Located in the double loop of the sparkling St. Johns River in Northeast Florida, at the crossroads of two transcontinental highways, Jacksonville offers unlimited cultural and recreational opportunities for visitor and resident alike. Jacksonville is the largest city in the contiguous United States in land area.  It is a major port, the site of U.S. Navy bases, the home of the National Football League's Jacksonville Jaguars, and the location of the annual Gator Bowl. Downtown Jacksonville is a vibrant city center offering waterfront dining, world-class entertainment, exciting nightlife, and a wide variety of sporting events.

Jacksonville’s riverbanks are connected by a water taxi service and lined with pedestrian areas, restaurants, and shops.  The Jacksonville Landing shopping and dining complex is located on the north bank of the St. Johns.  On the south bank is the pleasant Riverwalk which connects Jacksonville Historic Center and the Museum of Science and History.  On the opposite bank is the Cummer Museum of Art.  The surrounding residential district contains an amazing array of Revival Style architecture.

Jacksonville boasts 28 miles of beaches as well as fresh water lakes inland in a number of the 350 beautiful parks.   Near Jacksonville Beach, island parks offer pristine beaches, sand dunes, and marshlands.  Visitors to the area enjoy kayaking, sailing, canoeing, hiking, biking, fishing, swimming, surfing, bird watching and camping.

Every fall, Jacksonville Beach is the site of an extraordinary parade and the return of the whales. Endangered whales visit the area to calve in Florida's warm coastal waters. Just a short ferry ride across the St. Johns River is Big Talbot Island, where a bird sanctuary, rock-like outcroppings and fallen trees have become bleached and weathered with time, making the island a dramatic sight and a popular spot for artists and photographers. Little Talbot Island is a  2,500-acre island devoted entirely to a protected state park containing wide beaches and high dunes. Fishing is excellent in the island's small ponds and salt marshes.

At the  Fort George State Cultural Site,  huge oyster shell mounds are evidence of Timucuan Indian habitation dating back more than 7,000 years. Another strange phenomenon is Mount Cornelia, which at 65 feet above sea level is the highest point along the Atlantic coast south of North Carolina. Comprised of more than 46,000 acres along Jacksonville's river and oceanfront, the Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve protects important wetlands and historic sites.

North of the Timucuan Preserve lies Amelia Island.  At the center of the park is a Civil War era fort where the park rangers dress in authentic uniforms and conduct candlelight tours reminiscent of 1864. Nature trails guide visitors through areas of sand dunes, overwash plains, and estuarine tidal marshes.

Even in downtown Jacksonville, nature trails are found at the 40-acre Tree Hill Nature Center and in the University of North Florida's 12 miles of trails which provide examples of every type of terrain found in Northeast Florida.

South of Jacksonville Beach, Guana River State Park sits on 2,400 acres of undeveloped Atlantic seacoast. Among the preserve's special features are a five-mile coastal strand, an ancient Spanish well and 2,000-year-old Indian shell bluffs. Families can mountain bike along nine miles of old service roads or boat through nearby rivers.

The weather, the native flowers and trees, the riverfront, the ocean beaches, the architecture, the local theater and Symphony Orchestra, the sporting events, the many recreational possibilities, all add up to an ideal vacation at any time of the year for visitors of all ages and interests. 

Population:  The City of Jacksonville ranks as the 14th largest city in the United States in population with about 750,000 residents.

Greater Jacksonville Area:  The Jacksonville metropolitan area, which includes three beach cities, Clay, Baker, Nassau and St. Johns counties, has a population of more than 1,000,000 residents.

Area:  Jacksonville covers 841 square miles

Location: on the northeastern coast of Florida. 

Elevation: 20 feet

Time Zone Jacksonville is in the eastern time zone. When it is noon in New York City; it is also noon in Jacksonville.

Weather:   (904) 630-0500

Temperatures:

Business Hours 

Banks are usually open weekdays 9 to 3 and some Saturday mornings; the post office from 8 to 5 weekdays and often on Saturday mornings. Shops in urban and suburban areas, particularly in indoor and smaller malls, typically open at 9 or 10 daily and stay open until anywhere from 6 to 10 PM on weekdays and Saturdays, and until 5 or 6 on Sundays.

