Discover Jacksonville
If this is your first time wandering with me, welcome. And if you’re a frequent wanderer, welcome back! I’m Portia and I love to travel so it’s only fitting that we start thinking about where we’re going in 2021, 2022, 2023…
If you’ve never visited Jacksonville, Florida, you’ve been missing out. You can easily fill a week up with beautiful beaches, stunning sunsets, outdoor activities, historical attractions, and museums. All while getting in your foodie fixes at the same time.
There are so many things to do in Jacksonville that it can be hard to decide. I usually opt for the outdoors and have never been disappointed by the delights I find in and around the Jacksonville area. These are my 16 favorite outdoor activities that will keep you busy in beautiful places. Try my recipe for fun which is typically some outdoor recreation, something tasty to eat, and a beautiful view. Jacksonville has plenty of options to make it happen every time I visit.
While hours, fees, and location information has been provided below, always to remember to verify directly due to changes that can occur.
Keep in mind that some links are paid affiliate links. When you buy through these links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Any opinions expressed are not impacted by this.
Know before you go:
***If traveling during the pandemic, pay close attention to local requirements and individual business guidelines to understand changes in normal procedures, temporary/permanent closings ,sanitization efforts, and public behavior safety requirements. ***
1. Take in the river view from the gardens at Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens
(you can also engage with the museum from home with the Virtual Arts4All Festival.)
829 Riverside Avenue
Jacksonville, FL 32226
Contact Info
904.356.6857
All visitors must reserve a timed ticket for entry. Timed tickets are available Tuesday and Friday, 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. or 4 to 9 p.m., Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and Sunday, 12 to 4 p.m.
Children (5 and Under) Free
Senior, military, students aged 6-17 $6.00
First Responders/Healthcare Workers (with ID) Free
College Students (Tues-Fri) Free
Adult $10.00
Member (including reciprocal) Free
College Students (Sat-Sun) $6.00
2. Watch big cats play at Catty Shack Ranch.
1860 Starratt Road
Jacksonville, FL 32226
Contact Info
904-757-3603
1:00 – 3:00 PM
Adults: $12
Children $5 (3-11)
2 & Under Always Free
12713 Fort Caroline Road
Jacksonville, FL 32225
Contact Info
904-641-7155
4. Take the St. John’s Ferry to Ft. George Island.
This is an easy and fast option if you’re traveling on AIA from Jacksonville Beach. Check the schedule, line up, and download the MyJTA app for easy payment.
4675 Ocean Street
Atlantic Beach, FL 32233
Contact Info
(904) 241-9969
FROM MAYPORT VILLAGE TO FT. GEORGE ISLAND
Monday – Friday: 6:00 am, 6:30 am, 7:00 am and continuing on the hour and half hour, with the final departure at 7:00 pm.
Saturday & Sunday: 7:00 am, 7:30 am, 8:00 am and continuing on the hour and half hour, with the final departure at 8:30 pm.
FROM FT. GEORGE ISLAND TO MAYPORT VILLAGE
Monday – Friday: 6:15 am and continuing on the quarter after and quarter before the hour, with the final departure at 7:15 pm.
Saturday and Sunday: 7:15 am and continuing on the quarter after and the quarter before the hour, with the final departure at 8:45 pm.
FARE CATEGORY FARE FARE WITH MYJTA APP
Pedestrian/Bicycle $1.00 –
Motorcycle $6.00 $5.50
Car – Weekday $7.00 $6.30
Car – Weekend $8.00 $7.20
5. Play in the fountains at Jacksonville Zoo & Gardens or ponder animal life on the overlook of the Koi Pool.
370 Zoo Parkway
Jacksonville, FL 32218
Contact Info
(904) 757-4463
9am – 5pm
General Admission
ADVANCE, ONLINE PURCHASE ONLY
Adults (13 to 64)……………$24.95
Seniors (65+)………………….$22.95
Children (3 to 12)………….$19.95
Children (2 and under)……..Free
6. Soak up a sunrise or find a washed up jellyfish in Jacksonville Beach.
7. Walk across all of Jacksonville’s Bridges (replicas) in 5 minutes at the Cancer Survivor’s Park.
101 W. State St.
Jacksonville, FL 32202
FREE
8. Stroll through the Jacksonville Arboretum & Gardens.
1445 Millcoe Road
Jacksonville FL 32225
8 AM to 7 PM Mon – Thurs UNTIL Nov 1
8 AM to 5 PM Mon – Thurs AFTER Nov 1
8 AM to 5 PM Fri – Sun
FREE but $3 Donation suggested
9. Ask the “Billy” goats to let you pass at Tree Hill Nature Center.
7152 Lone Star Road
Jacksonville FL 32211
Contact Info
(904) 724-4646
Monday – Saturday
8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Closed major holidays.
$5 Adults
$4 Seniors, Students, Military,Teacher
$3 Children 3 -17
Free 2 & Under
10. Let the children enjoy some splash time on the splashpad at Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park
500 Wonderwood Drive
Jacksonville, Fl 32233
8AM – 8PM [April, 1st – October 30th]
8AM – 6PM [October 31st – March 30th]
Park entry – Ticket required for early bird entry 6AM – 8AM (early bird tickets may be purchased in sets of $50)
$3 per pedestrian and bicyclist 8AM to close
$5 per car (up to six people) 8AM to close
Bus entry fee – $50
Annual pass fee – $99 including tax. Annual passes can be purchased online via the online reservation system.
NOTE: Entry fees can now be paid by cash, credit card or debit card
11. Hike the ancient dunes on the Dune Ridge Trail Loop at Little Talbot Island
12157 Heckscher Drive
Jacksonville, FL 32226
Contact Info
904-251-2320
8 a.m. to 5 p.m., 365 days
$5 per vehicle
12. Pace yourself along Black Rock Beach at Big Talbot Island.
Here you’ll think you’re among volcanic rocks but they’re actually soft formations of soil. Low tide provides the best views.
1860 Starratt Road
Jacksonville, FL 32226
Contact Info
904-757-3603
8 a.m. until sundown, 365 days a year. The boat ramp is open 24 hours a day.
$2 for fishing pier, $3 per vehicle entrance
13. Walk in the footsteps of where the cultures of Timucua Natives, French Explorers, & Spanish Colonists once collided at Fort Caroline.
12713 Fort Caroline Road
Jacksonville, FL 32225
Contact Info
904-641-7155
9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday
FREE
14. Take a Riverwalk Stroll to Friendship Fountain
(Expect new fountain shows in Spring 2021)
1015 Museum Cir
Jacksonville, FL 32207
FREE
15. Birdwatch at the Castaway Island Preserve
2885 San Pablo Road South
Jacksonville, FL 32224
Sunrise to Sunset
FREE
16. Go where the waters meet on the Timucuan Preserve and see salt marshes, coastal dunes, and hardwood hammocks.
(Includes Fort Caroline and Kingsley Plantation)
click here for a Timucuan Preserve Video Introduction
Try these 3 highly recommended Jacksonville tours:
Happy Wandering!
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