I’ve been to a LOT of places in Florida (some I’ve been visiting for decades), but until recently I’d never made it to the Palm Beach area.

It’s always been on my list because of its Gilded Age lore, historic hotels, charming European vias hidden off of Worth Avenue, and reputation for being the most opulent spot in Florida so I finally decided to book a little trip to the Palm Beach area to check out Palm Beach AND West Palm Beach to see what it’s all about.

Palm Beach vs West Palm Beach

Since I’m kind of known on the internet for comparing different Florida destinations and helping people pick the best spot for their vacation, I’ve gotten this question quite a bit…which is better…Palm Beach or West Palm Beach?

Well, for starters…This isn’t exactly an apples to apples comparison.

As a vacationer, I tend to think of these two spots as complimentary destinations…if you’re staying in Palm Beach, you’ll likely go over the bridge to West Palm Beach and vice versa.

But while Palm Beach and West Palm Beach are right next to each other, they definitely feel like a world apart!

They both have their own (completely opposite) vibe and attract totally different types of visitors, but there are things I love about both places and I think as a pair they make for a nice getaway.

But if you’re planning a trip to the area and trying to decide where to stay, this post will give you an idea of what to expect and where you might want to spend the most time.

Palm Beach vs West Palm Beach: Location

Let’s start with some geography, because that will tell you…a lot.

Palm Beach is an island (a long, skinny barrier island) and West Palm Beach is the city across the bridge on the mainland.

Palm Beach fronts the ocean, and West Palm Beach fronts the Intercoastal Waterway.

Palm Beach has BEACHES, and West Palm Beach DOES NOT.

So if you’re looking for a true beach vacation, Palm Beach is your pick. If you want some beach time, some pool time, and some shopping, dining, culture time…then West Palm Beach can still fit the bill because it’s a very short drive to the beach.

Palm Beach vs West Palm Beach: The Vibe

The vibes between the two could not be any more different (which is what I think makes them a nice joint destination), but you’ll probably be pretty drawn to one over the other.

Basically, Palm Beach is a billionaire’s paradise. The island was originally developed by Henry Flagler during the Gilded Age as a winter destination for members of New York and Boston’s high society to escape the cold for a sunny winter season.

And honestly, not much has changed. The beach, yacht, golf, and tennis clubs, elite shopping, extravagant dining. It’s a whole scene. But I would say there are people who are part of the scene and people who come because they want to see the scene (I’m the latter).

95% of Palm Beach seems pretty inaccessible to me (or at least there are a dozen other places I’d rather go and spend the kind of money it takes to do Palm Beach), but it really is something to see.

If you 1) love Gilded Age history/architecture/lore or 2) appreciate a certain aesthetic and the Lilly Pulitzer lifestyle, then Palm Beach is something that you’ll definitely want to experience. Even if it’s just for a few days.

West Palm Beach, on the other hand, is a working class city that’s in the middle of a major glow up making it one of Florida’s most attractive places to live with a younger, trendy set. It feels more like a little urban oasis on the edge of the Intercoastal Waterway with really good access to Palm Beach when you want to pop over for a bit.

Palm Beach vs West Palm Beach: $$$ or Value for the $$$

While I could definitely be happy spending a few days in Palm Beach, I can’t justify the $$$ (I’d rather go to Hawaii, a dozen places in the Caribbean, or even just the Gulf Coast of Florida which has way better beaches) that it takes to stay at a nice place on the island.

The Colony is so precious, but consistently gets reviews that it’s not nearly as nice as the price tag (it’s mostly just really Instagramable), and I thought the Breakers was just okay.

So I really liked that I could find a super cool hotel in West Palm Beach on the water (at a fraction of the price) and just drive across the bridge to check out and see what I wanted. It felt like the best of both worlds (more about the hotel later).

And from what I’ve seen, if you’re set on the Palm Beach area and you want a truly nice beach experience, you’ll definitely want to head to the Four Seasons and plan on just driving into town to shop and eat (it’s a ways south of the main hub of Palm Beach).

