Visiting Jacksonville
For marathon participants spending the weekend in town for the 26.2 with Donna, Jacksonville offers a number of activities and attractions as wide and diverse as the landscape itself. From unspoiled beaches and preserved salt marshes to the Downtown urban core with a burgeoning arts and culture scene, there is something for everyone. Create the perfect experience with your own unique combination of shopping, dining, outdoors, arts, family fun, relaxation and more. And, of course, a jog along Jacksonville Beach with Donna and friends!
Comb the Beach: After your run, slow down and enjoy the Northeast Florida Atlantic Ocean coastline, which stretches from St. Augustine and St. Johns County north to Jacksonville Beach and up to Amelia Island. At 1,300 feet, the Jacksonville Beach Fishing Pier, features a 20-foot wide wooden deck and is a great spot for kids to watch the fishermen reel in their latest catches. Spectators can visit the pier for $1, with children under 6 admitted free. Rent Beach Stuff will provide you with everything you need for a relaxing day on the beach, including bikes, surfboards, lounge chairs, umbrellas, fishing poles and more. Free pick-up and delivery of the items is included.
Enjoy a Unique Duo: Connect with nature by combining yoga and kayaking. Kayak Adventure’s Yo-gak-ing brings these two simple pleasures together in a guided eco-tour. The first part of the adventure starts with a relaxing paddle to Kingsley Plantation, where participants enjoy a relaxing and rejuvenating yoga class. Stroll the historic plantation grounds, the oldest, still-standing plantation house in Florida. Before returning to the kayak, enjoy a healthy lunch consisting of an organic wrap. The experience ends with a peaceful paddle back through the Timucuan Preserve.
Go For a Ride: Take a first-class bicycle ride through some of the most spectacular neighborhoods in Jacksonville with e2ride (pronounced "red-e to ride"). A seasoned guide will lead you on the path to discovering the history, culture and environment of some of Jacksonville’s most scenic urban areas and neighborhoods. Most tours average about three hours and are suited for riders of all levels. All e2ride tours include trek hybrid bicycles, helmets, water, snacks and everything else you need to have a great ride.
Bring the Kids: Jacksonville is known for being a great family-friendly destination, with lots for kids of all ages to enjoy. The Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens features over 1,500 rare and exotic animals and its renowned botanical gardens are home to over 1,000 species of plants. Adventure Landing, a family entertainment complex, features miniature golf, batting cages, go karts, laser tag, a huge arcade and a water park in season. Experience electrifying and explosive science shows, explore 12,000 years of Jacksonville’s history or watch the stars circle the night sky at the Museum of Science & History (MOSH). The MOSH features hands-on exhibits exploring nature, history and science.
Immerse Yourself in Arts and Culture: No trip to Jacksonville is complete without visiting one of the many museums or art galleries. The majestic Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens in historic Riverside, situated along the banks of the St. Johns River, is well known for its collections of significant European and American paintings, its world-renowned collection of early Meissen porcelain, and its beautiful, lush gardens. The Museum of Contemporary Art, located on historic Hemming Plaza, is one of the largest modern and contemporary art museums in the Southeast. The permanent collection consists of more than 700 works in a wide range of media, representing prominent national and international artists of the 20th and 21st century.
Shop ‘Til You Drop: With more than 120 retailers, many of which are exclusive to Northeast Florida, St. Johns Town Center provides a unique mix of stores catering to the bargain shopper and those looking for upscale brand names. The unique outdoor mall has an endless variety of retail choices with stores such as Louis Vuitton, Banana Republic, Anthropologie, BCBG, Lucky Brand Jeans, Hollister and DSW Shoes. After a long day of shopping, take a break near the Koi pond or curb your hunger pains at restaurants serving Italian, steaks, seafood and American varieties.
Eat, Drink and Be Merry: Dining options in Northeast Florida range from upscale bistros to down-home fish camps, all infused with warm Southern hospitality. Located in Jacksonville’s historic San Marco district, Bistro AIX, is an award-winning restaurant that creates an exciting atmosphere, offers a food and wine menu full of distinctive flavors and complements this with professional service. A must see in Jacksonville, Clark’s Fish Camp Seafood Restaurant provides not only great cuisine, but quite a lot of entertainment. Located on a floating dock on Julington Creek, Clark’s has one of the largest menus in town, with more than 160 appetizers and entrées, including the usual—shrimp, catfish, and oysters—and the unusual—ostrich, rattlesnake and kangaroo. There are hundreds of stuffed animals lining the walls, from lions, tigers and bears, to birds and alligators.
Take in a Show: Whether you are in the mood for a rock concert, the symphony, a Broadway musical or a dance performance, there is always something going on at one of Jacksonville’s many stages. The magnificently restored Florida Theatre is recognized as one of the finest concert venues in the Southeast. From the Vaudeville acts and silent films of its earliest days to today’s blend of performances of all kinds, The Florida Theatre has served as Jacksonville’s premier entertainment center since 1927. The Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts is home to the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra, one of a handful of American orchestras with its own dedicated concert hall. The Times-Union Center also hosts Broadway musicals and many other performing arts events.
Go Out on the Town: Downtown Jacksonville offers a number of great venues to grab a drink, mingle or show off your dance moves. From loud and rowdy to chic and upscale, Downtown’s "The Core" has a bar for everyone. Check out The Dive Bar, The Ivy Ultra Bar, Mark’s Downtown and Club TSI. Just a few blocks away are Lit and Dos Gatos, two new additions to the Downtown bar scene, offering lounge atmospheres with full-service bars. Also located Downtown, The Jacksonville Landing boasts a number of dining and nightlife options along the St. Johns River. Drink, dance and dine at the Twisted Martini, with upscale ambiance that hosts the city’s most beautiful people. Saddle-up at Maverick’s Rockin’ Honky Tonk, a country western/cross-over/southern rock-themed bar, concert hall and dance venue.
Relax and Rejuvenate: There’s no better way to relax in Northeast Florida than in one of the many luxurious spas. The Spa at One Ocean touts beautiful views of the rolling surf from the comfort of its meditative lounge. Providing a sensory stimulating journey in an intimate setting, the spa offers more than 40 marine‐inspired rituals comprised of specialty treatments, unique massage styles, body wraps, peels, facials and more. The Spa at Ponte Vedra Inn & Club features a delightful menu of more than 100 services in a tranquil setting, just steps away from the ocean. Beauty and pampering treatments are abundant including a Lomi Lomi massage, Fiji tropical isle coconut scrub, rose hydrating cocoon and hydra pure hydration facial.
For more information on the many things to do and see in Jacksonville, visit www.VisitJacksonville.com.
