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JACKSONVILLE, Florida's largest city and the 11th largest in the U.S., is a destination that offers just the right balance for a great Florida vacation. Sure, the city's marketing efforts are not as ubiquitous as those of other Florida cities, but Jacksonville and its beaches have much more to offer visitors than do most of their Sunshine State sisters. Looking for miles of beautiful sand beaches that are not overly clogged with lobster-red sunbathers? Check. Looking for an attractive riverfront downtown with just the right amount of skyscrapers, sports venues, and cultural attractions to keep one entertained and not overwhelmed? Check. Looking for acres upon acres of unspoiled nature to explore by foot, bike, or kayak without having to be too far from civilization? Check. Looking for all the comforts of suburban America, from high-end restaurants and retailers to those that are decidedly more budget-conscious and family-friendly? Check. Maybe these offerings also help to explain why the city routinely shows up on so many "best places" lists. If finding the right combination of big city amenities, beautiful beaches, and abundant nature parks, sounds intriguing, Jacksonville and the beaches of the First Coast offer just what you'll want to add to your Florida vacation itinerary. Check out some of the area's highlights below.
THE MAIN BEACHES
The eastern end of Atlantic Blvd. separates the city's two best beach communities, Atlantic Beach and Neptune Beach. Together, they share a Town Center of locally-favorite restaurants, unique beachy shops, and friendly spots to grab a coffee or dessert. Just footsteps from Town Center, the two towns also share a beautiful, wide strand of beach lined with healthy sand dunes and eclectic cottages. Furthermore, One Ocean, an oceanfront resort and spa in Atlantic Beach, is my pick of the place to stay for anyone visiting the Jacksonville area.
While larger and livelier Jacksonville Beach offers more in the way of accommodations and restaurants. Lined with high and mid-rise condos and hotels, "Jax Beach" has an ocean pier that offers spectacular views from 1,320 feet out at sea. Jax Beach is also home to Adventure Landing & Shipwreck Island, a place for go-karts, laser tag, mini golf, water slides, and other amusements.
Farther to south, Ponte Vedra Beach is one of the wealthiest cities in Florida. Home to ritzy resorts and to the famous island green at Sawgrass Country Club, site of the PGA's Tournament Player's Championship, Ponte Vedra is for pampered travelers. Multi-million dollar mansions line most of Ponte Vedra Beach, limiting public access, but a great exception can be found at scenic Mickler's Landing.
DOWNTOWN RIVERFRONT
Straddling both sides of the St. Johns River in Downtown Jacksonville are a pair of riverwalks, each offering its own landmarks, landscaping, city views, and water taxi stops. The Jacksonville Landing, mainly a special events, business lunch, and weekend nightlife focal point, sits astride the Northbank Riverwalk at the epicenter of Downtown. The Times-Union Performing Arts Center, Florida Theater, Museum of Contemporary Art, Hyatt Regency, and Omni Hotel are also located along or within a few blocks of the Northbank Riverwalk. This riverwalk follows the curve of the river, ending under the Fuller Warren Bridge at the site of the Saturday Riverside Arts Market.
Across the river, the Southbank Riverwalk is shorter, but the colossal Friendship Fountain serves as its focal point. The Museum of Science & History, next to the fountain, features great permanent and touring exhibits that make it an especially good place for children to enjoy. The Crown Plaza and Wyndham hotels, Ruth's Chris Steak House, Charthouse, and River City Brewing Company are also located along the Southbank Riverwalk. A couple of river cruise operations also berth here. Connecting the two riverwalks are two bridges offering pedestrian access, a Skyway rail, and water taxis.
JACKSONVILLE ZOO & GARDENS
While many cities offer zoos, Jacksonville's is one of the finest in the Southeast, if not the country. Located along the Trout River, north of Downtown, exhibits include jaguars, penguins, stingrays, giraffes, elephants, komodo dragons, and more than 2,000 animal species. In March of 2014, an elaborate tiger exhibit opened as part of the zoo's 100th year of operation that enables visitors to come face to face with the massive cats (through glass).
CUMMER MUSEUM & OTHER CULTURE
One of the finest art museums in the Southeast, the Cummer Museum & Gardens features a variety of works from large paintings to sculptures, to an extensive collection of porcelains. The museum's English and Italian style gardens front the St. Johns River. Downtown, the Museum of Contemporary Art, Jacksonville Symphony, Florida Ballet, and touring Broadway shows at the Times-Union Center are some of the city's many other cultural draws.