My Trip to Palm Beach & West Palm Beach

***Want to save major $$$ on your next trip? I get asked ALL the time how I’m able to travel so often and stay at really nice resorts. Well, my favorite travel hack is cashing in points to score free airfare and free nights at high end resorts and hotels. I stayed four nights at the Ben for FREE on this trip! Read my full guide on the exact system I use to max out credit card rewards here. Seriously, it’s going to save you soooo much money.

Where to Stay: The Ben in West Palm Beach

I’ve been hearing amazing things about The Ben for a while now. Well it turns out it’s part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection and that’s about all of the convincing I need ; )

I cashed in a few free nights (it’s a lot lower cash rate than hotels in Palm Beach but I think it has a really good point redemption rate too) and it ended up being the PERFECT place to stay for this trip.

There are a LOT of reasons to love The Ben. Here are some of my favorites:

The Ben is right on the Intercoastal Waterway so you get amazing views from the rooftop pool and restaurant and a lot of the rooms.

It is an aesthetic masterpiece and it’s easy to get lost in the details of the public spaces, but it’s very laid back and welcoming. Warm and cozy isn’t a vibe that you get at a lot of places in Florida, but they do it so well here while still acting like they know it’s tropical.

There’s a book butler. They curate a selection of books (some of which are inspired by the local area) which can be brought to your room on a silver platter.

The rooms feel more luxurious than you would expect. This isn’t a cookie cutter “boutique hotel,” it’s definitely on the more high end side.

The Ben has really good onsite restaurants. I’m usually pretty skeptical about hotel restaurants, but we had a really good dinner at Proper Grit. I missed out on booking their afternoon tea (it has to be booked 48 hours in advance) but I’d really like to try it next time. And Spruzzo is probably the most scenic spot for dinner (or drinks) in West Palm Beach.

They have an electric car service (why do I love riding in a golf cart so much??!) that will take you different places around West Palm Beach and over to the island. They’ll even drop you off at the beach with chairs and umbrellas.

Where to Stay in Palm Beach

Now that I’ve been, I don’t think Palm Beach will be at the top of my list for a return trip, but I would eventually like to go back and stay a few nights at The Colony. It’s just so iconic, and if I could get it at the right price, I’d definitely do a quick girls trip.

Like I said earlier, for a proper beach vacation, the Four Seasons is the place to be (this should come as a surprise to no one) and it is on my list for a stay another time.

I’ve also heard good things about Eau Palm Beach Resort. The spa is supposed to be amazing!

Where to Eat in Palm Beach & West Palm Beach

There is a whole food SCENE in both Palm Beach and West Palm Beach. I like a good meal, but I trend towards more casual spots so I didn’t hit up some of the more talked about places, but here’s a round up of where I ate:

Hive Bakery & Cafe

If I only had time for one breakfast in the Palm Beach area, this would probably be it. I was so impressed with this place. Not only is it cute as a button, everything we had was amazing and their pastry case selection was out of this world.

Pizza al Fresco

And if I only had time for dinner at one spot, this is probably the place I would pick. Off of Worth Avenue in Palm Beach, it’s a favorite spot with everyone. It couldn’t be more picturesque plus their pizza and pasta is divine.

Seafood Bar at the Breakers

I wanted to check out the Breakers (it was pretty much the last spot on my Gilded Age tour of Florida), and the Seafood Bar is probably the best restaurant to try if you want to see the Breakers without staying at the Breakers.

They don’t take reservations, and it’s fairly casual (don’t confuse that with inexpensive though ; ) but they’ve got great beachfront views and of course that super fun aquarium bar.

I had the grilled cheese and tomato soup (the grilled cheese is made on their famous Parker rolls and it’s divine) but we also loved the fish tacos and filet sliders.

Swifty’s at the Colony

This is another place where you’ll want to eat to check out the hotel if you’re not staying there. It’s so charming and quintessential Palm Beach.

Yes, the food is good, but it’s absurdly expensive (even for breakfast). I consider the big bill almost as an attraction fee for coming to the hotel. It’s silly, but you really can’t come to Palm Beach without coming to the Colony.

Proper Grit 

This is the main restaurant at The Ben in West Palm Beach, and honestly if I wasn’t staying here I would probably still go out of my way to come here especially for brunch or afternoon tea (needs to be reserved 48 hours in advance).

