Fernandina Beach Cruise from Fernandina Beach to Washington DC — 16 Days

Amelia Island Florida, USA

Fernandina Beach sits on Amelia Island, Florida’s northeastern edge, with broad Atlantic beaches just beyond town. Centre Street’s Victorian storefronts recall a port shaped by Spanish, British and American rule. At Fort Clinch, brick ramparts and coastal trails bring the island’s military past into clear view. Shrimp boats and a compact, walkable downtown give this coastal stop its distinctive character.

• Land Tour (Land Tour)
• Coastal Cruising (Coastal Cruising)

Jekyll Island GA, USA

Jekyll Island pairs Atlantic beaches with a rare glimpse of America’s Gilded Age. Once a private retreat for wealthy industrialists, the island’s National Historic Landmark District preserves their elegant cottages. Cycle shaded paths beneath live oaks, then visit the Georgia Sea Turtle Center to learn about local wildlife and conservation. Broad beaches invite a long walk, with salt air and open horizons.

St Simons Island GA, USA

St. Simons Island pairs broad beaches with moss-draped live oaks and a vivid sense of Georgia’s coastal past. Climb the 1872 lighthouse, then explore its maritime museum and the nearby waterfront. At Pier Village, independent shops and seafood restaurants sit near the fishing pier. Fort Frederica preserves the remains of an 18th-century British settlement, central to the island’s colonial story.

Savannah GA, USA

Savannah rewards those who explore on foot. Its historic district places leafy squares, Federal and Greek Revival homes, and live-oak avenues within easy reach. Along the river, former cotton warehouses now hold restaurants, shops, and hotels. Look beyond the handsome façades for a city shaped by commerce, conflict, and coastal foodways. Allow time for shrimp and grits, then linger beneath the moss-draped oaks.

Hilton Head Island SC, USA

Beaufort NC, USA

Beaufort, South Carolina, sits on Port Royal Island, where broad porches face tidal creeks and live oaks trail Spanish moss. Its compact historic district is best explored on foot, with Federal and Greek Revival houses lining quiet streets. At the waterfront, watch shrimp boats cross the Beaufort River. Make time for Penn Center on nearby St. Helena Island, an important site in African American history.

Charleston SC, USA

Charleston rewards visitors who look beyond its handsome waterfront. Founded in 1670, the city pairs preserved Georgian streets with a working harbor and a complex history. Visit Fort Sumter, where the Civil War began, then walk the Battery or browse the historic City Market. Allow time for the food: Lowcountry cooking brings shrimp, oysters, and rice to the table. The old district is compact and best explored on foot.

Coastal Cruising (Coastal Cruising)

Wilmington NC, USA

Wilmington stands on the Cape Fear River, near Atlantic beaches and a historic center shaped by trade. Stroll the Riverwalk past brick warehouses and cafés. Across the river, the Battleship North Carolina offers a close look at a World War II vessel. Beyond downtown, Wrightsville Beach draws visitors for broad sands and water sports. Historic homes and gardens offer a quieter counterpoint.

Beaufort NC, USA

Beaufort, South Carolina, sits on Port Royal Island, where broad porches face tidal creeks and live oaks trail Spanish moss. Its compact historic district is best explored on foot, with Federal and Greek Revival houses lining quiet streets. At the waterfront, watch shrimp boats cross the Beaufort River. Make time for Penn Center on nearby St. Helena Island, an important site in African American history.

Kitty Hawk NC, USA

Kitty Hawk sits on North Carolina’s Outer Banks, where Atlantic beaches meet quiet maritime forest. The Wright brothers made their first powered flights nearby in 1903, at what is now Kill Devil Hills. The memorial preserves their story among the dunes that shaped it. Walk the beach, paddle the sound or seek out local seafood. Come for open horizons, and leave room for the history beneath them.

Norfolk VA, USA

Norfolk rewards curious travelers with a working waterfront, deep naval history, and a compact downtown made for exploring. The Chrysler Museum of Art ranges from ancient glass to American masters; its Glass Studio stages live demonstrations. Take a harbor cruise to see the scale of Naval Station Norfolk, the world’s largest naval base. Then stroll the waterfront or ride the ferry across the Elizabeth River to Portsmouth for another perspective.

St Michaels MD, USA

Saint Michaels sits on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, where the Miles River opens toward Chesapeake Bay. Its harbor, brick sidewalks and clapboard buildings feel rooted in the water, not staged for it. At the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, historic vessels and waterfront exhibits tell the story of local boatbuilding and fishing. Browse independent shops, then try Maryland blue crab beside the harbor. This is a port best explored on foot, at an easy pace.

Washington DC, USA

Washington, DC rewards a visit with more than monuments. On the National Mall, the Lincoln Memorial, Capitol and Smithsonian museums make history tangible. Beyond it, leafy Georgetown offers Federal-era streets, independent shops and waterfront dining. Allow time for the National Museum of African American History and Culture; reserve timed entry where required. Few capitals put so much of the nation’s story within easy reach.