JACKSONVILLE ARBORETUM & OTHER NATURE TRAILS
If you like nature trails, the Jacksonville Arboretum & Gardens has the best collection in town. Dense tree hammocks, wetland areas, and peacefully flowing streams make this one of the most scenic nature spots for family fun in town. Other great trail areas include the Ft. Caroline National Memorial and Theodore Roosevelt Area of the Timucuan Preserve, not too far from the Arboretum, as well as the campus of the University of North Florida.
THE CATTY SHACK RANCH
Located in the city's north side, Catty Shack is a rescue, rehabilitation, and retirement facility for tigers and other large cats. On certain nights, Catty Shack has feeding demonstrations that draw in big crowds eager to see huge tigers rip into meaty dinners with their powerful jaws.
BIG TALBOT ISLAND STATE PARK & OTHER "NATURE" BEACHES
One of Florida's most unique beaches, Big Talbot Island's sands are strewn with giant, bleached-white, uprooted trees fronting bluffs carved by the forces of erosion. In the southern part of the park, sand gives way to giant boulders and flat rocks that are brown, black and reddish in color. Big Talbot is a favorite spot for photographers. Amelia Island State Park, Little Talbot Island State Park, Huguenot Park, Hanna Park, and Guana River Preserve are additional Jacksonville-area nature beaches devoid of development.
JAGUARS, SUNS, & OTHER SPORTS TEAMS
Jacksonville is a major sports town. The NFL'S Jaguars are the city's marquee team. Their arrival in the 1990's finally gave Jacksonville stature and even led to the hosting of the 2005 Super Bowl. Aside from the Jags, however, the city has an array of pro sports franchises including the Suns (baseball), Sharks (AFL arena football), Giants (basketball), Axemen (rugby), and the new Armada (NASL soccer) which will take the field in 2015. Jacksonville University and the University of North Florida also offer NCAA Division 1 sports. Additional events include the TPC at Sawgrass (golf), and two annual major college football games: Florida vs. Georgia and the Gator Bowl.
HISTORIC SAN MARCO & RIVERSIDE-AVONDALE
If fine homes from the early 1900's, art galleries, and pedestrian districts for shopping & dining interest you, check out the historic neighborhoods of San Marco and Riverside-Avondale. They face each other across the St. Johns River, just south of Downtown. Both offer central areas for shopping and dining.
ST. JOHNS TOWN CENTER
The premier shopping and dining destination in North Florida, St. Johns Town Center is where discriminating shoppers and diners will want to spend their time. Destination restaurants and high-end retailers are plentiful in this Southside location, as part of an outdoor-oriented lifestyle center complex situated right in the heart of Jacksonville's overall busiest business district.
AMELIA ISLAND & FERNANDINA BEACH
Located about 45 minutes north of Downtown Jacksonville, Amelia Island boasts the northernmost beaches in the state. The southern half has ritzy resorts comparable to those in Ponte Vedra Beach, along with natural areas. Unlike Ponte Vedra, however, the northern half of the island makes up one of the most charming communities in all of Florida, Fernandina Beach. With its colorful pirate past, red-brick and Victorian historic architecture, interesting Centre Street shops, Civil War-era Fort Clinch, and variety of oceanfront accommodations, Fernandina Beach is one of my favorite small towns.
ST. AUGUSTINE & MARINELAND
Located about 45 minutes south of Downtown Jacksonville, St. Augustine is the nation's oldest continually inhabited European settlement. Today, the city and its vicinity are a magnet for tourism, with attractions including the Castillo de San Marcos, Fort Matanzas, the shops of St. George Street, a lighthouse, an alligator farm, history museums including the Pirate & Treasure Museum, the World Golf Hall of Fame, and additional beaches. Marineland, another 15-20 minutes past St. Augustine, offers opportunities for visitors to swim or otherwise interact with dolphins.
JEKYLL ISLAND & ST. SIMONS ISLAND (GEORGIA)
Across the Georgia border but only about an hour's drive north of Jacksonville are a pair of sea islands that together make for a fine day trip. A former playground of the Gilded Age elite, Jekyll Island is known for its beaches, historic architecture, water park, and the very nice Georgia Sea Turtle Center, a visitor center and hospital for rehabilitating injured sea turtles. North of Jekyll Island, St. Simons Island features a charming village with a lighthouse, pier, beach area, and playground all within a couple blocks of Mallery Street's array of shops and restaurants.
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