On dry land, Jacksonville is home to the largest urban park system in the country, with 10 state and national parks. Its authentic cuisine, thriving craft beer scene, and fun, cosmopolitan nightlife make Jacksonville a unique destination. A true family adventure, the zoo has something for everyone, with more than 2000 rare and exotic animals and 1000 varieties of plants. Whether you're visiting Florida's First Coast or are a permanent resident, we invite you to explore the Jacksonville Zoo and gardens through interactions with people, wildlife, and the environment. Since 1914, the Jacksonville Zoo has supported wildlife conservation in an impressive riverfront landscape.
Both adults and toddlers will love feeding the giraffes in the African Overlook and watching the otters float in the Wild Florida exhibit. The zoo is also home to an Australian adventure, with colorful birds called parrots. Tigers wander through the exhibition The Land of the Tiger and Jaguars take center stage in their award-winning exhibition. During your visit, head to the zoo's picturesque Trout River Pier.
You might even see a manatee. Local artisans, craft makers, artists, and farmers gather every Saturday morning under the awning of the Fuller Warren Bridge to celebrate this outdoor monument. The Riverside Art Market, or RAM, offers unique entertainment with an unparalleled view of the St. Enjoy live music, food trucks, and free yoga at this community event.
This beautiful oceanfront urban park in Atlantic Beach offers more than 20 miles of cycling and hiking trails of varying difficulty, has an area dedicated to camping, a lake for fishing and paddling, access for kayaking and kilometers of white sand beaches. Hanna is also home to one of the best surfing spots in Jacksonville. With more than 1.2 million square feet of outdoor stores and more than 175 stores and more than 20 restaurants, the St. Johns Town Center is Jacksonville's shopping mecca.
There's everything from Target to Tiffany & Co. And something for everyone, whether you're an expert saver or a lover of luxury. There are also three hotels inside the St. Johns Town Center, so you can shop until you run out of power. Located on the marsh side of Fort George Island, Kingsley Plantation plays an important role in Florida's complicated history.
The 1814 plantation house and surrounding structures, all preserved by the National Park Service, shed light on a different era in the South. Take some time to explore the unique tabby houses built and inhabited by the plantation's slaves. You can take a self-guided audio tour or book a tour with a park ranger. This is a historic reconstruction of the fort established by French colonists in 1564 in Jacksonville.
In 1565, the French colony was attacked by the Spanish and destroyed. The replica of the fort represents what the original Fort Caroline would look like, with cannons and flags. The upper levels of the fort offer a beautiful view of the river's mouth. There is a 1.3-mile nature trail in the park.
It is a circular path that meanders through maritime and hardwood hammocks. There is also a museum that presents the history of the area. When you leave the fort, you'll see a replica of a Timucua cabin, with a canoe going. This historic monument is under the care of the National Park Service.
With more than 1,000 pieces in its permanent collection, the MOCA encompasses one of the largest collections of modern and contemporary art in the Southeast. See paintings, installations, prints, sculptures and photographs by some of the biggest names in the visual arts. Jacksonville is one of Florida's top beer destinations with more than 20 craft breweries. To enjoy local breweries such as Intuition Ale Works, Engine 15, Aardwolf, Veterans United and Bold City Brewing, set out on your own self-guided tour with the Jax Ale Trail Passport.
Order it at local breweries, get stamps for every beer you drink, and win prizes when you fill everything up. Top 5 Jacksonville Adventures Visit Jacksonville 100 North Laura Street Suite 120 Jacksonville, FL 32202 (800) 733-2668. From farmers' markets to craft markets, Jacksonville has something for everyone. But I rarely see tourists examining these unique places. Jacksonville has dozens of craft breweries, and I don't think enough tourists visit local places.
It's ideal for families who want to learn more about Florida's culture and wildlife through interactive exhibits. Located at the meeting point between Atlantic and Neptune Beach, this quaint and relaxing shopping and dining center offers some of the best shopping and dining from Jacksonville. Sea turtle nesting season coincides with peak tourist season in Jacksonville, so be sure to ask at your beachfront hotel if there's anything you need to do to help protect the turtles. One of the best things about visiting Jacksonville is the chance to take a short drive to the oldest city in the country, St.
According to Visit Jacksonville, the city's official tourism office, the city covers more than 840 square miles, making it the largest city by land area in the contiguous United States. Rated one of the most affordable tourist destinations in the country, Jacksonville is home to 22 miles of relaxing beaches, unforgettable ecological adventures, world-class public art, deep-rooted history, thrilling attractions and the region's best food scene. Eclectic, bohemian, historic and modern, these are some words that are often used to describe this Jacksonville district. However, in Jacksonville, it is very hot from mid-May to at least September, with many days exceeding 90 degrees Fahrenheit and heat rates are in the triple digits. Classical music fans will love the magnificent acoustics of Jacoby Symphony Hall, one of three downtown theaters and home to the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra, one of the country's leading ensembles.
Many people think that Jacksonville is just the center of the city or just the beach, but the city offers much more. Stretches of stunning beaches and waterways, the country's largest urban park system, extraordinary cultural and historic sites, and experiences that captivate the mind, body, and inner adventurer invite you to experience Jacksonville. Located in the historic Arlington neighborhood, the Arboretum is by far one of the best hidden spots from Jacksonville.
