Amelia Island Welcome Center — Local services in Fernandina Beach

It's likely hard to give a review of five stars when the location in question wasn't even open. I'm giving it five stars I guess from an idea or concept standpoint and how a historic train station was not only saved but is a very effective ambassador for the community regardless of whether it is closed. It seems most of the reviews focus on the fact that the staff is very friendly and helpful with the wayward mostly lost tourist finding some type of direction in a tourism leaning region (it is definitely). I came here for another reason(s) namely, an interest in rail and more specifically, how the First Coast Railroad serves the Port of Fernandina Beach and a nearby paper mill. It does both and more. This historic train station 🚂🛤️ with it's appropriate descriptive signs is an excellent focul point for visiting this area. It's literally steps from the historic downtown area, with many of the buildings seemingly back in the 19th century it also has a fairly good supply of nearby parking and access to a restroom which is adjacent to the station complex. Beyond this there is also an adjacent full scale marina with what looks like numerous in opportunities from personal watercraft rentals to fishing charters.🚢🦞⚓🐟🐳🐋🐬🦈🐙 They also have some really beautiful looking vessels that seem to make a powerful statement on their own, and believe me I was...

After getting rained out on our camping trip, we booked a hotel room and started looking around for things to do around Amelia Island. Naturally, not knowing the area all that well the first place I decided to check out was the local welcome center. The welcome center itself was a neat little remodelled train station. Upon entering we were warmly greeted and provided with maps of the downtown area as well as recommendations for local food and wine. As it turned out, the city of Fernandina was holding an annual Dickens on Center event to celebrate Christmas in classical fashion. Fortunately the rain held off until late that night and armed with our map and our information from the Amelia Island Convention center, we turned what might have been a boring trip into a memorable weekend! The pictures here were take from Center Street just in front of the...

It's heartbreaking to witness the slow demise of Fernandina Beach, Florida's downtown neighborhoods.

Once vibrant with worker homes and local residents, these areas are being replaced by vacation homes designed for tourists and the weekend wealthy.

The genuine community spirit is fading as more homes are converted into temporary retreats for those who can afford to fly down, stay briefly, and then return to their northern states.

Fernandina Beach is gradually becoming a playground for the rich, much like St. Simon's Island, accessible only to those who can afford to play...