The Best Places to Visit in Jacksonville FL for First Coast Fun!
Jacksonville skyline from the river
Come for the sun, stay for the fun: here are the best places to visit in Jacksonville FL for family fun!
Poised on the Atlantic coast between the state line and St. Augustine, Jacksonville has a little bit of everything: a rich history, an emerging tech scene, gorgeous beaches, and a beach-ready climate year-round.
It's one of our favorite cities to explore on short weekend trips, as well as a convenient stopover on I-95 when we're headed to Orlando, Miami, or the Florida Keys.
Find our recommendations for exciting Jacksonville, Florida attractions below, so you can start planning your itinerary for your own trip today!
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Updated 6/2022 | Written 7/2017
Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve
Hiking trail in Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve | source
The first entry on our list of best places to visit in Jacksonville FL takes us northwest of the city so we can get back to nature.
With more than 46,000 acres to explore, the Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve is an excellent place to delve into 6,000 years of American history, learn about the local wildlife, and stretch your legs on the hiking trails.
The National Parks Service runs the property, and admission is free for all visitors.
The Preserve has so much to do that visitors could easily spend days here learning and exploring.
Recreational Activities at the Preserve
While there are hiking opportunities all over the Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve, the largest number of them can be found in the Theodore Roosevelt area.
This area was donated by Willie Brown in 1969, who wanted to ensure that people had access to the wilds of Florida.
There’s a lot that’s disappearing (land), but people are waking up to the fact there’s not much left. That’s why I want this place saved. So you can come see God. Pretty soon there will come a day when there will be nothing but a concrete jungle from New York City to Jacksonville. -Willie Brown
Explore the 600-acre site and be prepared to see local wildlife. Just don't pet the alligators!
More hiking can be done in the Cedar Point section of the preserve, along with kayaking and biking. Bring a picnic and relax under the trees midday when the heat is at its hottest.
Timucuan Culture
The property is named after the Timucua, a tribe of Native Americans who called this area home.
Sadly, the tribe and culture was wiped out in postcolonial times, and the park has made a concerted effort to remember what was lost in the 1800s.
Teachers, homeschoolers, and history buffs can read through the Timucua historical information here.
French Colonists
Gates into Fort Caroline | source
Learn about the French colony that once called Jacksonville home at Fort Caroline.
Named after King Charles IX, the fort was a major win for French presence in the New World.
The position was so good that the Spanish wanted it for themselves and began raids on the colony in 1565.
The remainder of the French colonists were killed or escaped to sea, and the French abandoned their New World claims.
Antebellum Life
PIN ME!
In more recent history, Kingsley Plantation houses materials on slavery in Florida, Southern architecture, and antebellum commerce.
The audio tour provides visitors with historical accounts from all sides of pre-Civil War life.
The Kingsley Plantation audio tour is self guided and free.
Kids can participate in the Junior Ranger program, which is always a favorite for my little travelers!
If you're visiting on a weekend, grab a spot on a tour of the Planters House.
American Beach
That history follows visitors to the onsite beach, called American Beach.
When Jim Crow laws were passed in the South, nearly everything was segregated.
The beaches were no exception.
American Beach was a blacks-only beach from 1935 to 1964.
In 1964, both the Civil Rights Act and a massive hurricane caused this community to change.
Since then, the area has been protected under the National Register of Historic Places.
Learn more about the history of American Beach here.
Phone: 904-641-7155
Address: 12713 Fort Caroline Road, Jacksonville, Florida 32225
Admission: free to National Park sites
Hours: 9 AM-5 PM Wednesdays-Sundays (not open Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, or New Year's Day)
Southbank Riverwalk
Jacksonville skyline at night
A list of Jacksonville Florida attractions isn’t complete without the Southbank Riverwalk on it!
Benches along the Riverwalk | source
Not only is this waterside spot a great way to get the feel of the entire city, but the 1.25 mile stretch allows you to get outside and enjoy some gorgeous weather in this beautiful corner of Florida.
