As a vacation spot, Jacksonville, Florida, is a top-notch travel destination. Get the most out of your vacation by exploring the best things to do in Jacksonville, Florida, and the best places to visit in Jacksonville, Florida, below. Wondrous Drifter is a Web 3.0 travel startup with ambitious goals to change the world.
Table Of Content
- 13th Floor Haunted House
- Amelia Island
- Arboretum and Gardens
- Baldwin Rail Trail
- Bestbet
- Catty Shack Ranch
- Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens
- Friendship Fountain
- Huguenot Memorial Park
- Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum
- Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park
- Kingsley Plantation
- Mandarin Museum and Historical Society
- Metro Diner
- Museum of Contemporary Art
- St. Johns Town Center
- Theatre
- TIAA Bank Field
- Tree Hill Nature Center
- Zoo
- Volunteer At Animal Shelters
13th Floor Haunted House
Experiencing the 13th Floor’s spine-chilling attractions can be one of the most exciting things to do in Jacksonville.
Meet zombies, vampires, werewolves, and witches up close!
For added excitement, it also offers eerie escape chambers and ax throwing.
The 13th Floor Haunted House is unrivaled in terms of thrills and chills.
This renowned structure is one of Jacksonville’s most prominent tourist attractions, attracting visitors from all over the country to experience its terrible grotesqueries.
Little creepy critters will crawl over your boots and make you scream.
The best part about this haunted house is that you don’t have to wait until Halloween to visit.
It also provides special events on other holidays, such as Valentine’s Day, ideal for couples, groups, parties, and families with older children.
Take a deep breath and plan a weekend getaway while you’re in Jacksonville.
But don’t lose your cool.
Are you brave enough to enter the 13th Floor Haunted House?
Address: 9230 Arlington Expy, Jacksonville, Florida 32225, USA
Amelia Island
Amelia Island is a small escape from the rush and bustle of Jacksonville’s main street.
Suppose you need to get some fresh air. In that case, a running trip takes you past the magnificent historical sites of Amelia Island and Fernandina Beach.
The combination of exercise and tourism sounds ideal!
Amelia Island, located just outside Jacksonville, appears to be most people’s concept of a vacation paradise.
That is, a peaceful white sandy beach that seems to stretch on forever, a golf course for every weekday, horseback rides on the beach, and a dash of history in the form of a failed Huguenot colony.
You’ll be able to relax in a reclining patio chair and sip on the multicolored coconut drink you’ve been fantasizing about for months.
It will be a fantastic retreat for all types of travelers.
Consider Amelia Island when seeking the most remarkable things to do in Jacksonville.
Address: 102 Centre Street, Fernandina Beach, Amelia Island, FL 32034, USA
Arboretum and Gardens
The Jacksonville Arboretum and Gardens is one of the most beautiful places in Florida!
Therefore, it may surprise you to discover that it was formerly an industrial dump site.
It was where automobiles, tires, appliances, scrap metal, and other unwanted goods were collected.
It wasn’t until the early 2000s that Jacksonville decided to make a change.
The Jacksonville Arboretum is a magnificent location, complete with vibrant flora and fauna that is likely to fill your camera roll.
Seven routes take you into different environments, such as the Jones Creek Trail, which leads you through wetlands with swamp bay, bald cypress, swamp dogwood, and American hornbeam.
The Live Oak Trail winds beneath more than century-old southern live oak branches.
The park is home to various animals, including alligators, armadillos, foxes, snakes, turtles, and the gopher tortoise.
It’s a fantastic 120-acre botanical garden with plenty of lovely strolls to keep you awake in the hot Florida weather!
Address: 1445 Mille Rd, Jacksonville, Florida 32225, USA
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Baldwin Rail Trail
The Baldwin Rail Trail is one of the best things to do in Florida.
Runners, hikers, cyclists, and horseback riders all have a place in this park!
This 14.5-mile rail trail connects Jacksonville with Baldwin and is one of Florida’s oldest.
