Jacksonville Travel Guides

Jacksonville spotlight

Where to Eat - A Guide to Jacksonville's Diverse Dining Scene

Due to its sheer size, Jacksonville has a huge variety of cuisine on offer. Several designated dining districts give visitors a wide choice of types of venue, from pubs to upscale restaurants. Chefs utilize seafood straight from the Atlantic Ocean, and some also try their hand at cooking up "swamp fare" like alligator. Other kitchens offer Southern fare not typically associated with the rest of Florida.

View full guide

Where to Stay in Jacksonville - River View Rooms to Luxury Beach Resorts

As the USA's largest mainland city by area, Jacksonville has plenty of accommodation options. Beach resorts and vacation rentals line its coast, while downtown features skyscraper hotels overlooking St. John's River. West and southeast Jacksonville provide budget lodgings and suites from global hoteliers.

Shopping in Jacksonville - Outlets, Markets, and Handcrafts

As the continental USA’s largest city by area, Jacksonville’s varied shopping districts could fill a week’s itinerary easily. Visitors will find brand-name outlets, boutiques, and handcrafted goods in Jacksonville’s distinct neighbourhoods. Head to the beach for cute beachwear and knickknacks, or to Riverside for locally made artsy finds. Several outdoor malls provide shoppers with a little bit of everything.

Jacksonville's Top Attractions and Excursions - Beaches, State Parks, and Big-City Fun

People looking for destinations with both big-city amenities and natural attractions will enjoy Jacksonville, the continental USA's largest city by area. It offers art, international cuisine, and sports events at its stadiums. On the city's fringes you'll find wide beaches, a top-rated zoo, and state parks. Tying everything together is St. John's River, which flows through downtown and creates many waterfront locations for events and businesses.

Discovering Jacksonville - Big City, Big Beaches

This sprawling city is the largest by area in the contiguous USA, and serves as a gateway to Florida with an international airport and several major highways intersecting here. Visitors will find natural attractions including beaches, state parks, and St. Johns River, Florida’s longest river. Jacksonville’s urban areas attract shoppers, foodies, and cultural enthusiasts, as well as sports fans who can catch a variety of professional games.

Family-Friendly Jacksonville - Fun for Beach Babies and NFL Football Fans

Jacksonville is a huge city with enough activities to please any family. A lively city centre offers museums, restaurants, and attractive landmarks. Twenty minutes east, miles of wide beaches offer days of fun in a low-key and laid-back setting. Several parks teeming with maritime wildlife provide excellent inlets for kayaking or fishing. Don't miss Jacksonville Zoo & Gardens, or catch a professional sports event.

Art Walks, Markets, and Festivals - Jacksonville Arts and Culture

Artistic communities have cropped up on the downtown fringes of Jacksonville. Riverside hosts a big arts market on Saturdays, while San Marco's Dinner District developed between several theatres on Jacksonville's Southbank. Not to be outdone, downtown offers monthly Art Walks, with more than 40 cultural organizations taking part. Add in dozens of festivals and special events and Jacksonville can be considered a cultural hotbed.

Travel Tips for Vacationing in Jacksonville

Jacksonville's year-round warm climate attracts beachgoers and boaters, while the city's urban districts provide many dining and drinking options and fun activities. Three interstates circle the city, and its large river and proximity to the Intracoastal Waterway provide plenty of boating activities. As a major transportation hub, it gets busy at peak travel times, but its 22 miles of beaches provide a great counterpoint for rest and relaxation.

Search for Jacksonville hotels

Explore our travel guides

North America

Europe

Caribbean

Asia

South America

Australia - New Zealand and the South Pacific

Mexico and Central America

Middle East

Africa and Indian Ocean

Cities near to Jacksonville