Amelia Island Activities | Amelia Island Williams House, Fernandina Beach, FL

Archive for the ‘Amelia Island Activities’ Category

Amelia Island Events for Every Interest

Thursday, February 10th, 2011

Kate Bailey's tree on Ash St.

We have a variety of events thru the seasons on Amelia Island that can appeal to almost everyone’s favorite activity. We have listed them below for those considering or planning a visit to Amelia Island. Come and join us at the Amelia Island Williams House for these events or just a relaxing getaway. This list is primarily festivals but I’ve also added a few other items that may be of interest!

Amelia Island/Fernandina Beach Schedule of Events

Amelia Island Book Festival, Feb. 18-19 (www.ameliaislandbookfestival.com)

Amelia Island Film Festival, Feb. 24-27 (www.ameliaislandfilmfestival.com)

Concours D’Elegance, Mar. 11-13 (www.ameliaconcours.org)

Old Town Bicentennial, April 2 (www.oldtownfernandina.org)

Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival, April 29 – May 1 (www.shrimpfestival.com)

Wild Amelia Nature Festival, May 20-22 (www.wildamelia.com)

Amelia Island Chamber Music Festival, May 20 – June 17 (www.aicmf.com)

Stars and Stripes Freedom Festival, July 4 (www.shinybadges.com)

Amelia Island Blues Festival, Sept. 16-17 (www.ameliaislandbluesfest.com)

Amelia Island Jazz Festival, Oct. 2-9 (www.ameliaislandjazzfestival.com)

Amelia Island Autumn Fine Arts Festival, Oct. 8-9 (www.islandart.org)

Historic B&B Cookie Tour, Nov. 19 (www.ameliaislandinns.com)

Tags: Amelia Island Activities, Guest Experiences
Posted in Amelia Island Activities | Comments Off

Top Ten “To Do’s”- Amelia Island & Fernandina Beach

Saturday, February 5th, 2011

Williams House beckons visitors to Amelia Island

While listening to a speaker at the recent innkeeping convention I was inspired to make a “top ten” list (Letterman style) for things to enjoy while visiting Amelia Island and Fernandina Beach. However, as I began to list these enjoyable potential items, the list grew longer and is now well above 30! So…needless to say there are many local opportunities to enjoy and I will start with ten in this blog and bring the rest forward a little later. These ten are those most often enjoyed by the average guest and thus are repeated more than some of the others. If you are planning to come for a visit….plan on these and stay tuned for more!

Williams House “Top Ten” List

1. Walk to and eat in one of more than 20 local fine restaurants.

2.Take a historic carriage ride thru downtown.

3. Enjoy a boat cruise around Cumberland Island.

4.Tour Fort Clinch Park, a civil war era fort.

5. Walk to and explore more than 20 boutique shops.

6. Visit the beach and ocean.

7. Visit the history museum.

8. Have dessert at the Icecream and Fudge shop on centre street.

9. Bike around the area (free as Williams House guests).

10. Explore the Saturday Farmer’s market.

Tags: Amelia Island Activities, Guest Experiences, local attractions
Posted in Amelia Island Activities | Comments Off

Family Visitation – Fun in Fernandina Beach

Tuesday, February 1st, 2011

Byron’s son, daughter in-law and daughter visited recently and we were delighted to have one of those good winter weeks with temps in the sixties. Byron and Tim played golf one day, and then we all acted liked tourists and enjoyed a carriage ride, strolling the city, eating at local restaurants and shopping. We tryed to take a river cruise, but not enough people signed up so we got to walk some more after looking around the marina. It’s aways good to see family and friends and share some of this beautiful island and setting.

Tim enjoys Amelia River golf course

Julie, Tim and wife Casey enjoy marina

Birds enjoy the marina

Everyone meets Cindy and her carriage horse Zig

Marina view near sunset

Lulu's restaurant

Bailey house from carriage tour

Fernandina Beach art shoppe

Byron,Kasey,Deborah and Julie enjoy downtown

Group shot on Williams House porch

A favorite lunch spot

Tags: Amelia Island Activities, local attractions
Posted in Amelia Island Activities, Williams House Happenings | Comments Off

Boomer Carries Williams House Guests through Historic Fernandina

Friday, January 14th, 2011

We can always tell what winter will be like here on Amelia Island by how much fur Boomer the carriage horse grows as winter approaches. This year he would indicate a cold winter with earlier and longer than normal growth. Cold doesn’t seem to affect him a lot, although we have had to move or cancel a couple of rides due to high winds and cold temps. in December. Boomer dresses up for Christmas, weddings, or any event he contributes to depending upon the occasion and the mood of his owner/mother Cindy. Attached are some pictures of recent guests on carriage rides…enjoy!

