Doggy Getaway: Amelia Island

Nestled along the Atlantic Ocean and close to the Georgia state line lies a gem of a doggy getaway in Florida called Amelia Island.

Sunset on Fernandina Beach

There’s so much to see and do packed on this little island, plus plenty of dog-friendly spots means you don’t want to leave your pup at home.

We decided to explore what Amelia Island had to offer in October, but pleasant temperatures year-round make it a great spot to visit any time of the year.

Our trip only lasted two days, but we definitely recommend giving yourself a minimum of three days to enjoy the area. If you have an entire week, even better!

 

 

Places to Stay

Dog Living Pick: Residence Inn Amelia Island

dog on bed

Shhh. I don’t think dogs are allowed on the bed. But it’s so comfy…

Why do we love this one? What’s not to love! The friendly staff happily welcomes you and your furry friend. Every room is equipped with a full kitchen to prepare meals and snacks but don’t worry about preparing breakfast, because the Residence Inn provides a rather extensive spread of hot and cold items each morning. Other amenities include a firepit and a 24-hour fitness center. The bed is comfy and most importantly, they take cleaning seriously. The room was spotless. The hotel is about two blocks from the beach and we highly recommend a morning walk to catch the sunrise.

As far as we’re concerned, if the Residence Inn is booked for the dates we want, we’ll pick new dates to visit because we can’t imagine staying anywhere else next time!

BONUS: One of the entrance’s to the Egans Creek Greenway is right next to the hotel parking lot.

Other accommodations:

Beachside Motel
Hampton Inn Amelia Island
Home2 Suites by Hilton
Ocean Coast Hotel at the Beach
Omni Amelia Island Resort
Seaside Amelia Inn
The Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island

There are also a variety of Airbnb/Condos/Home Rentals in the area.

Places to Eat & Drink

Dog Living Picks: Cafe Karibo and Sliders Seaside Grill

The courtyard patio at Cafe Karibo

We had what was arguably the best brunch EVER at Cafe Karibo. Sitting in the courtyard, underneath the gorgeous oak trees was quite the experience. The staff is happy to accommodate your dog on the patio. The menu is quite eclectic and the service is phenomenal. We highly recommend the Mediterranean Couscous Salad which came with farm fresh spring greens, seasoned couscous, chickpeas, cucumbers, onions, and tomatoes drizzled with lemon-cumin vinaigrette. If we had more time, we would have definitely tried out their dinner menu!

Sliders Seaside Grill is a fun spot right on Fernandina Beach. The menu offers fresh seafood, burgers, tacos, and specialty cocktails. As a bonus, there’s usually live music each night. The staff is very welcoming to all four-legged friends.

Other dog-friendly dining options:

Kitchen 251
The Green Turtle Tavern
The Happy Tomato
The Patio Place
Timoti’s Seafood Shack

Things to Do

Dog Living Pick: Amelia River Cruises

Enjoying the scenery on the Amelia River Cruise

The first thing we noticed upon boarding the cruise was that the captain immediately brought Griffin a bowl of water! Amelia River Cruises welcomes your well-behaved furry friend on select cruises. We opted for the Beach Creek Tour which winds up through the waterways of Cumberland Island with a chance to catch a glimpse of the wild horses and a close-up view of what’s left of the Dungeness mansion ruins.

They offer several other tours including a 2.5 hour tour of Cumberland Island and a sunset cruise. Reservations are recommended for all tours.

Other things to do:

Amelia Island offers plenty of outdoor options for your dog to explore. The beach is dog-friendly year-round and Egans Creek Greenway is a 5.6 mile well-maintained loop trail. It’s great for all skill levels and lightly traveled. Dogs must be kept on a leash.

Your dog can swim in the pool, practice agility, or play with others at the Nassau Humane Society Dog Park. An application and membership fee is required to use the park.

If you need grooming services, or, want to drop off your pup at daycare to do some “human only” activities, Hot Paws Pet Resort is conveniently located between the beach and downtown.

Shopping

Dog Living Pick: Red Bones Bakery

Griffin trying to decide what to get at Redbones Bakery

What a selection! This place has it all. A full bakery counter with simple baked treats to elaborately decorated specialty treats. They also sell dog food, collars, leashes, toys, and a variety of unique gifts for you and your pooch. But that’s not all you’ll find at Red Bones Bakery. They also offer specialty wine and craft beer at their bar! Stop in to do some shopping and grab a drink while you’re at it.

Other shopping options:

As we explored downtown Fernandina Beach we noticed several dog-friendly shops and on nearly every block there was a shop with a water bowl outside to quench your pup’s thirst.

Amelia Island was such a treat to visit! For more information on all things Amelia Island, visit their website.