Planning a Florida getaway often conjures thoughts of sunbathing in Fort Lauderdale, dancing the night away in Miami, and seeking thrills at one of Orlando’s theme parks. And while all of these images are accurate — and great ideas for any vacation — there’s so much more to the Sunshine State.
If you’re looking to go beyond the usual tourist hot spots and still get a taste of the best that Florida has to offer, look no further than Jacksonville. Located in the northeastern part of the state, Jacksonville is home to 22 miles of beaches, world-class museums, and more — not to mention a country flair that locals are proud of.
To help plan your trip to this Florida gem, we spoke to locals who gave us the lowdown on the best things to do in Jacksonville. Read on for their tips on where to go, what to do, and what to see so you can make the most of your trip.
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Spend the day at Jacksonville Beach.
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It wouldn’t be a Florida vacation without a visit to the beach, and Jacksonville has plenty of ways for visitors to enjoy the coastline, thanks to its year-round sunshine. Walk along the “sandy highway” during low tide, take a dip in the Atlantic, or try your hand at several other recreational activities like kayaking, surfing, paddleboarding, and fishing from the pier. You can also “walk down memory lane at Beaches Museum to remember how Jacksonville’s beaches got to where they are now,” says Curt DeWitt, owner and operator of Beach Life Rentals and Salt Air Inn & Suites.
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Explore the Jacksonville-Baldwin Rail Trail.
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Hike, bike, or ride along what was once part of a CSX railway line and now showcases a different, more forested side of Jacksonville’s natural beauty. The 14.5-mile trail has a multiuse asphalt path smooth enough for skating and cycling, along with a parallel unpaved path for off-road biking and horseback riding. “It's a great place to see the ‘country’ side of Jacksonville and Florida,” says DeWitt.
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Hang with big cats at Catty Shack Ranch Wildlife Sanctuary.
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Animal lovers shouldn’t miss a trip to this somewhat hidden gem in Jacksonville. Providing a safe haven for big cats who may have been mistreated or have nowhere else to go, Catty Shack Ranch is home to a large variety of animals, including bobcats, foxes, leopards, tigers, and lions. “It's a fun place to learn about how some ‘pets’ can be mistreated, and how a sanctuary can help provide a comfortable, safe space for the animals to live with each other,” says DeWitt. “They do not allow visitors all the time … so it does not overstimulate the animals and treat them like they are in a zoo.”
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Find healing at Auntie Peaches.
“A mystical apothecary with a vibe both earthy and ethereal, Auntie Peaches is a hidden gem in historic Springfield,” says Ernest White II, who grew up in Jacksonville and is the executive producer and presenter of travel docuseries Fly Brother with Ernest White II. “Come here for traditional African herbal and natural medicines, scented candles and aromatic teas, and incredible stories about African American life from Jacksonville and around Florida.”
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Have a beach picnic at Huguenot Memorial Park.
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“I grew up going to this sandy strand north of the mouth of the St. Johns River. The long, wide beach in this public park is a great place to splash in the surf and watch the ships sail in and out of the river on the other side of the jetty,” says White II. Visitors are also allowed to drive down onto the beach to set up their barbecue or picnic for the day. While there, be sure to look for the historic marker that commemorates the landing of the French Huguenots on May 1, 1562.
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Enjoy a family-friendly day at Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens.
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You can easily spend the entire day at Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens, gawking at the 2,000-plus creatures and 1,000 varieties of plants. Feed the animals at the Giraffe Overlook, watch for adorable floating otters at the Wild Florida exhibit, and get a unique view of tigers roaming above your head at the Land of the Tiger exhibit. There’s something to keep both adults and children entertained.
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Get a dose of art and culture at Florida Theatre.
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For nearly 100 years, the Florida Theatre has served as a beacon of entertainment. Originally opened as a movie theater, the venue, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, now hosts hundreds of events per year, from ballet and opera performances to a variety of musical concerts.
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Admire the masterpieces at cumme*r Museum of Art & Gardens.
As the largest fine arts museum in northeast Florida, the cumme*r Museum of Art & Gardens has a collection of nearly 5,000 pieces spanning several centuries, cultures, and continents. The beauty continues in the museum’s historic and lush 2.5-acre garden. “I love the cumme*r because you can stroll through the serene gardens, marvel at ancient artifacts, and admire European and American masterpieces all under one roof,” says Burton.
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Go shopping at Riverside Arts Market.
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Open every Saturday, rain or shine, the Riverside Arts Market “ is an embodiment of Jacksonville's artistic soul,” says Natasha Burton, head chef, founder, and owner of Mixed Fillings Pie Shop. With more than 100 vendors, you’ll find art, handmade jewelry, beauty products, local farmers' produce, food trucks, and more. “It's a weekend must-do for anyone craving a dose of local flavor, and the location can't be matched,” Burton adds.
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Learn about Jacksonville’s Black history.
The role of Black residents throughout Jacksonville’s fascinating history is often overlooked, but Explore Jax Core is trying to change that with its Black heritage tours. The company offers a general history tour, as well as other options focused on architecture or murals and mosaics. “I vouch for Explore Jax Core’s Black History tours because they’re not just tours,” says Burton. “They’re eye-opening experiences that delve into the soul of Jacksonville. They bring to life stories that often remain untold, celebrating the resilience, triumphs, and contributions of the Black community.”
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Explore a darker side of history at Kingsley Plantation.
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Like many destinations in the South, Jacksonville has a complicated history, and nowhere is this more apparent than at Kingsley Plantation. Head to this site to learn about the 1814 plantation house and the people who lived there — both enslaved Africans and plantation owners. You can take a self-guided audio tour, but for a deeper dive into its history, book a tour with a park ranger.
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Enjoy the outdoors at Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park.
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This oceanfront city park has a bit of everything for outdoor enthusiasts: 1.5 miles of beautiful beaches, more than 20 miles of hiking and biking trails, campgrounds and cabins, an expansive lake, picnic shelters, equipment rentals for kayaking, and more. This park is also a top spot for surfing. Beyond its recreational activities, Hanna Park is significant as it was once Manhattan Beach, the first African American beach resort in Florida.
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Stroll along St. Johns River.
Be sure to enjoy the views of the mighty St. Johns River along the Northbank Riverwalk (two miles) or Southbank Riverwalk (1.25 miles). These concrete pathways are ideal for going on a walk or jog, relaxing on the benches, or launching a kayak from one of the designated areas. “Enjoy the art and murals along the way and hopefully catch a glimpse of the river dolphins, a hybrid salt and freshwater dolphin only found in the St. Johns River,” recommends Katie Mitura, chief marketing officer at Visit Jacksonville.
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Catch a concert at the Ritz Theatre and Museum.
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Located in the historic neighborhood of LaVilla, the Ritz Theatre and Museum showcases the Black history and culture of Jacksonville in an area that was a hot spot for Black entertainment, nightlife, and music from the 1920s to 1960s. Explore the museum’s many galleries and keep an eye on the event calendar to catch a concert in the beautiful 400-seat theater.
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Marvel at the stars at the Museum of Science & History.
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With the goal of fostering lifelong learning, Jacksonville’s Museum of Science & History has a wide range of interactive exhibits, teaching about health and the human body, coastal animals in northeast Florida, diverse energy sources, and the lives of Jacksonville’s first Native Americans. The crowning jewel of the museum is its planetarium. As one of the largest single-lens planetariums in the U.S., you can easily explore the wonders of the universe from the comfort of planet Earth.