Grandview Public Market

I’d heard a lot of good things about Grandview Public Market in WPB acknowledging that it’s not on par with food halls in major cities but that it’s definitely worth checking out. I’m glad I went but honestly I wouldn’t say it’s on par with food halls in smaller cities either. I think it’s more of a spot for locals (there are some nice co-working spaces there), but as a visitor I’m not sure I would go out of my way.

But I really did like the Gypsy Life Surf Shop.

Loic Bakery & Cafe

This isn’t the fanciest place but they have really good coffee and pastries and it was a really pleasant walk from The Ben towards The Square.

Things to Do in Palm Beach & West Palm Beach

Flagler Museum

This was really one of my top reasons for wanting to visit Palm Beach. I’ve been visiting different Gilded Age mansions in Florida for the last few years and this was the last big one on my list.

Henry Flagler (the railroad tycoon who is largely responsible for developing Florida) built White Hall in Palm Beach as his personal residence and it’s really something to see.

I spent a couple of hours here touring the mansion and the property and their audio guide is really good.

If I did it again, I would try to sign up for one of their docent-led tours (on select Tuesdays and Thursdays) that includes a tour of White Hall AND a tour of the Breakers Hotel. There currently aren’t any tours at the Breakers besides this one and I would really have enjoyed seeing more of the hotel than I did just poking around and eating at one of the restaurants. But I waited too late and it was sold out!

There’s also the option to do afternoon tea in the Railcar 91 Tea Room at the Flagler Museum and it’s pretty dreamy.

The Beach

As a self proclaimed Florida Gulf Coast beach snob, I’m never terribly impressed with the beaches on Florida’s Atlantic Coast, but the water really is very pretty in the Palm Beach area.

Peanut Island

If you’re a beach lover, don’t miss Peanut Island. It’s the best beach experience you’ll find in the area and it’s worth the short ferry ride over to spend the day snorkeling in the clear water and playing on the white sand beach.

Antique Row

West Palm Beach is pretty famous for its  Antique Row. You’re probably not going to find many steals and hidden gems here, but it’s packed with shops hoarding treasures that are very location specific.

Worth Avenue

Worth Avenue is the hub of Palm Beach and it’s a shopping scene like you’ve never seen before. Honestly, it’s not the kind of shopping I’m interested in you can only window shop for so long, but it’s worth strolling up and down the street and getting lost in the hidden vias. You just might forget you’re in Florida!

Royal Poinciana Plaza

Another one of Palm Beach’s favorite shopping destinations, I like to stop in Stoney Clover and Love Shack Fancy.

Greenmarket in West Palm Beach

I didn’t get to check this out since it only happens on Saturdays, but the Greenmarket in West Palm Beach is supposed to be one of the best farmers markets in the country. Besides local produce, there are a lot of food vendors and plenty of fun shopping with local artisans.

The Square

The Square is West Palm Beach’s shopping hub and we enjoyed grabbing coffee and walking over from our hotel. It’s a nice outdoor space that’s really well used and loved by locals.

Want to Read More Posts about Florida? I’ve got plenty!

Check out these destinations: Miami (Things to Do Besides Party & Where to Stay) // Key Biscayne // Sanibel & Captiva // Longboat Key & Anna Maria Island // Marco Island // 30a // St Augustine // Amelia Island // St Pete Beach // St Petersburg // Fort Myers // Dunedin // Crystal River & Weeki Wachee Springs // Honeymoon Island & Caladesi Island State Parks // Tarpon Springs // Matlacha & Pine Island // Apalachicola

Trying to narrow it down? Siesta Key vs Anna Maria Island // St Pete Beach vs Clearwater Beach // Sanibel vs Marco Island // Destin vs Panama City Beach // Destin vs 30a // Key Biscayne vs South Beach // Seaside vs Rosemary Beach

Best Beaches in Florida with Seashells

Best Florida Tennis Resorts

The post Palm Beach vs West Palm Beach: Both Are Worth a Visit But Where Should You Stay? appeared first on Mousin' Around.

On my quest to visit…every single place in Florida (it’s going well ; ) I was bound to eventually end up in St. Augustine.

