Amelia Island Weekend Getaways
5 sample itineraries — couples, family, girlfriends, golf buddies, and solo.
Quick Facts: Amelia Island Weekend Getaways
- Couples: Elizabeth Pointe Lodge + Salt at the Ritz + sunset kayak = $1,200 for 2 nights
- Family: Omni Oceanside + Fort Clinch + Slopery = $1,500 for 2 nights
- Girlfriends: Beachside Boutique Inn + spa day + Centre Street = $900 for 2 nights
- Golf buddies: Omni Plantation + 3 rounds = $1,800 for 2 nights
- Solo: Addison on Amelia + horseback + museums = $800 for 2 nights
Quick Planning
How many nights?
- 2 nights: Highlights only — beach, downtown, one activity
- 3 nights: Add a second activity + one slow day
- 4 nights: Add a day trip (St. Augustine or Cumberland Island)
When?
- April: Best weather, low humidity, no hurricane risk
- October: Water still warm, low humidity, fall foliage, Island Fall Festival
- Avoid: Shrimp Festival weekend (May), July 4, Labor Day
Where to base?
- Couples: Elizabeth Pointe Lodge (north end, B&B vibe, adults-preferred)
- Family: Omni Oceanside (mid-island, full resort, kids welcome)
- Golf: Omni Plantation (south end, 4 courses, golf packages)
- Budget: Hampton Inn (mid-island, free breakfast, walking distance to beach)
- Quiet: Addison on Amelia (Fernandina historic district, adults-only)
Drive or fly?
- Drive: 4-6 hours from most of the southeast
- Fly: Jacksonville International (JAX), 30-45 min drive to the island
- Rental car essential — no Uber on the island. Read our getting to Amelia Island guide.
Itinerary 1: Couple's Escape (2 nights, $1,200)
For: Honeymoons, anniversaries, "we need a weekend" trips
Base: Elizabeth Pointe Lodge ($389/night) or Ritz-Carlton ($480/night)
Day 1 (Friday)- 4pm: Arrive, check in
- 5pm: Walk to the beach, watch sunset
- 6:30pm: Pre-dinner drinks at the Lodge library (or Lobby Bar if Ritz)
- 7:30pm: Dinner at David's Restaurant (Centre Street, $80/person)
- 9pm: Walk Centre Street, ice cream at Lulus
- 10pm: Back to hotel, sleep with the windows open
- 8am: Breakfast on the porch (included at Elizabeth Pointe)
- 9:30am: Couples massage at the Ritz spa ($400/couple)
- Noon: Light lunch at Salt Life Food Shack ($30)
- 2pm: Sunset kayak tour ($80/couple, 2 hours)
- 4:30pm: Back to hotel, freshen up
- 6pm: Pre-dinner cocktails at the Palace Saloon
- 7:30pm: Dinner at Salt at the Ritz ($200/person, jacket suggested)
- 10pm: Back to hotel
- 8am: Breakfast at the Lodge
- 9:30am: Walk Centre Street, browse shops
- 11am: Check out
- 11:30am: Brunch at Café Karibo ($40/person)
- 1pm: Drive to JAX, fly home
Budget (couple)
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Hotel (2 nights) | $778 |
| Meals | $400 |
| Spa | $400 |
| Kayak tour | $160 |
| Drinks/tips | $200 |
| Total | $1,938 |
For Ritz: add ~$300. Browse our hotel comparison to plan your base.
Itinerary 2: Family Weekend (2 nights, $1,500)
For: Families with kids 5-12, "we just want the beach" trips
Base: Omni Oceanside Resort ($289/night)
Day 1 (Friday)- 3pm: Arrive, check in
- 3:30pm: Pool time (kids' pool with splash pad)
- 6pm: Early dinner at Marsh View Bar & Grill ($60 for family)
- 7:30pm: Beach walk
- 8:30pm: Ice cream at Rita's (Ritz, open to non-guests)
- 9pm: Back to hotel, kids in bed
- 8am: Buffet breakfast at the hotel ($60 for family)
- 9:30am: Fort Clinch State Park (Civil War fort, kids love it, $6/car)
- Noon: Lunch at the fort concession or packed lunch
- 1:30pm: Back to hotel, pool time
- 4pm: Mini-golf or beach activities
- 6:30pm: Dinner at Slopery (downtown, kid-friendly, $50 for family)
- 8pm: Walk Centre Street, kids pick a treat
- 9pm: Back to hotel
- 8am: Buffet breakfast at the hotel
- 9:30am: Beach time
- 11am: Check out
- 11:30am: Lunch at Salt Life ($50 for family)
- 1pm: Drive to JAX, fly home
Budget (family of 4)
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Hotel (2 nights) | $578 |
| Meals | $400 |
| Fort Clinch | $6 |
| Activities | $100 |
| Drinks/tips | $150 |
| Total | $1,234 |
For Ritz: add ~$700. For Residence Inn (kitchen): save ~$150 on food. See all family hotels.
