Jacksonville Beach

Adventure Landing

1944 Beach Blvd.
Jacksonville Beach, Florida
Phone: (904) 246-4386
www.adventurelanding.com

Located on Beach Boulevard just east of the Intracoastal Waterway is Jacksonville Beach's newest attraction. Adventure Landing includes a water park with slides. Also at the park, live alligators, go-kart track, miniature golf, laser tag arena, batting cage and an arcade with a wide variety of games. A full snack bar is available for refreshments. The park is open seven days a week. Prices vary depending on activity.

J. Johnson Gallery

177 4th Avenue North
Jacksonville Beach, Florida
Phone: (904) 435-3200
www.jjohnsongallery.com

A state-of-the-art gallery showcasing modern and emerging artists. Drawings, paintings, sculptures, prints and a multitude of mixed multimedia artwork are proudly on display at this Jacksonville Beach gallery. Hours are Tuesday to Friday, 10 AM to 5 PM and Saturdays noon to 5 PM .

Beaches Museum & History Center

425 Beach Blvd.
Jacksonville Beach, Florida
Phone: (904) 241-5657
www.beachesareahistoricalsociety.com

The restored 19th century house, which was once home to the station master of the Florida East Coast Railroad terminal at Pablo Beach, a railroad depot which was moved from Mayport, and a 28-ton steam locomotive built in 1911 by H.A. Porter and Company. The museum offers exhibits and archives. Donations are accepted.
Hours: Monday-Saturday 10AM- 4PM.

Players-By-The-Sea Theatre

106 Sixth Street North
Jacksonville Beach, Florida
Phone: (904) 249-0289
www.playersbythesea.org

Jacksonville Beach offers a first-class community theater with wonderful productions from drama, comedy and musicals. Call for reservations.

North on A1A from Jacksonville Beach

The Mayport Lighthouse

Located next to the Mayport Naval Station, it served as a welcoming beacon from 1859 to 1929. The lighthouse is currently located on the Navy Base and is not open to the public, but may be viewed from the village of Mayport.

Mayport Naval Station

Phone: (904) 270-5401

The base is just past the turnoff of North A1A on Atlantic Boulevard, situated on the St. John's River and the Atlantic Ocean. Mayport is home to the 3rd largest naval base in the nation. Dating back to WWII, Naval Station Mayport covers 3.409 acres and is home to many ships including the USS Kennedy.

St. Johns River Ferry

4610 Ocean Street
Mayport, Florida
Phone: (904) 241-9969
www.stjohnsriverferry.com

The crossing of the St. Johns River by AIA may be made aboard an auto ferry run by the St. Johns River Ferry Service, a division of the Florida Department of Transportation. Watch sea birds and an occasional group of porpoises as you cross the river. The fare is $3.50 each way for automobiles and $1.00 for pedestrians. The Ferry operates every day, including holidays.

Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park

500 Wonderwood Drive
Jacksonville, Florida
Phone: (904) 249-2316

Located on the sandy shores of the Atlantic Ocean, the park boasts sunny beaches, freshwater lakes and wooded campsites. Hanna Park's 60-acre freshwater lake is perfect for fishing, kayaking, paddle boats, and canoes. Lakeside picnic tables and grills are available and scenic trails surround the lake and wind through the lush green forest. The lake area includes a quarteracre water playground with colorful fountains and playful water-squirting devices. Open daily from 8 AM - 8 PM, April - October and 8 AM - 6 PM, November - March.

Across St. Johns River Ferry, North on A1A Toward Amelia Island

Huguenot Memorial Park

10980 Heckscher Drive
Jacksonville, Florida
Phone: (904) 251-3335

Waterfront campsites, a bird observation area, and gorgeous views of some of North Florida's remaining natural areas await visitors to Huguenot Memorial Park. In addition to the natural beauty of the area, the park also offers swimming, fishing, surfing, a boat launch area, picnic shelters, restrooms, and shower facilities to make your stay comfortable and enjoyable. Park-goers should call before visiting.

Kingsley Plantation

Phone: (904) 251-3537
Heckscher Drive/A1A
www.jacksonvilleflorida.com/Parks/kingsleyplantation.asp

The oldest plantation still in existence in Florida is located off of A1A and Heckscher Drive, only a half mile north of the St. Johns River Ferry Landing. Now a National Park Service historic site, the agricultural estate includes the plantation house, which offers a ranger guided tour and extensive grounds, including the ruins of the slave quarters. Kingsley Plantation is at the northern tip of Ft. George Island at the Ft. George inlet east of Jacksonville off Florida A1A. Open daily 9 AM to 5 PM.