Founded in 1565 by the Spanish, St. Augustine is the oldest continuously occupied settlement in the US. Famous for its rich history (Pirates! The Fountain of Youth!) and Gilded Age architectural gems, St. Augustine’s maze of cobblestone streets is also home to one of Florida’s best local food scenes making it an absolute must on any Florida trip.

Voted “The South’s Best Small Town” in 2023 by Southern Living magazine, I had pretty high expectations. There are few curated travel recommendations I take more seriously than Southern Living. Their travel section is first rate, and honestly, it’s never steered me wrong.

So on my most recent trip to Florida where I visited several new to me spots on the Atlantic Coast, I made sure to carve out a few days for St. Augustine.

Well, long story short…I loved it. St. Augustine is soooo different from any other place I’ve been in Florida and it really does offer a distinctly unique cultural experience.

BUT…if you’re like me and you sometimes have trouble tearing yourself away from the theme parks or the white sand beaches and turquoise waters on the Gulf Coast, I do think it’s possible to see and do a LOT in St. Augustine as a day trip.

Can you spend several days in St. Augustine? Absolutely! But if for whatever reason you find yourself only having one day to explore the “Ancient City,” it’s absolutely worth it.

Day Trip to St. Augustine

St. Augustine is a super easy day trip from quite a few popular spots in Florida:

Orlando to St. Augustine: 107 miles (just over 1.5 hours)

Daytona Beach to St. Augustine: 55 miles (1 hour)

Jacksonville to St. Augustine: 40 miles (45 minutes)

Amelia Island to St. Augustine: 70 miles (1 hour and 15 minutes)

Wherever you’re coming from, here’s how I would spend one day in St. Augustine:

Breakfast at Blue Hen Cafe

Start with a cozy farm to table breakfast at the Blue Hen Cafe. This local neighborhood spot puts a fun Southern twist on breakfast with dishes like bbq pulled pork & grits, blue crab quiche, chicken biscuits, and King’s french toast.

We also really liked the breakfast sandwich with sweet potato home fries and the pumpkin pancakes.

It’s just a small neighborhood spot and it’s really popular with locals so either get there early or be prepared for a bit of a wait.

Flagler College Tour

After a yummy breakfast, head on over to St. Augustine’s downtown historic district to check out what I think is the big draw of St. Augustine: The Gilded Age hotels!

Henry Flagler (the railroad tycoon who was responsible for developing most of Florida), tried his absolute hardest to make St. Augustine a winter destination to rival Palm Beach.

The weather may not be as good year round as it is farther south, but St. Augustine is still home to three original hotels from the Gilded Age (although only one is still operating as a hotel).

The most impressive is Flagler College. Built in 1888, this historic institution (formerly the lavish Ponce de Leon Hotel) is a complete feast for the eyes with its Spanish Renaissance architecture.

You can walk through the outdoor courtyard and marvel at the great hall on your own, but if you want to go farther into the interior, you’ll need to sign up for a guided tour.

Definitely sign up in advance! I goofed around (I couldn’t get the tour to book on my phone and wasn’t super on top of it) and the tours ended up completely sold out for the day I was there. So we had to settle for just poking around outside and in the main hall.

You can book guided tours here. Tours are $17 per person and last one hour. They usually offer at least two tours a day but add quite a few more during busier tourist seasons.

The tour includes the courtyard and grand hall plus the dining room (where you’ll see the 79 Tiffany stained glass windows) and the Flagler Room (formerly the Women’s Grand Parlor). So with the guided tour you’ll get access to TWO rooms that you aren’t able to see if you just show up to poke around on your own.

I’m really bummed that I didn’t get to do the tour when I was here, but that just gives me a reason to go back!

***Want to save major $$$ on your next trip? I get asked ALL the time how I’m able to travel so often and stay at really nice resorts. Well, my favorite travel hack is cashing in points to score free airfare and free nights at high end resorts and hotels. Read my full guide on the exact system I use to max out credit card rewards here. Seriously, it’s going to save you soooo much money.

Casa Monica

When you finish up at Flagler College, head across the street to the Casa Monica.

