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POPULAR ATTRACTIONS

Jacksonville Beach

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

Adventure Landing, along with Shipwreck Island Water Park, is the largest Family Entertainment Center in northeast Florida. Activities include a go-kart track, miniature golf, laser tag, video game arcade, and batting cages.  Two snack bars offer refreshments. The park is open seven days a week.

Beaches Museum & History Park
381 Beach Blvd. Jacksonville Beach, Florida Phone: (904) 241-5657 www.beachesmuseum.org

The history park features a restored 19th century house used by the Florida East Coast Railroad Section Foreman, a railroad depot which was moved from Mayport, and a 28-ton 1911 steam locomotive, and one of the oldest historical structures at the beaches - the Beaches Chapel - built in 1887. The museum offers exhibits and archives. Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 10AM- 4PM; Sunday 12PM-4PM; Closed Monday.

Players-By-The-Sea Theatre
106 6th 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 situated on the St. John's River and the Atlantic Ocean. Mayport is home a busy seaport as well as an air facility.  Naval Station Mayport is also home to the Navy's 4th Fleet.

St. Johns River Ferry 4610 Ocean Street Atlantic Beach, Florida Phone: (904) 241-9969
http://dev.stjohnsriverferry.com/   The crossing of the St. Johns River by AIA may be made aboard a car and passenger ferry run by the St. Johns River Ferry Service. Watch sea birds and an occasional group of porpoises as you cross the river. The fare is $6.00 for automobiles and $1.00 for pedestrians and bicycles. The Ferry operates every day, including holidays.

Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park  500 Wonderwood Drive Jacksonville, Florida Phone: (904) 249-4700

Located on the sandy shores of the Atlantic Ocean, the park boasts 1.5 miles of beach, 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.  Scenic trails, great for biking and hiking, surround the lake and wind through the lush green forest. The lake area includes a quarter acre water playground with colorful fountains and playful water-squirting devices. Also, one of the premier surfing spots, the Poles, is located on site.

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, nature center, 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 - 11676 Palmetto Avenue Phone: (904) 251-3537 Heckscher Drive/A1A

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. Kingsley Admission is free.

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  204 Ash Street Phone: (904) 277-7300 www.fbfl.us

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 ameliamuseum.org

Located in Fernandina Beach, the Amelia Island Museum of History is open Monday through Saturday from 10 AM to 4 PM, Sunday 1 PM to 4 PM.  Walking tours of historic Fernandina Beach can be scheduled by appointment.

Fort Clinch State Park  2601 Atlantic Avenue Fernandina Beach, Florida Phone: (904) 277-7274

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.  Park is open from 8 AM until Sundown, 365 days a year.

South on A1A from Jacksonville Beach

GTM (Guana Tolomato Mantazas) Reserve 505 Guana River Road, PVB. Phone: (904) 823-4500 www.gtmnerr.org

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. The park is open seven days a week.

St. Augustine Phone: (904) 825-1000  www.floridahistoriccoast.com

St. Augustine is the Nation's Oldest City.  Just a short ride south on AIA from Jacksonville Beach, this historic city and is a great day trip. It is even close enough to drive down for dinner or a brunch. The city’s many historic buildings and locations, and wide variety of restaurants and shops appeal to many tastes.

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 or Not Museum .

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.

St. Augustine Lighthouse & Museum 11 Lighthouse Avenue; Ph: (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 9AM -6PM. The lighthouse is closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Alligator Farm 999 Anastasia Blvd St Augustine, 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.

Anastasia State Park
1340-A State Road A1A South St Augustine, FL 32080 Phone: (904) 461-2033 www.floridastateparks.org/anastasia

Anastasia State Park offers just about everything to those who enjoy the ocean & the great outdoors. Of course, the main attraction here is the beach and all it offers -- sunbathing, surfing, swimming, fishing and boating. And another great attraction to the park -- the natural beauty and wildlife. Open from 8 a.m. until sundown, 365 days a year.

San Sebastian Winery – 157 King St, St Augustine, FL 32084; 904-826-1594.
Complimentary Winery tours and wine tasting are offered 7 days a week.

South on A1A from St. Augustine

Fort Matanzas National Monument 8635 A1A South St. Augustine, Florida 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.

Marineland 9600 Oceanshore Blvd. St. Augustine, FL 32080 Phone: (904) 471-1111 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.

 

West of Jacksonville Beach

Timucuan Ecological & Historic Preserve & Fort Caroline National Memorial (check-out the Ribault Column for a spectacular river view)  12713 Fort Caroline Road Jacksonville, Florida Phone: (904) 641-71515

The Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve is located in the city of Jacksonville. The park was established in 1988, and covers 46,000 acres. Critical wetland habitats are protected within the Preserve, which contains more than 300 privately held pieces of land. Is named for the Timucua Indians who once lived throughout northern Florida.  No entry fee.

Fort Caroline National Monument Phone: (904) 641-7155
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 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 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.

The Theodore Roosevelt Area  (904) 641-7155
Part of the Timucuan 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.

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 of nearly 5,000 works of art. The museum is also famous for its fabulous gardens.

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.

Museum of Contemporary Art Jacksonville 333 North Laura Street Jacksonville, Florida Phone: (904) 366-6911

www.mocajacksonville.org  The Museum is housed in the renovated historic Western Union Telegraph Building, a six floor building, which houses exhibition galleries, permanent collection galleries, education studios, auditorium, Café Nola, Museum Shop and a light filled Atrium Gallery.

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 Bryan Gooding 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. It is the largest single lens planetarium in the world.

Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens 370 Zoo Pkwy Jacksonville, Florida
www.jacksonvillezoo.org

The Jacksonville Zoo has more than 2,000 rare and exotic animals and 1,000 varieties of plants. The zoo’s major exhibits include Range of the Jaguar, Giraffe Overlook, Savanna Blooms Garden, and Land of the Tiger. It offers a carousel, train ride through the zoo, and refreshments. Children under 2 are free.