Little Talbot and Big Talbot Island State Parks

12157 Heckscher Drive
Jacksonville, Florida
Phone: (904) 251-2320

Florida’s state highway A1A winds north along the Intracoastal Waterway and the Atlantic Ocean. You cross many bridges where fishing is good, and you can see both bodies of water. The State of Florida has several nature preserves along this road, there is camping, horseback riding (yes, on the beach), trails for hiking and beach access for walking and swimming. Florida state parks are open from 8 AM until sundown, 365 days a year.

Fernandina Beach

Phone: (904) 277-7305
www.fernandinabeachfl.org

A quaint historic town on Amelia Island with a city dock on the St. Mary's River. An abundance of antique stores, restaurants and historic homes can be found. The drive up A1A from the ferry to Fernandina Beach takes about 45 minutes and is well worth it.

Amelia Island Museum of History

233 S. Third Street
Fernandina Beach, Florida
Phone: (904) 261-7378
www.ameliaislandmuseumofhistory.org

Located in Fernandina Beach, the Amelia Island Museum of History is open Monday through Saturday from 10 AM to 5 PM and offers museum tours at 11 AM and 2 PM. Walking tours of historic Fernandina Beach can be scheduled by appointment.

Fort Clinch

2601 Atlantic Avenue
Fernandina Beach, Florida

Located north of the city of Fernandina Beach, off A1A. Fort Clinch has been a part of the park system since 1935 and is one of the most well-preserved 19th century forts in the country. Daily tours with period re-enactors depicting garrison life brings the fort alive. Anglers can fish from the pier or take advantage of excellent surf fishing. Hikers and bicyclists can enjoy a six-mile trail through the park. Self-guided nature trails provide opportunities to learn about and observe native plants and wildlife. A full-facility campground and a youth camping area provide overnight accommodations.

South on A1A from Jacksonville Beach

Guana Tolomato Mantazas Reserve

Phone: (904) 823-4500
www.nerrs.noaa.gov/GTM/welcome.html

Located on Highway A1A just south of Ponte Vedra Beach. This scenic and versatile 2,200 acre reserve offers hiking, bicycling, salt water and fresh water fishing, bird watching, beach access and parking. The park is located on a barrier island that is bounded on the east by the Atlantic Ocean and on the west by the Intra-Coastal Waterway. The park contains a variety of habitats that are home to a diversity of wildlife. Over 240 species of birds have been identified, including bald eagle and osprey. Entrance to the park is $2 per car. The park is open seven days a week.

St. Augustine

Phone: (904) 825-1000
www.visitoldcity.com

St. Augustine is a short ride south on AIA from the Jacksonville Beaches and is a great day trip. It is even close enough to drive down for dinner or a brunch. The city’s wide variety of restaurants appeal to many tastes.

Castillo de San Marcos Fort

St. Augustine, Florida
Phone: (904) 829-6506

The nation's oldest permanent settlement is a popular destination. While local folk sometimes stop to visit one of the many attractions there, the shopping, restaurants and cultural activities are also high on the lists of return visitors. The restored area contains a number of small stores and is a favorite browsing area for shoppers. During the year various skits, musical presentations and events are held in the restored area with a current listing, available at the Visitors Information Center. The restored Spanish Quarter is also located here.

Among the attractions in St. Augustine are the St. Augustine Alligator Farm, the Fountain of Youth, Ripley's Believe It or Not Museum, the Castillo de San Marcos, the Lightner Museum and the Oldest Wooden School House. The St. Augustine Sightseeing Train and horse-drawn carriage guides offer tours of the city while several boats offer sight-seeing trips around the harbor.

The Visitors Information Center has a film on the history of St. Augustine and brochures maps. Nearby is St. George Street, the restored area of St. Augustine, where streets are closed to traffic. To find the center, just stay on AIA South and you'll see it across from Ripley's Believe It of Not Museum .

St. Augustine Lighthouse

11 Lighthouse Avenue
St. Augustine, Florida
Phone: (904) 829-0745
www.staugustinelighthouse.com

Climb the tower to the top of the St. Augustine Lighthouse and explore the exhibits offered at the Lighthouse Museum. Spectacular 360 degree views of the ocean and St. Johns River. The facility is open seven days a week from 9 AM until 6 PM. Last tickets to climb are sold 15 minutes prior to closing time. The lighthouse is closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Alligator Farm

999 Anastasia Blvd
St Augustine, FL 32080
Phone: (904) 824-3337
www.alligatorfarm.com

Founded in 1893, the St. Augustine Alligator Farm is one of Florida’s oldest zoological attractions. For over a century, it has entertained millions of visitors, lured by the awesome presence of captive reptiles, long regarded in the popular imagination as at once mysterious, dangerous and frightening. A true piece of Florida, the St. Augustine Alligator Farm has inspired popularization of the alligator in the national consciousness and helped to fashion an image for the state.