Seamlessly blending Moorish Revival and Spanish Baroque styles, Franklin W. Smith originally opened the Casa Monica Hotel in 1888 but after some major financial struggle, Henry Flagler took over the hotel renaming it the Cordova Hotel.

The hotel operated under that name for several decades, but today it’s back open as the Casa Monica Hotel in partnership with Marriott Bonvoy (it was the first hotel to be added to Marriott’s Autograph Collection).

So of the three original Gilded Age hotels in St. Augustine, it’s the only one that still operates as a hotel and if you appreciate architecture and historic hotels, it’s a GEM.

Pop into the lobby for a quick peek to take in the ornate details and exquisite craftsmanship. It’s pure opulence with antique furnishings that seem more exotic than old world.

Lightner Museum

Next up, let’s finish off the trifecta at the Lightner Museum. Housed in the former Alcazar Hotel this place is like a time capsule of Victorian wonders.

Built by Henry Flagler in 1888, the Alcazar was originally the “recreation complex” for the Ponce de Leon Hotel across the street. Home to extensive spa and bath facilities as well as an extravagant indoor pool, the Alcazar eventually opened with guest rooms.

The museum showcases plenty of lavish collections (the glassworks collection is impressive) and architecture, but the collection of antique oddities is the most interesting.

While the spa and bath facilities were a big draw back in the day, they certainly weren’t luxurious like we think of spas today ; )

But by far the big draw of the Lightner Museum is the indoor swimming pool. The whole building seems like it’s built around the pool, and they’ve even opened a small cafe on the floor of the pool.

With a three story atrium unfolding over the pool, it’s pretty spectacular and I think it’s definitely a don’t miss in St. Augustine.

There’s also an entire floor of the museum that’s open to special exhibits. When I visited, they had a pretty extensive Art Nouveau exhibit on loan from the Chrysler Museum in Virginia.

Find more info about the Lightner Museum here.

Side Note: If you’re looking for a rental car for your trip, I LOVE Discount USA Car Rental. They’re seriously the only company I ever use. I started using their sister company (Discount Hawaii Car Rental) on my Hawaii trips almost 10 years ago and now I use their main site for all of my other trips. They’ll give you the very best prices, you don’t have to reserve with a credit card or pay until you show up, you can cancel and re-book anytime if you find a better rate, and they usually have a special that adds additional drivers for no fee. It’s a no brainer. Click here to check rates for your trip.

Lunch at The Floridian

For a classic Florida lunch spot in the historic downtown area, head to The Floridian.

It was recommended by Southern Living, so who am I to question, right?

Well when we settled in about 1 PM we were some of the only people in the restaurant but in just a few minutes the place was packed!

Everything about this place is “so Florida” but in the best way. The decor feels eclectically tropical and the menu is a take on Southern and Floridian favorites all made with fresh, local ingredients. Think: Fried green tomatoes, biscuits with pork belly, shrimp po boys, meatloaf sandwiches, Cuban sandwiches, and lots of fish, grits, and cornbread.

Castillo de San Marcos

After you’ve fueled up with lunch, you’ve got to experience St. Augustine’s #1 historic attraction: the Castillo de San Marcos.

Built in 1672 by the Spanish, the Castillo de San Marcos has seen it all – Its sturdy walls have weathered battles, sieges, and centuries, earning it the title of the oldest masonry fort in the US.

The Castillo is a fixture of St. Augustine’s profile from the Mantanzas River and even if you’re not super into the history, the upper deck has such great views of downtown St. Augustine and the river that you’ll definitely want to check it out.

Plus the Castillo de San Marcos is a National Monument operated by the National Park Service and you know I never miss a chance to get my passport stamped ; )

Shopping in Uptown

Okay, we’ve spent the day doing a lot of sightseeing, so let’s take a little break and check out some local shopping!

They say there’s really no better way to get to know a city than through it’s shopping, right? Right?!

Just north of the historic downtown, St. Augustine’s Uptown neighborhood is kind of getting to be the epicenter of new entrepreneurship in St. Augustine.

For a few blocks, San Marco Ave is lined with local boutiques and vintage shops.

My favorites were Declaration & Co, Cool and Collected, and Spinster Abbott’s (also a great place to stop for a drink).

