Amelia Island’s Summer Mixes Old-School Charm with New Twists

Amelia Island isn’t the kind of place that begs for attention. It just keeps earning it.

In the past year alone, this Northeast Florida escape has been crowned Global Traveler’s No. 1 Best Island in the U.S., Travel + Leisure’s No. 2, and Southern Living’s No. 10 Best Beach Town in the South. HGTV even named its historic downtown one of the most charming in the country. Add top-ten rankings from Condé Nast, U.S. News, and a few other glossy lists, and it’s clear: people notice.

But if you’re expecting a flashy, scene-y beach town riding high on its own press—Amelia’s not that. It’s graceful, grounded, and still happy to hand you a map to the shark tooth hunting beach like it’s a neighborhood secret. That balance of polish and understatement is kind of the whole point.

And this summer? The island is leaning into what it does best: a mix of relaxed favorites and thoughtful new additions that feel more personal than promotional.

The Classics, Still Going Strong

The Beaches
Amelia’s 13 miles of coastline stretch along soft quartz sand and unusually tall dunes—some reaching 40 feet. Public access is solid, many with wide boardwalks that make beach days smoother for families with strollers or mobility needs. Horseback rides are still on offer (yes, on the actual beach), and the addition of electric skateboard tours means you can cover more ground, or just cruise at sunset and feel like you’re in a commercial—but in a good way.

History That Doesn’t Feel Like Homework
Fort Clinch is a standout—part preserved military fort, part time machine, and fully convincing thanks to costumed reenactors who don’t phone it in. Fossilized shark teeth litter the shoreline nearby, which, yes, your kids will become obsessed with. And the Amelia Island Museum of History offers actual stories from the island’s past, not just glass cases. Follow it with a stroll through Fernandina Beach’s National Historic District, a 50-block stretch of boutiques, porch-front homes, and vintage shops that still feel local.

Parks That Don’t Phone It In
Central Park is home to a rotating cast of tennis players, pickleball enthusiasts, and pétanque pros. Egans Creek Park skews a little more serene—yoga garden, birdwatching docks, a kayak launch—and offers just enough shade and space to make it feel like a mini-retreat. There’s nothing “extra” about either one, and that’s the charm.

What’s New (and Worth Checking Out)

A Treehouse Stay That Skips the Roughing It
The new Amelia Island Treehouse sits on five wooded acres and gives off just the right amount of magic. It’s not a rustic cabin—it’s a smartly designed hideaway for two, with thoughtful amenities and quick beach access. Less glamping, more “we booked this six months ago and it was worth it.”

Quiet Cruising Done Right
Those new 18-foot electric Duffy boats? Quiet, smooth, and somehow more relaxing than a hammock. Rent one yourself or join a guided river cruise that lets you take in the island from the water—manatees, herons, historic homes, and all. It’s a low-key luxury that fits the vibe perfectly.

Chef-In-Residence (Just for the Night)
If you’re renting a beach house and the idea of dressing up for dinner sounds exhausting, Art Culinarian has a better idea. Chef Brian shows up, cooks a custom meal tailored to your group, and does the dishes before he leaves. It’s a splurge, sure, but one that quietly makes the entire evening feel special without a single Uber or wine corkage fee.

New Faces on the Food Scene
Kismet Coffee is cozy and unfussy, with beans and baristas that don’t mess around. Scully’s Irish Pub brings live music and a friendly pint without the plastic shamrocks. And if you like your dining with a little more theatre, the newly revamped restaurants at The Ritz-Carlton and Omni Amelia Island Resort are worth exploring—especially FloraBelle, the Omni’s new coastal-forward restaurant that leans into seasonal ingredients without over-explaining them.

The Takeaway

Amelia Island hasn’t reinvented itself. It doesn’t need to. But this summer, it’s added a few new threads to an already strong tapestry—one that continues to balance Southern charm, natural beauty, and just enough sparkle to keep you coming back. It’s still the kind of place where you can stroll into dinner in your flip-flops, but also the kind of place where dinner just might be prepared by your own private chef.

And that, really, is the Amelia Island trick: it makes the exceptional feel easy.