| We spent our Spring Break in North Florida’s Amelia Island having an “Old Style” Florida family vacation. We decided to take a break from the theme parks and head to Amelia Island Plantation, where the Southern hospitality and charm stole our hearts.
My kids said they wanted to stay at the two-bedroom beachfront condo forever (if they could just relocate their school and friends)! My husband and I felt the same way.
I will be posting an article about our wonderful trip to the Amelia Island Plantation on VISITFLORIDA.com soon, so check back. In the meantime, there are some upcoming events on Amelia Island that are worth making the trip for:
Let’s start with the Shrimp Festival May 2- 4th:
Held in Fernandina Beach on Amelia Island, the 45th Annual Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival will feature an array of family fun and boatloads of fresh seafood and shrimp dishes. Menu items will include shrimp pie, shrimp twisters, crawfish, Cajun shrimp etoufee, friend shrimp and jambalaya. Need I say more?
We just had dinner last week at The Crab Trap, which is located right in the heart of the historic downtown Fernandina Beach, so I can assure you that the local shrimp taste sweeter than any I’ve ever had!
Families can also enjoy the “Little Pirate” costume contest and parades.
Next, mark your calendars for the Wild Amelia Nature Festival May 16-18. The theme, “Get in Touch with Your WILD side,” is very fitting. The list of activities includes:
Stargazing and Music at Fort Clinch, Friday May 17th – Bring your blankets, lawn chairs and relax with family and friends on the lawn inside the fort. As the sun sets, visitors can enjoy tranquil beverages, and homemade desserts.
There is a KID’S NICHE located at the Atlantic Recreation Center on Saturday from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. where they can join a Park Ranger for a host of activities. Kids can make an ocean, put out “fires” and even make their own paper. There will be crafts, activities and games. Plus, a Touch Tank will let kids get a hands-on feeling for the critters that live in the salt marshes. Hermit crabs, sea stars, shrimp and more – will all be brought to you by Talbot Islands State Park.
The line-up also features Paddle & Sand-wiches on Friday from 10 - 1 with tour leader Ray Hetchka from Kayak Amelia. We got to know Ray a few days ago when he led the Michaels family on our first family kayak adventure. You will never forget this trip. The guide is knowledgeable on topics including bird watching and the local history. You’ll even stop at a sandbar for lunch and a swim.
Not only does he know the local landscape, but he knows a thing or two about baking. Ray will bring his own homemade cookies, which leads me to tell you, I have the Secret Recipe to some of the best cookies Florida has to offer!
Come back next week to get the recipe. Make sure you have ink in your printer!
I will post it right here on my blog (and show you pictures of my kids dripping in chocolate while eating the giant cookies on the sandbar!).
Until then....
Jennifer Michaels |
