When I think of tourism in Florida, my mind jumps to places like Orlando, Miami, and Key West. After spending a summer working in Jacksonville, Florida, a not-so-tourist city, I came to admire its charm and space. Though it is the largest city in the U.S. by size, the heart of Jacksonville proves easy to navigate.
Top 4 Fun Things to Do in Jacksonville
1. Spend a day at the beach.
Jacksonville has several miles of coastland, making it the perfect place to spend a day relaxing in the sun. The Jacksonville Beaches, known locally as “The Beaches”, are a group of towns and communities on the northern half of an unnamed barrier island, separated from the main part of Jacksonville by the Intracoastal Waterway.
Unlike many other cities in Florida, the Jacksonville beaches are not overly crowded.
Also take advantage of the fishing pier; if you’ve never tried saltwater fishing, you’re in for a treat. Small hammerhead sharks are a common catch.
2. Take a walk downtown at via the Jacksonville Riverwalks
Downtown Jacksonville has something for everyone. Whether you’re looking to go shopping, enjoy a meal at a local restaurant, or check out the nightlife, downtown Jacksonville has it all within walking distance.
Be sure to take a walk down the Jacksonville Riverwalks — a network of multi-use trails along both the north and south banks of the St. Johns River.
The roughly 2-mile Downtown Northbank Riverwalk offers a fantastic view of the St. Johns River for you to stroll at your leisure past the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville, the Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts, and the CSX Building.
The 1.25-mile Southbank Riverwalk connects local landmarks such as Friendship Fountain, Museum of Science and History and Riverplace Tower.
3. Visit nearby St. Augustine
St. Augustine claims the title of being the oldest continually inhabited city in the United States. Popular attractions include the Castillo de San Marcos Fort, the St. Augustine Lighthouse, and shopping at the many art and snack shops.
Whether or not you are a history buff, St. Augustine proves a refreshing getaway from the city.
4. NFL Football, Festivals and Theatre
The Jacksonville events calendar is filled to the max with activities the city has to offer.
A few noteworthy events include cheering on the Jacksonville Jaguars NFL professional football team at TIAA Bank Field, watching a play at one of Jax’s many theaters, or attending the Jacksonville Jazz festival or the Food and Wine Festival, to name a few.
If you are thinking about a trip to Florida, consider visiting Jacksonville for a city with beaches and more.
Rachel Foxwell Slifka, a native of Monona, Iowa, completed her degree in Hospitality Management at Iowa State University. She also has an MBA from Western Governors University Though her heart is in the Midwest, Rachel enjoys traveling and living all over the world. Learn more about Rachel here.
Did you know that the Allman Brothers Band and Lynyrd Skynyrd both got their start in Jacksonville, Florida, and helped usher in a new kind of southern music that would alter the course of seventies rock?
Jacksonville and the Roots of Southern Rock
A new book by Michael Ray Fitzgerald explores the subject. Jacksonville and the Roots of Southern Rock is available from Amazon.
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