Florida's 'Isle Of Eight Flags' Has A Laid-Back Beach City With Eerie Legends & Great Seafood

With more than 140 million visitors each year, Florida is one of the top destinations in the U.S., drawing both domestic and international travelers. While many come to enjoy the family-friendly theme parks found around Orlando, others prefer to get off the beaten path and explore more quirky attractions, like this amusement park that's home to thousands of alligators and crocodiles. 

Whether you prefer Disney World or Gatorland, you can't disagree that the Sunshine State is also a terrific destination for natural wonders. From white sand beaches to stunning swimming holes where you can swim with manatees, Florida is a terrific place to relax in the great outdoors — and one place you can do this is Amelia Island. 

Situated just north of Jacksonville near the Georgia state line, Amelia Island is a 13-mile-long barrier island that boasts picture-perfect stretches of sand. It's also home to Fernandina Beach, a cool seaside town with a fascinating — if at times dark —  history that makes a great base of operations for exploring the local environs. 

Originally home to the native Timucua people who were known for their burial mounds, Amelia Island enjoys an intriguing history involving pirates, slaves, and foreign machinations. The island is nicknamed the "Isle of Eight Flags" due to the fact that it changed hands many times and has seen the following banners fly over its shores: France, Spain, Great Britain, the Patriots of Amelia Island, the Green Cross of Florida, Mexico, the Confederate States of America, and the United States. This relatively small island was a coveted piece of real estate by major powers for a number of years, and one visit will tell you why. 

Amelia Island is probably best known for its idyllic beaches. Main Beach Park is where most people gather to soak up the sun's rays or take a dip — along with Fort Clinch State Park and North Beach Park. While these spots are nice, there are over 40 beach access points around the island that will allow you to lay out on the sand in greater seclusion. 

In addition to beaches, the island and its surroundings are home to marshes and waterways ideal for exploration via kayak. You can rent kayaks in town to take out on your own or join a tour. If you're more comfortable on a bigger boat, take a river cruise where — if you're lucky — you might see some dolphins, stingrays, or turtles, while angling aficionados can jump on a charter boat in hopes of hooking into some trophy fish on the open ocean.

Fernandina Beach is the island's largest settlement and home to a lovely small-town main street (Centre Street) with funky shops, restaurants, galleries, cafés, and bars, while the town's historic district features old brick buildings and Victorian architecture, reflecting Fernandina Beach's deep heritage.

For great local food, stop in for some award-winning seafood at the Salt Life Food Shack, take in the harbor views at the Salty Pelican Bar & Grill, or sit down for dinner at Burlingame Restaurant, which features American fare that is inspired by fresh ingredients for each season. When it comes time to grab a drink, head to the tasting room at the Marlin & Barrel Distillery which specializes in craft spirits, sip an expertly-mixed cocktail at the historic Principal's Office Bar, or knock back a cold one and soak up the local flavor on the porch of the Green Turtle Tavern.

Fernandina Beach's storied history means that the town is full of figurative ghosts of all the people who've lived and died there before — and perhaps some actual spirits as well. To explore this eerie past, you can join a ghost tour, where — by lantern light — you'll wander the town's cobblestone streets and learn about the dark and spooky secrets lurking in its alleyways and (possibly haunted) old homes. For more of Florida's coastal allure, experience its best beaches and vibrant cities on this scenic road trip.