On Another Note: If you’re looking for a condo or vacation rental for your trip, I always book with Vrbo. They’ve got the largest selection of rentals you’ll find anywhere and you can easily filter to find exactly what you’re looking for. Need a specific number of bedrooms and bathrooms? Narrowed it down to a certain location? Want flexible cancellation terms? Need to stay under a fixed budget? Click here to search for Florida vacation rentals for your trip.

Have a Celebratory Dinner!

That’s a BIG DAY of sight seeing in St. Augustine! Cap it off at one of the city’s great restaurants/hang out spots:

River & Fort: Seafood and steaks with the best view of the Castillo de San Marcos.

Boat Drinks: Two story bar and seafood joint with retro tropical interiors, a world-class rum library, and a balcony overlooking St. George Street that’s Drywa’s go-to place for people-watching.

Casa Reina: Tacos and tequila in a 120-year-old Spanish Revival building. Their upper terrance has great views of the Bridge of Lions.

The Ice Plant: Farm to table food AND craft cocktails in an industrial park turned destination on the San Sebastian River.

Where to Stay in St. Augustine

Whether you want to make the most of a full day in St. Augustine and spend the night, or you’ve decided on a bit longer stay, I really liked staying at The Local.

This old roadside motel has been completely renovated and IT IS CUTE.

They’ve really leaned into the classic Florida, pink Flamingo theme and this is the perfect spot if you just need a basic place to sleep and shower (it’s super budget friendly), but you like a little style too.

Want to Read More Posts about Florida? I’ve got plenty!

Check out these destinations: Miami (Things to Do Besides Party & Where to Stay) // Key Biscayne // Sanibel & Captiva // Longboat Key & Anna Maria Island // Marco Island // 30a // St Augustine // Amelia Island // St Pete Beach // St Petersburg // Fort Myers // Dunedin // Crystal River & Weeki Wachee Springs // Honeymoon Island & Caladesi Island State Parks // Tarpon Springs // Matlacha & Pine Island // Apalachicola

Trying to narrow it down? Siesta Key vs Anna Maria Island // St Pete Beach vs Clearwater Beach // Sanibel vs Marco Island // Destin vs Panama City Beach // Destin vs 30a // Key Biscayne vs South Beach // Seaside vs Rosemary Beach

Best Beaches in Florida with Seashells

Best Florida Tennis Resorts

The post Day Trip to St Augustine: Gilded Age Architecture, Spanish History & Florida Fresh Food! appeared first on Mousin' Around.

Amelia Island has been on my list of places I want to go for…a long time.

I’m not even sure how I first heard about it, but the northernmost island on Florida’s Atlantic coast that was known for being more similar to Georgia and South Carolina’s lowcountry than more familiar Florida beaches has always fascinated me.

Well on a recent week long road trip to a few different places in northern Florida, I finally made time for a visit.

Weekend on Amelia Island

I spent a weekend on Amelia Island taking in all of the sites, and here’s what you need to know:

Why Go to Amelia Island

For starters…there are a LOT of beach destinations in Florida, so why should you pick Amelia Island? After visiting, I think these are the main draws:

Proximity to Southern Cities

Amelia Island’s location right on the FL/GA state line makes it a drivable destination to people living in Jacksonville, Georgia, South Carolina, and even parts of Tennessee, North Carolina, etc.

Golf & Tennis

Amelia Island is a golfer’s paradise. It’s also home to Cliff Drysdale Tennis, a 23 court state of the art tennis facility which makes it a huge tennis destination.

Fernandina Beach

Fernandina Beach is one of the cutest beach towns in Florida…maybe anywhere. The historic downtown is lined with trees dripping with Spanish moss, cute shops, and yummy restaurants. It’s everything you’d want in a laid back beach town but with a slightly more refined Southern vibe.

River Cruises & Cumberland Island Tours

One of the top things to do in Amelia Island is a river cruise to see the marshes and barrier islands. Part of what makes Amelia Island unique to any other place in Florida is that it shares more in common with Georgia and South Carolina’s famous “lowcountry” than the more tropical white sand beaches further south. So a boat cruise up the river or over to Cumberland Island is a must.

