The Top 7 Things To Do in Jacksonville, Florida

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The state of Florida is among the most popular vacation destinations for United States citizens who want a little taste of the tropical life without having to leave their home country. All year round, people from different parts of the country flock to Miami for the South Beach experience, to Destin for the booze-fueled college spring breaks, to Orlando to visit Universal Studios, and to Key West for its pristine beaches. However, one Floridian city that often gets overlooked is Jacksonville. 

For years, Jacksonville was considered one of the more dangerous cities in the United States. But since the start of the River City Renaissance program, initiated by mayor Ed Austin in 1991, the city has undergone a dramatic urban revival and has been on the up-and-up in terms of safety and accessibility. Located about a 25-minute drive to the east of the center of Jacksonville is an area known as The Beaches, which consists of Neptune Beach, Atlantic Beach, and Jacksonville Beach, which all sit within Duval County. It’s a vibrant area with beautiful white sand beaches and heaps of oceanside dining and drinking locations. 

Between the city of Jacksonville and The Beaches, this area is quickly becoming one of the best destinations in all of Florida, partially because it’s still somewhat of a hidden gem. If you’re planning a vacation post-coronavirus, Jacksonville should absolutely be on your radar. Prices are cheap, beaches are clean and uncrowded, and the area has a unique character that you won’t find anywhere else in the country. If you do plan on making your way to Jacksonville, here are the things 7 you should absolutely do: 

1. Catty Shack Ranch Wildlife Sanctuary

Lions and tigers and bears, oh my! That’s what’s in store for you at Catty Shack Ranch. Oh yeah, and lynx, leopards, foxes, pumas, and coatimundis. This wildlife sanctuary specializes in rescuing exotic animals that cannot be reintroduced to the wild and educating the public about the threats that these majestic animals face. 

All of the animals at Catty Shack Ranch are adequately cared for and loved by the staff. And while it can be saddening to see such incredible animals in captivity, they are treated ethically and with the best possible care that the sanctuary can provide. If you want to see a 400-pound tiger up close, Catty Shack Ranch is a great place to do it. Plus, you can donate and help the staff continue to provide for these misfortunate animals. 

2. Fort George Island

One of the most historically significant parts of Jacksonville is undoubtedly Fort George Island. On the island, visitors can learn about the history of the indigenous Timucuan people who once lived there. The island later became home to a Spanish mission by the name of San Juan del Puerto, which was meant to convert the Timucuan. 

One of the most popular sites on the island is the Kingsley Plantation, an apt representation of Florida’s complicated history. The land was purchased by slave trader Zephaniah Kingsley in 1817. Historical sources describe Kingsley as a man of paradoxes, as he went on to marry one of his former slaves who he’d freed and to raise a multiracial family, all while continuing to participate in the slave trade. 

Visitors to Fort George Island can also partake in a wide variety of lighthearted activities like hiking, kayaking, bicycling, canoeing, and fishing. 

3. Jacksonville Beach Town Center

Perhaps the best place for nightlife in all of Duval County is the town center of Jacksonville Beach. Consisting of a long strip of bars and restaurants, some of which sit right on the beach and others that are just one or two streets over, Jacksonville Beach is guaranteed to provide a great night out. You can find a lively bar with affordable drink specials and live music pretty much any night of the week. 

If you’d rather get a good night’s rest during your vacation in Jacksonville, you should still check out Jacksonville Beach for its lovely restaurant scene. Southern Kitchen + Bar offers beautiful oceanside seating and equally delicious southern-style seafood dishes. You can sit down, listen to the waves roll in from the Atlantic, and enjoy a delectable meal. 

4. Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens

If you’re looking to satisfy your appetite for art and culture in Jacksonville, the best place to do so is the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens. Boasted as the largest fine arts museum in northeast Florida, the Cummer Museum was established in 1958 by art collector, garden enthusiast, and civic leader Ninah Cummer. Today, the museum houses over 5,000 pieces.

The Cummer Museum is also home to a historic garden that sits over the backdrop of the beautiful St. Johns River. You can explore the garden on foot and admire the ingenious landscape architecture, antique ornaments, impressive sculptures, reflecting pools, and wide variety of horticultural specimens. The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens is certainly worth a visit, and you could easily spend an entire day there. 

5. Fort Caroline National Memorial

For an even deeper dive into the rich history of Jacksonville and the surrounding area, take a trip over to Fort Caroline National Memorial. The fort was built in 1564 after French colonists settled in the area. However, in 1565, the Spanish raided the settlement and completely destroyed Fort Caroline. Today, what stands is a replica of what Fort Caroline would have looked like before its destruction, including the cannons and flags that would have occupied the fort. 

The top of the fort offers a fantastic view of the St. Johns River, and there is also a mile-long hiking trail around the back of the fort. As you leave, be sure to keep an eye out for the replica Timucuan hut complete with a replica canoe. You can also visit the small museum to learn all about the history of the area.

6. Riverside Arts Market

Located in the flourishing Riverside section of downtown Jacksonville, the Riverside Arts Market is the best place to pick up a souvenir from your trip or sample some of the local fares. The market gathers under the Fuller Warren Bridge every Saturday morning, and what you’ll find is buyers and sellers trading food items and a range of other little trinkets. 

The market features local artists and artisans selling their works, local farmers offering fresh produce, free yoga in the park, tons of food trucks offering incredible food, and live music being played free of charge. Even if you aren’t hungry or looking to buy anything, it’s worth walking around Riverside Arts Market and soaking up the ambience. 

7. Friendship Fountain

Perhaps the most famous modern landmark in Jacksonville is the Friendship Fountain. When it was first opened in 1965, the Friendship Fountain was the largest and tallest fountain in the entire world, and it has served as one of Jacksonville’s most prized attractions for decades. Unfortunately, during the 2000s, the Friendship Fountain was allowed to deteriorate quite a bit. However, after a series of restoration projects that began in 2011, the fountain is once again sparkling and as impressive as it ever was. 

The Friendship Fountain is located in St. Johns Park, which is a wonderful place to have a picnic or walk around and take in the views of the St. Johns River. If you’re lucky, you might even catch one of the Friendship Fountain’s impressive light shows at night. 

Whether you’re planning a vacation to northern Florida or you’re just passing through on your way to Miami or Fort Lauderdale, it’s definitely worth making a stop in Jacksonville and seeing what this up-and-coming city has to offer. And while Jacksonville is still largely overlooked as a travel destination right now, you can expect that to change in the coming years as their development projects continue and more people begin to realize what an amazing location this city is.