Holidays

New Year's Day Jan. 1

Martin Luther King, Jr., Day 3rd Mon. in Jan.

President's Day 3rd Mon. in Feb.

Memorial Day last Mon. in May;

Independence Day July 4

Labor Day 1st Mon. in Sept.

Thanksgiving Day 4th Thurs. in Nov.

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Dec. 24 and 25

New Year's Eve Dec. 31.

Emergencies 

Ambulance, Fire , Police (Phone: 911).

Police (non emergency (904) 630-0500.

Taxes

The sales tax in Clay and Nassau, and Duval counties is  7%, and is  6% in St. Johns county. 

Tipping

At restaurants, a 15% tip is standard for waiters; up to 20% may be expected at more expensive establishments. The same applies to taxi drivers, bartenders, and hairdressers.

Telephones 

The country code for the United States is 1. The area code for Jacksonville is 904.

Getting There

By Automobile

Two interstate highways, I-10 and I-95 intersect in the Jacksonville downtown area.  I-10 runs east and west from Los Angeles to Jacksonville, while I-95 is the north-south highway that covers the east coast of the United States between Maine and the Florida Keys.

State Route A1A closely follows the coast through Jacksonville.  It is the most scenic, though not the swiftest road to Jacksonville.  US 17 from the west, and US 1 from the north are also important roads by which to enter the city. 

Driving Distances to Jacksonville:

       Forty minutes from Fernandina Beach/Amelia Island

       Thirty-five minutes from historic St. Augustine 

       Two and a half hours from Orlando (Disney World)

       Six hours from Atlanta

By Plane

Jacksonville International Airport

Jacksonville, FL 32218

904-741-4272

1-866-448-6600 toll-free

904-741-4874 fax

JIA is located 13 miles north of downtown near the northern junction of I-95 and I-295 (the city bypass). With 15 airlines making 250 daily arrivals and departures, non-stop and direct service is available from most of the nation's metropolitan areas.

By air, Jacksonville is:

Sixty minutes from Atlanta

Forty-five minutes from Orlando

Two hours and 15-minutes from New York 

By Bus

The Greyhound Bus Terminal is located at 10 N.Pearl Street.  There is also a sub-station at 5532 Normandy Blvd.  The main number is (904) 356-9976.  The number for fares and schedules is (800) 231-2222.

By Train

The Amtrak station is located at 3750 Clifford Lane, 5 miles northeast of downtown.  The telephone number is (904) 766-5110.  Amtrak’s main number is 1-800-872-7245..

By Boat

River taxi service along the St.Johns River is available from SS Marine Taxi at 904-630-3181.

General Transportation:

In addition to planes, trains and automobiles, you can visit shops and restaurants by water taxi, search for craft treasures via the monorail skyway system or catch a quick lift on a downtown trolley.

Ground Transportation

JTA

100 N. Myrtle Avenue

Jacksonville, FL 32204

(904) Ride JTA (743-3582)

904-630-3166 fax

The Jacksonville Transportation Authority, an independent state agency serving Duval County provides varied mass transit services. These include express and regular bus service, a downtown Skyway monorail, The Trolley service, and JTA Connexion for the disabled and elderly.

.

Adventure Landing

1944 Beach Blvd

Jacksonville Beach, FL

904.246.4386

Located just east of the Intracoastal Waterway, this family entertainment center features go-karts, laser tag, bumper boats, mini-golf, batting cages, video arcade and multiple snack bars. Waterpark features a new 18,000 sq. ft. wavepool, eleven waterslides, 65-foot pirates play village and lazy river.

Alexander Brest Museum

Located on the campus of Jacksonville University, this fine arts museum specializes in Steuben glass, B & G porcelains and 18th through 20th century cloisonné. It also includes a fabulous collection of ivory.

American Lighthouse and Maritime Museum

An intimate museum offering the history of lighthouses. It includes paintings, authentic scale models of lighthouses, rare photos, architectural drawing, lighthouse artifacts and navigational aids.

Annabelle Lee River Boat

Take you and your friends on a one of a kind tour of the Florida First Coast waterways. Enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of a real, old-time paddle boat ride down the beautiful St. Johns River.