Fort Clinch State Park

The drive through Fort Clinch State Park is sooo lovely and has me wanting to plan a trip to Savannah or Chaleston to see more of the Lowcountry.

***Want to save major $$$ on your next trip? I get asked ALL the time how I’m able to travel so often and stay at really nice resorts. Well, my favorite travel hack is cashing in points to score free airfare and free nights at high end resorts and hotels. Read my full guide on the exact system I use to max out credit card rewards here. Seriously, it’s going to save you soooo much money.

Where to Stay

Ritz Carlton Amelia Island

I cashed in some Marriott points to stay at the Ritz Carlton Amelia Island, and as expected, it’s the most luxurious spot on the island.

It’s just a quick drive south from Fernandina Beach, but it feels pretty isolated and you won’t find any crowds.

While the beach isn’t what I’m used to on the gulf coast (white sand, turquoise water, sand dollars), the beach here has its own kind of wild beauty.

The water is rougher and colder, but the beach is wide and flat making it perfect for long walks and lots of beach combing.

The hotel’s beach services were closed up for winter when I visited, but even in colder months they have bonfires on the beach available.

Amelia Schoolhouse Inn

If you’re just staying for a few days on Amelia Island and planning to do more sightseeing and shopping than hitting the beach, I LOVE the Amelia Schoolhouse Inn. It’s walkable to the historic downtown, and obviously quite a bit cheaper than the Ritz Carlton.

Side Note: If you’re looking for a rental car for your trip, I LOVE Discount USA Car Rental. They’re seriously the only company I ever use. I started using their sister company (Discount Hawaii Car Rental) on my Hawaii trips almost 10 years ago and now I use their main site for all of my other trips. They’ll give you the very best prices, you don’t have to reserve with a credit card or pay until you show up, you can cancel and re-book anytime if you find a better rate, and they usually have a special that adds additional drivers for no fee. It’s a no brainer. Click here to check rates for your trip.

Where to Eat

I was only on Amelia Island for a couple of days, but here are the places I ate and liked:

Mezcal Spirit of Oaxaca

We stumbled in here on our first night and it was a home run! We actually talked about going back again the next night ; ) Being from Oklahoma, I’m much more familiar with Tex-Mex style food, but I loved this regional Mexican cuisine and most of the menu sounded interesting.

The Crab Trap

We popped in here for an early dinner and while there’s some construction going on in the area, I think it’s going to be a really nice area when it’s all finished.

We had some truly amazing shrimp here (shrimp cocktail AND fried shrimp!) plus probably the best lobster bisque I’ve ever had (it had huge chunks of lobster in it).

Amelia Island Coffee

This local coffee shop is perfect for breakfast or an afternoon pick me up while you’re shopping. Their breakfast sandwiches are great, but I loved the banana bread the most!

On Another Note: If you’re looking for a condo or vacation rental for your trip, I always book with Vrbo. They’ve got the largest selection of rentals you’ll find anywhere and you can easily filter to find exactly what you’re looking for. Need a specific number of bedrooms and bathrooms? Narrowed it down to a certain location? Want flexible cancellation terms? Need to stay under a fixed budget? Click here to search for Florida vacation rentals for your trip.

Want to Read More Posts about Florida? I’ve got plenty!

Check out these destinations: Miami (Things to Do Besides Party & Where to Stay) // Key Biscayne // Sanibel & Captiva // Longboat Key & Anna Maria Island // Marco Island // 30a // St Augustine // Amelia Island // St Pete Beach // St Petersburg // Fort Myers // Dunedin // Crystal River & Weeki Wachee Springs // Honeymoon Island & Caladesi Island State Parks // Tarpon Springs // Matlacha & Pine Island // Apalachicola

Trying to narrow it down? Siesta Key vs Anna Maria Island // St Pete Beach vs Clearwater Beach // Sanibel vs Marco Island // Destin vs Panama City Beach // Destin vs 30a // Key Biscayne vs South Beach // Seaside vs Rosemary Beach

Best Beaches in Florida with Seashells

Best Florida Tennis Resorts

The post Amelia Island: Florida’s Most Southern Beach Getaway appeared first on Mousin' Around.