Shell-Collectors Go Back to School
When I plan a getaway, I like to invite a friend or family member who would appreciate the particular travel locale. So, when I decided to go on a “shelling” weekend, I knew I should ask my cousin, Julia. Both she and I share the same obsession of collecting seashells.
What makes this weekend trip special is that we both instantly named our dream “shelling” destination as Fernandina Beach on Amelia Island, located just off the coast of Jacksonville in northeast Florida. Fernandina Beach is renowned for large amounts of unique shells of many kinds washing ashore. The location was an easy 2-1/2-hour drive from my home. Julia flew into the Jacksonville airport from New York.
Besides our passion for shelling, is our obsession for finding unique hotels that add to the excitement of travelling. And, since we’d be spending hours on the beach each day picking up shells, we wanted to stay in a nice hotel offshore, so we could enjoy the history, shopping, restaurants, and the nightlife. I did my homework to find a hotel, and we literally went to “school.”
Amelia Schoolhouse Inn: A Unique Gem, Full of History
The Amelia Schoolhouse Inn experience was the closest I’ve ever been to visiting the school principal’s office! Located at downtown Fernandina Beach on the historic Amelia Island, this inn was the original school built on the island in 1886. When the school closed, the building had been used for multiple non-school purposes. Then, in 2017, a complete restoration turned it into a most charming inn.
One step into the Amelia Schoolhouse Inn and you would think it was the original décor! The brick, the windows, the hardwood floors, and other elements made us feel like we stepped back in history. But rest assured, the inn offers modern hotel amenities.
Quaint, Comfortable Accommodations and Amenities
Amelia Schoolhouse Inn boasts 17 guest rooms, a heated pool, a courtyard with a putting green, and an upscale bar named appropriately, “The Principal’s Office.” My Premium Queen room was spacious, meticulously clean, and beautiful! I was so pleased to have a ceiling fan to circulate air. It felt like home! They proudly provide guests with all the amenities that a boutique inn would offer.
Hotel amenities include:
:: Daily housekeeping
:: Free Continental breakfast
:: Coffee available 24/7
:: Free parking
:: Free WIFI
:: Heated pool
:: Courtyard with putting green
:: Elevator onsite
:: Adults only
:: No pets
Room amenities:
:: Plush pillowtop mattress
:: Ceiling fan
:: Bathrobes
:: Desk
:: Refrigerator
Room types include:
:: Premium King Room
:: Premium Queen Room
:: Classic King Room
:: Classic Queen Room
:: Classic Queen Suites
Where To Eat, Drink, and Shop
At the inn, we enjoyed the daily Continental breakfast (delicious muffins!), and the Principal’s Office tavern was fantastic. It was nice listening to live music on the outdoor couches not to mention the really good daily drink specials. The Keurig was a nice touch for some extra caffeine when we needed it, and the late-night snacks of popcorn and cookies were an added treat.
After we enjoyed happy hour at the inn’s tavern, we took an easy five-minute walk downtown where we could choose from 30+ restaurants. If you like seafood, try the popular Timoti’s Seafood Shak for a basket of the fresh catch of the day. The Salty Pelican, another local seafood restaurant, serves the most delicious tuna nachos and famous broiled oysters. Verandah offers traditional Southern seafood. Bob’s Steak & Chop House is known for outstanding cuts of prime steaks. Other popular restaurants that were recommended to us were the España Restaurant and Tapas, Wicked Bao, and Hola! Cuban Cafe.
If you’re looking to enjoy cocktails and live music be sure to visit The Palace Saloon, apparently the oldest bar in Florida that managed to stay open during Prohibition. The Sandbar & Kitchen offers more than 1,200 varieties of Whiskey. You can even take the Booze & Bites tour with Amelia Island Downtown Tasting Tours.
Shelling on Amelia Island’s Fernandina Beach
Fernandina Beach on Amelia Island is known as one of the best Florida shelling beaches in North Florida. We arrived at the beach during low tide and “Wow!” Fernandina beach did not disappoint! We collected pails and pails of unique and beautiful seashells that washed up on the shoreline. It was like a treasure hunt of shells! What impressed me most is that the shells were perfectly intact, not broken shells like at most other beaches.
So Many Fun Things to Do in Fernandina Beach
Amelia Island offers 13 miles of shoreline with 40 public beach access points. Whether you just want to relax by the ocean, or do water activities, there’s something for everyone in the Fernandina Beach area including many places to have a picnic, charter a catamaran, go paddleboarding, or rent a kayak.
Fernandina Beach is known for its year-round festivals so check the calendar before you select your vacation dates. Just about every month, there is something fun to celebrate. We just loved walking down the simply charming Centre Street with Victorian-era mansions. It serves as the center of downtown and in addition to the restaurants, you can window shop at the quaint stores, beautiful art galleries, and much more.
If you like history as we do, pay a visit to the Amelia Island Museum of History. We did a self-tour, but we noticed that the museum offers docent-led walking tours of the downtown historic district. After the museum, drop by the Fort Clinch State Park, where you’ll be transported back in time with a 19th-century Civil War fortress. You can hike or take a bicycle ride at that state park, as well. Locals say if you hike the park’s trails, you may even find some sharks’ teeth.
One of the Fernandina’s most popular tourist spots that we thought was very cool was the oceanfront mini-golf course. The views we enjoyed while playing added to the experience.
The Blue Door Artists was a highlight as we climbed the colorful stairs to browse and shop from an assortment of paintings, jewelry, sculptures, and so many unique creative works of art.
Final Report Card: “A” Grade Goes to the Amelia Schoolhouse Inn
I truly appreciated the immaculate accommodations, the most extraordinary staff and the perfect location. I did make a note that with only 17 guest rooms, I need to plan ahead because it books up fast.
And the history inside that old schoolhouse really added to the ambience. The attention to detail was impressive: restored hardwood floors, the staircase, the bar and the high ceilings. We especially loved looking at the historical photos displayed inside the inn. Adding to our love for history was the inn’s location to the historical downtown area. While “school’s out” for this particular weekend getaway to Fernandina Beach, I look forward to “repeating the class” by booking another stay at the Amelia Schoolhouse Inn so I can go “shelling” again.