Anheuser-Busch Brewery Tour

111 Busch Drive

Jacksonville, FL

Come see the Budweiser brewing process in the open-air gallery overlooking the floor of our new Brew Hall. You'll enjoy an excellent look at the brewing process and marvel at our high-speed packaging operations. Guests 21 and over can enjoy complimentary tasting of Anheuser-Busch beers. Hourly guided and self-guided tours are available.

Contemporary Art Gallery In Riverside.

1827 N. Pearl Street

Jacksonville, FL       

Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens

829 Riverside Drive

Jacksonville, FL

904.356.6857 ext 241

A fine art museum with an interactive teaching gallery situated on the St. Johns River. Collection covers western art from 2,000 BC to the present. The 12 galleries are arranged in chronological order, featuring great European and American works. The Wark Collection of Early Meissen porcelain is unique. The Italian garden is modeled after the gardens of Villa Gamberaia in Florence, Italy.  English gardens on the St. Johns River are also a favorite place for a stroll.

The Museum and its award-winning education center, Art Connections occupy adjacent buildings overlooking the three acres of the Cummer Gardens. The museum campus is situated on the banks of the St. Johns River.

Fort Caroline National Memorial

13 miles east of Jacksonville

904-641-7155

Daily 9-5.  Donation.

The Fort Caroline National Memorial was created to memorialize the Sixteenth Century French effort to establish a permanent colony in Florida. A one-mile trail helps explain the site’s history. 

Friendship Park and Fountain

Situated at the west end of the South bank Riverwalk and adjacent to the Museum of Science and History is Friendship Fountain. Dedicated in 1965, it is one of the largest self-contained fountains built, pumping 3,500 - 6,500 gallons of water per minute to a height of 100 feet, with 265 lights molding the water into a sparkling mist.

The Jacksonville Landing

2 Independent Drive

Jacksonville, FL

Riverfront marketplace featuring retail shops, restaurants and regularly scheduled live entertainment in the courtyard. CVB Visitor Center is located at the main entrance.

Jacksonville Maritime Museum

1015 Museum Circle

904-398-9011.

Mon.-Fri. 10:30-3:00.  Sat., Sun. 1-5.  Free Admission.

Scale model ships, paintings, and photographs emphasize the importance of the St. Johns River and the Port of Jacksonville.

Jacksonville Museum of Contemporary Art

701 Fisk Street

Jacksonville, FL

Contemporary museum with a permanent collection presenting modern and contemporary exhibitions, special events and educational programs for adults and children. Permanent collection includes art by Louise Nevelson, a sculpture garden and pre-Columbian art.

Jacksonville Princess

accommodates up to 149 passengers.

Jacksonville Zoo

Travel to the Jacksonville Zoo for the only walking safari in Northeast Florida. Open a whole world of opportunities, encounter wildlife wonders and interactive experiences.

8605 Zoo Parkway - Jacksonville, FL

Jacksonville Zoological Gardens

8605 Zoo Parkway

Jacksonville, FL

Birds of the Rift Valley exhibit,  dozens of exotic animals in the Plains of East Africa. a new Reptile House, Elephant swimming pool and the Great Apes of the World. Ride the expanded train route. Enjoy lunch at the Zambezi River Restaurant or a cool drink at Kikuyu Kooler and finish the day with a shopping stop at Mombasa Import-Export, Co.

Karpeles Manuscript Library

101 W. First Street

(904) 356-2992

Tues.-Sat. 10-1.  Children’s area:  Wed. and Sat. 10-1.

Museum Admission free.  Small charge for children’s area.

Displays rotate and include letters written by figures of history, documents such as constitutions and treaties, and other significant historic documents.

