Things To Do In Jacksonville Florida: Your Guide To Exploring This Amazing City
On the surface, Jacksonville Florida has a lot to offer. With over 450 miles of beaches, an endless number of parks and nature preserves, and a vibrant arts scene it's easy to see why Jacksonville is one of the fastest growing cities in America.
But there are also plenty of things that you can't experience from just visiting: the best restaurants in town, secret spots only locals know about, or even some fun facts about Jacksonville!
This blog post will give you all the information you need on what to do when exploring this amazing city.
Hit the beaches.
Jacksonville is famous for its white sand beaches. You can find them all along the coastline and they're a great place to spend your morning, afternoon, or evening.
Neptune Beach
Neptune Beach is one of the most popular spots, with the soft powder-like sand and a wide range of rentals that you can enjoy. You'll find it at mile marker 12 in Jacksonville Beach.
Atlantic Beach
Atlantic Beach is another one of Jacksonville's most popular beaches. This is a perfect spot to enjoy the sun or relax with your favorite book while you take in some impressive views.
Jacksonville Beach
The local's beach, Jacksonville Beach is the perfect place to enjoy a laid back summer day. It's also the spot for surfing and volleyball, so if you're looking for an active beach with some serious waves.
Boneyard Beach
Despite the scary name, Boneyard Beach is a really serene place to visit. There are no waves here, so it is the perfect spot for sunbathing and swimming in the refreshing waters of Jacksonville’s the Atlantic Ocean.
Ponte Vedra Beach
No Jacksonville beach description would be complete without mentioning Ponte Vedra Beach.
With six miles of beautiful, white sand beachfront stretching across the shoreline, it is one of Jacksonville's most popular destinations for visitors.
The ocean water here is shallow and calm bay waters with perfect surfing waves just offshore. This means that not only can you enjoy sunning yourself on the pristine beaches but also taking part in activities such as swimming, canoeing and kayaking too. From surf lessons to paddleboarding at Ponte Vedra Beach, everyone has something they will love doing all year round!
Cruise The Islands.
Jacksonville is blessed with many islands, both coastal and inland.. One of the best ways to experience Jacksonville’s natural beauty is by renting a kayak or chartering a boat.
Amelia Island
Amelia Island is one of the most popular destinations in Jacksonville Florida. You can visit the quaint town of Fernandina Beach with its many shops, restaurants and galleries. There are also plenty of live music venues on this island that have a lot to offer if you're looking for an evening out!
-Fernandina's beautiful beaches
-Carriage rides through the historic district
-The famous lighthouse at Point Amelia
-Biking or walking trails along the water
There is so much more than just one thing to do in Jacksonville Florida - there are tons of amazing activities waiting for you to explore! So what are your favorite things about exploring new places? Share them below if they aren't already mentioned above ;) (or get inspired by our list!)
Castaway Island Preserve
The Castaway Island Preserve is an oasis of natural beauty and fun. You can take a guided tour to explore the area or you can bike, hike, kayak, picnic and more!
Bike Routes: There are two biking routes on the island that will lead you around for as long as your legs will carry you. If this doesn't sound like enough exercise for you then stop by the fitness center in our clubhouse.
Hiking Trails: The hiking trails at Castaway Island Preserve offer an opportunity to see some beautiful foliage while also getting in some cardio workout time amidst nature's best scenery. There is no better way to spend a day than embracing what mother earth has given us through these untouched paths.
Fort George Island
Unsurprisingly named after the former US Army fort that once stood here, Fort George Island is a barrier island that separates the city from the Atlantic Ocean.
- The fort itself was abandoned in 1828 and then later demolished by residents to make room for construction of Jacksonville's harbor development which began in 1938.
- Today, there are only remnants left behind including underground tunnels and foundations dating back over 200 years ago that can be explored via guided tours on weekends when the low tide allows access to it.
Get Out In Nature
Jacksonville is ripe with opportunities to interact with our natural world.
- Jacksonville Beach: Spend the day at the beach
- Englewood Nature Center and Zoo: Take a walk through this wonderful green space. Meet some of your favorite animals while you're there too!
- William Bartram Park: Enjoy the beautiful scenery in our state park, perfect for hiking or biking. If you want to get up close with nature then head over to one of their many on site animal exhibits.
Hiking trails
Many of the hiking trails around Jacksonville lead to other activities. For example, the Moncrief Trail leads to a great spot for kayaking and fishing.
-Kayak rentals are available by the hour or by the day at Riverview Park in Jacksonville which is on Lakewood Forest Beach Road. There are also paddling tours of Tomoka Bayou Nature Preserve offered from March until November with reservations required 30 days in advance.
-Jacksonville Regional Land Trust has an extensive network of trails that lead into many other activities such as bicycling, horseback riding and more!
-A popular hike around Jacksonville is at Palatka where you can walk along U.S Highway 17 through scenic wetlands before stopping off for lunch at one of their many restaurants located nearby including Southern Soul BBQ Company.
Jacksonville Zoo
The zoo in Jacksonville is home to over 600 animals and 65 different species. Admission includes a scenic tram ride, exhibits with primates like gibbons and orangutans, the latest in laser light shows at the water park, animal talks by keepers, an African Adventure playground for kids of all ages (with additional admission fee), picnic areas with grills and more!
You'll find something new on every visit here: from giraffes walking through trees to tigers jumping into pools; Komodo dragons feeding on goats; sea lions swimming through hoops above their tank's surface; otters sliding down slides made of logs.
The zoo has been recognized as one of "America's Great Zoos." In 2017 it was ranked number six according to TripAdvisor.com
Horseback riding
Jacksonville has a storied tradition as an equestrian hot spot.
Horseback riding is an iconic way to explore Jacksonville, Florida. The city has a storied history as an equestrian hot spot and there are plenty of places to spend a day on the back of one horse or another.
From guided tours by trained North American Trail riders, who have years of experience teaching people how to ride without stirrups (ahem), to private lessons at your own pace, you can find it all in Jacksonville.
Honestly, this post only covers a small percentage of the fabulous activities you could do in Jacksonville. We hope you've enjoyed it and will tell us in the comments about your own favorite Jacksonville haunts.