A Trip to the City of Jacksonville
♦ Routes (free): Detailed travel itineraries in USA
General
Jacksonville is the largest city by area in all of Florida and is actually the city with the largest land area in the entire United States: 2,428 square kilometers! In all this vast and diverse territory, live fewer than a million residents. In the city nicknamed "River City by the Sea," there are about 34 km of wonderful and uncrowded beaches, about 65 km of waterways and canals, and of course, a long and beautiful river: the St. Johns River. Along the river, right in the city center, there is a long and beautiful promenade called: River Walk which at its end has a marina and overlooks a backdrop of high-rise office buildings and large bridges crossing the river.
There are 10 city parks and state parks in the city. A description of the most recommended state parks in the city can be found in the article: Trip to Amelia Island in Northeast Florida
Did you know? The first blues performance in the world took place in Jacksonville. To this day, the city is known for its blues festival, Springing the Blues, held annually in April and considered one of the largest and oldest blues festivals in the entire USA.
The development of the port in the city at the end of the 19th century turned it into a major port city for both the military and commercial use.
Location and Transportation:
Jacksonville is located in northeast Florida and is the county seat of Duval County.
It is about two hours south of Savannah, Georgia, and about two and a quarter hours northeast of Orlando.
The city is in a convenient location to include in a Florida travel itinerary because it sits at the intersection of two major highways, the I-95 from north to south and the I-10 from west to east.
Additionally, Jacksonville can serve as a recommended starting point for a trip to other states in the Southeast US: Georgia and South Carolina (car rental in Florida is cheaper than in any other state in the USA).
The cheapest and most convenient way to travel around the city is, of course, with a rental car.
Jacksonville has an international airport: Jacksonville International Airport (code JAX), served by most American airlines, from major leading carriers like Delta, American, United, and Southwest to smaller companies like JetBlue and Frontier. Most flights are from many destinations across the Eastern US, but there are also flights from the Western US (from Denver, Colorado and Houston, Texas, for example) and even from Canada.
♦ Recommended Hotels in Jacksonville
Aloft Jacksonville Tapestry Park
A quality 4-star Marriott hotel located southeast of the city center. The hotel features a pool, gym, ping pong, billiards, and a bar. Free internet and parking.
Residence Inn by Marriott Jacksonville South Bartram Park
A high-quality suite hotel in South Jacksonville with spacious and well-equipped studio units and one-bedroom suites, each with a full kitchen. Breakfast is included in the price. The hotel has a pool, gym, and bar. Free internet and parking.
TownePlace Suites by Marriott Jacksonville East
A 3-star suite hotel in the eastern part of the city, about a ten-minute drive (7 km) from the beaches. The hotel offers studio units with fully equipped kitchens. The price includes a continental breakfast. The hotel features a gym and a swimming pool. Free internet and parking.
Springhill Suites by Marriott Jacksonville Airport
A recommended Marriott suite hotel near the airport (4 km away) with free shuttles to and from the airport. About 20 minutes drive from the city center. The hotel has a gym. The price includes breakfast. Free internet and parking.
It is also highly recommended to stay at the resort island Amelia Island, located on wonderful beaches about a 50-minute drive from downtown Jacksonville.
Recommended Accommodations on Amelia Island:
The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island
The most luxurious and prestigious hotel on Amelia Island. A 5-star oceanfront resort with 2 swimming pools (one indoor), gym, tennis courts, golf course, spa, bar, and four restaurants (one of them, SALT, is considered the best restaurant in the area). The hotel offers spacious rooms and suites suitable for up to 6 people. Internet and parking are available for an additional fee. The hotel organizes various pirate-themed events such as treasure hunts, sunset toasts to pirates, etc.
Residence Inn by Marriott Amelia Island
An excellent suite hotel located 450 meters from the beach in a convenient central location. The hotel features a swimming pool, gym, and a charming courtyard with a barbecue and outdoor fire pit. The hotel offers studio apartments and one-bedroom suites, all very spacious with equipped kitchens. The price includes breakfast. Free internet and parking. Bicycles can be rented on-site for an additional fee.
Hampton Inn and Suites Amelia Island
A modern 3-star hotel in the historic center of Fernandina Beach, built in Victorian style. The hotel overlooks the inner waterways of Fernandina Beach near the harbor. Breakfast is included in the price. The hotel features a swimming pool. Spacious rooms and suites suitable for up to 6 people. Free internet and parking.
Recommended Tours in Jacksonville:
Recommended guided tours in Jacksonville to book from Viator:
Food Tour
It is worth taking a guided food tour to experience the local flavors with a strong southern influence on one hand, but also many ethnic influences. A recommended food tour is offered by: Taste of Jacksonville food tours
Lisa, the company owner, is a cook specializing in cookie baking who sells her homemade goods in markets in the city and nearby towns. The tour lasts about two hours and the portions are large and satisfying, so it's best to arrive hungry. The tastings include a sweet donut restaurant with chicken in beer, a Mediterranean restaurant serving stuffed grape leaves, hummus, tabbouleh and pita bread. A modern Mexican restaurant, a seafood bar-restaurant accompanied by classic southern sides like "hush puppies" and "grits," and for dessert, acai ice cream with fresh fruit. All this during a guided walking tour full of explanations in the beautiful San Marco neighborhood.