Itinerary 3: Girlfriend Getaway (2 nights, $900)
For: Friends reunion, birthday weekend, bachelorette
Base: Beachside Boutique Inn ($219/night) or Hampton Inn ($229/night)
Day 1 (Friday)- 4pm: Arrive, check in
- 5pm: Wine on the porch / patio
- 7pm: Dinner at LuLu's on the Marsh ($60/person)
- 9pm: Drinks at the Boatright's Beer Garden
- 10pm: Walk Centre Street, ice cream at Lulus
- 8am: Breakfast at the hotel
- 9am: Spa day at the Ritz ($300/person, includes massage, facial, lunch)
- 3pm: Back to hotel, freshen up
- 4pm: Shopping on Centre Street (50+ shops)
- 6pm: Pre-dinner cocktails at the Palace Saloon
- 7:30pm: Dinner at 29 South ($80/person)
- 10pm: Back to hotel
- 8am: Breakfast at Slopery
- 9:30am: Beach time
- 11:30am: Brunch at Café Karibo
- 1pm: Drive to JAX, fly home
Budget (4 friends, splitting hotel)
| Item | Cost (per person) |
|---|---|
| Hotel (2 nights, split 4 ways) | $110 |
| Meals | $200 |
| Spa day | $300 |
| Shopping | $200 |
| Drinks/tips | $100 |
| Total per person | $910 |
For the suite-only experience: book 2 suites at Hampton Inn or 1 villa at the Plantation.
Itinerary 4: Golf Buddy Weekend (2 nights, $1,800)
For: 4 buddies, golf trip, "the guys" weekend
Base: Omni Amelia Island Plantation villa (2BR, $489/night)
Day 1 (Friday)- 2pm: Arrive, check in to villa
- 3pm: Round 1 at Oak Marsh (par 72, $175/person)
- 7pm: Dinner at Wicked Weed (Plantation, casual, $40/person)
- 9pm: Back to villa, drinks on the balcony
- 7am: Coffee, breakfast at the villa (kitchen)
- 8:30am: Round 2 at Ocean Links (Pete Dye, $295/person)
- 1pm: Lunch at the Verandah (Plantation, $30/person)
- 3pm: Round 3 (optional) at Long Point ($195/person)
- 7pm: Dinner at Salt at the Ritz (splurge, $200/person) or Bob's by the Sea (casual, $50/person)
- 10pm: Back to villa
- 7am: Coffee, breakfast
- 8:30am: Round 4 (optional) at Amelia River ($95/person)
- Noon: Lunch
- 1pm: Drive to JAX, fly home
Budget (4 guys)
| Item | Cost (per person) |
|---|---|
| Villa (2 nights, split 4 ways) | $245 |
| 3 rounds of golf | $665 |
| 2 carts per round | $90 |
| Meals | $300 |
| Drinks/tips | $200 |
| Total per person | $1,500 |
Add the golf package at the Omni and you save $100-200/round. Browse golf packages & tee times.
Itinerary 5: Solo Retreat (2 nights, $800)
For: Solo travel, "I need a break," writing retreats, spiritual reset
Base: Addison on Amelia ($510/night, single occupancy)
Day 1 (Friday)- 3pm: Arrive, check in
- 4pm: Walk Centre Street, browse
- 6pm: Afternoon wine and cheese at the Addison (4-5pm, included)
- 7pm: Dinner at 29 South ($40, solo-friendly)
- 9pm: Back to the room, journal
- 8am: Breakfast at Café Karibo
- 9:30am: Horseback ride on the beach ($130, solo, sunrise/sunset options)
- Noon: Lunch at Slopery
- 1:30pm: Amelia Island Museum of History ($10, 1-2 hours)
- 4pm: Sunset at Fort Clinch (drive, 15 min)
- 6pm: Dinner at the Boatright's (casual, beer garden, $30)
- 8pm: Back to hotel, room with balcony, read
- 8am: Coffee at Café Karibo
- 10am: Walk the beach (15 min drive, Main Beach)
- Noon: Lunch at Salt Life
- 1:30pm: Drive to JAX, fly home
Budget (solo)
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Hotel (2 nights) | $1,020 |
| Meals | $150 |
| Horseback | $130 |
| Museum | $10 |
| Drinks/tips | $80 |
| Total | $1,390 |
Save by staying at Elizabeth Pointe ($389/night = $778 total).