Mayport Lighthouse

The existing lighthouse was completed and opened on January 1, 1859. It was preceded by two other lighthouses that were damaged by tides and weather. During the Civil War, the lighthouse saw enemy action but remained on duty. Union gunboats used the beacon light as a navigational aid as they attempted to lay siege upon Jacksonville. The lighthouse was abandoned in 1929, when a bigger and better lightship took its place. In 1976, the lighthouse was officially listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Music Manuscript Exhibit

Jacksonville, FL 32206

904-356-2992

Travel through time via music, from the Age of Enlightenment to the Romantic and Neoclassical periods, up until the Industrial Age and beyond  at the Karpeles Music Manuscript Exhibit. Admire original manuscripts penned by master composers. Among the works on display are: Handel’s ‘Messiah,’ written in the hand of his protégé Ludwig Van Beethoven; ‘The Marriage of Figaro,’ penned by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart; ‘The Rite of Spring’ by Igor Stravinski; Puccini’s ‘Madame Butterfly’ and Bach’s ‘St. Matthew Passion,’ written in the hand of Felix Mendelssohn, who not only edited the work, but conducted it in 1929.

Museum of Science and History

1025 Museum Circle

Jacksonville, FL

904.396.7062

Mon.-Fri. 10-5  Sat. 10-6.  Sun. 1-6

Admission charged.

Galleries offer a variety of exhibits, including "Atlantic Tales: Whales, Dolphins and Manatees of Northeast Florida," the story of the majestic but threatened marine mammals that inhabit the waters of Florida's First Coast. The newest exhibit, "Currents of Time: A History of Jacksonville and Northeast Florida," explores the rich human drama of the region through unique artifacts, period furnishings and costumes, architectural facades, and rare photographs and documents.

Museum of Southern History

4304 Herschel St.

Jacksonville, FL

A locally operated museum dedicated to preserving the lifestyle and culture of the Ante-bellum south through a variety of displays and artifacts.

Naval Station Mayport

Naval Station Mayport is the third largest naval station in the continental U.S. Mayport was commissioned in 1942, and was first used by patrol craft, rescue boats and Jeep carriers. Private tours of the base, its cruisers, destroyers, carriers and frigates can be arranged. Mayport is home to more that 13,000 active duty military and the aircraft carrier USS John F. Kennedy.

Pablo Historical Park

Enjoy guided tours of historic buildings and the Beaches' railway beginnings in San Pablo (which became Jacksonville Beach in 1925). The museum features a collection of artifacts and photographs. On the grounds, see two Henry Flagler structures, Florida East Coast Railway track and a marker honoring aviation pioneer Jimmy Doolittle's record-setting flight from then San Pablo Beach to San Diego.

Riverwalks: Southbank and Northbank

The northbank is anchored by the Jacksonville Landing and the riverfront and features historic street lamps, benches, docking facilities and two Victorian style gazebos. The southbank contains Friendship Fountain, restaurants and a marina. The boardwalk is also an ideal place to take photographs of Jacksonville's downtown skyline and bridges or catch a water taxi ride.

Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve

Visitor Center at Junction of Monument and Fort Caroline Roads

(904) 641-7155.

9-5 Daily.  Donations accepted.

The Visitor Center has displays describing the area’s marine environment, the Timucuan Indian era, early attempts at colonization, and a satellite image of present day northeast Florida. 

Tree Hill Nature Center

7152 Lone Star Road

Mon.-Sat. 8:30-5. 

(904) 724-4646.

Minimal Admission charge.

A 50 acre nature preserve located in the midst of a Jacksonville suburb.  It showcases Florida’s native plants and animals.  The preserve offers four nature trails, wildflowers, butterfly and hummingbird gardens, and a small natural history museum in the shape of a pyramid.  The museum contains a collection of snakes, animal skulls, and fossils.  Turtle Town provides protection for the endangered gopher tortoise.  Another exhibit describes the Florida black bear. 

Sports

Jacksonville Kennel Club

186 Pecan Park Road

Greyhound racing.

Alltel Stadium

Alltel Stadium also continues to host the annual NCAA University of Florida vs. University of Georgia, and Gator Bowl football games. Alltel Stadium seats 73,000, but additional temporary seats are added behind the South End Zone - expanding the capacity from 73,000 to well over 80,000 - for the annual Florida-Georgia game.

Greater Jacksonville Fair

The Jacksonville Fairgrounds are located in the sports complex adjacent to Alltel Stadium,  the Jacksonville Coliseum, and Wolfson Baseball Park.

Gator Bowl Association

One Gator Bowl Blvd

Jacksonville, FL 32202

(904) 798-1700

(800) 374-BOWL toll-free

(904) 632-2080 fax

The Gator Bowl Association, a non-profit organization that hosts Toyota Gator Bowl on January 1,  as well as 33 other year round Events. Each year the Gator Bowl brings 35,000 visitors to Jacksonville to ring in the New Year.

