One of my favorite travel destinations in the US is Amelia Island, Florida. While many, many people have been to Florida I find that few have been to, or even heard of, Amelia Island. Amelia Island is a barrier island off of northeastern Florida featuring 13 miles of gorgeous, wide beaches and native wildlife. I love that Amelia Island feels more “southern” than the rest of Florida does, with huge oak trees covered in Spanish moss and a milder climate. After all it’s a very short drive to the Georgia border.

Another reason I love Amelia Island is the stunningly serene Amelia Island Plantation. The Plantation is a resort community with homes, condos, shops, restaurants, miles of boardwalks through the intracoastal waterway marsh and white sand beaches. The sprawling Omni Amelia Island Plantation Resort is also in the plantation. The hotel is simply stunning with stately palm trees dotting the yellow colored property.

 

 

The grounds of the Omni are gorgeous and have everything you could want in a Florida resort. Rows of lounge chairs surround two huge pools and a hot tub with a waterfall… an outdoor restaurant offers ocean views and the best slice of key lime pie you’ll ever have. The Omni also features boardwalks leading right from the pool to the ocean, which offer instant and easy beach access from the hotel.
Not that you’d ever need to leave the hotel, but if you wanted to, the nearby town of Fernandina Beach is a historic and quirky destination. Cute resort wear boutiques, ice cream parlors and bustling restaurants line the main street, Centre Street. I had such a nice time with my family walking the boardwalks and hanging out on Amelia Island’s beaches last week that I just had to share this spot with you. I sincerely hope to make it back soon!