Comparison: 5 Itineraries
| Trip | Nights | Hotel Cost | Activity Cost | Total per couple |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Couple's escape | 2 | $778 | $560 | $1,938 |
| Family (4 ppl) | 2 | $578 | $156 | $1,234 (per family) |
| Girlfriends (4 ppl) | 2 | $220 | $700 | $910 (per person) |
| Golf buddies (4 ppl) | 2 | $490 | $1,255 | $1,500 (per person) |
| Solo retreat | 2 | $1,020 | $220 | $1,390 |
What All 5 Itineraries Have in Common
- Friday arrival, Sunday departure (2 nights) — the most efficient weekend
- One signature activity (kayak, horseback, golf, spa) — not crammed with activities
- One nice dinner — Salt, David's, 29 South, or 29 South alternative
- One beach moment — sunset or morning walk
- One downtown moment — Centre Street walking, drinks, or shopping
- Car rental essential — even if just for the weekend
What to Add if You Have a 3rd Night
- Couples: Day trip to Cumberland Island (ferry, $35, half-day)
- Family: Beach day, no schedule
- Girlfriends: Cooking class or art class
- Golf: 4th round, then massage
- Solo: Yoga on the beach, then journaling
What to Add if You Have a 4th Night
- Couples: St. Augustine day trip
- Family: Fort Clinch full day, kids' camp
- Girlfriends: Jacksonville day trip (riverside, art)
- Golf: 5th round, then fishing charter
- Solo: Cumberland Island overnight
Weekend FAQs
Is 2 nights enough for Amelia Island?
Yes, if you focus. 2 nights = beach, downtown, one activity. If you want to relax, add a 3rd night.
Is 3 nights enough for Amelia Island?
Yes, this is the sweet spot for most trips. 3 nights = beach, downtown, 2-3 activities, one slow day.
Is Amelia Island good for a weekend trip?
Yes, one of the best in the southeast. Close to JAX (30 min), compact (13 miles), walkable downtown, beach + history + activity in one place.
Can I do Amelia Island without a car?
Limited. The Omni and the Ritz have shuttles to local restaurants, but most other activities require a car. Public transit is limited. Uber/Lyft is not reliable on the island. Rental car is essential.
What is the cheapest way to do a weekend?
Stay at the Hampton Inn ($189/night) or Residence Inn ($179/night) for 2 nights, eat casual (Slopery, Salt Life), one free activity (beach, sunset, downtown). Budget: $400-$500 per person for 2 nights.
What is the most expensive way to do a weekend?
Stay at the Ritz-Carlton ($480/night), dinner at Salt (jacket suggested, $200/person), couples massage at the spa ($400/couple), horseback ride ($130/person). Budget: $2,500+ for 2 nights.
When is the best weekend to visit Amelia Island?
Mid-April or mid-October. Best weather, low crowds, lower prices than peak summer.
When is the worst weekend to visit?
Shrimp Festival weekend (first weekend in May), July 4 weekend, Labor Day weekend. Crowds, prices, sold-out restaurants.
Book direct or through Booking.com/Expedia?
Direct is usually better for loyalty points, room upgrades, and flexibility. Booking.com/Expedia is sometimes cheaper. Always compare. For peak weekends, book direct with refundable rate.
Are there package deals for Amelia Island weekends?
The Omni Plantation has stay + play golf packages. The Ritz has romance packages (champagne, dinner, late checkout). The Omni Oceanside has family packages (kids' camp, meals). Check each hotel's website.
Plan Your Weekend
Compare all Amelia Island hotels, browse weekend restaurants, read the 3-day itinerary guide, or check our best time to visit for the best weekend dates.
Related Guides
More resources for an Amelia Island weekend.