Visit Jacksonville Brochure

WELCOME TO JACKSONVILLE

GETTING HERE

IT’S EASY TO GET HERE! PERFECTLY LOCATED IN NORTHEASTERN FLORIDA, TRAVELING TO JACKSONVILLE IS QUICK AND EASY.

Getting to Jacksonville by car couldn’t be easier. In fact, the city is situated at the intersection of I-10 and I-95.

JAX provides non-stop flights to more than 30 major U.S. cities with 100 daily arrivals and departures on all major domestic air carriers and a network of regional carriers. visitjacksonville.com/travel-tools

THINGS TO DO

There’s a lot of land in Jacksonville – 840 square miles to be exact. As the largest city by landmass in the United States with more shoreline than any other Florida city, there are plenty of things to see and do in Jax.

Jacksonville is perfect for families. Kids of all ages can stretch their imagination, explore the outdoors and spend time together as a family. From parks to museums to sports and everything in between, there’s no shortage of ways to have fun as a family in Jacksonville. visitjacksonville.com/things-to-do

THINGS TO DO

BEACHES & WATERWAYS

• 1,100 miles of navigable water

• Jax has more shoreline than any other city in the nation

• 22 miles of beaches

• 40 miles of the Intracoastal Waterway

• 50 public boat ramps, and the longest stretch of the St. Johns River in the state of Florida

• Jacksonville is the birthplace of the Salt Life movement and Florida’s best watersports getaway

OUTDOOR/NATURE

• 80,000 acres making Jacksonville the largest urban park system in the entire nation and 46,000 acres of unspoiled coastal wetland

• 400+ City Parks, 7 State Parks and 2 National Parks

• 450+ campsites

• Never more than 15 minutes from an eco-adventure

SPORTS

• 8 pro sports teams and 4 college sports teams

• TaxSlayer Gator Bowl game was the first college bowl televised nationally

• 1,220 holes at world-class golf courses

• Gate River Run, largest 15K in the US

• The 26.2 with Donna, the only marathon dedicated to breast cancer research and care

THINGS TO DO

HISTORY

• 60 iconic historic buildings in Downtown Jacksonville

• Riverside Avondale neighborhood is one of the largest National Historic Districts in the United States

• More than 20 stops on Jacksonville’s African American Heritage Trail

• Jacksonville native, James Weldon Johnson, composed the African American anthem “Lift Every Voice and Sing”

• Birthplace of Southern Rock with 5 southern rock bands formed in Jax

• Jacksonville’s Alhambra Theatre is the longest running professional dinner theater in the nation

• Theatre Jacksonville, in the San Marco neighborhood, is Florida’s longest running community theater

ARTS & CULTURE

• 10 + world-class museums

• More than 20 art galleries

• 115 + public art pieces

• 22 performing arts groups

• Numerous art & farmers markets year-round

SHOPPING

• Jacksonville Farmers Market is the oldest farmers market in the state of Florida

• More than 150 retailers at the St. Johns Town Center

DINING/NIGHTLIFE

Fresh seafood, southern flavors, local ingredients, and decorated chefs all come together in Jacksonville to create an innovative and delicious food scene unlike anywhere else in Florida. No other Florida city has more unique flavors than Jacksonville, a melting pot of cultures and tastes, with a thriving culinary culture pioneered by local award-winning chefs that have been nationally and internationally trained.

The local culinary seafood staple is the “Mayport” shrimp, caught at the historic Mayport Village by generations of Jacksonville shrimpers. Enjoy it while trying the local version of shrimp and grits, fried shrimp baskets, shrimp dip and shrimp po’boys. Ask for it at fish camps, taco joints, food trucks and fine dining bistros across the city.

90+ licensed food trucks

100+ international cuisine restaurants 22+ craft breweries

NEIGHBORHOOD OVERVIEW MAP

boutiques, funky shopping and dining districts, live music venues, sidewalk cafes and sleepy surfer towns. Learn more at: visitjacksonville.com/neighborhoods/ BEACHES DOWNTOWN 10 WELCOME TO JACKSONVILLE 11

SOUTHSIDE

THE BEACHES:

Bring your flip-flops and pack the sunscreen, Jacksonville has 22 miles of wide, relaxing beaches with majestic sunrises and star-filled nights. At the beaches, visitors will find plenty to do, with fun water activities, delicious local restaurants, nightlife hotspots, clothing boutiques and oceanfront hotels and resorts blending into the scene without crowding views of the shorelines. The Jacksonville coastline is made up of three quaint neighborhoods, each with its own distinct vibe: There is Jacksonville Beach, Neptune Beach, Atlantic Beach/Historic Mayport Village. Our coastal communities are a great place to surf, paddleboard, kayak, kite surf, boat, swim and fish. There is plenty of free parking at the beaches and two city-owned lots that seasonally charge a small fee.

