Here’s a list of the 15 best things to do in Jacksonville (Florida), along with famous landmarks, museums, and other points of interest.
Big Talbot Island State Park
The Big Talbot Island State Park is located in Florida’s northeast and is known for bird watching, photography, and nature study. One of the highlights of the park is a hike along the Blackrock Trail.
It cuts through the maritime forest and connects to the Big Pine Trail. Renting boats or kayaks is also a great way to explore the park. The Bluffs and their picnic spaces and pavilions are a great place for lunch breaks.
Little Talbot Island State Park
The Little Talbot Islands are one of the natural highlights of Florida. They are completely undeveloped and offer true wilderness that has otherwise become hard to find.
Eroding trees are forming natural sculptures and make the beaches of the islands even more impressive. Similar to the Big Talbot Island State Park popular activities include hiking, fishing, surfing, and kayaking.
Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens
Ninah and Arthur Cummer were a remarkable couple that has made a name for themselves due to their civic, social, and business involvement.
The highlight of their property is the large Tudor Revival house that was constructed here in the early 20th century. Mrs Cummer had a strong interest in art and has collected an impressive number of paintings here.
Many of them can today be explored when visiting the museum. Another passion of the family was the gardens and green spaces of the area, this is reflected in the beautifully maintained gardens that surround the houses.
Florida Theatre
Florida Theatre opened in 1927 and has been added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. The theatre is built as a high-style movie palace in the impressive Mediterranean Revival style of architecture.
Today the Florida Theater serves as the seat of the Florida Ballet and Theater. Throughout the year an impressive number of live events are held here. Great for all music and art lovers that want to spend an evening in an elegant venue
Kingsley Plantation
The Zephaniah Kingsley Plantation Home is the site of a former estate located at the northern tip of Fort George Island. Many of the original 1000 acres of plantation have been reclaimed by forests.
History buffs will find the remains of a Spanish mission called San Juan del Puerto interesting. The center of the estate is without a doubt the owner’s house built in the late 18th century and the slave cabins.
Riverside Arts Market
The Riverside Arts Market takes place every week and has developed into a cultural highlight of Jacksonville. Every weekend offers live music and delicious food that accompany the arts and craft market.
Many residents come here just to socialize and enjoy the lively atmosphere. Meeting the artists and exploring their works is a great way to spend a few hours and buy some great art.
The amphitheater is one of the highlights of the market and acts as its center for live events. Visitors can find the market underneath the Fuller Warren Bridge, right next to the St. Johns River.
Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park
Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park is located right on the shore of the Atlantic Ocean, only a few kilometers east of Jacksonville. The park’s main attractions are surfing and the great beach, as well as an inland lake that offers good fishing and boating opportunities.
Of course, there are also plenty of trails available here that invite for great walks along with the tranquil greenery. Apart from the beach, children will also find Splash Park a fun experience.
Campers can make use of the camping grounds at the northern edge of the Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park.
Jacksonville Arboretum and Gardens
Jacksonville Arboretum & Gardens (JAG) aims at creating a unique natural attraction to the residents of the city as well as foreign guests. The ravine and sloped hills of the site are home to a huge number of wildlife, including lizards, snakes, turtles, and alligators.
Lake Loop is one of the highlights of the gardens as it leads along many ethnobotanically interesting areas. Another great spot is the Jones Creek Trail which stretches along a swamp featuring many beautiful bald cypress trees.
The Ravine has been made accessible by the Ravine Trail. It allows easy access to the 185 feet wide and 25 feet deep ravine. Don’t miss the beautiful swamp azalea and the loblolly bay.
Jacksonville-Baldwin Rail Trail
The Jacksonville-Baldwin Rail Trail is situated on the site of an abandoned railroad corridor that was turned into a 30 meter wide paved cycling path that can also be used by hikers and roller-bladers.
This trail leads along with rural areas and offers an extensive range of plant- and wildlife. The Jacksonville-Baldwin Rail Trail stretches over 23 km and connects the two towns that give it his name.
Don’t miss the Camp Milton Historic Preserve that is located roughly at the midway point of the path.
Amelia Island
Amelia Island is the southernmost of the Sea Islands and is approximately 21 km long and 6.5 km wide. One of the main draws of the island is its many festivals and events.
Throughout the year film- and music festivals are being held here, with the annual Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival being the most popular and attracting over 100.000 visitors.
Of course, the island offers much more than just festivals. There are five golf courses located here, all of them offer a great combination of excellent facilities, great views, and tropical vegetation.
The Amelia Island Trail is also well known in the region, it is part of the East Coast Greenway that consists of a network of trails stretching all the way from Florida to Maine.
Another highlight of the island is Main Beach Park, it offers beautiful sand dunes that can be accessed by a boardwalk and plenty of public sports and recreation facilities.
Atlantic Beach
Atlantic Beach is a city located in Duval Country and is known for its fantastic white sand beach and many acres of parklands. Jack Rusell Park is one of the most notable ones.
It offers 12 acres of greenery and attracts many visitors with its great picnic pavilion and sports facilities. Another popular park is the Bull Memorial Park which offers a tennis court, playgrounds, and plenty of serenity.
Despite the many great parks, the main attraction is the beautiful white beach that offers plenty of space and never gets too crowded. Due to the length of the city, many hotels and other accommodation options are situated right on the coast, making the town a perfect spot for relaxed holidays.
St Johns Town Center
St Johns Town Center is an upscale open-air shopping mall that offers more than 150 stores. Many of the country’s most prestigious companies run a branch at the mall.
Even though the shops are not particularly unique the site is a great shopping spot that offers all the amenities you would expect. There are great international restaurants found here, rest and recreation areas, playgrounds, and everything else a hardcore shopper might need.
Fort Caroline National Memorial
The fort gives an interesting insight into the French influence on Florida during the 16th century. Visitors can find many fascinating stories about the early days of the Colonization of the Americas here.
Fort Caroline also acts as the visitor center of the Timucuan Preserve, a great steppingstone to hikes, cycling tours, and historic explorations.
Fort George Island Cultural State Park
Humans have settled in this area of Florida for more than 5,000 years. The area was used by Native Americans, then the area was home to Fort George, built to protect the state of Georgia. Today the area is used as a recreational hotspot.
Visitors are particularly attracted by all the sporting activities that are possible here. It doesn’t matter if you like hiking, boating, fishing or cycling, the park is the perfect place.
Segways are used as an eco-friendly way of transportation for the guided tours that take place in this park. They take around one to two hours and guide along with the former Kingsley Plantation and the beautiful maritime forests.
Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena
The Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena is a multi-purpose arena that is home to the Jacksonville Sharks (football), Jacksonville Giants (basketball), and Jacksonville Icemen (ice hockey). No matter what sports you are into the arena is the right address for you.
Other than for sporting events, the Veterans Memorial Arena is also used for concerts and has witnessed some of the biggest names of the music industry, such as Rihanna, Kanye West, Maroon 5, and Taylor Swift.