Fernandina Beach One of Business Insider’s Top Six Small Florida Towns

Curious about Amelia National Golf & Country Club and looking for reasons to check it out?

Fernandina Beach One of Business Insider’s Top Six Small Florida Towns - Fernandina BeachHere’s a good one: Amelia National’s hometown of Fernandina Beach is on Business Insider magazine’s list of top six small Florida towns. This latest affirmation dropped in June, in a travel article listing the state’s best small-town, hidden-jewel destinations.

Key Takeaways

  • Fernandina Beach, home to Amelia National Golf & Country Club, was named one of Business Insider’s top six small towns in Florida.
  • Located on scenic Amelia Island, the town offers 13 miles of beaches, a vibrant historic downtown, and rich history dating back to the 16th century.
  • Residents of Amelia National enjoy gated luxury living just minutes from beaches, parks, and downtown Fernandina’s shops, restaurants, and festivals.
  • Outdoor recreation abounds with nearby state parks, fishing, biking, and beach access.
  • ICI Homes offers custom luxury homes in Amelia National—Fernandina Beach’s premier golf and country club community.

Located on gorgeous Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach and its surroundings are one of Florida’s most sought-after resort areas. And if visitors love it, you know it’s an even better place to live.

Amelia National residents are less than 15 minutes west of their vibrant, historic hometown and Amelia Island’s waterways and Atlantic beaches. They’re also a quick drive west to Interstate 95, and a half-hour north of metro Jacksonville.

Amelia National boasts Fernandina Beach’s best address thanks to its private, gated environs, Tom Fazio-designed golf course, French Provincial clubhouse, and generous opportunities to build or buy a new custom luxury Florida home here with ICI Homes.

Here are more reasons to give Amelia National and its hometown a good look, courtesy of Business Insider.

Amazing history

Mount Dora, Cedar Key, Alys Beach, Seaside and Tarpon Springs are the other small Florida towns lauded by Business Insider. Each has an origin story, but Fernandina Beach’s might take that prize.

Its recorded history dates to the 16th century. Eight countries and/or governing bodies have had dominion here, including a pirate presence. It’s also the birthplace of the modern shrimping industry.

Outstanding beaches

Roam 13 miles of pristine Atlantic beaches, with 40 public beach accesses within Fernandina Beach city limits (24 with parking facilities) and three amenity-filled beachfront parks. Two Nassau County beachfront parks can be enjoyed outside the city limits.

There’s amazing history here too, with the American Beach community’s legacy as a major African-American resort area during the 20th century. Don’t miss its majestic sand dunes, A. L. Lewis Museum and tours.

Engaging downtown

Fernandina Beach’s charming downtown is filled with preserved buildings, ancient live oaks, and lively restaurants, bars and shopping. Watch endless sunsets over the adjacent Amelia River.

The town’s 50-block Historic District is on the National Register of Historic Places, sporting quaint Victorian structures and streetscapes. Museums are everywhere, as are Fernandina Beach’s modern festivals such as the Dickens on Centre holiday weekend, Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival, and the Amelia Island Book Festival.

Take a tour! These range from guided tasting, ghost and historical excursions on land, to boating and personal-watercraft outings with local captions and outfitters.

Speaking of…

Outdoor recreation

Go fishing, beaching, cycling and hiking at the 1,400-acre Fort Clinch State Park — another 19th-century destination. Egan’s Creek Greenway Trail allows outdoor enthusiasts to get lost only a short walk south of downtown Fernandina Beach.

Fernandina Beach also is only minutes north of Amelia Island State Recreation Area and Amelia Island State Park at the island’s southern tip.

Ready for your Amelia National lifestyle? Talk to ICI Homes here.