DOWNTOWN:

Sitting next to the St. Johns River and bustling with historic architecture, beautiful street art and murals, major museums, music theater, world-class dining, craft breweries, modern convention hotels, top sporting venues and a vibrant nightlife scene, Downtown Jacksonville is Northeast Florida’s urban hub and a must-see destination for visitors. The Downtown Riverwalk is perfect for a stroll or a jog and one of our famous skyline photographs. If spectator sports are your thing, the Jacksonville Jaguars play Downtown at the Sports Complex. Downtown Museums include the Ritz Theatre & La Villa Museum, the Museum of Contemporary Art Jacksonville and the Museum of Science & History. For more information visit downtownjax.org

RIVERSIDE AVONDALE:

Eclectic, bohemian, historic and hip, those are a few words often used to describe the Riverside Avondale district. Voted as one of the country’s Top 10 Great Neighborhoods, and listed in the National Registry of Historic Places, this area features a unique mix of history, culture, charm and modern design. Located just a few blocks from the St. Johns River, the district’s “Five Points” area is a bohemian neighborhood with funky coffee shops, outdoor cafés, great local dining, one-of-a-kind shopping, nightclubs, antique stores and more. The Shoppes of Avondale, another highlight of this district, has an eclectic mix of locally owned restaurants, clothing boutiques and Spanish-moss-covered, oak-lined streets. For more information visit riversideavondale.org

MURRAY HILL:

Local art, delicious food, craft beer, and passionate makers have transformed Murray Hill into one of the coolest neighborhoods in Jacksonville. Located west of the hip and historic Riverside Avondale, this old yet new again neighborhood has become the spot for young entrepreneurs to open innovative restaurants, boutiques, bottle shops and businesses. When visiting, check out its parks like Four Corners and Murray Hill Park and stroll along Edgewood Avenue and its dozens of local stores. Snap a pic of the neighborhood’s many murals and catch a show at the historic Murray Hill Theatre. For more information visit: murrayhilljax.com.

SAN MARCO

Located just minutes away from Downtown’s Southbank, the historic neighborhood of San Marco offers visitors beautiful St. Johns River views, tree-lined running routes, and some of the best sunset views in the city. Stroll along the San Marco Square and you’ll discover sensational local dining of every kind, upscale trendy clothing boutiques and great art galleries. Don’t miss the San Marco Fountain of Lions that reflect the neighborhood’s association with the Venice, Italy business district. San Marco is also home to several popular hotels, craft breweries, coffee shops, and world-class medical facilities. For more information visit mysanmarco.com

SPRINGFIELD:

Established in 1869 as one of Jacksonville’s most upscale neighborhoods, and located adjacent to the north of Downtown Jacksonville, the historic Springfield neighborhood is in the middle of a re-birth. This historic neighborhood is filled with restored historic mansions, locally owned shops, parks, craft breweries and tons of southern charm with majestic oaks providing protective shade along its residential streets. This neighborhood gives visitors a window into Jacksonville’s past and the city’s effort to preserve its history. For more information visit sparcouncil.org

ORTEGA & WESTSIDE:

Across the Buckman Bridge, on the other side of the St. Johns River from Mandarin, visitors will find the Westside and Ortega communities. A mostly commercial area, the Westside is home to several Jacksonville highlights, including the Equestrian Center of Jacksonville, the Baldwin-Jacksonville Rail Trail and the Naval Air Station Jacksonville, one of two naval bases in Jacksonville. NAS is the founding location of the Blue Angels. Ortega, located in a peninsula separated from the mainland by the St. Johns River and the Ortega River, is one of the wealthiest neighborhoods in Jacksonville. Riverfront mansions and beautifully manicured city parks make this one of the best neighborhoods to go for a run, or a long drive.

SOUTHSIDE:

Once a field of cows and farmland, the Southside has quickly evolved into the hustling and bustling heart of the city. From apartments, to malls, to business centers and more, The Southside is overflowing with popular attractions, nightclubs, entertainment centers, movie theatres, massive shopping districts, fine dining and parks. Families love living near St. Johns Town Center, the Markets at Town Center and the St. Johns Center North. All of these massive complexes make up Jacksonville’s largest shopping destination with more than 200 stores, restaurants and nightlife options for visitors. Another top area for entertainment and nightlife is Tinseltown, home to dozens of bars and restaurants.