Open seven days a week from 9:00 AM until 5:00 PM.

Anastasia State Park

200 Anastasia Park Rd
St Augustine, FL 32080
Phone: (904) 461-2033

Anastasia State Park offers just about everything to those who enjoy the ocean and the great outdoors. Of course, the main attraction here is the beach and all it offers -- sunbathing, surfing, swimming, fishing and boating. But there's another great attraction to the park also-- the natural beauty and wildlife.

Open from 8 a.m. until sunset every day of the year.

South on A1A from St. Augustine

Fort Matanzas National Monument

Phone: (904) 471-0116

Fort Matanzas, between St. Augustine and Marineland on AIA, was the scene of a bloody clash between the French and Spanish in 1565. The park is open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Visitors can take a free boat ride to the restored fort on Rattlesnake Island.

Marineland

9600 Oceanshore Blvd.
St. Augustine, FL 32080
Phone: (904) 471-1111 or
(888) 279-9194 x 116
Reservations@marineland.net
www.marineland.net

Further south of St. Augustine is Marineland, the world’s first oceanarium which hosts a 1.3 million gallon series of dolphin habitats. Here you can visit dolphins up-close in their aquatic world or even swim with the beautiful creatures. There are several types of programs to choose from. General admission is $5.00, and $2.50 for children 12 and under. Open seven days a week from 8:30 AM until 4:30 PM.

West of Jacksonville Beach

Timucuan Ecological & Historic Preserve & Fort Caroline National Memorial

The Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve is located in the city of Jacksonville, Florida in the United States. The park was established in 1988, and covers 46,000 acres (186.16 km²). Critical wetland habitats are protected within the Preserve, which contains more than 300 privately held pieces of land. The Fort Caroline National Memorial is located in the Timucuan Preserve, as is the Kingsley Plantation. The Preserve is maintained through cooperation by the National Park Service, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and the City of Jacksonville Department of Parks and Recreation, and is named for the Timucua Indians who once lived throughout northern Florida.

DIRECTIONS: From A1A at the Jacksonville Beaches: From Florida Route A1A and the Jacksonville area beaches, travel west on Atlantic Boulevard and, after crossing the Intracoastal Waterway, turn right on Girvin Road. Take Girvin Road to the light at Wonderwood, turn left. Turn right at the light at Mount Pleasant Road. Continue on Mt. Pleasant Road until you see brown sign for the Theodore Roosevelt Area

Fort Caroline National Monument

Fort Caroline memorializes the short-lived French presence in sixteenth century Florida. You will find stories of exploration, survival, religious disputes, territorial battles, and first contact between American Indians and Europeans.

Fort Caroline on the banks of the St. Johns River was settled by the French Huguenots in 1564 and is the site of the first Protestant colony in the New World. The 130-acre memorial is located in East Arlington off Fort Caroline Road. It features a replica of the original fort, a museum with French and Indian artifacts and several nature trails which provide excellent hiking. The nearby Roosevelt Area has additional nature trails. There is no admission charge. Fort Caroline is open every day except Christmas from 9 AM to 5 PM.

The museum features changing exhibits from the works of the nation's and the world's top contemporary artists as well as a permanent collection. The museum is also famous for its fabulous gardens. Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for military, senior citizens and children. Hours are Sunday, 2 PM to 5 PM, Tuesday 10 AM to 9:30 PM, Wednesday through Friday, 10 AM to 4 PM and Saturday, 12 to 5 PM.

Directions: Fort Caroline is northwest of Jacksonville Beach and can be reached by traveling east on Beach Blvd, turning right (north) on St. Johns Bluff Road, then left (west) onto Monument Road, and proceeding tp Fort Caroline Road. Phone: (904) 641-7155.

The Theodore Roosevelt Area

13165 Mt. Pleasant Road
Jacksonville, Florida 32225
(904) 641-7155
Open 9:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m daily.

Part of the TimucanTimucuan Ecological & Historic Preserve .

Visit one of the last unspoiled coastal wetlands on the Atlantic Coast. Discover 6,000 years of human history and experience the beauty of salt marshes, coastal dunes, and hardwood hammocks.

