Ultimate Guide to Downtown Fernandina Beach: Top Things to Do, See, and Eat

As Florida natives, we’ve fallen in love with downtown Fernandina Beach time and time again. Located just 45 minutes north of Jacksonville, this historic seaside town on Amelia Island offers everything from a quaint historic downtown to lush state parks, mouthwatering eats, and clean, sunny beaches.

In this Ultimate Guide, we share our top 5 things to do, can’t-miss restaurants, the best months to visit, and more insider tips. For those arriving by boat, don’t miss our dedicated Boater’s Guide to Fernandina Beach towards the end, which has info on docking, marinas, provisioning, and more!

What is Fernandina Beach, FL known for?

Fernandina Beach was the birthplace of the modern shrimping industry and the only U.S. city to have flown eight different national flags! This unique history is most visible in its well-preserved Victorian architecture, historic Fort Clinch State Park, and the annual Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival. Beyond historical offerings, downtown Fernandina Beach offers a plethora of modern amenities, from creative restaurants and Victorian-style hotels to well-kept beaches and pristine state parks. Let’s kick things off by exploring some of the top things to do in Fernandina Beach!

Our 5 Favorite Activities in Downtown Fernandina Beach

Fernandina Beach offers loads of exciting things to do, whether you’re looking for a relaxing beach getaway, a one-of-a-kind historical trip, or even a restaurant-filled foodie weekend. In this section, we’ve outlined our top 5 must-do activities in and around downtown Fernandina Beach.

1. Explore Downtown Fernandina Beach

A trip to Fernandina Beach isn’t complete without exploring its historic downtown on foot! This has easily become our favorite way to spend an afternoon in Fernandina—especially when visiting with our dog, Ollie. Fernandina Beach historic district is full of beautifully preserved Victorian homes that house everything from boutique shops to hotels, and even some of the island’s best dining spots.

We recommend starting at the Amelia Island Welcome Center to grab a map and speak to the guides before setting out to explore. We found downtown Fernandina Beach to be very walkable, so we wouldn’t worry about finding transportation to make your way through the downtown.

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

2. Visit the Amelia Island Museum of History

Housed in the former county jail, the Amelia Island Museum of History showcases the fascinating history of Fernandina Beach, from its Native American origins to its days as a pirate hotspot and the elegant Victorian era.

The museum features thoughtfully curated exhibits and engaging docent-led tours (included with admission) that bring Fernandina Beach’s unique past to life. It’s a must-visit spot for history buffs and curious travelers alike!

If you’re in town on a Friday afternoon, admission is free from 4 pm – 6 pm every Friday!

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)

3. Visit Downtown Fernandina Beach’s Farmers Market on Saturday

Every Saturday, rain or shine, the Fernandina Beach Farmer’s Market on Centre Street comes to life. Here, you’ll find local vendors selling fresh produce, artisan goods, and handmade crafts. On our visit, a local band was playing live music, something we don’t always see at farmer’s markets! Ther Fernandina Beach Farmer’s Market is one of our favorite that we’ve seen on our travels.

No matter where we travel, farmers’ markets have become one of our favorite activities. They allow us to support local artisans, meet some locals, and pick up gifts for family and friends all in one spot! More information and updates about Fernandina Beach’s farmers market can be found on their website.

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

4. 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!

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. 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 several nature trails to be explored by foot or by bike—we’ve linked a map to one below on Alltrails. More information on their State Park page.

We love using AllTrails to download maps offline so we can always stay on the trail. Sign up for AllTrails+ so you too can download maps offline before your hike!

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

Downtown Fernandina Beach surprised us with the variety of mouthwatering culinary offerings it had! You’ll find the majority of restaurants and bars concentrated around Centre Street, making it easy to restaurant hop to your heart’s content. Here, we’ve included a shortlist of our favorite restaurants, bars, coffee shops, and more! For even more eatery recs, check out our blog post dedicated to eating in Fernandina Beach—11 Mouthwatering Restaurants in Fernandina Beach FL: Ultimate Eating Guide.

Restaurants

• Wicked Bao is a trendy eatery, and our favorite restaurant in Fernandina, serving up Asian street food style eats, from pork ramen to kimchi fried rice. Open daily for dinner only from Tuesday to Saturday, closed on Sunday and Monday. You might get lucky and even meet the owner like we did, as she welcomed us into the restaurant and explained the menu.
• España Restaurant & Tapas is a traditional Spanish restaurant dishing out Paella Valenciana and a wide variety of tapas (small, Spanish appetizers). Open daily for dinner only.
• The Tavern by AIBC is a trendy gastropub in Fernandina Beach where you can find flights of craft beer, small bar eats, and even full meals. Open daily for lunch and dinner.
• The Salty Pelican is a huge bar and grill serving up fresh seafood, meat, and even vegetarian/vegan dishes. Open daily for lunch and dinner.

