Carriage Rides | Amelia Island Williams House, Fernandina Beach, FL

Posts Tagged ‘Carriage Rides’

Thanksgiving Tea and Carriage Rides at Amelia Island Williams House

Friday, November 25th, 2011

Tea set for Williams House guests

This Thanksgiving holiday we provided an afternoon tea and carriage rides for guests of the Williams House as well as an evening dinner at a local restaurant. Deborah prepared tasty finger foods served with hot tea, iced tea, punch and several nice dessert options. Either before or after tea, guests could ride with Amelia Island Carriages for a tour of several historic homes and learn about the rich history of Amelia Island. We try to change our packages each year and this is the first time we have had carriage rides on Thanksgiving. Served from 2-4 pm the Tea was the perfect bridge between our full and delicious breakfast and the 6 pm timing for the main Thanksgiving meal. As the official taste tester at the Williams House, Byron sampled all the offerings and deemed them satisfyingly tasty! Meanwhile, Cinnamon enjoyed a long afternoon nap on the porch and multiple visits from guests willing to provide love and petting. Seems he has little evidence to judge holidays as being different from his usual day at the Inn.

Fireplace and Christmas decorations add to ambiance of Tea

Deborah describes food choices to guests

Guests prepare to enjoy carriage ride

Cinnamon relaxes

Checking out the carriage

Tags: Amelia Island Activities, Carriage Rides, Guest Experiences, Holidays
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Amelia Island Williams House Carriage Rides

Friday, March 11th, 2011

Boomer meets guests

Guests always enjoy meeting Boomer the carriage horse and are usually amazed at what and how much he eats. And Boomer always expects to be fed whether just passing by on a tour or taking Williams House guests for a ride. But he has such personality one can’t resist liking him and he does do a great and near automatic piloting job for the tours. This allows the driver (either Cindy or Nicole ) to tell the stories, histories and events that are so unique to Amelia Island and Fernandina Beach. So…if you are planning to visit with us at the Williams House, consider a historic carriage ride…we think you will enjoy it!

Ready for a ride

Boomer meets more guests

Tags: Amelia Island Activities, Carriage Rides
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Great Day for Williams House Carriage Ride

Tuesday, February 22nd, 2011

Dan and Liz meet Boomer

We always enjoy returning guests and recently Dan and Liz came back for a return visit. After catching up with Byron and Deborah over wine hour, they decided to enjoy a historical carriage tour through downtown Fernandina, and met the great white horse Boomer. They enjoyed the ride and Boomer and learned a lot of history about this quaint town and island. They continue to explore and experience our great local restaurants mixing new ones with those they already know. It was great to see them again and we look forward to another visit.

Liz and Dan ready to ride

Tags: Amelia Island Activities, Carriage Rides, Guest Experiences
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Carriage Ride Leads to Engagement at Williams House

Tuesday, February 15th, 2011

Happy couple meets Boomer

We always enjoy guests taking the historic carriage ride, but sometimes these rides are truly special. Such was the case yesterday for Craig and Jessica when he surprised her both with the carriage ride and by proposing during the ride. Craig had planned the entire trip, including choosing the Williams House, restaurants, and activities and especially the important carriage ride. Nicole, Boomer’s driver took them down to the water front for the sunset and that is where Craig proposed. Dinner followed at Joe’s Second Street Bistro and they arrived back at the Williams House to a nice bottle of chilled wine in their room. We have to admit staying at the Williams House is a romantic experience and it’s a great place to do something really special for the one you love. We wish Craig and Jessica all the best and are happy to have been a part of their special time.