Boomer decorated and ready

Boomer meets guests

ready to ride

Jazz and Boomer on New Year's eve

Guests get ready to cruise

Boomer nibbles on artificial flowers

Riding with Boomer

Wrapped up for a ride

Meeting Boomer

Tags: Amelia Island Activities, Carriage Rides
Posted in Amelia Island Activities, Carriage Rides | Comments Off

Amelia Island Lighted Christmas Parade

Friday, December 31st, 2010

Ship substitutes for Santa's sleigh

The annual lighted Christmas parade brought out many interesting combinations of lights and Christmas decorating in the streets of Fernandina Beach. Fire engines, ships, funny cars, animal characters and lots of families and children all participated to light up the evening. It was s little lower than normal temps. but that didn’t seem to bother either parade participants or families enjoying the show. A few children in wagons enjoyed the parade within the parade and as usual candy was available for children along the parade route. It was a fun time for this annual tradition!

Santa's helpers on parade

Santa is mobile

Kid's get a free ride

Friendly animals join the parade

More fun characters

Smoke from pirate pistols fill the air

Santa's little helpers

Tags: Amelia Island Activities, Guest Experiences
Posted in Amelia Island Activities | Comments Off

Fernandina Beach Pajama Party

Tuesday, November 30th, 2010

Santa pj's on black Friday in Fernandina Beach

Each year on black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, shoppers in Fernandina Beach are encouraged to come downtown and shop in their pj’s to receive a discount at all purchases in local stores. As a result the downtown streets are filled with all manner of interesting pj looks and of course besides the discount, a prize is awarded for “best dressed” shopper. From santa to diva’s, the view is unique and colorful as each shopper trys to outdo their neighbor and be considered for the grand prize. To be consistent all contestant’s register at the main booth and have their pictures taken so judging can be uniform and more easily rendered. I’m not sure this approach would work in a large mall setting, but in the quaint streets of downtown Fernandina Beach, it creates a lot of fun and entertaining experiences. People gladly pose for pictures and are actually buying from local stores, so it’s great for shoppers, merchants and casual observers. This event is a prelude to the next day when Santa comes to downtown and the Christmas tree is lit by the harbor. The lighted boat parade is scheduled for December 11 at 7 pm and is another fun evening in this holiday season. Come on down and enjoy Christmas and the Holidays in Fernandina Beach on Amelia Island!

Pajamas in Fernandina Beach

shopping in their pj's

pj's for everyone but the dog

pj's and a talking hat

mama pajama and cool slippers

the robe look with slippers

the angelic look

red is her signature color

group pj's in Palace Saloon

pirates and pj's

Santa's helpers

diva's in pj's

Tags: Amelia Island Activities, Guest Experiences, local business
Posted in Amelia Island Activities | Comments Off

Putt-Putt for Hospitality on Amelia Island

Friday, October 22nd, 2010

Ocean view putt-putt on Amelia Island

Our former state house representative who now is the owner of a local putt-putt right on the ocean on Amelia Island recently staged the “Hospitality Open”. Teams from all varieties of local businesses including hotels, B&B’s, and restaurants gathered for friendly competition, with wine, beer and snacks to aid the competition. The competition was challenging among the 10 or so teams, but everyone won something at the end. Along with our tourism and development guru we all enjoyed friendly competition in the name of connecting the key service providers on Amelia Island. We are all pleased with the great variety of guest experiences available on the Island including a variety of price points, many quisine options and great hospitality of the “Southern Style”. Most of the attendees are usually busy with guests, so it was fun to take a break and enjoy telling stories and sharing experiences of providing hospitality on layed back and beautiful Amelia Island. In the B&B category it was Williams House and Fairbanks House teamed against Elizabeth Pointe Lodge. As the three Select Registry properties on the Island it was a battle of the “best” and Elizabeth Pointe came out ahead by one single stroke. So they got local movie tickets and we recived premium ice cream gift cards. Did I mention we also had a wonderful strawberry/vanilla soft ice cream blend as a reward for all the hard work and concentration of putting and competing. There aren’t many Islands that have a putt-putt course with ocean views, but it is one of the fun and unique features of this beautiful Island. Come and join us for a trip to paradise!

