Jacksonville Florida Riverwalk and Atlantic Beaches

Why visit Jacksonville

By land area, Jacksonville is the largest city in the contiguous United States, and much of that space is water, marsh and beach. The wide St. Johns River runs through the middle of town, surfers and fishermen share the Atlantic shore, and the city is the gateway to some of the oldest history in the country.

The river and downtown

The Riverwalk

Paths run along both banks of the St. Johns River downtown, with bridges, fountains and wide views of the skyline. The Southbank Riverwalk is especially pleasant at sunset when the bridges light up.

Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens

The Cummer Museum holds a fine collection of European and American art, but many visitors come for its riverfront gardens, shaded by a huge old live oak and laid out in English and Italian styles.

Riverside and Avondale

These historic neighborhoods are full of craftsman bungalows, independent shops and restaurants around Five Points and the Shoppes of Avondale. On Saturdays, the Riverside Arts Market sets up under the Fuller Warren Bridge.

Beaches and the coast

Jacksonville Beach

Jacksonville Beach is the liveliest stretch of sand, with a long fishing pier, surf shops and beachfront bars. Neptune Beach and Atlantic Beach to the north are quieter and popular with families.

Little Talbot Island State Park

North of the city, Little Talbot Island protects miles of undeveloped beach, dunes and maritime forest. Nearby Big Talbot Island is known for its driftwood covered Boneyard Beach.

Nature and history

Timucuan Preserve and Kingsley Plantation

The Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve covers salt marshes, waterways and historic sites, including Fort Caroline National Memorial and Kingsley Plantation, where the remains of slave cabins tell a hard but important story.

Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens

The zoo is one of the largest in the Southeast, with African and Asian animals, botanical gardens and a splash ground that children love on hot days.

A day in St. Augustine

Less than an hour south, St. Augustine is the oldest continuously inhabited European founded city in the United States. Walk the old streets, visit the Castillo de San Marcos and climb the lighthouse for coastal views.

Food and local flavors

Seafood rules here. Order sweet Mayport shrimp fried, boiled or grilled, and look for oysters from nearby waters. Jacksonville also has its own sandwich, the camel rider, a pita stuffed with cold cuts and cheese from the city's Arab American delis. Datil pepper sauce from the St. Augustine area adds a fruity heat to almost anything.

Where to stay

Downtown and the Southbank put you on the river near the stadium, arena and Riverwalk. Riverside is the choice for walkable streets, restaurants and character, while Jacksonville Beach is best if your trip is about sun, sand and seafood.

Best time to visit

Spring and fall offer warm sunny days and comfortable evenings. Summers are hot and humid with frequent afternoon thunderstorms, and hurricane season runs from June through November. Winters are mild, though the ocean is cool.

Getting there and getting around

Jacksonville International Airport has flights across the country. The city is spread out, so a car is the easiest way to get between downtown, the neighborhoods and the beaches. Local buses run across the city, and a water taxi crosses the river downtown on many days.

A suggested itinerary

First day

Visit the Cummer Museum, lunch in Riverside and walk the Southbank Riverwalk at sunset.

Second day

Spend the morning at Jacksonville Beach, then explore Kingsley Plantation and the Talbot Islands.

Third day

Take a day trip to St. Augustine for history, ice cream and a lighthouse climb.

Practical tips

• Pack sunscreen and insect repellent for the marshes.
• Watch the forecast for afternoon storms in summer.
• Plan extra time to cross the city, since distances are large.
• Check beach flags for rip current warnings before swimming.