Experience miles of peaceful, wooded nature trails, vast grasslands supporting water and land animals, ancient piles of oyster sheels which yield clues about an extinct culture, and the legacy of preservation bequeathed to all by this property’s last private owner, Willie Browne.

600-acre natural treasure of hardwood forest, wetlands, and scrub vegetation. It is also rich in cultural history.

Cummer Museum & Gardens

829 Riverside Ave
Jacksonville, Florida
Phone: (904) 356-6857
www.cummer.org

The museum features changing exhibits from the works of the nation's and the world's top contemporary artists as well as a permanent collection. The museum is also famous for its fabulous gardens. Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for military, senior citizens and children. Hours are Sunday, 2 PM to 5 PM, Tuesday 10 AM to 9:30 PM, Wednesday through Friday, 10 AM to 4 PM and Saturday, noon to 5 PM.

Anheuser Busch Brewery

111 Busch Dr.
Jacksonville, Florida
Phone: (904) 696-8373
www.budweisertours.com

Anheuser-Busch operates one of 12 breweries in its nationwide system in Jacksonville. The brewery has the capacity to produce 8.3 million barrels of beer annually and has undergone a number of plant modernizations and expansions in the past decade. More than 50,000 tourists visit the Jacksonville brewery tour center each year to see how Anheuser-Busch products are brewed and packaged. During the tours, guests who are 21 years of age or older are invited to enjoy complimentary testing's of Anheuser-Busch products in the Hospitality Room. Soft drinks and snacks also are served. A retail store also offers a selection of Anheuser-Busch.

Downtown Jacksonville

www.downtownjacksonville.org

Enjoy a visit to any one of Downtown's many unique destinations and attractions, including exquisite museums, stimulating theatre and an array of festivals, concerts, shows and exhibitions.

JTA Skyway

Phone: (904) 630-3110
www.jtaonthemove.com

Ride the JTA Skyway from multiple stations throughout downtown, the riverbank, and the Jaguars stadium.

Jacksonville Water Taxi

SS Marine Taxi
3189 Old Port Cir E
Jacksonville, FL 32216
Phone: (904) 733-7782
www.jaxwatertaxi.com

S.S. Marine Taxi invites you to ride with them to and from your destinations across the St. Johns River of downtown Jacksonville.

Jacksonville Landing

Jacksonville Downtown Riverfront
Phone: (904) 353-1188
www.jacksonvillelanding.com

The Jacksonville Landing is a must visit offering waterfront dining, entertainment and shopping complex featuring 9 restaurants, 10 food court merchants and more than 30 specialty retail stores. Located on the Northbank of the St. Johns River in the heart of downtown Jacksonville.

Museum of Contemporary Modern Art Jacksonville

333 North Laura Street
Jacksonville, Florida
Phone: (904) 366-6911
www.mocajacksonville.org

One of the Southeast’s largest
contemporary art institutions, dedicated to presenting innovative exhibitions by the finest international, national and regional artists. The Museum is housed in the renovated historic Western Union Telegraph Building, a six floor building, which houses five changing exhibition galleries, permanent collection galleries, ArtExplorum Loft children’s interactive center, education studios, auditorium, Café Nola, Museum Shop and a light filled Atrium Gallery. Admission is $6 for adults, $4 for senior citizens, military and students and free for children under 2. Wednesday evenings from 5 PM to 9 PM admission is free and Sundays families get in free.

Museum of Science and History

1025 Museum Cir
Jacksonville, Florida
Phone: (904) 396-7062
www.themosh.org

The Museum of Science and History (MOSH) which includes the Alexander Brest Planetarium, is a family-oriented facility . It features numerous exhibits of interest for all ages. Many are hands-on and change regularly. The planetarium presents a variety of education and entertainment shows daily. The museum is open weekdays, 10 AM to 5 PM , Saturdays 10 AM to 6 PM and Sunday, 1 PM to 6 PM.

Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens

370 Zoo Pkwy
Jacksonville, Florida
Phone: (904) 757-4462
www.jaxzoo.org

The Jacksonville Zoological Park has an extensive collection of animals, birds and reptiles. The zoo’s major exhibits include Safari Lodge, Birds of the Rift Valley, Plains of East Africa, Great Apes of the Work, Range of the Jaguar, Wild Florida, Meerkats and Australian Adventure. It offers a Wildlife Carousel, train ride through the zoo, refreshments and the Safari Lodge. Children under 2 are free.

Open daily from 9 AM to 5 PM, except Thanksgiving and Christmas day.