Barracudas Hockey

5740-1 Spring Park Road

Jacksonville, FL 32216

904-367-1ICE(423)

904-367-1424 fax

Barracudas will take the ice at home early in November each year.

Theaters

Alhambra Dinner Theatre

The Alhambra has been performing professional, Broadway style musicals and comedies in Jacksonville for more than 30 years. The intimate 400 seat theatre offers a wonderful dinner buffet with a full selection of beverages.

The Florida Theatre

128 East Forsyth Street

Jacksonville, FL

From ballet and opera to contemporary pop, jazz, rock, country and blues, the Florida Theatre offers 200 cultural and entertainment events annually for every taste and age.

Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra

300 West Water Street

(904) 354-5547

The Orchestra offers a Family Series each season that introduces children to the classics.  The symphony plays outdoors in Metropolitan Park during spring and summer.  Special concerts every year include Halloween “Symphonic Spooktacular” and Holiday Pops in December.

Nathan H. Wilson Center for the Performing Arts

11901 Beach Blvd.

FCCJ South Campus, Building M1

Jacksonville, FL 32246

904-646-2222

A variety of national productions have put the Wilson Center on their schedule bringing to town opera, dance and multidisciplinary productions, as well as creative theater for all ages. Since it's not a large performing arts center, each experience is more intimate.

Times Union Center for the Performing Arts, Moran Theatre

300 Water St

Jacksonville, FL 32202

904-633-6110

The Moran Theater is finished in warm wood tones and rich red colors providing a royal setting for the large productions that grace this hall. Jacksonville's traveling Broadway shows, are held here.  The theater's capacity is 3,000.

Theatreworks, Inc.

1 east Independent Drive

(904) 353-3500

A nonprofit organization that brings live, professional children’s touring productions to Jacksonville.  Reservations are required as most performances are sellouts.

Events

January

Toyota Gator Bowl Classic

(800) 374-BOWL toll-free

(904) 632-2080 fax

The Gator Bowl Association, a non-profit organization hosts Toyota Gator Bowl at Alltel Stadium on January 1 each year.

"A Slave Ship Speaks: The Wreck of the Henrietta Marie"

An exhibit of historical artifacts recovered from an English Merchant ship that carried human cargo from Africa to America for 3 years before sinking off the Florida Coast in 1700. Ritz Theatre & LaVilla Museum, 829 N. Davis Street, Jacksonville. For more information call 904-632-5555.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade

Mid-January

(904) 775-0540

Annual parade Marching bands from all over the northeast honor Dr. King’s dream for America.

Symphony Sampler

End of January

Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra performs at Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts, 300 Water St Jacksonville. Call 877-662-6731.

Jacksonville (call for schedule)

Jacksonville Barracudas match up at Veterans Memorial Coliseum, 1145 East Adams Street, Jacksonville. For more information call 904-367-1423.

February

Ritz Voices Black History Jazz Concert

February 

Enjoy the sounds of the Ritz Voices and celebrate Black History Month.  Ritz Theatre & LaVilla Museum, 829 N. Davis St., Jacksonville. Call 904-632-5555.

Jazz in Dixieland

Late Feb.

a half-century of classic jazz, along with colorful stage sets and costumes, vintage musical instruments, and tap dancing. Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts, 300 Water St., Jacksonville. Call 904-354-5547.

Jacksonville Scottish Highland Games

Late February

Clans from all over the world come together to celebrate Scottish culture. Dance and athletic competitions are just part of the fun. University of North Florida, Jacksonville. Call 904-725-5744.

Much Ado About Books

February 22

Jacksonville's annual celebration of reading and writing. Prime Osborn Convention Center, 1000 Water St., Jacksonville. Call 904-630-2665.

March

Monster Truck Show

Early March 

Experience the excitement of the U.S. Hot Rod Superbowl of Motorsports. ALLTEL Stadium, 1 Stadium Place, Jacksonville.

Call 630-3900.

Opera Season Opens

Early March 

FCCJ Artist Series, Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts, 300 Water St., Jacksonville. Call 904-632-3373.

