If you'd like someone to walk you through downtown's restaurants and bars early in your trip, Amelia Island Downtown Tasting Tours has led walking tours of historic Fernandina Beach since 2014. It's locally owned, and its FAQ gives the meeting spot as Hola! Cuban Café at 31 South 5th Street, with the exact location confirmed after you book. Expect between half a mile and a mile of easy walking with a seat at every stop. Every guest has to be 21 or older.
There are two public tours:
- Booze & Bites (2.5 hours): tastings at two restaurants, each with a wine or beer, plus a specialty cocktail at each of two bars. The company says the food adds up to a full meal for most people. It runs Wednesday through Sunday in the afternoon.
- Cocktail Tour (2 hours): one specialty cocktail at each of four bars and no food, on Friday and Saturday evenings. The company suggests eating beforehand.
Stops change with restaurant availability and seasonal menus, and they're usually kept as a surprise. The partner list on the company's site includes the Palace Saloon, Wicked Bao, España and Timoti's, among others. Gratuity for the restaurants and bartenders is built in; the guide's tip isn't. Mocktails and dietary needs like vegetarian or gluten-free can be arranged if you mention them when you book.
Tickets must be bought ahead and are generally non-refundable, though the company will try to reschedule you with notice. Tours go rain or shine. Private tours for groups of 12 to 49 can be set up any day, in formats like a three-stop wine-and-dine. Service animals are welcome, but pets generally aren't because the stops are indoors. The company points to parking near Ash and 5th Street or a rideshare drop-off, and since the tour is built around drinks, transportation coordination can make sure everyone has a ride back. For more on the blocks you'll cover, see the guide to historic downtown Fernandina Beach.