Location: Jacksonville
Top Things to do in Jacksonville
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10 Things to do in Jacksonville That You Shouldn't Miss
Although much of Jacksonville is urban, this sprawling northeastern Florida city also has nature and wildlife preserves, historic residential neighborhoods and lots of golf courses. Attractions in Jax, as the locals call it, range from art, science and history museums to a brewery tour, from the Jacksonville Landing entertainment complex, along the St. John's River, to Bronson Motor Speedway. The city's beaches offer soft sand and warm water perfect for swimming, surfing and kayaking.
Restaurants in Jacksonville
1. Catty Shack Ranch Wildlife Sanctuary
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,546 reviews
Catty Shack Ranch Wildlife Sanctuary is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Our mission is to provide a safe, loving, forever home for endangered big cats, and to educate the public about their plight in the wild and in captivity. We do not breed, sell, or trade any of our animals. Our current residents include tigers, lions, leopards, pumas, servals, bobcats, foxes, and coatimundis. Check our website for the most accurate information; generally, we are open every day in the afternoon with admittance between 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM. You can also watch our Facebook Live tours on Tuesday and Thursday at 4:00 PM, and watch our Facebook Live night feeding fundraisers on Friday and Saturday evenings at 7:00 PM.
Reviewed By NJ2SC
This was the second time that my husband and I came for the evening feeding, and we were just as impressed as the first time we visited! We were shown a short video, then given a tour prior to the feeding, introducing us to each animal and telling us the story of how each animal came to their facility. This is an amazing place with amazing volunteers taking care of them. Catty Shack is big cat sanctuary (they have non-feline residence as well) where they will live for the rest of their lives. They are all well cared for, getting proper medical attention and as we observed, getting plenty of food supplemented with vitamins stuck into their food. We saw the owner in the cages, and in one case, petting a big cat’s head as he was feeding. Wow! This is truly a testament to the relationship he has with these wild beasts. The aggressive growls and roars around dinner time were impressive. Catty Shack was, once again, the highlight of our Jacksonville trip!
2. Atlantic Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 634 reviews
Section of beach that is flat, sandy and uncrowded. Great for surfers and kayakers.
Reviewed By T3975JVmarthab
Atlantic Beach is my favorite of the Jacksonville Beaches. It is primarily residential with the commercial property bascically clustered at the ocean and going west along Atlantic Blvd. It is a great beach to walk and sit and enjoy your own piece of heaven on earth watching and listening to the waves.
3. Kingsley Plantation
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 703 reviews
Reviewed By Thehoppygal
This National Park site is part of the Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve. Admission is free. Access to the park, located on Ft. George Island, is via Heckscher Drive. Once you turn onto the island from Heckscher, you can choose either fork in the road to get to the plantation grounds. The road is maintained by the City of Jacksonville who only grades it once a year, so go slow and expect a number of bumps down the narrow road. When you first enter through the gates of the park, you’ll see the tabby-constructed slave quarters on either side of the road. It’s okay to pull off to the side of the road at this point to visit the interpretive signs posted near the cabins. The larger (although still small) parking lot is further down the road on your right. It can accommodate larger vehicles, buses and RVs, depending on how busy it is. The Barn and Kitchen House are all open and unlocked with interpretive exhibits inside both. There is also a garden where sea island cotton, citrus, sugar cane, and indigo are seasonally grown and tended to by the NPS staff. The Planter’s, or main, house is open to visitors on Saturdays and Sundays in an open house format: it will be staffed by a volunteer and/or ranger during 11:00, 1:00, 2:00, and 3:00, generally for a half hour at each appointed time. Special events are also scheduled throughout the year, including the annual Kingsley Heritage Celebration in February and Harvest Day in October, where NPS staff, volunteers, speakers, and entertainers come together to share some Living History ideas, demonstrations, and practices. Be sure to check out the Junior Ranger program at the Visitor Center building, located west (down the path to the left) of the main house. There are also a lot of nicely-curated books and souvenirs at the shop and you can check out a self-guided audio tour device with a current photo ID. Water is the only refreshment sold on the premises. Bathrooms are also located in this building (which used to house the Ft. George Club back in the ‘20s & ‘30s) There are really rich and interesting stories of the people that traveled to the island, worked the plantation, and lived in the structures within the park’s purview. This is definitely worth the trip to uncover a little what life was like for different folks in Florida’s history.
4. Jacksonville Zoo & Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,221 reviews
This 73-acre park is the only zoo in Florida's northeast. With over 2000 animals and 1000 plants, Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens is 1 of only 7 zoos in the United States with an animal wellness team who help to provide the very best care for our animals.
Reviewed By S3227OMcindys
This is a great place to visit it’s well-maintained everybody’s friendly and there’s lots to do. We have annual passes and love to take the grandchildren! They have a merry go round for the theater and you can even feed and pet the stingrays this is an absolute dump must be around Christmas time Santa is there with his wife it is gorgeous and a big light show
5. The Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,147 reviews
Our mission is to engage and inspire through the arts, gardens and education. The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens, built on the site of the home of Arthur and Ninah Cummer, opened its doors November 10, 1961. From Ninah Cummer's relatively small collection of sixty pieces that launched the museum, The Cummer's permanent collection has grown to over six thousand works of art encompassing eight thousand years of art history.