Readyfor a ride and a surprise

Happy couple in front of Williams House

Another pose by the camillia tree

A beautiful engagement ring

Tags: Carriage Rides, engagements, Guest Experiences
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Williams House Carriage Rides Resume with Warmer Temps

Sunday, February 13th, 2011

Boomer meets guests & hunts snacks

One of the favorite activities for guests at the Williams House is horsedrawn carriage rides thru the historic downtown area. The town is so rich in history and with Victorian homes and buildings ready to tell their story, 50 minutes passes before you know it! Of course every ride begins with Boomer meeting and greeting guests, but really just anxiously awaiting treats from Byron and Deborah. He also has a few stops along the way where food is anticipated and expected. Cindy and her daughter Nicole do a great job of filling in the Island’s history and retelling the secrets of its homes and early times. As usually these rides taper off during January due to both cold weather and short days. But Valentine’s weekend restarts the season as it did this year with a desire for the romantic rides and somewhat warmer temps. We had three rides this weekend and the evidence is visible below. Come join us and enjoy an informative and fun historic carriage ride.

Waiting for Boomer power and a ride

Guests enjoy the size and beauty of Boomer

Boomer being fed and entertaining

Boomer creates excitement

Tags: Amelia Island Activities, Carriage Rides, Guest Experiences
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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
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History Lessons on Williams House Carriage Rides

Wednesday, May 19th, 2010

Guests always enjoy meeting Boomer

Its been a very busy May at the Williams House with Shrimp fest starting out the month, several weddings, and lots of wonderful guests enjoying the weather before it gets too hot. I got a little behind on putting carriage rides on the blog, so here’s a catch up for all those guests that enjoyed meeting Boomer and hearing tales of the Island’s history, seeing historic homes and ejoying a nice ride on our beautiful streets. Enjoy!

"All That Jazz" gives rides on Boomer's day off

Tags: Carriage Rides, Guest Experiences
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Warmer Temps Helping Guests Enjoy Amelia Island

Friday, April 9th, 2010

Boomer meets new friends from the Williams House

Warmer days have finally arrived on Amelia Island and guests are once again out and about town, taking carriage rides, relaxing on the front porch, walking to dinners and downtown and visiting Fort clinch and the beaches. Spring is a fantastic time of the year here on Amelia Island. Flowers are now in bloom including just about every variety possible. I’m sure we will have a few cool days yet, but it has been shorts weather recently and we are happy to see it arrive. (more…)

Tags: Amelia Island Activities, Carriage Rides, Guest Experiences
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Carriage Rides at Amelia Island Williams House

Wednesday, March 3rd, 2010

Meeting Boomer before the carriage ride

Even though the weather has been cooler than normal, guests have been able to get in some carriage rides with the famous Boomer and his owner Cindy. Whether it is ghost stories, history of the Island, or knowledge of the many historic homes and earlier figures in the Island’s history, Cindy is ready to educate. Boomer continues to look for us as soon as he pulls up to the Williams House and generally won’t go until we bring treats. He loves all kinds, but chocolate chip cookies and peppermints are his favorites.

Ready to see the historic town

Deborah provides treats for Boomer

Boomer makes more friends

Boomer enjoys weddings and wedding cake!

Tags: Amelia Island Activities, Carriage Rides, Guest Experiences
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Global Warming Not Yet Felt on Amelia Island

Wednesday, February 17th, 2010

Jackets Needed for Carriage Rides

This is our fifth year at the Williams House and living in Florida and it is definitely the coldest winter we have experienced. We seem to be averaging 8-10 degrees below normal and aren’t getting many days in the upper sixties we normally look forward to. Of course I realize daily temps in the mid fifties and no snow is relatively nice compared to what the rest of the states have expereinced, but it is still cool to us. Regardless, guests continue to enjoy Amelia Island, carriage rides, the museum, Fort Clinch and great restaurants…they just get indoors a little more quickly than normal. While in past years we have begun to see Azaleas blooming by mid-February, it looks like we are going to be a little later this year. However, off-setting that loss is the continued strong blooming season for Camillias which seem to prefer the cooler weather. We had a full house for three days over Valentine’s weekend and fortunately the weather cooperated and got up to the high fifties and no rain to spoil the fun!

A pretty camillia bloom in Williams House front yard

White blooms are pretty too!

The current forecast has us getting back to normal mid sixties temps this weekend and we are ready for it to happen! The annual Concours de Elegance car show is just weeks away and we are typically seeing 70 degree weather by then.

Guests are introduced to the mighty Boomer