It began as an abandoned railroad corridor. It has since expanded to include three separate walkings, running, biking, skating, and equestrian riding trails.
Oak trees on both sides surround the Jacksonville-Baldwin Rail Trail’s most remarkable feature.
The trees are so dense in some places that they form green, leafy archways over the trail.
When traveling by car, it’s usually best to stick to the asphalt-paved path.
For those eager for an off-road experience, another track is a little rougher and more natural.
You have a fair possibility of sighting wild turkeys, hawks, vultures, alligators, rabbits, armadillos, gopher tortoises, and a few snake species.
It’s worth a stop if you’ll be in Jacksonville.
Address: 2 Imeson Road, Jacksonville, FL 32220, USA
Bestbet
Broadcast live-to-gamble, excellent foods and beverages, and fascinating board games for participants of all ability levels are all part of the experience at this world-class poker venue.
Florida’s gambling rules are tricky, but if you’re drawn to the siren song of fortunate sevens, the best bet is Jacksonville has you covered.
It’s an entirely legal casino with poker, slots, cards, and horse racing, so you’ll have fun at the table and much more fun at the bar.
The finest casino in Florida has 88 tables.
While gambling machines chirp in each and every direction, the simulcast section presents all of the most current horse and dog matches.
If you’re looking for a worldwide poker tournament or just a few video poker, Bestbet in Jacksonville has you prepared.
It will be rather simple to lose track of time when there is food and beverages available, so be sure that you stick to the spending limit!
Address: 201 Monument Rd, Jacksonville, Florida 32225, USA
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Catty Shack Ranch
If you’ve never seen a group of tigers tearing into an animal carcass, you must go to the Catty Shack Ranch.
This wildlife refuge in northeast Jacksonville is dedicated to big cats, including lions, leopards, tigers, pumas, and lynxes.
They are saved from risky situations and given permanent homes on the estate.
As a wildlife refuge, Catty Shack Ranch provides a habitat for endangered big cats and educates visitors on the effort to keep animal populations afloat.
You can purchase a day pass, a ticket to the roaring evening feeding session, or an enrichment trip to gain an insider’s view of the zookeeper’s life.
You’re bound to fall in love with these scary monsters!
For once-a-week trips, you can observe them throughout the day when they are sleeping or resting or at night when they’re more engaged and grazing.
It’s an unforgettable sensation to see the cats pace around their cages, tearing into whole carcasses.
Address: 1860 Starratt Rd, Downtown, Florida 32226
Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens
With a gallery dating back to 1200 BCE, the Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens is among Jacksonville’s finest museum attractions.
It houses a diverse collection of paintings, sculptures, writings, relics, and other oddities from many historical periods.
The museum, formerly the residence of art collector Ninah Mae Holden Cummer, focuses on diverse, dynamic art and the beauty of nature.
The Cummer, with its expansive, interactive children’s display, is ideal for art fans of all ages.
Three gardens overlook the river and are planted with natural Florida vegetation.
Wonderful artwork and landscapes in the St. Johns River Valley can be found at the Cummer Estate.
Furthermore, the surroundings are as lovely as the paintings.
On the St. Johns River’s bank, the location strives to inspire visitors from all walks of life to be creative, reconnect with nature, and appreciate beauty.
Address: 829 Riverside Ave, Jacksonville, FL 32204, USA
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Friendship Fountain
The Friendship Fountain is one of the top attractions in Florida.
As you look at the reflection of downtown Jacksonville in the water, let the sound of running water clear your mind.
Friendship Fountain is one of Jacksonville’s most recognizable landmarks.
It was the world’s largest and tallest fountain. It moved more than 17,000 tons of water per minute from three independent pumps erected in the 1960s.
The jet streams might reach 100 feet in the air!
The Friendship Fountain is still massive, with a basin more than 60 meters in diameter and three rings of sprays, the centermost of which shoots water 30 meters into the air.
The Friendship Fountain’s three rings can discharge up to 16750 gallons (76,147 liters) of water each minute.