Reviewed By FloridaClimber - Jacksonville, United States
Don’t miss out on this museum. Beautiful gardens on the river and free admission Tuesday and Friday from 4-9. Bigger than it seems and switches out some artworks to keep fresh things to look at and learn about. COVID precautions require you to RSVP for a time slot to limit the people in the museum at one time. Also mandatory masks.
6. Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 582 reviews
Reviewed By JaxRiversideGrl - Jacksonville, United States
My husband and I booked one of the Cozy Cabins on one of the coldest weekends of the year. I was afraid that the cabin and surrounding area would be freezing. Not at all! The cabin was fully heated, and kept us warm and toasty. The lush foliage surrounding the park kept the temperature at a beautifully slightly chilly temp. The staff were very nice and helpful. The cabin was clean, with a screened in deck and fire pit. Please note: the cabins do not contain any furniture or bedding. You will need to bring an air mattress and your own bedding. The park has a vast array of hiking and mountain biking trails that are surrounded by trees and nature. The beach is just a short walk away from the cabins. We walked on the sand and got to see the gorgeous ocean and sky. The park has a shop where you can purchase neccesary items and can rent bikes and skateboards. It closes at 6pm. Important to note: the bathroom in the middle of the park has very basic, showers that offer no privacy at all. Use the bathroom/showers near the front of the park. They have a private shower that is more accommodating. We spent two nights here and had a fantastic time. Everyone that we met was kind and pleasant. The area was clean and safe. The noise level was low and the other campers were very quiet and respectful.
7. Big Talbot Island State Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 290 reviews
Reviewed By susanfR9981FA - Tampa, United States
We stopped at this wonderful State Park for a picnic lunch on our way to Amelia island. The beach was otherworldly. It was so beautiful. There was hardly anyone there so the isolation, the wind made the black rocks and the felt trees even more eerie. The trees are on their sides and they call it boneyard Beach because they are like big tree sculptures made of old trees that have fallen over and are dotting the beach everywhere. There's a very unique kind of rock that looks like lava but feels like clay under your feet. We walked for about 6 miles and relish the experience. It was a cross between the Galapagos and the big island in Hawaii right here in the mainland! Don't miss it. It's really a treasure in the state of Florida
8. Little Talbot Island State Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 676 reviews
On Little Talbot Island, construction of the Timucuan State and National Parks Multi-Use Trail is underway. The first phase of the trail will span more than 2 miles through coastal habitat of Little Talbot Island.
Reviewed By Mrs_Urban - Jacksonville, United States
We love going to this place. We enjoy finding the different type of sea shells from the listing the ranger gives you.
9. St Johns Town Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 375 reviews
Welcome to the St. Johns Town Center representing the heart of shopping and dining in Jacksonville, Florida. The outdoor lifestyle mall is home to 175 of the hottest stores, many exclusive in the market, including Dillard's, Apple, Pottery Barn and Ann Taylor as well as shops in the palm-lined streets of the Luxury Collection such as Louis Vuitton, Tiffany & Co. and Mayors. As much a fashion-forward shopping hotspot as a dining destination, the diverse palate is represented with exciting options as The Cheesecake Factory, The Capital Grille and Cantina Laredo. Or relax among the Florida sunshine at the Park Green's turtle pond, life-sized chess board or dog park. Conveniently located in Jacksonville's Southside neighborhood, St. Johns Town Center is easily accessible to I-95, I-295 and J. Turner Butler Boulevard and between Downtown and the beaches serving Jacksonville, St. Augustine, Amelia Island and South Georgia. From the management team at St. Johns Town Center, we hope to see you soon!
Reviewed By kpfraser19 - Miramar Beach, United States
We came to visit The Apple Store. We loved the options available to us here. We ate at True Foods. They have Valet Parking but we found parking on the Main Street. It is worth the time to use GPS and figure out the stores you want to visit. We could also have parked in lots that appear to surround the perimeter. We went to Nordstrom, West Elm and Ballards. We allied to Starbucks for a mid-afternoon pick me up. There appears to be stores here for everyone and restaurants for many tastes. We had lunch in Bazille. It is a restaurant inside Nordstrom. It is full service restaurant and bar. Highly recommend the outdoor shopping center as a destination itself.
10. Museum of Science and History
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 475 reviews
Learn about area Native American cultures here.
Reviewed By Heysmithers - Savannah, United States
I drove 2 hours from Savannah with my 9 year old nephew and 6 year old niece. My nephew had 2 broken wrists so just about every physical activity enjoyed by many kids over summer break was not an option for him. He has been to the zoo several times over the last few years so we decided The MOSH was the most logical, affordable indoor choice. We were not disappointed. We arrived at 11:00 and moved almost nonstop for 3 hours. Both kids learned while having fun (or had fun while learning). Your entrance ticket includes one of the rotating shows in the planetarium. We chose the astronaut presentation. It was well done and informative for all audiences. This is a museum clearly designed for the education and entertainment of children (about ages 5-12). Anyone who writes a poor review describing it as not relevant for an adult is correct. I have been to national museums in Rome, Madrid and London. I believe my nephew and niece would be bored after 10 minutes. The MOSH is perfect for them.
