Last Updated on November 15, 2021 by Dana Berez

Jacksonville Florida Travel Guide & Things to do

Jacksonville Florida really took me by surprise- in a great way, and I think it is a perfect destination for those who want a fun beach vacation, with a variety of things to do. This Jacksonville Florida Travel Guide has you covered on the top things to do while in Jacksonville.

About Jacksonville

Jacksonville is the largest city in the contiguous United States and covers a large space from a bustling downtown to the 22 square miles of beaches.

You will arrive at JAX airport which is about a 30-40 minute drive to the beach. To see all of Jacksonville, I would recommend renting a car to get you all around the city.

A really fun part of town to visit is downtown Jacksonville where you can find rooftop bars like the Cowford Chophouse and lots of street art!

Where to Stay in Jacksonville Florida

If you want to stay on the beach and be within walking distance to restaurants and shops, I would recommend staying in Town Center.

I stayed at Hotel Palms, which is a retro-chic renovated hotel where each room has a unique modern design.

This hotel is 3 blocks from the beach and walking distance to restaurants and shops!

Check Availability for Hotels in Jacksonville

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What to Do in Jacksonville Florida

Water Activities

Yoga & Surf Lessons

An amazing way to start the morning is by scheduling a sunrise yoga session on the beach.

Jax Surf and Paddle

They offer yoga sessions and if you want to try something more adventurous they also offer private and group surf and paddle lessons.

Rent a Boat Charter

Celebrating an event or just wanting to have a good time? A memorable way to spend the day is renting a private yacht along the St. Johns River throughout downtown Jacksonville.

Lambs Yacht center offers a variety of fleets for different party sizes.

Kingsley Plantation

 If you are interested in History, a great way to spend an afternoon is visiting the Kingsley Plantation on the Timucuan Reserve. If you want to tour the inside of the main house, plan your visit on the weekends.

Since it is a fragile structure, offered inside are only on Saturday and Sunday at 11 AM & 3 PM.

However, the grounds are open on weekdays and are free to enter.

Cummer Museum & Gardens

For any art lovers out there visiting the Cummer Museum & Gardens is a must! There are all kinds of art represented in the museum, and beautifully designed gardens to discover.

The museum also has a cafe so you really can spend the whole afternoon here.

Florida Theater

Apart from the National Historic Places in America, the Florida Theater is a beautiful theater located in downtown Jax.

Fun fact: Elvis Presley played in this theater in 1956 as his first indoor appearance!

Relax at a Spa in Jacksonville Florida

One Ocean Spa

A day at the spa is always a good idea. The service at One Ocean is friendly and professional from check-in to massage.

They have a variety of services for women and men including facials, massages, body wraps, and nails.

After your service, you can relax with a glass of champagne, and take in the gorgeous ocean views.

Where to Eat in Jacksonville Florida

Town Center

There are a variety of different fast-casual restaurants right along the beach area in Town Center where I recommend staying.

Some of my favorites for breakfast and lunch included Homespun Kitchen & Southern Grounds both offering healthy options and coffee beverages.

Five Points

Five Points is a bohemian neighborhood, just outside of downtown Jacksonville, and has some unique places to eat and drink.

Restaurants in Jacksonville Florida

Alewife

Alewife is a beer shop and tasting room offering over 250 kinds of beer and local drafts. They also have a beer school where you can learn more about beer!

Bread and Board

This place is great for a healthy spot for lunch and happy hour!

Beer Tasting at Alewife

Azurea

One of the best dinner I have had in a while, and not just in Jacksonville. Azurea’s cuisine here was unique and plated so beautifully.

I tried the chef’s tasting menu and had five delicious courses including Watermelon Gazpacho, Scallop Crudo, Seared Seabass, Lemon Sorbet, Rack of Lamb, and Maja Blanca desert.

Moxie Kitchen

Another favorite restaurant that I tried was Moxie Kitchen.

Not only were the food and cocktails delicious, but Moxie Kitchen is also Town Center’s only locally-owned restaurant that was built up with recycled materials and uses locally sourced ingredients.

Read more Florida Posts:

Florida:

• Best Beaches: Best Beaches in Florida to Visit this Year
• Tampa, Florida: Best Things to do in Tampa Florida for a Weekend Getaway

Miami:

• Miami Hotels: 18 Best Hotels in Miami for Every Budget
• Miami Rooftops: Best Rooftop Bars in Miami with Epic Views
• Miami Travel Guide: The Only Miami Travel Guide You Need

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This post was in partership with Visit Jacksonville. All opinions are my own.