Blue Heron Inn (Amelia Island, Florida) Blog

Country Rocks the Beach!

June 3rd, 2013 by davidjones

You could be here!

Amelia Island is well known for beautiful sunrises like these. But on Saturday, June 22 the island will come alive with its first annual country music concert, “Country Rocks the Beach!” This all day event features headliners Craig Morgan, Dustin Lynch and The Lacs. Up and comers Lauren Elise, Aaron Taylor, Rion Paige and Jamie Davis will also join the stage. Craig Morgan, who served 12 years in the Army and is still in the Army Reserve will be donating over $15,000 in concert tickets to active duty military in the Jacksonville and South Georgia region. Throughout Craig’s wildly successful career, he has produced the hit songs, to name a few, “That’s What I Love About Sunday,” “Redneck Yacht Club,” “This ‘Ole Boy,” “Bonfire,” and the most recent “More Trucks Than Cars.” Dustin Lynch, the singer of smash hits “Cowboys and Angels,” “She Cranks My Tractor,” and “Wild In Your Smile” brings an interesting, yet exciting bit of news to the event. This concert is extra special here on Amelia Island because Dustin will be coming back to his family’s hometown! Labeled as the next George Strait, he is one of country music’s hottest young stars. Amelia island is excited to welcome him and his family back home! This concert benefits more than 40 groups and non-profits in the area. Gates open at 3:00 pm and tickets range from $30-$40. For ticket info please call 904-430-3473.

Tags: Amelia Island, bed and breakfast, Blue Heron Inn, country music, Craig Morgan, Dustin Lynch, Fernandina Beach
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Honoring World War II Vet

February 19th, 2013 by davidjones

Recent guests of ours shared a story too sweet and inspiring not to pass along. Jimmy Lawrence and his wife Patty received a generous gift certificate for a stay with us. You see, Jimmy volunteers with a local branch of Honor Flight Network, a non-profit organization created solely to honor America’s veterans for all their sacrifices. The Network transports American heroes to Washington, D.C. to visit and reflect at their memorials. The trip for these veterans is completely free due to generous donations from many people and organizations. Jimmy wanted to serve as a traveling “Guardian” to a certain World War II vet he had befriended but the individual didn’t feel he deserved such attention. After developing a relationship with him, Jimmy finally managed to convince this veteran to take the trip and traveled along with him. In a beautifully crafted handwritten letter (lost art?) the veteran wrote Jimmy, calling his experience “humbling, and emotional,” as well as “the most fantastic day I have ever experienced”. As a thank you he gave Jimmy and his wife a certificate for a stay with us at the Blue Heron Inn on Amelia Island. Doesn’t that just bring a smile to your face? Thanks Jimmy for sharing your story…and time with us. You can read more about Honor Flight Network at www.honorflight.org.

Tags: Amelia Island, bed and breakfast, Blue Heron Inn, Honor Flight Network, veteran, World War II
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Amelia Island on Coastal Hot List!

February 10th, 2013 by davidjones

Well we always knew Amelia Island was a “hidden gem,” but don’ take our word for it – the island has starred in two separate magazines this month as a top coastal destination! Coastal Living Magazine’s February 2013 issue cites Amelia Island, Florida as one of the “Top 10 Places to Go in 2013.” In fact, our island was the only “wish list” spot identified in the United States! It ranked among stars such as St. Vincent, Wales, and Okinawa, Japan. Conde’ Nast Traveler February 2013 issue also highlights Amelia Island in its special pullout section. ”Sun, swimming, surfing and sailing…who could ask for anything more? But should the beach get to be just too blissful, there’s horseback riding, biking, and an almost-deserted island to satisfy the landlubber in you,” the writer hypes. Here at the Blue Heron Inn we couldn’t agree more! We might add that we are just one easy block from Centre Street, the heart of the historic district, with its quaint cafes and varied first-rate restaurants. Within a couple of blocks from the Blue Heron Inn, you can enjoy Spanish, Portuguese Mexican, Asian, Italian, and Irish food, not to mention assorted bars, ice cream and dessert spots. After enjoying a drink or dinner, wind through all the various streets downtown and explore the numerous boutiques and galleries. We’ll think you’ll agree, Amelia Island is hot!

