The thought of not having another break from school until Spring Break in March can cause students to lose some steam. To keep this from happening, consider taking a weekend trip to Amelia Island, Fla. to relax and recharge.
Amelia Island, located in northeast Florida, is approximately a two hour and 26 minute (roughly 153.8 miles) drive from Valdosta. According to MapQuest.com, gas will cost $40.03 for a round trip in a 20 mpg vehicle. If four people ride together, $10.00 a person for gas is not too bad.
This time of year is tight when it comes to money that was either spent on Christmas presents or a reserved condo at the beach for Spring Break. Students can still get away from Valdosta for the weekend without spending a lot of money.
There are many fun but inexpensive things to do in Amelia Island. The weather still may be a little chilly, but sitting or walking on the beach is a good way to unwind. It is also completely free.
A great place to stay overnight is Fort Clinch State Park which has a full-facility campground and many different activities. There are 61 campsites in two campgrounds, which are both pet-friendly.
The park admission fee is $6.00 for a two to eight person vehicle or $4.00 for a single-occupancy vehicle. The camping fee is $26.00 per night plus tax.
The camping fee includes water and electricity at Amelia River and Atlantic Beach Campgrounds. Both campgrounds offer a dump station and new bathrooms with showers and washing machines. Each campsite also includes a fire ring, picnic table, potable water and a 20- or 30-amp electric hookup, according to the Florida State Parks website.
If you like to fish, Fort Clinch offers fishing along the Amelia River, along the Cumberland Sound or off a half-mile-long fishing pier that divides the Cumberland Sound from the Atlantic.
The park also has a six-mile trail that is great for hikers or off-road bicyclists, with wildlife viewing possible. There is a picnic area with picnic tables and freestanding grills which is a great way to save money.
If you would rather go out to eat, especially at night, Amelia Island offers a variety of restaurants with live music.
The Palace Saloon has live music every night starting at 9:30 p.m. with a mix of alternative, blues and classic rock. Wicked Davey’s has live bands on Friday night and reggae on Saturday night. Indigo Alley is a great place for dancing and live music, including jazz, Latin, blues, folk, and acoustic rock, starting at 7 p.m.
Amelia Island also offers great shopping with an eclectic mix of local stores, shops, galleries and boutiques.
If Amelia Island sounds like a fun weekend trip, you can make a camping reservation at Fort Clinch State Park by calling (904) 277-7274 or going to www.floridastateparks.org/fortclinch.
The VSU Center for Outdoor Recreational Experiences rents (for the weekend) sleeping bags for $4.00 and four person tents for $8.00. CORE also rents just about anything else you might need for outdoor activities.
So the total for gas, a park fee, a campsite, and camping equipment for four people is about $96.00 for one night or $128.00 for two nights which translates to $24.00 or $32.00 a person. Don’t forget to bring extra cash if you plan to shop or go out to eat.
Amelia Island is a great and inexpensive place to go to chill out from the stress of school and save some cash in the process. Just make sure you’re back by class on Monday!