Jacksonville Tours & Activities

Plan your trip to Jacksonville, Florida — handpicked tours and activities, the best time to visit, where to stay and eat, how to get there, and a sample itinerary.

Top things to do in Jacksonville

• Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve. A 46,000-acre National Park Service preserve encompassing ancient salt marshes, waterways, and nearly 6,000 years of human history — including Kingsley Plantation, the oldest standing plantation house in Florida, and the Fort Caroline National Memorial commemorating the first French attempt at a New World colony.
• Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens. Northeast Florida's largest fine arts museum holds more than 5,000 works spanning 4,000 years, from ancient Greek pottery to 21st-century paintings, set within 2.5 acres of European-inspired gardens overlooking the St. Johns River. Free admission is offered Tuesday evenings, making it one of the best cultural values…
• Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens. A 122-acre AZA-accredited zoo home to more than 2,000 animals from 350 species, including a new manatee river habitat and resident big cats in the Land of the Tiger exhibit. The giraffe feeding station and walk-through exhibits put visitors face-to-face with wildlife in a way that delights all ages.
• Big Talbot Island State Park — Boneyard Beach. One of Florida's most surreal landscapes: centuries of coastal erosion have sculpted a dramatic bluff where the skeletons of ancient live oaks and cedar trees litter a dark-sand shoreline, creating an otherworldly scene beloved by photographers and nature lovers. Tidal pools edge the maritime forest at the geological…
• North and Southbank Riverwalk. More than three miles of multi-use riverside paths link downtown museums, Friendship Fountain, the Times-Union Center, and open-air plazas along both banks of the St. Johns River. A free river taxi shuttles between docks, making it easy to see downtown Jacksonville from the water without a car.
• Florida Theatre. Built in 1927 in ornate Mediterranean-Revival style, this 1,900-seat landmark on the National Register of Historic Places hosts more than 200 live events annually — from ballet and opera to rock concerts — and is consistently ranked among the top-attended theatres in America for venues its size.
• Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park. This 447-acre oceanfront city park packs in 1.5 miles of Atlantic beach, a 60-acre freshwater lake perfect for kayaking and fishing, and more than 20 miles of mountain-biking and hiking trails, plus noted beginner surf breaks. Camping, paddleboard rentals, and a renovated water playground make it a full-day…
• Mayport Village and the St. Johns River Ferry. Where the St. Johns River meets the Atlantic, this working shrimp-boat village offers the kind of authentic Florida coastal life that has largely vanished elsewhere — watch shrimpers unload wild-caught Mayport shrimp, ride the historic car ferry toward Amelia Island, and settle in at Singleton's Seafood Shack, a…

Best time to visit Jacksonville

March through May and September through November. Visit Jacksonville promotes November through April as 'dry, sunny, and basically perfect.' Spring (highs mid-70s to mid-80s°F) and fall (highs in the 80s°F) offer the most comfortable weather for outdoor activities, fewer crowds than summer, and lower accommodation costs. Spring also aligns with THE PLAYERS Championship and Springing the Blues Festival

Jacksonville weather by month

Getting to Jacksonville

Jacksonville covers 840 square miles — the largest city by area in the continental United States — and the beaches are 17 miles from downtown. A rental car is strongly recommended. The Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA) runs buses citywide, a free Skyway monorail loops downtown, and a river taxi connects Northbank and Southbank docks.

• JAX Jacksonville International Airport — 20 min drive
• DAB Daytona Beach International Airport — 90 min drive
• SAV Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport — 110 min drive

Where to stay in Jacksonville

Where to base yourself, by neighborhood.

