The Active Vibe of Jacksonville

A multifaceted Florida city with history, green spaces, entertainment and several unique places of interest.

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Words by Kathleen Walls

From expansive beaches and natural attractions to art galleries, museums, and even an award-winning zoo, there’s so much to see in Jacksonville that it’s easy to spend a few days here. If you’re passing through to or from your main snowbird destination, there are several attractions not to miss.  

Located in Northeast Florida, Jacksonville is unique in the sense that, according to Visit Florida, it’s ‘home to the largest urban park system in the U.S.’ There are a total of seven state parks, two national parks, a national preserve, plus approximately 400 city parks and gardens. Nature lovers will appreciate all of the outdoor activities while art and history buffs will want to see the museum and galleries. There are a lot of choices. 

If you plan to stay longer, several campgrounds are available. Little Talbot Island State Park is one of the few remaining undeveloped barrier islands in Florida. The campground is located among its ancient dunes and has 36 sites. Power and water are available but camping locations only accommodate trailers and motorhomes up to 9 m (30 ft). (Ed note* At the time of publication, Florida State Parks announced that the campground is open for use but has reduced capacity due to site maintenance.)  

Two additional options include Huguenot Memorial and Kathryn Abbey Hanna city parks. Both can accommodate larger RVs. 

Sand, Sun, Fun 

Jacksonville has an impressive 35 km (22 mi) of beaches. On the way to the surf, visit The Beaches Museum at 381 Beach Blvd. It also serves as the Visit Jacksonville Welcome Center, which is one of three in the city. Just in front of the museum is Pablo Historical Park with early 20th century buildings.

Fort Caroline

Fort Caroline is where Florida’s history began. Timucuan Preserve Visitor Center shows the tragic history of Fort Caroline’s French Huguenot settlers and early Timucua Native Americans’ culture. Take a short walk from the visitor centre to see the fort exhibit along the St. Johns River or plan an easy hike on designated nature trails through preserved habitats. Admission is free and RV parking is available.  

Kingsley Plantation

Kingsley Plantation provides insight into a different side of slavery. Anna Kingsley was the wife of Zephaniah Kingsley, her former owner who freed her and her children. He bequeathed Kingsley the plantation following his death. You can visit the grounds and see remains of the tabby slave cabins, kitchen,  parlour, and barn. The home is open for tours on weekends.

The Ritz and Florida Theatres 

The art déco-style Ritz Theater was built in 1929 and was once the heart of the African-American community in the historic neighbourhood of LaVilla. It’s still an operational live theatre and tells the story of Black history in Jacksonville. 

While you’re in LaVilla, tours are available of the Dr. Eartha White Museum. Eartha’s adoptive mother, Clara White, was a former slave and founded the mission. The museum was Eartha’s home from 1932 until she died in 1974. A popular artifact is the antique pump organ, a gift from big-band jazz legend, Duke Ellington.   

Nearby  - about 2 km (1.2 mi) - the Florida Theatre completed extensive renovations in October 2023. It first opened in 1927 and as Jacksonville’s oldest theatre, it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983. Some of the locals claim a resident ghost haunts its grounds. 

Underground Tunnels 

You might be surprised to know Jacksonville has a secret system of tunnels from the days when the city was a major finance centre. They were used to move money between city banks and some are still accessible. There’s a section between The Northbank Truist Tower, which was previously the BB&T Bank building, and the former Atlantic National Bank. An old vault still exists with a Diebold safe dating back to the 1930s. Later on, it served as a bomb shelter during the Cold War. Tours are available.  

Jacksonville Naval Museum

The Jacksonville Naval Museum’s USS Orleck will take you back into military history. It was built in 1945 and used as a floating artillery in the Korean and Vietnam wars. The Gearing Class Destroyer is open for tours and you can walk the entire ship to observe the navigation deck, dining galley, officers and enlisted men’s quarters, as well as a torpedo launcher on deck. 

Cummer Museum of Art and Museum of Contemporary Art

Cummer Museum of Art will thrill you no matter what genre you prefer. Exhibits range from Italian Renaissance to Remington Sculptures. There are three gardens with reflecting pools, fountains, more sculptures, arbours, and a 200-plus-year-old oak. 

The gardens are on the National Register of Historic Places. Admission is free on Tuesdays (4 to 9 pm); Fridays (from 4 to 9 pm); and the first Saturday of every month (11 am to 4 pm). 

Another art lovers’ attraction is The Museum of Contemporary Art Jacksonville (MOCA), which features one of the largest contemporary collections in the Southeastern U.S. It’s across the street from James Weldon Johnson Park, where events are commonly hosted. 

Sweet Pete’s, one of the largest candy shops in the southeast, is close by and you can watch candy being made or even take candy-making classes. It has an on-site restaurant, Fizzies and Fare. 

Jacksonville Arboretum & Botanical Gardens

For a peaceful space to relax, the botanical gardens are 49 ha (120 ac) and have a lake, creek and seven nature trails. You can do just a short walk around the lake or spend hours hiking the entire area.

Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens

Ranked as one of the top 25 zoos in the U.S. by TripAdvisor and recognized with several awards, Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens spans 39 ha (97 ac) with more than 2,000 animals and 1,000 exotic plant species. With programs and services, it’s one of only seven zoos in the U.S. with an animal wellness centre - the Manatee Critical Care Facility. 

The zoo hosted a ground-breaking ceremony in October 2023 to commemorate the upcoming construction of its new Manatee River habitat and a 2,323 sq m (25,000 sq ft) VyStar SkyScape. The latter project is an open-air entrance to better welcome guests and enhance visitor experiences. 

Museum of Science and History

Cross over to the south side of the river and visit The Museum of Science and History (MOSH). With a wealth of displays ranging from prehistoric exhibits to current scientific discoveries, an exciting attraction is the Bryan-Gooding Planetarium where you can observe the night skies. 

Ice Dinosaurs: The Lost World of the Alaskan Frontier is expected to be showcased in March 2024 with exhibits about Arctic-dwelling dinosaurs. Then, step outside into The Hixon Native Plant Courtyard that showcases Northeast Florida’s native species. 

Five Points Neighbourhood

To begin or even round out your trip after seeing some of the city’s attractions, the neighbourhood of Five Points on Park St. along the St. Johns River is popular. It encompasses a mix of ‘old Jacksonville with a bohemian vibe’ and where you can discover unique shops, dining experiences, and green spaces.

If you’re into ‘rare or thrifty finds,’ go to 5 Points Vintage, which is lined with more than 20 antique dealers selling a mix of antiques and collectibles. Fans & Stoves Antique Mall is another option and is located across Memorial Park on Lomax St. When you feel like a break, there are several trendy yet casual restaurants ranging from Bavarian-inspired pub food, Mexican and Asian-inspired dining options to distilleries and brew houses. 

Some other highlights include the Walter Jones Historical Park and Museum in the Mandarin section; the Veterans Memorial Wall, a 20 m (65 ft) granite monument commemorating Jacksonville’s servicemen and women from World War I through Operation Desert Storm; and The Alhambra Theatre and Dining, a local fixture. It’s one of the oldest operating dinner theatres in the U.S.

With its city vibe, historic attractions, and all-natural spaces and parks, Jacksonville makes for a great trip when visiting the Sunshine State. Full-service campgrounds are available in and around the region, and the range of things to do and see will meet a variety of interests. For more information visit www.visitjacksonville.com