Friendship Fountain is located in St. Johns River Park on the south bank of the St. Johns River, directly west of Main Street (also known as Friendship Park).
The Friendship Fountain is located towards the western end of the picturesque Jacksonville Southbank Waterside Walk.
Address: Museum Circle, 1015 Jacksonville, Florida 32207
Huguenot Memorial Park
Huguenot Memorial Park is an excellent choice for camping and day outings, with great hiking paths, boat launching places, and swimming spots.
The Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve are located behind this park, approximately north of where the St. John’s River falls into the Atlantic.
Huguenot Memorial Park is nearly stranded on its 295-acre horseshoe-shaped peninsula, ideal for a quick return to nature.
According to the Audubon Society, this is the best spot on the First Coast for birdwatching.
The beautiful sandy beach slopes gently into the Atlantic and are backed by a dune system.
Huguenot Memorial Park is an excellent destination for a day of beach activities, birdwatching, kite surfing, and much more.
It’s a beach where you can unplug from life and just exist for a time rather than a beach for crazy experiences.
This is the place to go if you want to recharge your batteries during your Jacksonville vacation.
Address: 10980 Heckscher Dr, Jacksonville, Florida 32226, USA
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Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum
The Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum is the most exciting museum you’ve ever heard of.
It is one of only ten manuscript museums in the United States. It is dedicated to old, valuable manuscripts from professors, scientists, philosophers, and political figures.
The beautiful old First Church of Christ in Jacksonville, erected in 1921, holds up to four displays from the collection each year and exhibits by other renowned groups.
With less than a dozen manuscript museums in the United States, you should take advantage of the opportunity to visit one while in Florida.
Visitors can examine the numerous documents on display and learn about their historical significance.
Artwork, statues, and treasures from local collectors are also available for viewing.
David and Marsha Karpeles started collecting transcripts and documentation, and that collection was the most significant in the United States.
There are a number of them scattered across the country (including Jacksonville), with the exhibitions changing.
Prepare to travel back in time as you examine the collection of historical literature from worldwide and eras.
Address: 101 W 1st St, Jacksonville, FL 32206, USA
Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park
Camping at Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park is a great option for adventure seekers in Jacksonville.
Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park, sometimes known as “Hanna Park” by locals, is one of the best spots to visit in Jacksonville for outdoor pleasure.
It has campsite areas, a beachfront, almost 20 miles of walking trails, and a clean small river for fishery and canoeing.
Between both the industrialized Beaches region and the village of Mayport lies a rare enclave of mature maritime hammock forests flanked by a lengthy stretch of shoreline.
For the kids, there’s even a water playground!
Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park may be a great spot for the whole family if you don’t mind getting a tiny sunburn on your face.
Who in your group might be able to think of a reason to decline the offer?
It’s a beautiful spot that’s still nice and green despite Jacksonville’s surrounding infrastructure.
Address: 500 Wonderwood Dr, Jacksonville, FL 32233, USA \
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Kingsley Plantation
Kingsley Plantation is an excellent choice for those on a shoestring budget!
It’s named after an enslaver named Zephaniah Kingsley, who established a complicated dynasty with four African wives and over a dozen offspring.
A lot of questions are left unanswered by this film.
Situated in the Timucuan Ecological Preserve, the Kingsley Plantation sheds light on the town’s economic and political heritage.
It is the residence of Zephaniah Kingsley, one of the first to settle in the area and attempt to make a life by establishing a plantation.
Kingsley defended slavery while simultaneously freeing his wives and educating his children.
He resided on a plantation but let it be utilized as a boarding house for formerly enslaved people traveling through the south.
With its rich history and preserved architecture, Jacksonville’s Kingsley Plantation is a fitting testament to the vibrant community it once served.
Make time to visit the distinctive tabby huts erected and lived by the slaves of the Plantation.
Both audio tours and park rangers are available for you to choose from.
Address: 11676 Palmetto Avenue, Jacksonville, FL 32226
Mandarin Museum and Historical Society
Jacksonville’s Mandarin district has a rich cultural heritage.
