Head over to the Amelia Island Plantation for a family Segway tour through a salt marsh teeming with teeny, cute crabs. Kids younger than 8 can take the tour with a parent in an Island Hopper (like a golf cart). Savor homemade ice cream in a rocker on the porch of Marche Burette, an old-fashioned general store. End the day on a river cruise, where you'll see wild ponies, dune turtles, egrets, and -- just maybe -- dolphins. Whether strolling or by carriage, nosh and shop your way through picturesque Fernandina Beach. Hit the Happy Tomato Cafe for a southern barbecue lunch. Then explore Fort Clinch State Park, home to a Civil War-era fort with reenactments, as well as nature trails, picnic spots, a fishing pier, a beach, and a museum.
If you're going to stay put and splurge a little, you'll love the Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island. There's spacious rooms, amazing views, an awesome spa, and the kids club -- great for toddlers & up -- that keeps them entertained with all kinds of creative and cool activities (gardening, jewelry making, hunting for shark's teeth...). There's a game room with all the hottest video games for tweens. Younger kids get a kick out of the pirate's treasure hunt, that takes them all over the resort and along the beach, picking up prizes along the way!
