Amelia Island is rich in history. Some of that history is embedded in the food of the community, while some of it is about the rich architecture and Old Florida aesthetics of the area’s premiere downtown.
Some of it is even soaked in spooky haunts and ghost tales.
Amelia Island has at least three terrific tours, each one representing a different branch of Amelia Island’s compelling and captivating story. We provide a brief overview of what you can expect with each of the island’s three main history tours.
Amelia Island Ghost Tours
We start with the eeriest tour of them all. Amelia Island is soaked in the supernatural. It only takes a brief look over the island’s history to see why with its deep well of pirate lore to the many generation-spanning European families who settled here.
Amelia Island Ghost Tours are usually about two hours and run about a half mile along some top haunted homes and a local graveyard. Learn about local tales which have hung precariously over the locals for generations and unearth photographs which have captured bizarre activity.
Tours are only in the evening. Tickets are around $20 per person.
Amelia Island Downtown Tasting Tours
Looking for something a little lighter on the haunted and a little heavier on the drinking?
Amelia Island Downtown Tasting Tours are for you. These tours take you through Amelia Island’s premiere downtown district, Fernandina Beach. There are three main tour offerings. These are:
- Booze and Bites
- Cocktails
- Private
The Booze and Bites tasting tour is a 2.5-hour tour consists of two eateries and two bars for four stops in total. You get to experience both the drinking side and the eating side of Amelia Island. Each tour is different and varies based on restaurant participation, hours, and more.
The two-hour cocktail tour consists of four stops, with a mix of upscale bars and casual pubs in Fernandina Beach.
Both of these options are available as private tours. Consider a special Bridesmaids, Anniversary, Birthday Girl, or Bride package as you set the tone for your tasting adventure through Amelia Island’s historic district. All private tours are specifically designed around your expectations, tastes, and preferences. During any of the above tours, you can meet the owners, learn about each dish, and see how each location has been influenced and continues to influence the Amelia Island community.
Walking Tours of Historic Fernandina Beach
Drench yourself in pirate lore and architectural history. The Walking Tours of Historic Fernandina Beach capture a broad overview of the island’s bizarre and sometimes controversial history. Tours will usually begin at historic Centre St, as guides will point at some of the oldest homes in the community, historical figures who lived here, and how the architecture has been retained through generation after generation.
The tour will carry you up through the Silk Stocking District. You can gain special insight into the island’s natural history. These tours are rewarding for nature and culture enthusiasts who want to see how Amelia Island has been shaped over centuries. Tours typically begin at 233 South Third Street, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034.
These are just some of the most enthralling tours you can go on. You can also soak in more at the Amelia Island Museum of History with one of the museum’s special gallery tours.
With the entrance to the museum, you can go on a guided tour through the thrilling and thorough Eight Flags Gallery. It covers the “Eight Flags” moniker garnered by Amelia Island, and how eight different very distinct and very passionate cultures have formed the melting pot of the island.
With step-on bus tours, trolley tours, and more, the island comes to life with a guide as your leader. You simply must try one (or all!) of these tours on your vacation to capture the endearing and whimsical sides of Amelia Island.