Harriet Beecher Stowe, for example, spent time in Mandarin and was also home to Florida’s early Native American community.
Some of this heritage is being preserved by the Mandarin Museum.
Every year, lots of artists attend the Mandarin Art Festival.
Stop by the Mandarin Museum in Jacksonville if you’re exploring the area of the town anytime soon.
The Annual Winter Thanksgiving includes s’mores and sleigh rides.
It proves that history does not have to be boring!
The Mandarin Museum is also notable for hosting a wide range of community events.
Visit the Mandarin Museum and Historical Society to get a taste of old Florida.
Walking on the historic site is one of the most inspiring activities to do in Jacksonville.
While you’re there, don’t forget to bring your camera for a trip back in time to the days of the region’s fruit producers.
Address: 11964 Mandarin Rd, Jacksonville, Florida 32223, USA
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Metro Diner
There are lots of restaurants to keep you fueled while walking around Jacksonville. Metro Diner is undoubtedly one of them!
Metro Diner, a neighborhood favorite, delivers comfort meals with all the trimmings.
The chicken and waffles are topped with powdered sugar and strawberry butter. The morning pile contains layered eggs, onions, peppers, potatoes, and cheese.
“Best Breakfast in Jax” is awarded to this little diner establishment annually by Folio Weekly.
Metro Restaurant has gone regional since its inception in 1992.
However, the original location is 3302 Hendricks Avenue, in a diner structure from 1938.
There are 30 sites in Florida alone, but you can go back to the beginning for a decadent southern-style breakfast.
You should bring your horse into this establishment in Jacksonville since they serve horse food.
Whether a regular at “Bold City,” a first-time visitor or a long-time customer, you’ll always be treated with a friendly smile and a hot cup of tea.
Address: Jacksonville, FL 32223 12807 San Jose Boulevard
Museum of Contemporary Art
The Museum of Contemporary Art in Jacksonville is a must-see.
It is located in a gray, unassuming structure. It boasts vividly painted doors that serve as a welcoming signal to guests.
Things grow much more extensive and brighter on the inside.
The exhibitions range from watercolor paintings to geometric sculptures made of metal screws and LED lights.
The artists included are from all across the world.
With several local and international art shows, indeed, it’s difficult not to put this on your list.
Local students and library cardholders get in free!
The former Western Union Telegraph Building (1931), located on the east side of Hemming Park, was erected by the Auchter Company, a construction business responsible for most of Jacksonville’s skyline.
This six-story building became the Museum of Contemporary Art in 2003 after the interiors were gutted and restored.
It is almost without rivals in the Southeastern United States.
Remember to check out their approximately 16 shows for topics, movements, partnerships, solo artists, and more!
Address: 333 North Laura Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202, USA
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St. Johns Town Center
The St. Johns Town Center is one of the best places to visit in Florida.
Shopping malls are often the same everywhere, so you’re probably not eager to visit the Jacksonville Mall.
You should, however, make time to visit St. Johns Town Center.
It has a lot more to offer than just apparel stores and nail salons!
For starters, it’s an open-air facility where you may browse while strolling among oaks and palm trees.
If you’ve been thinking about taking a day off, this is the spot to do it.
St. Johns Town Center, with its nail salons, old-school barbershops, and massage parlors all in one location, takes the guesswork out of taking a day off.
One hundred fifty stores, including several big-name designer goods, are available for shopping therapy.
St. Johns Town Center is one of our top suggestions for things to see in Jacksonville because of its complexity and diversity.
Bring your wallet if you want to pick up some cool souvenirs while on vacation.
Address: Jacksonville, FL 32246, United States 4663 River City Dr
Theatre
The Florida Theatre in Jacksonville, built-in 1927, is so physically stunning that it may be challenging to focus on the film or stage.
It also accommodates a variety of live performances, so whatever your hobbies are, you’ll have no trouble finding an occasion to visit this intriguing structure!
If you’re in town, don’t be too picky about what you see at the Florida Theatre because the interiors are stunning (check out the coffered proscenium arch), and the acoustics are superb.
