concert series held at the corner of 2nd and Centre every first Friday of the month from April to October, 6 to 8 pm.

Location: In and around Centre Street
Hours: Open 24/7
Price: Free

3. Visit the Amelia Island Museum of History

Located in the old county jail, the Amelia Island Museum of History tells the story of Fernandina Beach from its Native American roots to its time as a pirate haven and even its Victorian residents of the past. The museum offers well-curated exhibits and docent-guided tours (included with the entrance fee) that make history come to life.

🎟️ This museum also organizes weekly Ghost Tours and an annual Cottage Tour!

Location: 233 S 3rd St, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034
Hours: Open Daily 10 am – 4 pm (1 pm – 4 pm on Sundays)
Price: $10 per adult (free on Fridays from 4 pm – 6 pm)

4. Beat your High Score at the Pinball Museum

If you’re looking for a nostalgic, interactive experience, the Fernandina Beach Pinball Museum is an absolute must.

This place isn’t your typical museum—it’s a fully hands-on pinball arcade packed with vintage and modern pinball machines that you can actually play! We had a blast trying to beat each other’s high scores and admiring the unique themes of each machine—from the Simpsons to Star Wars!

During our visit, we had the pleasure of meeting the owner, Tim Trickett, who shared the history of pinball and shared one of the very first pinball machines. This Pinball Musuem was not only great for pinball enthusiasts but an excellent place to hang out for an hour or so, alone or with friends. If you’re in Fernandina Beach on a rainy day, this is a great activity to keep you entertained indoors.

Location: Sadler Square
Hours: Saturdays and Sundays 12 pm – 6 pm
Price: $10 per hour or $14 per day (prices may vary over time)

5. Visit Fort Clinch State Park

For a taste of local history and a bit of outdoor adventure, Fort Clinch State Park is a must. Inside the park, you’ll find a Civil War-era fort from 1864 that is incredibly well-preserved and offers stunning views of the Amelia River. This fort was stationed during both the Civil and Spanish-American wars, although no battles were fought here. Wander through the old barracks, take a guided tour, or catch a live reenactment of Civil War life if you’re there the first weekend of the month! Throughout the entire park, you’ll also find tons of nature trails to be explored by foot or by bike. More information on their State Park page.

Fort Clinch State Park is one of our favorite state parks in Florida for it’s beautiful sand dunes, whimsical live oak trees, and the variety of wildlife found in the park. We recommend taking the guided nature walk is offered every Saturday at 10:30 a.m., weather permitting. Our favorite hike is the 5.1 out-and-back hiking and biking trail, but we also enjoy the Willow Pond Nature Trail, exploring the fort, or Egans Creek Overlook. Standing at the northern section of the park, you can overlook and see Cumberland Island, Georiga to the north.

Location: 2601 Atlantic Ave, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034
Hours: Daily 8 am – 8 pm
Price: $6 per vehicle

6. Relax at Main Beach Park

You can’t come to Amelia Island without spending time by the water! Head to Main Beach Park, or another nearby beach, to enjoy soft sand, ocean breezes, and plenty of space to relax. Nearby restaurants like Salt Life Food Shack serve fresh seafood and have outdoor seating, making for a fantastic beachside lunch experience! Further down the island you have even more beach options like American Beach, a historic beach in African American history, Peters Point Beachfront Park, and Seaside Park Beach.

Location: 32 N Fletcher Ave, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034
Hours: Open 24 hours
Price: Free and Free Parking!

7. Hike or Bike through Egan’s Creek Greenway Trail

Nature lovers, Egans Creek Greenway Trail is calling! This 300-acre nature preserve offers scenic trails where you can spot local wildlife like turtles, alligators, and countless bird species. It’s a peaceful, quiet spot and a great break from the buzz of downtown, giving you a true taste of Florida’s natural beauty. We always check for route maps and trail reviews on Alltrails, and have included an 8 km loop route for Egan’s Creek below! We love this trail for a hiking or biking.

With offline maps, wrong-turn alerts, and extra planning features, make the most of every outside adventure with AllTrails+. Get 7 days of AllTrails+ for free!

Location: Fernandina Beach, FL 32034
Hours: Open 24/7
Price: Free

8. Check Out a Local Festival

Fernandina Beach loves its festivals, so make sure to check and see what’s going on when you’re in town! When we were there last, we caught the Right Whale Festival and had a blast trying all the food, talking to conservation experts, and learning more about this incredible mammal. Here’s more info about this festival and two others that caught our eye:

• The Right Whale Festival is a free annual festival held every November that celebrates the return of the endangered North Atlantic right whales to the warm waters of Georgia and Florida. Enjoy live music, support their survival, chow down on delicious food, and more!
• The Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival is a huge annual pirate-themed festival held in Fernandina Beach every May with food, music, and activities from dawn to dusk! Best part? It’s 100% free to attend! As north Florida locals, Jen attended this festival as a child.
• Les DeMerle Amelia Island Jazz Festival is an annual jazz music festival held for a week from late September to early October. Here, you can enjoy daily concerts in various locals throughout Amelia Island, some of which require tickets.