It was built in 1985, but renovated in 2015.
There are continuing plans to upgrade the Southbank Riverwalk with a path over the bridge to the Northbank, additional walking paths, and new buildings, so the area is only going to get more exciting!
In its current version, you can wander the Riverwalk to experience the St. Johns River from a picture-perfect perspective, or sit down on one of the benches to watch the boats go by.
Along the way, you can stop for a meal, snap a photo of the skyline, or check out MOSH (the Museum of Science and History), which is right next to the Friendship Fountain on the western side of the walk.
Speaking of the Friendship Fountain, don't forget to throw a coin in for luck!
If you're an experienced kayaker, you can launch from the Riverwalk: be prepared for strong currents in the St. John.
Museum of Science and History
Exterior of MOSH | source
Speaking of attractions near the Jacksonville Riverwalk, the Museum of Science and History (known affectionately as MOSH) is one not to miss.
The museum has a variety of interactive exhibits inside and outdoors.
The permanent core exhibits focus on movement, space, local history, marine biology, electricity, and ecology.
MOSH teaches visitors a lot, but it's far from boring.
The science theatre has live shows with lots of explosions and shocks.
Kids can get close to marine animals at the Intertidal Touch tank, while the animal encounters at the Florida Naturalist Center educate visitors on possums, birds, and other local fauna.
We especially like the dedicated 5 and under playspace for little visitors!
Adventure Tours are a free, first come-first served way to experience the Museum of Science and History.
These tours are held on the first and third weekends of each month, and they take museum goers around interesting spots with a guide.
Phone: (904) 396-6674
Address: 1025 Museum Circle, Jacksonville, Florida 32207
Admission: $15.95/adults; $12.95/ kids 3-12, military, students, and seniors; children under 2, free
Hours: Mondays: 10 AM-5 PM; Tuesdays: closed; Wednesdays: closed; Thursdays, 10 AM-5 PM; Fridays, 10 AM-5 PM; Saturdays, 10 AM-6 PM; Sundays, noon-5 PM
Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens
Cummer Gardens at night | source
Once the riverside home of Ninah Cummer, the Cummer Museum and Gardens is now a must-see for visitors to Jacksonville, Florida.
Ninah, and her husband, Arthur, were both community leaders in their adopted city: they were from Michigan, but moved south when the Cummer family lumber business expanded.
When their infant daughter passed away in 1909, just a few weeks after her birth, the Cummers began to find creative outlets within Jacksonville, and Ninah began to collect art in earnest.
Her decision to establish an art museum on her death provided the start of the Cummer Museum's collection of art and antiques.
While the house itself had to be raised to create space for the current museum buildings, many of the building materials in the new space come from the original Cummer home (including the tiles on the roof of the courtyard walkway!).
Naturally no civic undertaking can function adequately without the interest and support of the community within which it is located. Therefore it is hoped that there may be additions to the Foundation from time to time so that this Museum may rank favorably with those established in other cities in the United States. -Ninah Cummer
Ninah Cummer, 1929 in the gardens at her home (source)
Explore the more than 5,000 pieces in the museum's permanent collection, and come away with a deeper knowledge of art covering more than 4 millennia.
If the weather's nice , and it probably is with Jacksonville's annual 221 days of sunshine, head outside to wander the 2.5 acres of gardens on the property.
Beautiful river views from the garden | source
You cannot miss the massive Cummer Oak, which is perfect for a family souvenir photo.
The Cummer Museum is one of the top places to visit in Jacksonville for people who love the arts as much as I do!
Phone: (904) 356-6857
Address: 829 Riverside Avenue, Jacksonville, FL 32204
Admission: Adults/ $10; Seniors, military, kids 6-17/ $6; children under five, healthcare workers, first responders, and college students/ free [NOTE: as of March 2022, timed admission tickets are required. Plan head!]