• Downtown Jacksonville (Northbank and Southbank). The urban core puts visitors within walking distance of the Florida Theatre, Cummer Museum, MOCA, and the full Riverwalk system. The free JTA Skyway monorail and river taxi mean you can explore both riverbanks without a car, and the concentration of… Good for: First-time visitors, culture-seekers, couples wanting walkable city access.
• Jacksonville Beach (Beaches Town Center area). The oceanfront strip around the Jacksonville Beach Pier and boardwalk is the most resort-like part of the city, with surf shops, seafood shacks, oceanfront hotels, and a laid-back beach-town energy. It sits 17 miles from downtown but gives easy access to… Good for: Beach vacationers, families, surfers, those who want sun-and-sand as the default.
• Riverside and Avondale. Staying in this National Register historic district means waking up inside Jacksonville's most walkable and independently-spirited neighborhood — tree-lined streets, Five Points cafes, the Riverside Arts Market, and the Cummer Museum all within strolling… Good for: Foodies, nightlife seekers, repeat visitors, travelers who want neighborhood texture over resort amenities.
• San Marco. The Southbank's most polished residential neighborhood has a European flair — a compact square ringed by bistros, wine bars, and Theatre Jacksonville — plus quick access to the Southbank Riverwalk and the Museum of Science and History. Accommodation is… Good for: Couples seeking a quieter, upscale atmosphere; wine and dining enthusiasts.
• Murray Hill. Jacksonville's artiest and most eclectic inner neighborhood — home to Chancho King, Community Loaves, multiple craft breweries, a converted-theater live-music venue, and a dense map of murals — is best experienced by staying in short-term rentals within the… Good for: Indie travelers, foodies, craft beer enthusiasts, those who want to experience local Jacksonville life.

Where to eat in Jacksonville

A curated set of standout tables and local favorites.

Local favorites & classics

• Restaurant Orsay. Avondale · French-Southern — The closest thing Jacksonville has to a flagship fine-dining institution: a classic Parisian bistro recast in the American South, with expertly rendered French technique…
• 13 Gypsies. Riverside · Spanish tapas — A tiny, chef-driven spot with fewer than ten tables where everything — from cured meats to pickled vegetables and house-made bread — is produced in-house. The rotating…
• Singleton's Seafood Shack. Mayport Village · Florida seafood — A Mayport institution since 1969, right on the working waterfront where shrimp boats unload daily. The wild-caught Mayport shrimp — sweet, firm, and plucked from…
• Falafel x Bar. Avondale · Levantine / natural wine — A natural wine shop and bar doubling as a Levantine kitchen, best known for its tinned-fish boards with a customizable toppings bar and a thoughtfully curated…
• Mesa. Avondale · South Indian — Celebrated for its inventive marriage of South Indian flavors and Southern comfort-food sensibilities, Mesa also offers a thoughtful selection of spirit-free cocktails that…
• Terra Gaucha Brazilian Steakhouse - Jacksonville. 4483 Southside Blvd · 4.8★ (6,739 reviews)
• The Bearded Pig. 1808 Kings Ave · 4.6★ (5,459 reviews)
• Julington Creek Fish Camp. 12760 San Jose Blvd · 4.6★ (4,464 reviews)

Cafés, bakeries & casual

• Chancho King. Murray Hill · Ecuadorian — James Beard Award finalist for Best Chef: South, this beloved spot built its following on slow-roasted pork sandwiches, cheesy pan de yuca, and house-made plantain chips —…
• The French Pantry -Jacksonville. 6301-1 Powers Ave · 4.7★ (1,800 reviews)
• Biscottis. 3556 St Johns Ave · 4.6★ (2,006 reviews)
• Sweet Theory Baking Co.. 1243 King St · 4.7★ (1,353 reviews)
• Cinotti's Bakery-Sandwich Shop. 1523 Penman Rd · 4.5★ (1,464 reviews)
• Le Petit Paris Cafe Southside. 7111 Bentley Rd #1 · 4.6★ (1,046 reviews)
• 1748 Bakehouse. 1748 N Main St · 4.8★ (739 reviews)
• The Baker’s Son - Jacksonville, FL. 11957 Atlantic Blvd #101 · 4.6★ (868 reviews)

Fine dining & Michelin

• Rue Saint Marc. San Marco · French-inspired bistro — A 2026 Michelin Guide Recommended restaurant anchoring San Marco Square, led by Chef Scott Alters and Beverage Director Gabrielle Alters. The menu blends classic…
• Brine Oysters Champagne and Caviar. San Marco / Southbank · Seafood — An intimate oyster and caviar bar offering a rotating selection of East and West Coast bivalves, crudo preparations, and an optional seven-course chef's tasting…
• Norikase. Tinseltown · Japanese omakase — Jacksonville's first omakase experience, housed in an unassuming strip mall with a ten-seat counter bar. Weekly shipments from Tokyo's Toyosu Fish Market supply…
• Community Loaves. Murray Hill · Bakery / cafe — A neighborhood bakery set in a garden space where the sourdough loaves and egg sandwiches draw weekend lines. Part of Visit Jacksonville's Coffee and Donuts Trail and a…
• Ruth's Chris Steak House. Crown Plaza Hotel · 4.4★ (3,090 reviews)
• The Capital Grille. 5197 Big Island Drive · 4.6★ (2,154 reviews)
• Cowford Chophouse. 101 E Bay St · 4.4★ (2,519 reviews)
• Melting Pot. 7860 Gate Pkwy Ste 101 · 4.5★ (2,070 reviews)