9. Grab a Drink at Palace Saloon—the Oldest Bar in Florida

The Palace Saloon, founded in 1903, is the oldest continuously operating bar in Florida. Originally designed as a luxury watering hole for area elites, it still has its original vintage charm. You can grab a drink here, play some darts or pool, and enjoy live music on almost any night of the week! Try one of their signature cocktails or ask the bartender for their favorite drink. It’s a local favorite and a perfect place to end your day.

Location: 117 Centre St, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034
Hours: Open Daily 12 pm – 2 am
Price: $10-15 per person

10. Visit Fernandina Beach’s Farmers Market on Saturday

Every Saturday, rain or shine, the Fernandina Beach Farmer’s Market on Centre Street comes to life with local vendors selling fresh produce, artisan goods, and handmade crafts. On our visit there was even a local band playing live music, something we don’t always see at farmer’s markets!

No matter where we travel, farmers’ markets have become our favorite activity, and they also allow us to support local artisans, meet some locals, and pick up gifts for family and friends! For more information and updates about Fernandina Beach’s farmers market on their website.

Location: N 7th St, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034
Hours: 9 am – 1 pm every Saturday
Price: Free

11. Catch a Live Performance at Amelia Community Theatre

For a dose of culture and entertainment, check out the Amelia Community Theatre in the heart of Fernandina Beach. This local gem, founded in 1981, hosts a variety of live performances throughout the year that feature some of Northern Florida’s top talent. We’ve recently made it a point to check local shows when we’re in town as a unique evening plan and never regret it! More information about performances and ticket prices on their website.

Location: 207 Cedar St, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034
Hours: Varies by show – check their website for show dates and times
Price: Varies by show – check their website for prices

What is Fernandina Beach, FL known for?

Known as the Isle of Eight Flags, Amelia Island is the only spot in the U.S. to have flown under 8 different national flags—French, Spanish, and British, just to name a few! History is apparent in Fernandina Beach in particular, where charming Victorian architecture, like the Fairbanks Home, lines the streets of its downtown. Here, you’ll also find farmers’ markets, unique museums, and modern restaurants serving up everything from expertly prepared seafood (a nod to its days as the Shrimping Capital of the World) to creative fusion cuisine. All to say, Fernandina Beach is a place packed with history, natural beauty, and charm—up next are our favorite ways to experience every inch of it!

Map of Fernandina Beach

How to use this map: We have saved the locations from this guide on this map. You can save this map to your Google Maps by pressing the star icon. In your Google Maps, click the menu icon and then Saved Maps, where this map will appear.

What is the difference between Amelia Island and Fernandina Beach?

Don’t worry, it’s common to get confused with the geography at first! Amelia Island refers to the entire barrier island to the east of Jacksonville, FL, known for its luxury resorts like the Omni Amelia Island Resort, expansive beaches, and world-class golf courses. Fernandina Beach, on the other hand, is the island’s northernmost town, filled with Victorian architecture, boutique shops, a lively dining scene, and more!

1-Day Itinerary in Fernandina Beach

If we had just 1 day for activities in Fernandina Beach FL, this is how we would spend it as first-time visitors!

1. Kick your day off at the Amelia Island Welcome Center—grab a map and inquire about events!
2. After the Welcome Center, meander through downtown Fernandina Beach, admiring the houses, shops, and art galleries. For a quick pick-me-up, grab a coffee and a bite to eat at Amelia Island Coffee. If you’re there on a Saturday, don’t miss the Fernandina Beach Farmer’s Market!
3. Head to the Amelia Island Museum of History to learn about Fernandina Beach’s 300+ year history. Try to hop on a docent-guided tour if possible!
4. Grab a bite for lunch at Salty Pelican Bar & Grill, a lively, two-story waterfront spot serving fresh seafood, meat, and vegetarian/vegan dishes.
5. Spend the afternoon at Fort Clinch State Park, exploring the barracks and meandering its trails. If you’re feeling tired, opt for a chill beach day at Main Beach Park instead!
6. Grab dinner at Wicked Bao, our favorite place we’ve tried in Fernandina Beach! For more recs, check out our restaurant article.
7. To end the night, enjoy a drink and some late-night live music at The Palace Saloon.

Related Articles on Fernandina Beach

• 11 Mouthwatering Restaurants in Fernandina Beach FL: Ultimate Eating Guide
• Ultimate Guide to Downtown Fernandina Beach: Top Things to Do, See, and Eat

Ready to Explore Fernandina Beach?

Pin this guide with the top 11 activities in Fernandina Beach FL to help plan your trip!