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With the bustle of work and summer activities, our family doesn't get to spend as much time together as we'd like. Before the kids head back to school we decided to spend a long weekend together on Amelia Island- a barrier of sand and oak trees just off the Atlantic coast of Northeast Florida that promises to be both relaxing and adventurous at the same time.

To our pleasant surprise, the beach wasn't crowded at all, and we seemed to have every inch of sand to ourselves. After some fun building sand castles and tackling the ocean waves, we all took a break and simply relaxed, soaking in the sun and fresh air. For dinner, we enjoyed the warm evening breeze and ate al fresco. The brick-oven pizza was divine!

The next day we headed off in search of the more adventurous side of the island. First stop was Fort Clinch State Park, with a guided nature walk around Willow Pond Trail. Thank goodness, we brought our binoculars. Wildlife viewing was amazing! We ended the day booking a first-timer stand-up paddle board lesson. Amelia Island has some of the best places to paddle board, from the marsh to the ocean, and perfect conditions for amateurs like us!

On day three, we agreed to scale down our outdoor activities and relax. After an early morning dip in the pool we visited Historic Downtown Fernandina Beach. First, we took a historical tour to learn about Amelia Island's colorful history. Called the "Isle of Eight Flags," Amelia Island is the only place in America over which eight different flags have flown. Next, it was time to shop. There were tons of eclectic shops full of unique finds for any sized wallet. Excited for some play time, we took the kids to the Pinball Museum, where you could toss your coins into over 20 machines. To cap off the evening we enjoyed a delicious dinner full of flavorful, local seafood. The local specialty is wild-caught shrimp.

On our final day, we were eager for one last adventure. We rented two catamarans to experience beautiful scenery and wildlife, near Fort Clinch and Cumberland Island. The boats were easy to drive and, with a burst of power, they maneuvered like a hovercraft. They're like "go carts on the water!"

Amelia Island was the perfect family vacation. We all got just what we wanted, and best of all, we got to share it together.