MANDARIN:

Along the St. Johns River and south of San Marco, you will find the Mandarin neighborhood. This quaint area is marked by its history, ancient oak trees draped with Spanish moss, beautiful historic parks, and more water views than any other area in Jacksonville. Mandarin owes its name to its farming history. In the 19th century this neighborhood used to be a small farming village that shipped oranges, grapefruit, lemons and other fruits and vegetables.

NORTHSIDE:

Three of Jacksonville’s main travel hubs, the Jacksonville International Airport, the Amtrak station and the JAXPORT Cruise Terminal, are located in this area. The Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve, managed by the National Park Service, is in Jacksonville’s Northside and offers 46,000 acres of history and adventure. You can kayak, boat, Jet Ski, swim, fish and hike in this unspoiled coastal wetland. Beautiful salt marshes, coastal dunes and hardwood hammocks populate the Preserve, as well as Kingsley Plantation, one of the last remaining Plantation houses in the state of Florida. The Preserve, and all its attractions, can be reached by boat or car. Huguenot Memorial Park, Big Talbot Island State Park, Little Talbot Island State Park, Pumpkin Hill Creek Preserve State Park, and Yellow Bluff Fort Historic State Park are amongst some of the natural wonders that can be experienced in this area. Be sure to take a drive down the A1A Ocean Islands Trail to enjoy all the local coastal beauty.

ARLINGTON:

Arlington is one of the first areas in the United States visited by Europeans. It was the site of the French Fort Caroline settlement back in 1564, and is now the Fort Caroline National Memorial, one of Jacksonville’s two National Parks. Other historic and natural sites in Arlington include the Jacksonville Arboretum, the Tree Hill Nature Preserve, Kona Skate Park, the oldest skateboarding park in the world, and Jacksonville University.

RAIL YARD DISTRICT:

The district gets its name from its historic rail yards which have been operating since 1858. Located just minutes from Downtown Jacksonville, it is easily accessible from both I-95 and I-10. The Rail Yard District is home to the oldest continuously operating farmers market in Florida, established in 1938 and open daily from dawn to dusk (it closes only on Thanksgiving and Christmas). Eco Relics, the largest architectural salvage store in the southeast, houses over 50,000 sq. ft. of retail store in an old rail depot. The neighborhood is home to two family friendly Jax Ale Trail breweries, Tabula Rasa and Lemonstreet Brewing. If you need to work through some more energy, Battalion Airsoft Arena is one of the southeast’s largest Indoor airsoft arenas and features a 40,000 sq. ft. indoor field and players lounge.

VISITOR CENTERS

Visit Jacksonville’s destination experts at the city’s Visitor Centers will help you plan the perfect visit so you can see as many unforgettable spots as possible during your stay. Call or connect with our Visitor Center experts online to create your itinerary.

Once in town, stop by one of our centers and learn about local deals and offers, get expert recommendations on top experiences and get help with any of your destination questions. Be sure to stop by the Downtown Visitor Center and ask for one of our Destination Experience specialists, some of whom speak five languages. Learn more at: visitjacksonville.com/ travel-tools/visitor-centers

JACKSONVILLE’S MOBILE VISITOR CENTER

Be sure to look for Seymour Jax, Visit Jacksonville’s Mobile Visitor Center, around town during your visit! Spot Seymour at Jacksonville’s top events! Be sure to take a picture with Seymour Jax when you see him at local events, post and share using hashtag #onlyinjax.

For hours of operation scan this QR code:

For more information, contact the Destination Experience Team at (800) 733-2668 or (904) 798-9111 or via e-mail at visitorinfo@visitjacksonville.com.

VISIT JAX APP EVENTS

Jacksonville plays host to hundreds of events annually from big-time sporting events and music festivals to fishing tournaments and holiday celebrations.

Popular annual events include the Jacksonville Jazz Festival, the GATE River Run, Springing the Blues, FL vs. GA, TaxSlayer Gator Bowl and so much more. With many exciting festivals and events throughout the year, there is something always happening in Jax.

VISIT JAX TRIP PLANNER

Create your own custom itinerary by adding events, things to do, restaurants, and tours to your plan on our website Trip Planner. Then, once you are ready to visit, it will map out the best route to experience your selections and your plan will show up right in the Visit Jax app on your phone.

DOWNLOAD THE VISIT JAX OFFICIAL APP BEFORE YOU ARRIVE!

The app includes: Event Calendar, Self-Guided Tours, Audio Tours, Augmented Reality and local things to do! Use the Trip Planner feature on your computer to plan before you arrive and save in the app.

Check out: visitjacksonville.com/events for details.

For the latest detailed information about events, please check out visitjacksonville.com/events. Event dates are subject to change.