A 7-Day Jacksonville Plan

1. Day 1 — River, Art & Gardens. Begin at the Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens, one of the Southeast's finest regional art museums, spending a leisurely morning exploring its permanent collection and the serene formal gardens overlooking the St. Johns River. Stroll through the Riverside Avondale Historic District —…
2. Day 2 — Wild Coast & Boneyard Driftwood. Drive north to Big Talbot Island State Park and walk the famous Boneyard Beach, a hauntingly beautiful stretch of shoreline where bleached tree skeletons rise from the sand — one of Florida's most photogenic natural scenes. Continue to Mayport Village and board the St. Johns…
3. Day 3 — Ancient Lands & Tidal Marshes. Spend the morning at the Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve — visit the Theodore Roosevelt Area for hiking trails through pristine coastal hammocks and salt marshes that have been largely unchanged for thousands of years. Explore the Fort Caroline National Memorial within…
4. Day 4 — Zoo, Waves & Surf City. Spend a full morning at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens, one of Florida's top zoos featuring Range of the Jaguar, Land of the Tiger, and a superb botanical garden collection spread across beautifully landscaped grounds. Head east to Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park, a 450-acre oceanfront park…
5. Day 5 — Golf Legend & Ponte Vedra. Drive south to TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, home of THE PLAYERS Championship, for a round on the iconic Stadium Course — book well in advance — or take a walking tour of the 17th-hole island green, one of golf's most famous shots. Explore the upscale Ponte Vedra Beach area,…
6. Day 6 — Craft Beer, Music & Nightlife. Set out on the Jax Ale Trail, Jacksonville's self-guided craft brewery circuit — start with a brewery tour and tasting flight at Intuition Ale Works or Aardwolf Brewing in the Southbank/San Marco corridor, both celebrated local pioneers. Continue the Ale Trail with stops at…
7. Day 7 — Southbank Stroll & Farewell Sunset. Walk the Southbank Riverwalk on a leisurely final morning, pausing at the Friendship Fountain and taking in the panoramic view of the downtown Jacksonville skyline across the St. Johns River — one of the widest urban rivers in the US. Visit the Museum of Science and History…

Events & festivals in Jacksonville

• TaxSlayer Gator Bowl (Around New Year's Day (late December / January 1)). Annual college football bowl game held in Jacksonville at EverBank Stadium since 1946; sixth-oldest college bowl game in the US. In 1955, became the first bowl game to be televised nationally on CBS. Current title…
• THE PLAYERS Championship at TPC Sawgrass (March (typically March 12-15 in 2026)). Annual PGA Tour flagship event held at TPC Sawgrass Stadium Course in Ponte Vedra Beach, near Jacksonville. Prize fund $25 million; considered the 'fifth major' in professional golf. 2026 edition was the 52nd, won by…
• Springing the Blues Festival (First weekend of April (e.g., April 10-12, 2026)). Free, annual outdoor blues festival held since 1990 or 1991 (Wikipedia notes conflicting dates) at Jacksonville Beach's Seawalk Pavilion overlooking the Atlantic. Named by DownBeat magazine as one of the 'top 50 Music…
• Jacksonville Jazz Festival (Memorial Day Weekend (May 21-24, 2026)). Free, four-day annual jazz festival held in downtown Jacksonville at Ford on Bay since 1979. Begins with the Jacksonville Jazz Piano Competition at The Florida Theatre. Founded during the mayorship of Jake Godbold.…

Jacksonville travel FAQ

When is the best time to visit Jacksonville?

March through May and September through November.

What are the top things to do in Jacksonville?

Top experiences include Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve, Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens, Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens, Big Talbot Island State Park — Boneyard Beach, North and Southbank Riverwalk.

Which airport is closest to Jacksonville?

Jacksonville International Airport (JAX) is the nearest, about 20 minutes away.

Where should I stay in Jacksonville?

Popular areas to base yourself include Downtown Jacksonville (Northbank and Southbank), Jacksonville Beach (Beaches Town Center area), Riverside and Avondale, San Marco.

How do I get around Jacksonville?

Jacksonville covers 840 square miles — the largest city by area in the continental United States — and the beaches are 17 miles from downtown.