Tags: Amelia Island, bed and breakfast, Blue Heron Inn, Fernandina Beach, Florida, Historic District, restaurant
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Love and Play Package

February 2nd, 2013 by davidjones

Love romantic comedies? If so, you won’t want to miss Almost, Maine, a hilarious yet touching celebration of love at the Amelia Community Theatre throughout February. Set in the mythical town of Almost, Maine, this play, with its large cast of 19, presents nine different stories of couples who fall in and out of love in unexpected and surprising ways, all on the same cold, clear, moonless night. Lead director Geoffrey King, enjoyed being able to show a slice from so many different relationships, each dealing with different characters and different circumstances. You’ll meet “love-lost, love-found, love-rediscovered, and love-appreciated.” A quirky part of the play involves a woman demanding that her boyfriend “return” all the love she has given him. In another part, a woman carries her broken, hardened heart around in a sack as she keeps watch for the Northern Lights. Director Laura Swaim believes everyone can relate to most of the scenarios. Shows run the weekends of Feb. 7-9, 14-16, and 21-23 and at 2 pm on Sunday, Feb. 17. The theater is just a few walking blocks from the Blue Heron Inn. Let us arrange a romantic dinner for you before the show! Come celebrate your special romance with us at the Blue Heron Inn.

For more information on Almost, Maine please visit http://www.ameliacommunitytheatre.org/.

For this event we are offering two complimentary tickets to the play Almost, Maine with a two night minimum. Advance reservations for this offer must be made by calling 904-445-9034.

Tags: ACT, Amelia Island, bed and breakfast, Blue Heron Inn, Community, Fernandina Beach, Florida, Plays, Theater
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Garden Show Blooms in March!

January 30th, 2013 by davidjones

Pink Liffly This warm weather makes me want to pull out the trowel and do some planting! (That’s the idealist, however. The realist gardener in me says this weather won’t continue and that Old Man Winter still has some “ummmf” left in him!) It’s still not too early though to look forward to Amelia Island’s Annual Garden Show, to be held here in Central Park on March 2nd and 3rd. Mother Nature shows off her brightest colors in a vast array of botanical wonders during this premiere event. Florida’s nurseries and growers come together to offer beautiful…and unusual shrubs, trees, etc. for your planting pleasure! You can also enjoy live bird exhibits, hands-on workshops, presentations, delightful garden accessories and much more! Admission is just $5 for both days. Central Park is just three blocks from the Blue Heron Inn. For more information go to http://www.ameliagarden.com/schedule.html

Tags: Amelia Island, bed and breakfast, Blue Heron Inn, Fernandina Beach, Florida, garden, Horticulture, plants
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Discover the Flavors!

January 12th, 2013 by ameliaislandblueheroninn

Experience a culinary delight the next two weekends on Amelia Island! Twenty unique restaurants, all located here, are offering three-course, prixfixe menus in celebration of Amelia Island Restaurant Week, January 18th-27th. Menus range from $20.13 to $30.13 per person and include appetizer, entree, dessert and non-alcoholic beverage. The following participating restaurants are located in the historic district and within walking distance from our inn: 29 South, Bonito Grill and Sushi, Brett’s Waterway Cafe’, Crab Trap, Cafe’ Karibo, David’s Restaurant & Lounge, Espana Restaurant & Tapas, Le Clos, Lu Lu’s at the Thompson House, Marina Seafood Restaurant, Merge, Salty Pelican Bar & Grill. Join us and Bon Appetite!

Brett’s Waterway Cafe’

Cafe’ Karibo

Le Clos

Tags: Amelia Island, bed and breakfast, Blue Heron Inn, dinning, Fernandina Beach, restaurant, seafood
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Boneyard Beach…Cool! No Bones About It!

January 7th, 2013 by davidjones

The area around Amelia Island is just brimming with natural wonders! Take Boneyard Beach, for example. Don’t let the name scare you – it’s not full of bones – just salt-washed skeletons of live oak and cedar trees that have fallen onto the beach due to beach erosion. They remain there until the tide takes them out or they become fully eroded. What you have is a fascinating display of super-large driftwood and a photographer’s dream! Boneyard Beach is located at the northern most tip of Big Talbot Island, about a 20 minute drive from Amelia Island and a perfect place for a picnic lunch. There are many cool trails to explore there that provide diverse habitats for bird-watching and nature study. After exploring on foot consider launching a boat from the north end of the island to fish and tour the salt marshes. Or consider renting a kayak and taking a guided tour with Kayak Amelia (888) 30-KAYAK. Kayak tours require advanced reservations.

Julies Old iPhone Pics 913 Julies Old iPhone Pics 921

Julies Old iPhone Pics 910

Tags: Amelia Island, bed and breakfast, Big Talbot Island, birding, Boneyard Beach, Florida, nature, photography, salt marshes
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Thanks for a terrific first year!

