If you had to sum up Jacksonville in a nutshell, it would be a boiled peanut: a secret recipe, an unexpected delight, and a reason to pause instead of passing through.
Yes, we have 22 miles of beaches, year-round sunshine, world-class museums and all the special extras you’d expect from a city our size, but Jacksonville offers a different take on the basics. Sure, we get spring breakers — but you’re more likely to find breaking waves ridden by surfers, paddle boarders and pelicans.
Picture a canopy of oak trees shading a historic neighborhood. Miles of waterways and marshgrass estuary where the St. Johns River meets the sea. We’re a little bit country, and a whole lot of (southern) rock n’ roll.
We cheer loud and proud in our arenas and stadiums, but sports aren’t the only game in town. Don’t leave without trying our bakeries and cafés, our barbeque, breweries and distilleries. Throw a dart on a map of Florida, and you’ll likely land on a pretty beach, a theme park, a golf course, or a crystal-blue swimming pool. But if you’re open to something a little different, you’ll find a slice of Florida that locals love. That’s Jacksonville, in a nutshell. And, like a good batch of boiled peanuts, it’s best savored when shared.
As the largest city in the continental U.S., Jacksonville is the perfect place to experience a new side of Florida. The abundant waterways, parks and ecological preserves in Jacksonville provide an unforgettable opportunity to escape the ordinary and relax in nature’s playground. Jacksonville proudly boasts the largest urban park system in the nation with more than 85,000 acres of parks, as well as 22 miles of white-sandy, unspoiled beaches. All the natural beauty is surrounded by a modern and vibrant city filled with authentic dining options, thrilling attractions, world-class museums, beautiful hotels, exciting events, cool nightlife, a hip Downtown and unique historic neighborhood districts with entertaining options for visitors of all ages.
From our unspoiled beaches to the exciting Intracoastal Waterway and the sparkling St. Johns River, water defines this area. Work on your tan or get active, learn to surf, rent kayaks and paddleboards, hope on a a fishing charter boat at Jacksonville’s Beaches and stay at our oceanfront resorts and wake up every morning to amazing sunrises over the Atlantic Ocean. Less than 3 miles from the Beaches you will find the Intracoastal Waterway, 40 miles of peaceful canals and natural inlets where visitors explore the local wildlife, including dolphins, manatees and hundreds of bird species.
In the heart of Downtown Jacksonville, the St. Johns River takes the spotlight, enjoy a river cruise, walk the 3-mile Riverwalk and visit the Riverside Arts Market, all while enjoying breathtaking views of our unique riverfront downtown skyline.
Thanks to our extensive park system, green is Jacksonville’s color and adventure is our game! Just minutes away from Downtown Jacksonville, the city’s wild side flourishes at the Timucuan Ecological and Historical Preserve. This 46,000-acre Preserve is made for those seeking a natural thrill. Swim, boat, hike, fish and enjoy historical sites like Fort Caroline National Memorial, often called Florida’s “Atlantis,” and Kingsley Plantation, Florida’s last remaining Plantation-era house and the 7 Creeks Recreation Area, newly minted on Jacksonville’s northside.Explore the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens, with over 3,000 rare and exotic animal and plant species. Venture out to Catty Shack Ranch Wildlife Sanctuary and hand-feed lions and tigers and other big cats. You can also let romance and adventure merge as you ride horses on our white-sandy beaches with Kelly Seahorse Ranch, one of the only places in Florida where it’s allowed.
Jacksonville is consistently ranked as a Top 25 Arts Destinations in the nation. We have the best Symphony in Florida, a Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA), a Museum of Science and History (MOSH), The Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens, a Broadway Series, one of the last remaining dinner theaters in the nation, The Alhambra, and the oldest continuously operating community theater in the country, Theatre Jacksonville. The Jacksonville Jazz Festival, the second-largest jazz festival in the U.S., brings an impressive lineup of performers and more than 130,000 jazz lovers to downtown Jacksonville each Memorial Day weekend. All year-long, from January to December, there is something exciting to do in Jacksonville. Come explore Florida’s Natural Water Wonderland!
Jacksonville is consistently ranked as a Top 25 Arts Destinations in the nation. We have the best Symphony in Florida, a Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA), a Museum of Science and History (MOSH), The Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens, a Broadway Series, one of the last remaining dinner theaters in the nation, The Alhambra, and the oldest continuously operating community theater in the country, Theatre Jacksonville. The Jacksonville Jazz Festival, the second-largest jazz festival in the U.S., brings an impressive lineup of performers and more than 130,000 jazz lovers to downtown Jacksonville each Memorial Day weekend. All year-long, from January to December, there is something exciting to do in Jacksonville. Come explore Florida’s Natural Water Wonderland!
No theme parks, but our beaches are wild, and only 15 Minutes from Downtown Jacksonville.
Just over the sprawling Intracoastal Waterway are the beaches, with over 20 miles of white sand. There are four separate areas, each with its own unique characteristics:
Farthest north, the quaint, historic village of Mayport is home to shrimp boats and seafood restaurants, offering their freshest catch. Head over to Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park, providing what many consider to be Jacksonville’s favorite biking and hiking trails. The park also offers camping and spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean and surrounding wilderness.
South of Mayport is the communities of Atlantic Beach and Neptune Beach. The intersection of Atlantic Beach and Neptune Beach is a hot spot that seems to keep getting hotter. Enjoy casual and upscale dining, diverse shopping options and most of all a very happening nightlife scene.
Rounding things out is Jacksonville Beach. The Sea Walk Pavilion, an outdoor amphitheater, hosts concerts, movies and festivals year-round. Get a tan, catch a wave on a boogie board or have a picnic on the beach. Nightlife is also hot in Jacksonville Beach with oceanfront clubs and intimate pubs.