It’s ideal for couples on a date night or families seeking something fresh and unusual to do on their Jacksonville trip.
This cultural and entertainment facility in the heart of Downtown Jacksonville now presents more than 200 annual events, ranging from ballet and opera to modern pop, jazz, rock, country, and blues concerts.
You’ll be supporting a local, historic business while watching a fantastic show!
Address: 128 East Forsyth Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202
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TIAA Bank Field
Is the roar of the crowds during a fourth-down your favorite part of the game?
Or perhaps you prefer headbanging through a rock performance, your heart beating and sweat dripping from your brow.
In any case, you should pay a visit to TIAA Bank Field while in Florida.
The TIAA Bank Field, home of the Jacksonville Jaguars, is a massive stadium that can hold over 67,000 people.
The grandstands and craning light fixtures of TIAA Bank Field are impossible to miss as you pass into downtown Jacksonville on the Hart or Mathews bridges.
Megastars like the Rolling Stones, U2, and Green Day have performed here on national tours.
The annual Florida-Georgia college football game is frequently held here in October or November.
However, TIAA Bank Field is best known as the home of the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars.
If you want to have a wonderful time on a sunny afternoon, have a hot dog and go tailgating!
Address: 1 TIAA Bank Field Drive, Jacksonville, FL 32202, United States
Tree Hill Nature Center
Nature Lovers! What are you waiting for? Tree Hill Nature Center is waiting for you!
The Tree Hill Nature Center is one of Jacksonville’s most attractive attractions.
Founded by conservationists as a modest, simple park, it has grown into a stunning wilderness reserve with various events and activities for nature lovers.
Tree Hill is an organization that provides excellent environmental conservation education and access to natural landscapes and habitats.
Its goal is to increase people’s appreciation for the natural world.
You may learn about northeast Florida’s environment at the hands-on museum and see the Flight of Fancy Butterfly House.
Also, you’ll have a chance to get up and personal with pygmy goats, skunks, and various snakes, frogs, lizards, turtles, and tortoises.
Overall, if you’re looking for fascinating tourist attractions in Jacksonville, consider the Tree Hill Nature Center.
It can help you build fun, long-lasting memories of your Florida holiday.
Address: 7152 Lone Star Rd, Jacksonville, Florida 32211, USA
Zoo
This place is one of the best things to do in Jacksonville for nature and animal enthusiasts!
Meet almost 2,000 exotic animals, including amphibians, birds, fish, mammals, and reptiles.
The Jacksonville Zoo, frequently acclaimed as one of the top zoos in the United States, may defy your notions of what a zoo can be.
This attraction is involved in dozens of conservation efforts worldwide.
It has pioneering cages that are both compassionate and entertaining to visit.
Land of the Tiger, for example, permits its Sumatran and Malayan tigers to cross overhead on a high path system.
While taking animal vacation photos, identify some 1,000 plant varieties in the botanical garden.
Make sure to reserve ahead of time, as ticketing is done online, and then simply show up and enjoy your day!
Whether you like white rhinos, golden lions, or vivid green parrots will not disappoint!
Address: 370 Zoo Parkway, Jacksonville, FL 32218, USA
Volunteer At Animal Shelters
Volunteering at an animal shelter is one of the most satisfying things to do. Most animals are content with having a clean, dry place to call home, along with enough to eat, drink, and play with. You’ll receive their undying devotion, steadfast friendship, and companionship in exchange.
By volunteering, you help bring attention to pet overpopulation, neglect, and abuse, and you become a part of the solution.
If you don’t have much time but still want to contribute, consider donating your old towels and bedding to rescue groups or the humane society. The shelter animals are constantly in need of warm bedding. If your children are no longer using their baby blankets, a dog or cat may find comfort in them. Cat and dog food, kitty litter, leashes and collars, and toys are always useful to rescue organizations and humane societies.
Help out in your community by visiting one of these animal shelters in Jacksonville, Florida.
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