Atlantic views behind Deborah at putt-putt

Competitors in action at putt-putt

Beer and wine at the putt-putt

View of the putt-putt course

Tags: Amelia Island Activities, Guest Experiences, local attractions
Posted in Amelia Island Activities, Williams House Happenings | Comments Off

Ten Year Anniversary of Magna's Salon

Friday, August 20th, 2010

Current ride of Magna's owner Tom

Why a motorcycle as the lead picture for a blog on the 10th anniversary of a local salon? With good reason, since the inspiration and name for the salon “Magna’s – A Full Body Salon” came to Tom Hughes as he was riding his Honda Magna motorcycle in the days before opening (his current ride is pictured above). The Latin meaning for magna is large, great , powerful or mighty and Tom felt it captured the concept he had in mind for his salon and spa. Tom and his partner Stacye chose to match their decor with this theme and create a space that would appeal to both sexes. Hence the decor includes light hardwood floors, recessed lighting, earthtone colors, Roman style columns and a mixture of both masculine and feminine decorating. Tom and Stacye recently celebrated their 10th anniversary on Amelia Island and held an open house for clients and friends. We utilize Magna’s often for weddings and spa packages and Deborah has been the beneficiary of several of their relaxation packages on birthdays and anniversaries. It was a nice evening with the opportunity to meet their staff, visit with other locals and see the full range of the spa and salon at one time. Wine, beer and treats were available and enjoyed by all. It’s great to see local businesses succeed and we appreciate having the services available to provide for guests of the Williams House. Come to Amelia Island, stay at the Williams House and enjoy a trip to Magna’s! Our congratulations to Tom and Stacye and our hope for many more successful years here on Amelia Island!

Tom greets Deborah in front of Salon and Shrimp art

Magna's waiting room/retail shop

Front desk view of Magna's salon

magna-salon-anniversary-fernandina-beach

Guests enjoy Magna's hospitality

Deborah enjoys snacks while Tom chats

magna's-spa-celebration-fernandina-beach

Relaxing space inside Magna's salon

Tags: Amelia Island Activities, Fernandina Beach, local business
Posted in Amelia Island Activities, Williams House Happenings | Comments Off

Fun Scrapbooking Retreat at Williams House

Wednesday, August 18th, 2010

scrapbooking-amelia-island-williams-house

Conference room is set for start of scrapbooking retreat

The Williams House hosted its first Scrapbooking Retreat. Deborah’s daughter, Jaime is a Consultant for Close To My Heart scrapbooking & stamping supplies and leads Scrapbooking workshops and shows in Virginia (jaime_llewellyn@yaoo.com). Our meeting room located in the Carriage House is the perfect space. Each Scrapper gets their own table to set out their supplies and tools which they can leave in place for the duration of the Retreat. The cost of the retreat included some free “goodies” and lot of prizes were awarded throughout the weekend for various projects completed. Jaime also offered classes during the retreat. There was lots of laughter and fun. Close To My Heart has a complete range of tools, papers and stamps to make any scrapper happy and lots of projects were completed by the end of the weekend. The male half of the family enjoyed some golf and dinners out with the scrappin’ ladies. It was a great weekend and Jaime is already planning for the next retreat. Come join in and have a great scrappin’ time!

scrapping-on amelia island-williams-house

Jaime, Elena, Kathy and Shannon are all to get scrappin'

close-to-my-heart-scrapbook-retreat-supplies

Close To My Heart has lots of supplies for great scrappin'

Ladies enjoy making a recipe box from one of the CTMH kits

good-results-from-williiams-house-scrappin

Hard work scrappin' yields good results

lunch-included-in-williams-house-scrapbook-retreat

Picnic Lunch was provided each day for the scrappers

projects-completed-at-williams-house-scrappin

Recipe boxes that each scrapper made were a big hit

deborah-owner-innkeeper-shows-scrappin-reults

Deborah shows off her first photo pages made from a CTMH kit

srappin-results-from-williams-house-retreat

More great scrappin' results from retreat

professionsal-reults-from-scrappin-retreat

Ladies show how great scrappin' projects can be done

deborah's-pink-flamingo-guards-scrappin-prizes

Jaime provided great prizes at the retreat for completed projects

Scrappin' ladies enjoy lunch in Williams House courtyard

Tags: Amelia Island Activities, Guest Experiences, scrapbook retreat
Posted in Amelia Island Activities, Williams House Happenings | Comments Off

Sailing Adventure at Williams House-Amelia Island

Sunday, August 8th, 2010

williams house owners try out windward sunset sail

Deborah’s daughters were staying at the Williams House this week and her older daughter, Jaime led a scrapbooking retreat. While they were here, we took the group out on a sailing adventure with Windward Sailing for a sunset cruise in the Amelia River. It was a beautiful evening with a nice sunset, calm seas and warm temps. We took along some subs from our local Fernandina Deli on 8th street and a few beers and wine. We enjoyed seeing fort clinch from the river side, shrimp boats at the docks, Cumberland Island, porpoises( or dolphins ) and learning a bit from our experienced captain about sailing. He even let Deborah steer the boat for a while as he rigged the sails. We’ve had several guests take this private sail and all have enjoyed it. We can now add our own reccommendation for a fun experience and a great calming end to a day.