The Spread:
More like a town than a mere resort, Amelia Island Plantation spreads across 1,350 acres of beach, marshlands, and sub-tropical forest at the south end of Amelia Island, less than a half-hour drive from Jacksonville. The island town of Fernandina Beach deals up historic charm with a y'all drawl and nearby state parks add to the natural setting upon which the resort capitalizes.

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Amelia Island Plantation may, at first, seem overwhelming, but trolleys and bike paths make the mammoth property easily navigable. You can rent accommodations to host families of all sizes, from hotel rooms to three-bedroom condos.

Why Families Love It:
The resort focuses on the outdoors. Bordering a long stretch of dune-edged beach, Amelia Island Plantation attracts families with its nature trails, kayaking expeditions, biking, a full-service spa, world-class golf and tennis, shops, restaurants, and an award-winning kids program.

Kids Camp Amelia and the Just for Kids dinner program take care of the youngsters while parents indulge. Year-round, the camp's sessions (morning, $40 with lunch; afternoon, $30 no lunch; full day, $55 with lunch), accept children ages three to ten. The dinner program costs $40 per child and operates Wednesday through Saturday from 6 to 9:30 p.m. March through September and Thursday through Saturday the rest of the year. Teen Explorers arranges activities for that hard-to-please family faction, ages 11 and older. Rates vary from free to $30, depending on the event.

Special Activities & Events:
The myriad opportunities include swimming lessons, sports clinics, naturalist-guided tours (including one via Segway for $80), and "off-campus" field trips.