About Downtown Fernandina Beach
Downtown Fernandina Beach is the historic core of Amelia Island and one of the best-preserved Victorian seaport districts in the Southeast. Spread across roughly 50 blocks and more than 400 historic structures, the district is centered on Centre Street, which runs from the Amelia River waterfront and marina up the hill past independent boutiques, antique shops, art galleries, coffee houses, restaurants and Florida's oldest bar.
Fernandina Beach is the only city on Amelia Island, at Florida's northeastern tip in Nassau County, about 30 miles north of Jacksonville. Its downtown grew up around the deep-water port in the 1800s, and today the same brick-and-clapboard storefronts house locally owned businesses. The district is managed in partnership with Fernandina Beach Main Street, a nonprofit in Florida's Main Street program, and stays busy year-round with concerts, festivals, a Saturday farmers market and holiday traditions.
Don't miss: the Palace Saloon, Florida's oldest bar; the waterfront marina at sunset; and, if you are here on New Year's Eve, the Shrimp Drop. Walking Centre Street is free — parking is not.
This is the full rundown on downtown — where to shop and eat, the Saturday farmers market, parking, and the events that fill Centre Street all year.
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Things to Do in Downtown Fernandina Beach
Stroll Centre Street. The main drag is compact and flat — an easy walk from the marina at the foot of the street up to 8th Street, lined with more than 100 shops, restaurants and galleries in restored 19th-century buildings.
Have a drink at the Palace Saloon. At 117 Centre Street, the Palace has poured since 1903 and is recognized as Florida's oldest continuously operating bar. Read more on our Palace Saloon guide.
Learn the island's story. The Amelia Island Museum of History, in the former county jail on South 3rd Street, tells 4,000 years of island history and runs docent-led "8 Flags" tours.
Take a walking or carriage tour. Self-guided walking tours reveal Victorian architecture and historic churches; horse-drawn carriage tours depart from downtown.
Shop the independents. Downtown is where to come for one-of-a-kind finds rather than chain stores: boutiques, antiques, coastal home goods, books and locally made art, most opening around 10am. Our Centre Street shopping guide names the shops worth knowing.
Eat and drink well. Centre Street and the blocks around it hold the island's densest concentration of restaurants — fresh Fernandina shrimp and Gulf seafood, gastropubs, coffee houses and craft beer, most within a short walk of one another. See the full dining guide and our brewery guide.
Watch the sunset at the marina. The Fernandina Harbor Marina at the west end of Centre Street looks out over the Amelia River — the best free sunset spot downtown.
Events That Fill Centre Street
Historic downtown is the stage for most of the island's signature events, many produced by Fernandina Beach Main Street and partner organizations. Our events calendar is updated daily and tracks dates as they are announced. The downtown year, roughly:
- Sounds on Centre — free first-Friday concert series on Centre Street, spring through fall. More on our live music guide.
- Downtown Art Walk — second-Saturday evening gallery walk through the district.
- Fernandina Beach Market Place — the farmers market, every Saturday morning year-round on North 7th Street.
- Sip & Shop — ticketed evening shop-and-stroll with 25+ merchants, a sip map and a keepsake cup.
- Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival — the island's largest festival, running since 1964, fills downtown each spring with seafood, crafts and fireworks.
- Island Hop Craft Beer & Spirits Festival — typically the first Saturday of October at Central Park, benefiting Main Street.
- Amelia Island Petanque — an international tournament in November, billed as the largest in the Americas.
- Dickens on Centre — Victorian-themed December holiday festival with costumed characters and carolers.
- New Year's Eve Shrimp Drop — downtown's waterfront countdown, where a lighted shrimp drops at midnight with fireworks.
Visitor Tips
Downtown parking is paid — the City of Fernandina Beach operates a paid parking program on and around Centre Street, so check posted signs and pay before you browse. See our Centre Street shopping guide for what is where. Most shops open around 10am; restaurants stay open later. The waterfront marina at the west end of Centre Street offers beautiful sunset views.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is parking free in Historic Downtown Fernandina Beach?
No. Downtown Fernandina Beach has a paid parking program covering Centre Street and the surrounding blocks, so plan to pay at a kiosk or by app. Rates and hours are set by the City of Fernandina Beach — check the city site or posted signs for current rates before you visit. A citizen-led ballot initiative to end paid parking went to voters in 2026, so the rules may change.
What is there to do in Historic Downtown Fernandina Beach?
Browse 50+ blocks of Victorian-era shops, boutiques and art galleries along Centre Street, dine on fresh local seafood, and stop into the Palace Saloon — Florida's oldest bar. The waterfront marina at the foot of Centre Street is a favorite spot for sunset.
What is Centre Street known for?
Centre Street is the main street of the historic downtown, running from the Amelia River marina up through the district. It's lined with locally owned shops, restaurants, bars and galleries in restored 19th-century buildings, and it's the setting for events like Sounds on Centre, Dickens on Centre and the New Year's Eve Shrimp Drop.
What is the New Year's Eve Shrimp Drop?
It's downtown Fernandina Beach's Times Square-style New Year's Eve celebration on the waterfront: a lighted shrimp is lowered at midnight, with fireworks, music and food. It's one of the town's most popular annual traditions.
Is Florida's oldest bar in downtown Fernandina Beach?
Yes. The Palace Saloon at 117 Centre Street has operated since 1903 and is recognized as Florida's oldest continuously operating bar.
When is the downtown farmers market?
The Fernandina Beach Market Place farmers market is held Saturday mornings year-round at the foot of Centre Street. Downtown also hosts a regular evening Artwalk — check our events page for the next date.