If you love cars and coffee, The Amelia is at the top of your list of things to do on Amelia Island. Learn about cars and car culture, view a variety of impressive vehicles, and even ride in some of the cars all within a short drive of your Amelia Island vacation rental.
A thrilling experience since 1996, the Amelia motoring event is an award-winning homage to car culture.
About the Amelia
With legendary honorees, respected designers, and famous personalities, this celebration is one you will not want to miss when staying in one of our Amelia Island vacation rentals. While there are plenty of different activities and shows to enjoy while attending the Amelia, we have created this quick guide to highlight some of our favorite must-sees! Whether you are planning to experience it all or just a few exhibits, consider heading over to the Cars & Caffeine exhibit and the Concours d’Elegance for some of Amelia’s finest presentations.
Cars and Caffeine
When looking for things to do on Amelia Island, your first stop should be Amelia Island Coffee for some of the best coffee in the country. Crafted by a small group of coffee enthusiasts, you will enjoy a warming brew in an antique building before heading over to check out some classic cars.
If you are like us and can’t go long without a cup of coffee, then you will be delighted by the Cars & Caffeine event hosted during the Saturday Cars & Community session of the Amelia car show.
Perfect for car and caffeine enthusiasts alike, this show features a selection of 350 carefully curated cars alongside cups of your favorite caffeinated beverage. So, grab your drink and start your morning off with one of the best displays of classic cars in the world.
Ready to see more? Continue to be enthralled by the Cars & Community events happening all Saturday long. But be sure to leave some energy for the main event on Sunday—the Concours d’Elegance.
Concours d’Elegance
Described as the world’s most prestigious car show, the Concours d’Elegance has focused on collector cars since 1955. When you attend this contest of elegance, you will find that it is all in the details!
Watch and observe as dream cars are judged for their style, history, originality, and restoration accuracy. As an event that sets the bar for all others, do not miss out on this display of some of the world’s most celebrated cars.
The Concours d’Elegance is the main event, but there are plenty of others worth checking out while attending the Amelia.
Other Events to Attend
The Fernandina Beach car show offers events intended to delight everyone who attends. From Cars & Caffeine on Saturday to the RADwood, Concours d’Lemons, and the Hagerty Ride & Drive, the Cars & Community event is well worth a ticket purchase even if you are not planning to go to the Concours d’Elegance.
Attend the RADwood and be transported back to the style of the 80s and 90s. Pull out those parachute pants and compete for the RADest Dressed Award while checking out some of the RADdest vehicles of that time period.
Keep up your energy and fun spirit by stopping by the Concours d’Lemons afterward.
Concours d’Lemons is a humorous addition to the Cars & Community event. Known affectionately for its tributes to the odd and unexceptional, this car show is an amusing play on the elegance and prestige of the other events.
There is no better spot to see the unextraordinary at the Concours d’Lemons, but for a true car experience, you will not want to miss out on the hands-on events during Cars & Community.
If you are searching for some active exhibits, the Hagerty Ride & Drive and the Youth Zone might just be the spots for you. Take your future car enthusiasts to activities designed just for them, and then get behind the wheel yourself with the first-come, first-served guided drives in the Hagerty Ride.
Whether a cup of coffee alongside elegant cars is your thing or you are looking to share your enthusiasm with a future generation of drivers, the Cars & Community event is a guaranteed delight for the whole family.
No matter which events you find yourself most drawn toward, you will want to be sure to stick around for this year’s selection of noteworthy speakers.
Plan Your Visit
Contact our team to help you plan your Amelia Island vacation! Find the perfect rental for your group, and have an unforgettable beach getaway. Browse our rentals today!
Speakers
With 2023’s lineup of prestigious speakers, it is safe to say this year will be host to more than just exceptional cars. Stop by for talks with Jeff Gordon, Justin Bell, Dan Binks, Ray Evernham, and others, and listen to the tremendous amount of knowledge these individuals bring to the automotive industry.
Looking for an insider scoop into the world of racing? Look no further than Jeff Gordon or Justin Bell. As a winner of four NASCAR titles, Gordon is the perfect addition to the speaker’s lineup at the Amelia, alongside the British race car driver, Bell, who has taken his knowledge of the industry and utilized it for his successful career as a content host.
Featuring NASCAR Hall of Famers, media personalities, and essential members of the automotive and racing industries, attend these sessions for a comprehensive understanding of car culture and its historical and contemporary significance.
After a long day of events, you will want to stay somewhere comfortable and close by. Our oceanfront condos are the perfect spots to meet all of your Amelia Island rental needs.
Where to Stay
The Amelia is host to a truly elevated experience with exquisite cars and exceptional speakers. Make sure your accommodations are up to par by staying in one of our Amelia Island condo rentals.
With one to four-bedroom spaces, Amelia Vacations can easily accommodate groups of most sizes. Enjoy making use of grassy backyards, fully stocked kitchens, and easy beach access while staying in any of our rentals, and take advantage of all Amelia Island has to offer.
While staying with us, you are never too far from Amelia Island events and things to do. From the Amelia car show to local favorites, be delighted by how accessible your trip will be.
We recommend finding downtime between car shows for a chance to unwind by hiking, wildlife watching, surfing, and fishing. Our local beach guide gives the insider scoop into the best spots for these activities, but for a place where you can spend the day relaxing along white sand beaches, you can’t go wrong with a trip to Fort Clinch State Park.
Finish up the evening with a delectable spread of local food at the Salty Pelican Bar & Grill. Founded on a history of experience in the hospitality industry, the owners have worked hard to create an enjoyable atmosphere and perfect dishes.
Start off with some seared tuna nachos with goat cheese and wasabi sesame seeds before enjoying their seafood pot pie and fried oysters. As incredible as their main entrees are, you will want to make sure you save room for their key lime pie before heading back to your beachfront condo.
Vacationing on Amelia Island is all about enjoying stunning views. From displays of elegant cars to striking scenes on the beach, your experience will be complete when you stay in one of our oceanfront rentals. With an exceptional team built upon strong foundational values of trust, honesty, and professionalism, Amelia Vacations aims to treat each guest like family.
So picture yourself drinking coffee while enjoying the ocean breeze steps from your vacation condo, and then get started booking one of our luxurious spaces.