Bicycle Tours:
Jacksonville is also a recommended destination for bicycle tours.
Tuk-Tuk Tour:
Jacksonville Residential Architecture & History Tour A tour of about three hours in two of the city's historic neighborhoods, Riverside and Avondale, visiting city parks and charming spots, some hidden, with explanations of history, culture, and life today.
Tourist Sites in the City
Southbank Neighborhood
It is recommended to start the trip to downtown Jacksonville in the Southbank neighborhood south of the river with its beautiful riverside promenade Southbank Riverwalk which looks out over the bridges and the downtown skyscrapers across the river.
A convenient way to travel between several neighborhoods in the city center located along the river is by taking the St. Johns River Taxi, which passes many tourist sites from museums to markets.
San Marco Neighborhood
This neighborhood, located slightly south of the Southbank neighborhood, was built with Italian inspiration, featuring a beautiful lion fountain and Lake Marco in its center, which is connected by a canal to the river and looks wonderful at sunset.
It's worth walking through the neighborhood's streets around the lake and along the shore to see the impressive luxury homes there.
In the central square, there are boutique shops and local restaurants alongside a trendy bar.
Riverside Neighborhood
A historic bohemian neighborhood located opposite the San Marco neighborhood across the river. The neighborhood features beautiful historic buildings and an abundance of cafes, restaurants, antique shops, clubs, and plenty of atmosphere.
The main attraction there is the art gallery Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens with over 5,000 artworks from all eras and designed gardens with beautiful statues.
The neighborhood is also home to Memorial Park with a large and impressive bronze statue in memory of World War I casualties and a promenade along the river.
Another park in this neighborhood is Riverside Park which has a small lake with fountains.
and many trees with curtains of moss called Spanish Moss.
A perfect place for watching the sunset. In the neighborhood, there is a popular farmers and artisans market Riverside Arts Market active only on Saturdays and also including music, entertainment, and food trucks.
Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens
The city has a large zoo. A type of safari with over 2,000 animals and about a thousand species of plants and trees. In "Stingray Bay," you can pet the giant fish, the park has butterfly gardens, a 4D cinema, scenic river boating located within the zoo, and also a colorful vintage-style train. In addition to wildlife and rich vegetation, the park has a children's play area and water features, and "behind-the-scenes" tours are also held.
If you happen to be in the area around Christmas, from mid-December to early January, it's worth coming here in the evening for a light and music show in honor of the new year. Throughout the entire huge zoo area, there are numerous lighting displays, exhibits, performances, a snow machine, bubble machines, and plenty of atmosphere.
The Catty Shack Ranch Wildlife Sanctuary
Specializes particularly in the "feline" family and includes tigers of many kinds, lions, cougars, as well as foxes and raccoons. This is a non-profit institution that rescues animals, and fascinating guided tours are held there. Watching the nocturnal feeding of the animals is particularly experiential.
Museum of Science and History
A popular interactive science and nature museum that also includes an impressive planetarium. The permanent exhibitions include, among others, an exhibition on the human body and how it moves, the many animals along the coast, how energy is generated, and a space gallery. Additionally, there are changing exhibitions, a play area for children under five, and gardens with characteristic local vegetation.
Shopping:
St. Johns Town Center
A large shopping center with over 175 shops, more than 20 restaurants, and even 3 hotels. The center has well-known brand stores from Apple to LEGO, from Louis Vuitton to American Eagle to a dollar store. Everyone, regardless of budget or style, will find shops to their liking.
Beaches Town Center
An open shopping center between Atlantic Avenue and the ocean, featuring boutiques and a large variety of high-level restaurants alongside galleries and beach shops. The center also includes sports and fitness clubs.
Trips from Jacksonville:
To destinations located less than an hour's drive from the city
St. Augustine
St. Augustine is the oldest city in the USA, located about 50 minutes drive south of Jacksonville.
Cumberland Island
It is the southernmost and largest island in the state of Georgia. It has no motorized vehicles and no paved roads. Only 37 residents live there permanently, and only 300 visitors are allowed to arrive each day. The island features pristine maritime forests, wild beaches, and marshes. There are about two hundred wild horses living on the island and moving freely. The first inhabitants arrived on the island about 4,000 years ago and were natives of a tribe called Timucua. The island, popular among American celebrities, can only be reached by the CUMBERLAND ISLAND FERRY departing from St Marys, which is located 60 km (35 minutes drive by car) from Jacksonville.