January 7th, 2013 by davidjones

This past November David and I celebrated our first anniversary of officially “being open” as The Blue Heron Inn! We want to first thank God for making our dreams of owning a bed and breakfast come true. Secondly, we’d like to thank you, our amazing guests for sharing your time with us. When people ask “What’s the best part of being an innkeeper?” and we say “The guests” we truly mean it! We have come to know so many wonderful and interesting people and it’s been a privilege to meet all your vacation “needs” while you are here! Finally, we’d like to thank our family for their support and encouraging words as we continued on our quest for finding just the right place. We have come to love Amelia Island and the quaint charm it offers. This Christmas we were able to get all the kids together and take a family cruise through the Western Caribbean. Now while I’m not encouraging that for you (we’d much rather you visit us) it was perfect for us! I mean, how far can two teenagers, one twenty-something year-old and one preteen go on a ship? We are excited about 2013 and have many exciting ideas as we head into this New Year. Thank you for making us a part of your lives as we continue our journey! See you soon!

Melissas iPhone pics 031

Tags: Amelia Island, bed and breakfast, Fernandina Beach, First Coast, Florida, inn
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Amelia Island Holiday Cookie Tour of Inns – Featuring the Blue Heron Inn

October 1st, 2012 by davidjones

November 17th

2012 Holiday Cookie Tour of Inns

Date: Saturday November 17, 2012

Time: 12 pm-5pm

Place: Begin the tour at any of the eight bed and breakfast inns on the tour.

Catch the spirit of the season at the 5th Annual Amelia Island Bed and Breakfast Holiday Cookie Tour hosted by the Amelia Island Bed and Breakfast Association on Saturday, November 17, 2012 from 12 noon until 5:00 pm. You are invited to experience a special afternoon as eight of Amelia Island’s classic inns and charming bed and breakfast dress up in festive holiday finery and open their doors to you! As you stroll through the historic district and beach front you will able to sample a signature cookie at each Inn, take the recipe home with you, view some great decorating ideas and learn a historical tidbit or two as you peek inside the area’s prettiest and unique inns. Make this a part of your holiday tradition.

Horse-drawn carriage rides will be available in the Historic District for your enjoyment as well as trolley rides to the Inns at the beach. Stops are marked on your ticket.

In the spirit of the season, you can enjoy the Holiday Cookie Tour knowing that a portion of the proceeds from ticket and cookbook sales will benefit Micah’s Place, the only certified domestic violence center serving Nassau County. Your participation in the tour will provide services to victims of domestic violence and education within the community.

Maps are printed on your ticket and will be available at the door.

Tickets: $25 each for all ages and can be purchased online or at any of the Amelia Island Bed and Breakfast Inns, The Purple Dove Resale Center in Yulee, the Amelia Island Visitors Center, Nassau County Public Library (downtown Fernandina) and the Chamber of Commerce gateway office.

Purchase your tickets before September 30 and save $10, before October 30 and save $5.

Call now (904-445-9034) for a Blue Heron Inn Cookie Tour Weekend Holiday special. For $395 you will receive two night accommodations for two, 2 tickets to the Cookie Tour, and the newest Amelia Island Inns cookbook.

2012 Cookie Tour $$ VIP Lodging packages may be purchased for $150 and are available for your Inn of choice. Each package includes:

Two Tour tickets, a certificate for a one-night midweek celebration stay at one of our fine inns including breakfast and a copy of “Sunshine Mornings at the Inns of Amelia”.

Only 5 VIP packages per inn will be available and may be purchased online only. Hurry these won’t last long.

Tags: Amelia Island Jazz Festival, Jazz Festival
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Fresh Seafood at its Best!

August 27th, 2012 by davidjones

Love fresh seafood? Then don’t miss the recently opened Timoti’s Fry Shak! In addition to offering daily specials, Carlin Catanzaro, manager, says the grilled fish and shrimp tacos and the fried shrimp baskets are some of the more popular items on the menu. She adds that Timoti’s supports the local community by buying fresh produce from the downtown Farmer’s Market, local wild shrimp, and even local beers (try the Intuition line brewed in nearby Jacksonville)! Located in the heart of the historic district (and within walking distance from the Blue Heron Inn), Timoti’s is a great place to hangout for a good bite or cold beer. Even the kids can enjoy their own magical ship!

Kids’ Playground

Manager Carlin Catanzaro and Chef Brian McCarthy

Fresh Daily Menu

Tags: Amelia Island, bed and breakfast, Blue Heron Inn, Fernandina Beach, Historic District, restaurant, seafood, Shrimp
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Amelia Island Blue Heron Inn