Concours d' Elegance

4750 Amelia Island Parkway

(904) 636-0027

One of the nation's largest classic car shows. Ritz Carlton,Amelia Island and The Golf Club of Amelia Island at Summer Beach.

Bob Hayes Invitational Track Meet

Mid March 

The Bob Hayes Invitational Track Meet is the largest one-day track event in the nation. The meet honors Jacksonville native Bob Hayes, the only man to win an Olympic Gold Medal and an NFL Super Bowl ring. Athletes will be competing at William M. Raines High School. For more details, call 904-924-3049.

St. Johns River Celebration

Mid March

Every March, hundreds of volunteers spend a Saturday morning removing trash from the St. Johns River as part of the annual St. Johns River Celebration, one of many environmental efforts to protect Northeast Florida’s natural resources. Call 904-630-3690.

The Players Championship

End of March

The Tour's richest tournament and premier spring event in Jacksonville is played at the famed TPC at Sawgrass Stadium Course in Ponte Vedra Beach. Call 904-285-7888.

Stars On Ice

Late March 

The multi-million dollar Stars on Ice production combines a cast of the most versatile and exceptional figure skating stars in the world with state-of-the-art lighting and sound technology, cutting edge costume designs, progressively innovative staging and choreography, and a mix of American standards to the most contemporary tunes in all genres of today’s music. Veterans Memorial Coliseum, 1145 E.Adams St., Jacksonville. Call 904-630-3900.

April

Springing the Blues Festival

Early April

Nationally recognized blues festival featuring blues performers, great BBQ and seafood, childrens’games and rides. Arts and Crafts Show. Sea Walk Pavillion, Jacksonville Beach, Call 904-247-6100.

Jacksonville Jazz Festival

Mid April

The Jacksonville Jazz festival returns larger and better than ever in the spring with a variety of jazz genres represented, multiple locations and expanded list of performers. Metropolitan Park 1410 Gator Bowl Blvd., Jacksonville. Call 904 630-3690.

Blessing of the Fleet

Mid April

The Office of Special Events and Captains' Club join together to present the annual "Blessing of the Fleet," Northbank Riverfront Park.  Jacksonville. Call 904 268-3419 or 904 630-3690

Earth Day Celebration

Third weekend in April

Come and enjoy two stages of live entertainment and  interactive children’s activities. Jacksonville  Landing, Jacksonville. Call 904-630-3692.

World of Nations Celebration

Late April

Annual World of Nations Celebration celebrates the rich cultural traditions and unique heritage of people from around the world. An  opportunity to experience the cuisine, artistry and customs.  Saturday night features a fireworks showcase choreographed to music specially chosen for the World of Nations Celebration. Metropolitan Park, 1410 Gator Bowl Blvd., Jacksonville, 904- 630-3690.

Art After Dark

Late April 

Art After Dark is the community’s premiere showcase for the works of emerging visual artists. The focal point is an art exhibition and sale featuring a dozen First Coast artists working in several different media. Also features a silent auction, live music, door prizes and special showings of student artwork. Florida Theatre,

128 E.Forsyth St., Jacksonville. Call 904-355-2787.

The Official Opening of the Beaches

Late April

Featuring the Beach Music & Dance Festival, Sandcastle Building, good food entertainment, children’s activities, Arts and Crafts, Beachfest Parade,and 5k Run/Walk. Sea Walk Pavilion, Jacksonville Beach. Call 904-249-3972.

Florida Ballet

Late April

Annual spring repertory dance performance by Jacksonville's Florida Ballet. Florida Theatre, 128 East Forsyth St., Jacksonville. Call 904-355-2787.

May

Annual Shrimp Festival

Early May

The shrimp festival is the largest event of the year on Amelia Island, attracts about 150,000 people during the weekend. The festival is rated as one of the best in Florida and one of the top 20 events in the southeast region of the U.S. Features shrimp, live music, and  arts & crafts, antiques, etc., Call 1-800-226-3542.

Wave Master's Surfing Contest

Early May

Florida's Largest and most prestigious open amateur surfing tournament. This event attracts over 300 competitors from all over the southeast. Beach at 5th Ave. North., Jacksonville Beach. Call 904-241-0600.