Hours: Closed Mondays; Tuesdays, 11 AM-9 PM; Wednesdays, 11 AM-4 PM; Thursdays, 11 AM-4 PM; Fridays, 11 AM-9 PM; Saturdays, 11 AM-4 PM; Sundays, noon- 4 PM
Jacksonville Arboretum and Gardens
Walking path through the Arboretum | source
Of all of the things to do in Jacksonville, Florida, this might be the most tranquil.
The Jacksonville Arboretum and Gardens is an oasis in the midst of the urban jungle!
Smaller than the Timucuan Preserve, but closer in to downtown, visitors will find peace in this 128-acre park.
The area was the location of strip mines from 1944 to 1961.
Now, seeing the lush foliage, it's hard to believe that the land was ever anything but the arboretum.
It's about a 15 minute drive from central Jacksonville, and halfway between downtown and the Jax beaches.
Lush coastal forest at the Jacksonville Arboretum | source
Hiking at Jacksonville Arboretum
There are 7 different trails that explore a total of 13 individual ecosystems, so brush up on your biology and ecology before you begin!
To further education visitors, the site has included dozens of signs labeling plants along the way.
The trails range in length so that everyone can enjoy the Jacksonville Arboretum at their own pace.
For little explorers, the Lake Loop Trail is a solid bet: the water isn't ever far away, which makes for great I spy moments, and the total length of the trail comes in at under half a mile.
Marvel at the stunning live oak trees, azalea flowers, and pines on the Live Oak Trail, or learn about lichens and the tidal marsh on the Rosemary Ridge Trail.
Events at Jacksonville Arboretum
Guests can participate in the free nature walks through the gardens. These are led by a knowledgeable trail guide and occur the fourth Saturday of each month.
All visitors are welcome to bring a yoga mat at any time the site is open.
For guided yoga sessions, guests of all ages are invited to the regular garden yoga sessions run by Harmony Mind Body and Spirit.
If you want to get new appreciation for the gardens, the site offers volunteer days twice each week.
Volunteers meet at the picnic area at 8 AM on the second Saturday of each month and every Wednesday.
Phone: (904) 318-4342
Address: 1445 Millcoe Road, Jacksonville, FL 32225
Admission: $3/person donation requested
Hours: 8 AM-5 PM, 7 days a week
Local Beaches
If your perfect vacation means sitting by the ocean with a fruity drink in your hand, you're in luck, as the Jacksonville area boasts several wide, beautiful beaches.
Only about half an hour due east from downtown Jacksonville, the Jacksonville beaches have something for everyone.
Neptune Beach
This area is quiet and family-friendly with seafood restaurants, parks, and the small-but-worthy Beaches Museum.
Jacksonville Beach
You’ll find the biggest population of the Jax beaches with over 23,000 full-time residents here. A bigger locale equals more options in dining, golfing, and activities.
Check out what you can do at the First Coast Cultural Center, which has rotating arts exhibits, classes, and camps for kids and adults.
Jacksonville Beach also has a half-mile long pier where visitors can watch local surfers, spot dolphin, or reel in the catch of the day.
[March 2022 NOTE: The pier is currently closed for construction to repair storm damaged areas.]
Atlantic Beach
This is the northernmost of the Jacksonville beaches, and it balances modern amenities with ancient history.
Some historians believe that Atlantic beach was once the site of a year-round Native American settlement, the first of its kind on the continent.
With the mild climate and beautiful surroundings, it's easy to see why these early settlers were drawn to the area.
Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park in Atlantic Beach is the perfect base for a full day out with the family.
At this park, there are 20 miles of hiking trails, a 60 acre lake for kayaking, a splash pad, and even adorable cabins if you want to have a full weekend in Jacksonville.
The Poles, located in the surf edging the park, is known for challenging even advanced surfers.
If you're interested in doing a little beach hopping, there's a beach trolley that will take you from beach to shopping centers and back to your Jacksonville Beach hotels again.
There's no need to take the car!
The full Jacksonville Beaches trolley schedule runs 7 days a week from around 5 AM to 12:30 AM.
Have you been to the First Coast? What do you think is the best place to visit in Jacksonville?
