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The Atlantic coast is a powerful draw for vacationers and adventurers and Jacksonville, FL is a popular place to begin. Other great resort towns along the shore include Ponte Vedra Beach, St. Augustine, and Atlantic Beach. Amelia Island must be included, for it is also no more than a mile away from Jacksonville. The city of Jacksonville knows how to entertain vacationers and draws in entire families.
The most sought after attractions include the Jacksonville Zoo with its elephants, cheetahs, giraffes, and a myriad of other beautiful creatures. A trip to the zoo is often paired with a Catty Shack Ranch Wildlife Sanctuary safari, where animal lovers can observe other large cats. The arts are celebrated with Saturdays at the Riverside Arts Market and visits to the MOCA and The Cummer.
Jacksonville’s Beaches
Twenty-two miles from downtown Jacksonville, this beach is best known for the PGA Tour and the Players Championship at the TPC Sawgrass golf course. Not surprisingly, sand and golf are popular here. Families enjoy recreation and visits to museums, shops, and food venues. The country clubs and golf courses have given rise to many high ranking hotels. One such hotel is the Lodge and Club at Ponte Vedra Beach. The lodge is packed from May and through summer. If you are thinking of staying there, be sure to make reservations months in advance. If you take Route 10 from Jacksonville east for 16 miles, you will find Atlantic Beach. Historically, the beach is known as the very first Native American settlement that unlike most other beaches on the Atlantic Ocean, was lived in all year long.
The beaches, food, and golfing are loved by families who vacation here. The beaches tend to be full during the summer, but spring and fall are also good times to enjoy Atlantic beach. Even when the weather does not allow for beach fun, there are other exciting things to do in the town. The Florida Tourism Board’s website offers information on events and attractions at Atlantic Beach. Amelia Island is northeast of Jacksonville and is a prime place to relax and enjoy sights and explore. The Amelia Island Museum of History brings history to life. If you take a cruise down the waterway, you may spy both alligators and wild horses. If you are looking for something more active, try a hike in the Fort George Island Cultural State Park. Fernandina Beach is recommended by visitors as a wonderful place to bathe in the sunshine. There are cabins and condos to rent, campgrounds, and hotels, including the Ritz-Carlton. Because traffic from and to Jacksonville can be heavy, you might wish to stay at the island rather than commute back and forth.
Jacksonville’s Zoo and Gardens
The Jacksonville Zoo is another reason you must visit Jacksonville FL. This zoo and gardens are north of downtown Jacksonville on the Trout River. Families love to explore the place and see everything from elephants and giraffes to apes, cats, and stingrays. Most families combine walking with riding the zoo train. Aside from the animals, the Play Park and Splash Ground are also wildly popular, especially after a long day in the Florida sun.
The zoo opens at 9 and closes at 5 every day of the year, except for Christmas Day. Children 2 and under may enter for free. Pricing ranges from $11 to $17 for kids and $17 – $23 for adults, depending on what you choose to include in your visit.
Arts and Crafts in Jacksonville
If arts and crafts are of interest to your family, the Riverside Arts Market will appeal to you. Saturdays in downtown Jacksonville are filled with vendors offering pottery, tee shirts, and other handmade products.
Street performers of all types love to entertain you while you walk around and enjoy food sold by street vendors.
The free-admission market in Jacksonville opens at 10 on Saturday mornings and closes at 4 in the afternoon. You will find free parking nearby. If you would like to learn more, check out the website for the Riverside Arts Market.
Arts, crafts, animals, beaches, and rides make a fantastic vacation destination for families. If you plan a trip to the coast, you must visit Jacksonville FL.
The fun begins when the sun goes down
No other Florida city has more unique flavors than Jacksonville. Whatever your craving, you will find perfect place to find perfect food to complete your cravings. Jacksonville is destination for food lovers with great taste.Local restaurateurs are committed to sustainable practices using local seasonal ingredients whenever possible to create delicious menus that showcase the best of Jacksonville and Northeast Florida.
