Amelia Island, Florida

One of my favorite places on the planet is Amelia Island, Florida. Located just minutes from the Georgia-Florida border, off I-95, this northeast Florida town of 20,000 boasts some of the best beaches, sightseeing, dining, and shopping experiences you'll ever discover. But, don't just take my word for it. Discover Amelia Island for yourself.

Beaches. Take off your shoes for a walk alongside over 13 miles of one of the cleanest beaches in the world. No need to brace yourself for hidden litter or debris on Amelia Island's beaches, as seen at some "tourist trap" beaches. No Way! From Main Beach to American Beach, Amelia Island's beaches boast superb surfing, boating, and fishing. Amberjack, tarpon, and kingfish are plentiful in waters off the island!

Visit during winter months and you'll discover endangered Northern Right Whales from Canada giving birth off Amelia Island. In addition, onlookers can even catch the sight of an occasional dolphin or manatee.

For youth of all ages: check out the sandy shore for sharks teeth! They make a great souvenir!

Bird watching. Amelia Island boasts one of the best sites in the southeastern United States for viewing our feathered friends. Grab a pair of binoculars and catch pelicans and sandpipers near area fishing piers. Egrets, herons, and osprey are always plentiful! On occasion, you can even catch an American Bald Eagle.

One of the primary reasons for such a health array of birds is due, in no small part, to the Bird Emergency Aid and Kare Sanctuary-B.E.A.K.S. This sanctuary, located on nearby Talbot Island, nurses injured birds so they can be released back into the wild.

Serious birdwatchers need to visit Fort Clinch in Amelia Island. Here, you'll discover The Great Florida Birding Trail which helps birdwatchers discover new birding trails.

Dining. Hungry? From southern cooking to dining elegance, Amelia Island delivers an abundance of foods to meet anyone tastes and budget. Three must-visit restaurants that I recommend are:

Barbara Jean's Restaurant. Though a franchise, even the most finicky diner will appreciate its "Easy Southern" fare. The scrumptious seafood - everything from tuna steaks to "the best" crab cakes (according to Southern Living Magazine) - will delight. Landlubbers will tempt their taste buds with pot roast, chicken fingers, and meatloaf which, they claim, is "better than Mom's or Grandma's".

Barbara Jean's is located at 960030 Gateway Boulevard in Amelia Island. Give them a call at (904) 277-3700.

Brett's Waterway Café. Brett's is, you guessed it, located on the water. It offers a wonderful dining experience, where you can get away from it all and actually watch the sunset. Known for casual elegance, Brett's boasts delicious food and casual elegance. Great for grouper, a juicy strip steak, or one of their many tantalizingly tasty cocktails, call ahead for reservations. This place is always busy!

Brett's Waterway Café is located on Front Street in Fernandina Beach, FL. Give them a call at (904) 261-2660 or (904) 261-6185.

Sliders Seaside Grill. Looking for something miles away from ordinary? Slider's Seaside Grill is a Caribbean-themed restaurant complete with an ocean-front tiki bar. But though the ambience rocks, it's the food that hooks you! Crunch on crab cakes or deep fried pickles while waiting for your Memphis ribs, NY strip, or the freshest seafood anywhere.

Slider's Seaside Grill is located at 1998 S Fletcher Ave, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034. Call them at (904) 277-6652.

Shopping. No visit to Amelia Island is complete without a visit to its unique shopping area. On Amelia Island, you can browse through rare antiques, one-of-a-kind art, beautiful books, cottage furniture, and special gifts you won't find anywhere else. Where else can you discover "swamp art" - mermaids, fish, and more made from bones and shells from the beach?