Roughly 40 miles north of Jacksonville and a stone’s throw from the Florida-Georgia line, Amelia Island has something for every traveler—including miles of beaches, plenty of outdoor adventures and enough history to fill an entire weekend.

Horses

On nearby Cumberland Island, just across the Georgia border, wild horses roam freely. Most are the progeny of livestock once owned by local residents, though the bloodlines of horses first brought over by the Spanish in the 1500s are still mixed in. The Cumberland Island National Seashore was established by the National Park Service in the 1970s, and the horses on the island were left to go about their business undisturbed.

While the Cumberland Island horses are off limits for riding, given their feral nature, horse enthusiasts can get a taste for the equestrian life through Amelia Island Horseback Riding (4600 Peters Point Road, Fernandina Beach; 904.753.1701; ameliaislandhorsebackriding.com). The beach sunset ride is the company’s most popular option, though sunrise and daytime rides along the shore are also available.

History

Amelia Island has a long and fascinating history that stretches from the indigenous Timucua people to Spanish missionaries to French Huguenots, plus pirates and the Victorian era well-to-do. Its Museum of History (233 South Third St., Fernandina Beach; 904.261.7378; ameliamuseum.org) does an excellent job of gathering all these threads together under one roof. The museum also offers walking tours that stroll local neighborhoods. Don’t miss the docent-led Eight Flags tour, which promises a look at the “empires, pirates, scalawags and entrepreneurs” who have called Amelia Island home.

For even more history, head to nearby Fort Clinch State Park (2601 Atlantic Ave., Fernandina Beach; 904.277.7274; floridastateparks.org/fortclinch). The five-sided brick fort was a strategic point during the Civil War and even served as a safe zone for blockade runners. It was occupied during the Spanish-American War at the end of the 19th century before being abandoned and then restored during the 1930s.

Hitching Post

The Amelia Island Williams House Inn (103 South Ninth St., Fernandina Beach; 904.277.2328; williamshouse.com) is situated in the historic seaport village of Fernandina Beach. The main house was built in the mid-19th century and has been designated a Florida Heritage Landmark Site. With beautiful period details, including original hardwood floors and antique furnishings, the Victorian mansion truly feels carved from another era. A two-course breakfast is served each morning in the inn’s elegant dining room on fine china.

For a more modern take on coastal luxury, the Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island (4750 Amelia Island Parkway, Amelia Island; 904.277.1100; ritzcarlton.com) provides a relaxing retreat with top-tier amenities. Its in-house fine dining restaurant Salt features craft cocktails and a seafood-focused menu with unsurpassed views of the shore. The resort’s spa is famous for its signature Heaven in a Hammock Massage—not to be missed.

Getting There

The Fernandina Beach Municipal Airport has three active runways open to private aircraft. Charter a flight for an easy weekend getaway.