Drinks and Breweries

• The Palace Saloon, founded in 1903, is the oldest continuously operating bar in Florida. Head over for one of their signature cocktails, a round of darts or pool, and even live music! Open daily until 2 am.
• Hofbrau Amelia Beer Garden is a German Biergarten with imported beer, fine wines, small bar eats, and authentic German dishes like Wienerschnitzel and Bratwurst! Open Thursday through Monday for lunch and dinner, closed on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Breakfast and Coffee

• Amelia Island Coffee is your classic downtown coffee shop serving up a variety of full breakfasts, espresso drinks, and flakey pastries! Open daily for breakfast and lunch.
• Aloha Bagel & Bakery is your classic bagel, salad, and sandwich shop, perfect for a dine-in or to-go meal that hits the spot. Open daily for breakfast and lunch.

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.

Annual Festivals in Fernandina Beach

Fernandina Beach loves its festivals, so make sure you know what’s going on when you’re in town! Amelia Island frequently updates its Events Page with the latest info on local events each month. Here are three festivals 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. We had a blast at this festival—trying all the food, talking to conservation experts, enjoying the live music, and learning more about this incredible mammal!

• 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 require tickets.
• 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!

What is the difference between Amelia Island and Fernandina Beach?

Amelia Island is the name of the whole 13-mile barrier island in Northeast Florida, while Fernandina Beach is the historic town on its northern end. Think of Amelia Island as the bigger destination with beaches, resorts, and nature, and downtown Fernandina Beach in particular as its charming, small-town heart full of history, shops, and great restaurants.

What is the best month to visit Amelia Island?

The best month to visit Amelia Island depends on what you’re looking for, but spring is a standout. From March to May, the weather is warm but not too hot, making it perfect for beach days, outdoor activities, and exploring downtown Fernandina Beach. Spring also brings events like the Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival in May. If you’re looking for fewer crowds and mild weather, fall (September to November) is another great option, with the bonus of stunning sunsets, quiet beaches, and the Right Whale Festival in November. Since Amelia Island is located on the ocean, it gets a decent breeze, making it cooler than mainland Florida.

How much time do you need in Fernandina Beach?

You can enjoy the highlights of Fernandina Beach in 1-2 days, perfect for exploring the historic downtown, dining at local restaurants, and visiting Fort Clinch State Park. However, if you have 3-4 days, you can afford to take your time relaxing on the beach, using a full day to hike or bike a local trail, or even exploring the greater Amelia Island.

Getting To and Around Fernandina Beach

In this section, we’ll cover everything you need to know about getting to Fernandina Beach, including transportation options from major cities like Jacksonville and Savannah. Plus, we’ll dive into the town’s walkability and the best places to park.

How to get to Fernandina Beach

Fernandina Beach is best accessed by car, with plane, train, and bus services stopping about 45 minutes away in Jacksonville. If you take a bus, plane, or train to Jacksonville, your best bet is grabbing a car share or car rental to Fernandina Beach. Here’s a breakdown of how to get to downtown Fernandina Beach and/or Jacksonville.

• By Car – For those driving in, Fernandina Beach is conveniently located right off of I-95. It’s a 45-minute drive from Jacksonville, 2 hours from Savannah, and 3 hours from Orlando.
• By Plane – The nearest airport is Jacksonville International Airport (JAX), just 45 minutes away by car. It’s served by major airlines and offers plenty of rental car and shuttle options.
• By Train – The closest Amtrak station is in Jacksonville, approximately 45 minutes from Fernandina Beach. From there, you can rent a car, take a taxi, or use a ride-sharing service to reach the island.
• By Bus – Greyhound services stop in Jacksonville. From the bus terminal, you’ll need to arrange transportation to Fernandina Beach, either by car rental, taxi, or ride-share.

Is Fernandina Beach Walkable?

Yes! Fernandina Beach has earned itself a Walkability Score of 75, making it a very walkable city! It also has a bike score of 53, making it possible to comfortably bike around if desired.

We had no issues making our way around downtown, but it is useful to have a car to get to the beaches to the East or Fort Clinch State Park to the North.

Another option for moving around Fernandina Beach and the greater Amelia Island is Anchor Trolley and Transport. They organize historic trolley tours, brewery tours, and more!

