Location: Jacksonville
Top Things to do in Jacksonville
10 Free Things to do in Jacksonville That You Shouldn't Miss
Although much of Jacksonville is urban, this sprawling northeastern Florida city also has nature and wildlife preserves, historic residential neighborhoods and lots of golf courses. Attractions in Jax, as the locals call it, range from art, science and history museums to a brewery tour, from the Jacksonville Landing entertainment complex, along the St. John's River, to Bronson Motor Speedway. The city's beaches offer soft sand and warm water perfect for swimming, surfing and kayaking.
Restaurants in Jacksonville
1. Jesse Ball Dupont Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 12 reviews
Reviewed By BarbaraJS - Jacksonville, United States
The Treaty Oak at this park is an amazing awesome tree that has to be seen in person. We chose this place because it made my wife cry when she first visited it. Right then, we knew it was where we needed to tie the knot. We did a beautiful yoga practice under the tree earlier in the day as well. Parking can be a little tricky, but you should really go visit.
2. Jacksonville National Cemetery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 45 reviews
Reviewed By 889lamarh
The layout of this National Cemetery is awesome. This monumental place to commemorate the lives of our Armed Forces veterans is Amazingly Coordinated down to pinpoint locations of each grave marker. Awesome work done to honor True Americans.
3. Atlantic Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 634 reviews
Section of beach that is flat, sandy and uncrowded. Great for surfers and kayakers.
Reviewed By T3975JVmarthab
Atlantic Beach is my favorite of the Jacksonville Beaches. It is primarily residential with the commercial property bascically clustered at the ocean and going west along Atlantic Blvd. It is a great beach to walk and sit and enjoy your own piece of heaven on earth watching and listening to the waves.
4. Timucuan Ecological & Historical Preserve
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 114 reviews
Learn all about the history of Florida's Native Americans here.
Reviewed By phuongn748 - Bedford, United States
As Fort Caroline was still closed, we just explored Red, Black & Green trails at Spanish Pond entrance. Most parts of trails have shade and easy to walk. Feeling fantastic to see crabs, snoonbil birds and osprey. And the story of Mr Willie Browne inspired me much. Next time we will explore Theodore Roosevelt area, which is on the other side.
5. Kingsley Plantation
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 703 reviews
Reviewed By Thehoppygal
This National Park site is part of the Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve. Admission is free. Access to the park, located on Ft. George Island, is via Heckscher Drive. Once you turn onto the island from Heckscher, you can choose either fork in the road to get to the plantation grounds. The road is maintained by the City of Jacksonville who only grades it once a year, so go slow and expect a number of bumps down the narrow road. When you first enter through the gates of the park, you’ll see the tabby-constructed slave quarters on either side of the road. It’s okay to pull off to the side of the road at this point to visit the interpretive signs posted near the cabins. The larger (although still small) parking lot is further down the road on your right. It can accommodate larger vehicles, buses and RVs, depending on how busy it is. The Barn and Kitchen House are all open and unlocked with interpretive exhibits inside both. There is also a garden where sea island cotton, citrus, sugar cane, and indigo are seasonally grown and tended to by the NPS staff. The Planter’s, or main, house is open to visitors on Saturdays and Sundays in an open house format: it will be staffed by a volunteer and/or ranger during 11:00, 1:00, 2:00, and 3:00, generally for a half hour at each appointed time. Special events are also scheduled throughout the year, including the annual Kingsley Heritage Celebration in February and Harvest Day in October, where NPS staff, volunteers, speakers, and entertainers come together to share some Living History ideas, demonstrations, and practices. Be sure to check out the Junior Ranger program at the Visitor Center building, located west (down the path to the left) of the main house. There are also a lot of nicely-curated books and souvenirs at the shop and you can check out a self-guided audio tour device with a current photo ID. Water is the only refreshment sold on the premises. Bathrooms are also located in this building (which used to house the Ft. George Club back in the ‘20s & ‘30s) There are really rich and interesting stories of the people that traveled to the island, worked the plantation, and lived in the structures within the park’s purview. This is definitely worth the trip to uncover a little what life was like for different folks in Florida’s history.
6. Veterans Memorial Wall
7. Tillie K. Fowler Regional Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 11 reviews
Welcome to Jacksonville's largest city-maintained park, which stretches across more than 500 acres, featuring a nature education center, walking and biking trails and a wildlife watchtower.
Reviewed By zachDC7 - Orange Park, United States
Two weekends in a row we went to Tillie Fowler to check out their bike trials and it was awesome!! The first trip we had 4 kids between 5-12 years old and it was their first time riding bike trails and they loved it! We will definitely be back time and time again!
8. Theodore Roosevelt Area
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 44 reviews
Wildlife surrounds more than four miles of scenic hiking trails, including rare birds, raccoons, foxes, and turtles. Guided tours take place each Saturday afternoon to help visitors learn more about the ecological zones in the park and to point out some of the area's hard-to-spot animals.
Reviewed By DrBillT2434JY - Orange Park, United States
President Roosevelt was the father of natural parks that were preserved for us to enjoy today. Beautiful trees and waterways.
9. Jacksonville-Baldwin Rail Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 132 reviews
Once a part of the CSX railway line, the Jacksonville-Baldwin Rail Trail will be a thoroughfare for hikers, bikers, and equestrians when complete. This unique park provides a 14.5-mile greenway between Imeson Road and County Road 121, just past the town of Baldwin.
Reviewed By justnoely - Jacksonville, United States
A perfect paved trail tucked in the industrial Jacksonville area, this trail is ideal for long bike rides, jogging, and walking. Beside the trail is an abundance of Florida nature and possibly some wildlife if you are lucky. The Imeson starting point does have bathroom facilities.
10. Memorial Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 120 reviews
Memorial Park is located at 1620 Riverside Avenue, between Margaret Street and Memorial Park Drive in Riverside near the 5 Points area of Jacksonville, Florida. It is one of Jacksonville's best loved treasures. Located along the banks of the majestic St. Johns River (incidentally, at one of its widest points, as it starts to turn east from its southern source towards its mouth at the Atlantic Ocean), this six-acre park draws visitors from across the Northeast Florida community. On any given day, families and friends, athletes and yogis, sunbathers, fisherman, and readers enjoy a quiet respite with magnificent views from this landmark open space. The park is walking distance to local restaurants and pubs, the shops at 5 Points, and the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens, and just a short drive to Downtown.
Reviewed By cornellj3 - Rochester, United States
Friendly, modestly sized group of people enjoyed the park with us. Beautiful and safe place to walk, workout and enjoy the river and Five Points neighborhood. It was the first time that I could imagine living in a large city.
