On Amelia Island in Nassau County – aging oaks shade narrow roads in this natural paradise, so much of which is preserved within a collection of state parks. You can ride horseback along the Atlantic beaches of Amelia Island State Park. Sightseeing adventures might offer you a glimpse of the endangered right whale, but will surely entertain you with dolphin and osprey sightings. Surf fishing is popular here, as is casting from the George Crady Bridge Fishing Pier over Nassau Sound. For beach goers, visit Fernandina Beach, which predates all but a handful of Florida towns and cities. As you make your way to Fernandina Beach, stop by Little Talbot Island State Park or Big Talbot Island State Park for more oceanfront vistas, or take a kayak tour of the myriad waterways connecting the tidal marshes with the Atlantic.

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Fernandina Beach, an enchanting Victorian seaport village was once a stomping ground for pirates, Gilded Age millionaires, bootleggers, shrimpers,
as well as other colorful characters. Dining in the Historic District you’ll find everything from local, wild-caught shrimp and international specialties to inviting patio spaces and fine dining restaurants. The Palace Saloon is one of the state’s oldest extant bars, and still serves food and drink. Known as a shoppers paradise, Historic Downtown Fernandina Beach is full of eclectic and independent shops that stretch from the harbor-front to down and around Centre Street. The Annual Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival in early May jams the streets with artists, craftsmen and celebrants. The visitor’s center is housed in an old railroad depot that marked the northern terminus of Florida’s first cross-state railway to Cedar Key. The annual Amelia Island Concours d’ Elegance in March is one of only a handful of gatherings of some of North America’s most historically significant automobiles.

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Green Cove Springs Clay County located along the St. Johns River in Northeast Florida offers visitors a welcoming community filled with rich history, outdoor adventures and local flavor. First settled in the mid 1800s, the sulfur springs (a.k.a. “boils”), drew crowds of visitors via steamboats and trains for their legendary therapeutic value. From the riverfront Spring Park to the popular 150-acre Camp Chowenwaw County Park, home to cabins, campsites and hiking trails along Black Creek, visitors can explore their outdoor passions in Green Cove Springs. The Art enthusiast can enjoy a hands-on class at the Art Room or shop antiques and admire what’s new at the Cowabunga Comics and Art Gallery. For a taste of local cuisine, enjoy a cup of locally-brewed Brass Tacks Roasters coffee at Spring Park Coffee.

Jacksonville located in Duval County is a vibrant city with something special to offer for everyone. From tree-lined neighborhood streets to wide, welcoming beaches, parks, nature trails, amazing food, delicious craft beer, top notch museums, historic neighborhoods – the list goes on and on. Jacksonville boasts a modern skyline of downtown condominiums and corporate towers. The urban core is bounded by eclectic villages and stately neighborhoods shaded by oak trees dripping with Spanish moss. Not far from Charter Oak is San Marco, guarded by fierce, sculpted lions. Restaurants abound, as do shops selling everything from used and antique books and housewares to upscale clothing. Make time for a visit to the Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens.

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Jacksonville Beach, found along Florida’s northeast coast,offers a vast stretch of gorgeous beaches, newly redesigned golf courses, a famous fishing pier and boatloads of water activities. Here you’ll find beach volleyball, surfing, fishing and a wide variety of eateries. Visitors and natives alike are delighted by dolphins rolling just outside the surf line. Surfers are drawn to Jacksonville Beach by some of the best waves in the region. Spending time at Jacksonville Beach and its surrounding attractions, you’ll unearths a unique combination of history, leisure and recreational activities. The Jacksonville beaches are comprised of three towns, each with a distinctive feel, while the entire stretch provides plenty of space to spread out a beach towel. Atlantic Beach includes Town Center, a quaint shopping and dining district. Rent a bike in Neptune Beach to cycle the hard-packed sand at low tide. Visitors and natives alike are delighted by dolphins rolling just outside the surf line.

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Palatka located in Putnam County is a historic Northeast Florida city, nestled within the banks of the St. Johns River, proudly showcases its past. Here you can experience Old Florida charm while you celebrate Florida’s heritage at the Florida Azalea Festival, St. Johns River Catfish Festival, Blue Crab Festival or Bostwick Blueberry Festival. For the outdoor adventurer, there is camping, canoeing, kayaking along the area’s eight blueway trails, playing golf, touring historic homes and churches built in the 1800s, hiking or bicycling, and visiting birding sites listed in the Great Florida Birding Trail. One of the area’s highlights is Ravine Gardens State Park, offering picnicking, jogging and biking on 59 acres. The park is part of the setting for the annual Azalea Festival, held the first weekend in March, when nearly 100,000 plants cultivated by the Works Progress Administration flower in an array of colors.

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St. Augustine located in Saint Johns County – more commonly known as the “Nation’s Oldest City”, was founded in September 1565 by Don Pedro Menendez de Aviles of Spain. Here you can stroll the narrow streets and lanes, visit the many museums, and discover historic landmarks such as Castillo de San Marcos, Ponce de Leon’s “Fountain of Youth,” and the Oldest Wooden Schoolhouse. For 21st-century activities, consider family fun and outdoor adventures like kayaking an inland waterway, playing a game of golf where the golf pros play, dine out and eat a fresh catch of the day, and shop from colonial to chic. St. Augustine offers something for everyone.  For the historian, visit historically significant structures, such as the famous Castillo de San Marcos, built between 1672 and 1695. The fort guards Matanzas Bay, and cannons often boom as guides in period costume describe the structure’s unique coquina walls. Seminole Indian Chief Osceola was among the prisoners of war held here, and it was later occupied by Union soldiers during the Civil War.

While in St. Augustine, be sure to visit the city’s old gate, Ponce de Leon’s Fountain of Youth, the Oldest Wooden Schoolhouse in the U.S. and a rare albino alligator at the St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park. The St. Augustine Lighthouse on Anastasia Island offers spectacular aerial views. Spanish- and French-influenced food abounds, with spicy Minorcan clam chowder and fresh seafood among the culinary delights.

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