It's easy to see why people visit Jacksonville, given its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, and beaches.
One of Jacksonville's main points of interest sits at the west end of the Southbank Riverwalk adjacent to the Museum of Science and History: Friendship Fountain. Built in 1965, Friendship Fountain is one of the largest self-containing fountains built, pumping 3,500 to 6,500 gallons of water per minute. The elegant cascades of water is illuminated by 265 lights, allowing its waters to dazzle the night. In 2010, the municipality of Jacksonville initiated a $3.1 million-project to transform the surrounding area of the fountain into a full-fledged park. Whether one wishes to admire the beauties of the river or picnic by the calming sound of the fountain, Friendship Fountain works as Jacksonville's most attractive locations.
Jacksonville's shopping district is known by all to be the most diverse, bustling examples of retail therapy in northern Florida. No matter your taste or style, Jacksonville has the shop just for you. If you are looking to visit trendy, upscale boutiques, take a walk through the San Marco and Avondale areas. Be sure to peruse the sale racks at the St. Augustine outlets, or discover vintage goodies in the Five Points and Southside areas. If you are looking for more centralized methods of shopping, Jacksonville holds an ample supply of malls, with Avenues Mall and St. Johns Town Center being the most popular.
If you are feeling more adventurous, the Catty Shack Ranch Wildlife Sanctuary gives locals and tourists alike a taste of the wild all while located in a thriving metropolitan area. The Catty Shack Ranch is a non-profit organization that rescues big cats from dangerous situations. Resident cats currently staying at the ranch include tigers, lions, cougars, leopards, bobcats, arctic foxes, and coatimundis. The Catty Shack Ranch offers both daytime and nighttime feeding tours, where visitors will become acquainted with all the cats as well as their histories and the history of Catty Shack itself. Be sure to plan promptly as admission for these tours runs from only 1 PM to 4 PM and 6 PM to 8 PM.
The white sands of Jacksonville's shimmering beaches has attracted surfers and swimmers alike to this great city. A favorite for tourists and locals, Atlantic Beach has two miles of white sandy beach with 18 ocean accesses. Besides its magnificent shores, Atlantic Beach also holds a large picnic pavilion (available by reservation), 6 tennis courts, 2 racquetball courts, 2 playground areas, 2 baseball diamonds, a full basketball court, and a soccer field. Whether one wants to surf or play tennis, Atlantic Beach provides a plethora of options for its visitors to make the most out of the Florida sun.
Museums and Attractions:
Jacksonville stands out for its impressive museums and notable landmarks. The city has a number of museums that range from art museums to science or kid-friendly museums. Some favorites are the Museum of Science and History, the Museum of Contemporary Art, the Mandarin Museum and Historical Society, and Kingsley Plantation.
Beaches:
Visitors to Jacksonville often come to enjoy a laid-back day at the beach. There are a number of beaches that are just a short distance from the city. Some have a historic vibe while others are more lively. Atlantic Beach is about a half hour drive from the city. For a laid back vibe head to Neptune Beach and the most popular beach in the area is Jacksonville Beach.
Shopping:
You'll find shopping here to be an experience worth having. There are countless malls and shopping districts around town. Some of the best shopping is found at St. John's Center, Five Points, and Avondale.
Local tours that last a few hours can be a great way to explore Jacksonville. Prices vary by the type of activity or tour, the dates, and the size of the group. Here are a few of the highest rated tours by previous visitors:
- Jacksonville Private Boat Tour Daytime or Sunset, up to 6 people for $295 details
- Big Talbot Island Self Guided Tour with Smart Helmets for $115 details
- Riverside/5 Points Culinary Tour (Jacksonville) for $135 details