Guides
Discovering Jacksonville - Big City, Big Beaches
This sprawling city is the largest by area in the contiguous USA, and serves as a gateway to Florida with an international airport and several major highways intersecting here. Visitors will find natural attractions including beaches, state parks, and St. Johns River, Florida’s longest river. Jacksonville’s urban areas attract shoppers, foodies, and cultural enthusiasts, as well as sports fans who can catch a variety of professional games.
Jacksonville beaches
Jacksonville boasts 3 beachside neighborhoods only 20 minutes from its city center. Together, these beaches provide 22 miles of wide oceanfront clustered around laid-back beach towns. Take a stroll on Jacksonville Beach Fishing Pier to watch surfers, or cast a line from the pier to catch flounder, redfish, and sea trout. Neptune and Atlantic beaches are charming, old-fashioned beach towns with surprisingly few crowds. A city trolley will take you there for only a few dollars in the summer.
- Jacksonville Beach Fishing Pier, 503 N. 1st St., Jacksonville Beach 32250; Tel: +1 904 241 1515; Website: Jacksonville Beach Fishing Pier
- Neptune Beach, 116 1st St., Neptune Beach 32266; Tel: +1 904 270 2400; Website: Neptune Beach
Lively Jacksonville Landing
Downtown's 3-mile Riverwalk centers around Jacksonville Landing. This area features restaurants, museums, shopping, and lots of events to fill evenings with fun and entertainment. Live music can be heard every weekend, and a Downtown Art Walk takes place every first Wednesday of the month. All this is set against the backdrop of wide St. John’s River humming with water taxis and boaters.
- Jacksonville Landing, 2 W. Independent Dr., Jacksonville 32202; Tel: +1 904 353 1188; Website: Jacksonville Landing
- Jacksonville Downtown Art Walk, 135 W. Monroe St., Jacksonville 32202; Tel: +1 904 634 0303; Website: Jacksonville Downtown Art Walk
Artsy Riverside
The artistic soul of Jacksonville, Riverside now attracts young professionals and entrepreneurs who have helped create King Street Food & Beer District. Here you'll find craft beer and creative cuisine along with cool shops and handcrafted goods. Stop by Riverside Arts Market every Saturday for a community-driven mini-festival that includes food samples, live music, and organic produce.
- Riverside Avondale, 2623 Herschel St., Jacksonville 32204; Tel: +1 904 389 2449; Website: Riverside Avondale
- Riverside Arts Market, 715 Riverside Ave., Jacksonville 32204; Tel: +1 904 389 2449; Website: Riverside Arts Market
A night out in San Marco
Sitting along Jacksonville’s Southbank, San Marco suits visitors looking for a classy night out. Upscale dining awaits in the San Marco Dining District, and several performing arts venues can be found here too. You can spend the day at museums like the Museum of Science and History (MOSH), and later catch the sunset at Riverfront Park. At night the area lights up with Friendship Fountain light show and Main Street Bridge is awash in blue lights.
- Museum Of Science & History (MOSH), 1025 Museum Circle, Jacksonville 32207; Tel: +1 904 396 6674; Website: Museum Of Science & History (MOSH)
- Friendship Fountain, 1015 Museum Circle, Jacksonville 32207; Tel: +1 904 630 2489; Website: Friendship Fountain
State parks
Surrounding this big city are plenty of state parks where aquatic nature flourishes. Little Talbot Island State Park and Big Talbot Island State Park remain among the few undeveloped sea islands left in the area. Visitors can enjoy quiet beaches or kayak through surrounding creeks and maritime forests. You may even spot sea turtles and river otters.
- Little Talbot Island State Park, 12157 Heckscher Dr., Jacksonville 32226; Tel: +1 904 251 2320; Website: Little Talbot Island State Park
- Big Talbot Island State Park, State Rd. A1A N., Jacksonville 32226; Tel: +1 904 2512320; Website: Big Talbot Island State Park
Jacksonville Guides
Where to Stay in Jacksonville - River View Rooms to Luxury Beach Resorts
Where to Eat - A Guide to Jacksonville's Diverse Dining Scene
Shopping in Jacksonville - Outlets, Markets, and Handcrafts
Family-Friendly Jacksonville - Fun for Beach Babies and NFL Football Fans
Travel Tips for Vacationing in Jacksonville
Where to stay
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