Where to park in Fernandina Beach

In general, we found that it’s quite simple to find parking, and free parking at that, when driving into Fernandina Beach. You’ll find many small lots with large signs for dedicated parking, making it an easy spot to navigate by car. Here are 3 free parking lots we found both downtown and right outside of Main Beach Park:

• Free Lot on Alachua and N 2nd St (Downtown)
• Free Lot on N 3rd St (Downtown)
• Main Beach Free Parking (Beach)

Where to Stay in Fernandina Beach

Looking for the perfect place to stay in Fernandina Beach? Whether you have your eye on fancy beachfront hotels, cute budget-friendly spots, or campsites under the stars, we’ve got you covered. There’s something for every vibe and budget in Fernandina!

Hotels

• Amelia Hotel at the Beach – Budget Beachside Hotel, 2.6 miles from downtown
• Hampton Inn & Suites Amelia Island – Moderate Downtown Hotel, located near the historic harbor
• Amelia Island Williams House – Luxury Bed & Breakfast, downtown Fernandina Beach, Victorian style

Campgrounds

• Fort Clinch State Park Campground – Conveniently located right in the heart of Fort Clinch State Park, this campground offers secluded campsites, clean bathrooms, and 30 and 50-amp hookups. More information on Florida’s State Park page.
• Fort Clinch Atlantic Beach Campground – Fort Clinch’s second campground, located on the eastern shore of Amelia Island. Similar amenities to above.

Boater’s Guide to Fernandina Beach

While living on our boat and traveling around America’s Great Loop, we learned a thing or two about boating. One of the main takeaways was to always have a game plan. Although we didn’t dock in Fernandina Beach during our Great Loop, we did anchor here. We’ve compiled all the information to make it easy for boaters to enjoy their stay, including anchorage, marina docks, provisioning, and more.

How to Approach

Approaching Fernandina Beach by boat is a breeze, thanks to its convenient location along the Intracoastal Waterway and proximity to the Atlantic Ocean. Boaters can enter the ICW from the Atlantic Ocean at the northern end of Amelia Island, the southern end, or travel along the protected waters of the Intracoastal Waterway.

The majority of boaters enter into St. Mary’s Entrance from the ocean, just by Fort Clinch State Park, and then turn South into the Amelia River. The channel is deep as it is used by commercial shipping vessels, and submarines are often spotted entering as it is near the Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay just north in Georgia.

This area of Florida is known for large tidal swings of about 6-8 feet, with greater tidal changes during king tides. The large tidal changes also mean a strong current. When anchoring, it’s important to be mindful of the tidal change and account for it where you choose to anchor and how much chain you’re laying out. When docking, it’s important to dock into the current for best control of your boat or during slack tide.

Where to Dock

Oasis Marina at Fernandina Harbor is the closest marina to downtown Fernandina Beach. They are known for their well-maintained facilities, knowledgeable staff, and overall efficiency. Tiger Point Marina is a bit further north on Amelia Island, a great second option if you’re looking to explore Fort Clinch State Park.

Where to Anchor

If you’re looking to anchor, there are several anchorages up and down Amelia River, such as this Fernandina Beach Anchorage. We stayed in this anchorage in April 2021 and had a good experience. The anchorage symbol is near the mooring ball field associated with Oasis Marinas. We anchored just south of the mooring field and paid a daily use fee to take our dinghy to shore. We recommend checking Waterway Guide for reviews and additional information about anchorages.

Check out our Great Loop Anchorages and Free Docks Spreadsheet with 600+ anchorages!

Provisioning

• Saturday’s Farmers Market from 9 am – 1 pm, conveniently located downtown
• Winn-Dixie a 13-minute bike ride down Amelia Island
• Walmart right by Winn-Dixie

Wifi

• Nassau County Public Library – Fernandina Beach Branch – Quiet public library located right in downtown Fernandina Beach.
• Amelia Island Coffee – Quaint little coffee shop with friendly workers where you can easily get some work done with your order.
• Mocama Coffee – Another cozy coffee shop a bit further down the island with fast wifi and delicious coffee!

Hardware + Marine Supplies

Walmart is your best bet for marina supplies in this area, although if you’re staying at a Marina, they may have a small store on site.

Download the free Waterway Guide App to locate marinas, services, anchorages, free docks, navigation alerts, bridges, locks, and more!

Related Articles on Fernandina Beach

• 11 Mouthwatering Restaurants in Fernandina Beach FL: Ultimate Eating Guide
• 11 Must-Try Activities in Fernandina Beach FL: A Quick Guide

Ready to Explore Fernandina Beach?

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