Jacksonville Suns (all month) Call for schedule

7:05pm, The Baseball Park

201 A. Phillip Randolph Blvd.,

Jacksonville. Call 904-358-2846.

Pops at the Beach- Mother's Day Concert

Mother’s Day

Pops Concert by the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra. Jacksonville Beach, Sea Walk Paviliion, Call 904-247-6100.

Sail Jacksonville

Mid-May

Jacksonville's downtown riverfront comes alive with the tall ships from around the world. The three-day festival includes a variety of activities including in-the-water events, such as the Parade of Sail, land-side demonstrations and events. Jacksonville. Call 904-630-3690.

Jacksonville Film Festival

Mid-May

Celebrate the best of local, national, and international independent films. Florida Theatre, Ritz Theatre and La Villa Museum. Jacksonville. Call 904-247-8337.

Spring Music Festival

A Memorial Day Weekend tradition in Jacksonville. A free concert, starring a national headline recording artist. Metropolitan Park 1410 Gator Bowl Blvd., Jacksonville. Call 904-630-3690.

Kuumba African Cultural Arts and Music Festival

3^rd week in May

The festival hosts performances from various parts of the globe.

Including West Africa, Northeast Africa, The Caribbean, Canada, and from cities around the globe. A. Philip Randolph Park, Jacksonville. Call 904-630-3690.

June

Jacksonville Suns all month:  Call for schedule

June 1

3:05pm, The Baseball Park

201 A. Phillip Randolph Blvd.,

Jacksonville. Call 904-358-2846.

Fiesta Players

June 21

Fiesta Playera dia de San Juan Bautista is an annual event in Jacksonville, Florida, and is one of the largest Latin American festivals in the country. A three-weekend long event, this festival celebrates the culture and customs of Puerto Rico with Latin American music and cuisine. Sea Walk Pavillion, Jacksonville Beach. Call 904-247-6100.

July

Freedom, FanFare and Fireworks

July 4

Metropolitan Park,

1410 Gator Bowl Blvd.,

Jacksonville. Call 904-630-3690

Liberty Fest:  an Independence Day Celebration

July 4

Help celebrate America's Birthday. The festival area will be the spot for entertainment, food music children's, activities, skydivers,and fireworks.Sea Walk Pavillion, Jacksonville Beach. Call

904-247-1651.

September

Remembrance Ceremony

September 11

A ceremony for the victims and their families,heroes of the tragedies of September 11, 2001. 7:30pm Sea Walk Pavillion,J acksonville Beach,Call 904-249-3972

Grassroots Music Festival

Come and celebrate American grassroots music.  Rooted in culture and history influenced by blues,country,bluegrass,jam and rock styles. Sea Walk Pavilion, Jacksonville Beach, Call 904-249-3972.

October

Jacksonville Sea and Sky Spectacular

Last weekend in October

Sea Walk Pavillion , Jacksonville Beach. Call 904-630-3690.

Florida Georgia Weekend

Last weekend in October

call for more information 904-630-3690

November

Veteran's Day Parade

November 11

Call 904-630-3690

Jacksonville Light Parade

November 29

call for more information 904-630-3690

December 31

Annual New Year's Eve Celebration call for more information 904-630-3690

Adventure Landing

1944 Beach Blvd

Jacksonville Beach, FL

904.246.4386

Located just east of the Intracoastal Waterway, this family entertainment center features go-karts, laser tag, bumper boats, mini-golf, batting cages. Waterpark features a new 18,000 sq. ft. wavepool, eleven waterslides, 65-foot pirates play village and lazy river.

Art Connections at the Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens

829 Riverside Avenue

(904) 356-6857

Admission free Tues. evenings 4-9.

Children can use computers to study the principles of design, actually doing a rubbing or a collage.  They can also learn about Florida history through paintings in the Cummer Museum collection. 

Jacksonville Fire Museum

1406 Gator Bowl Blvd.

(904) 598-6504

Displays include glass balls designed in the 1800’s to be filled with water and thrown at the fire. 

Kids Kampus

1410 Gator Bowl Blvd.

(904) 573-3153

Free Admission

10 acres of open space as well as state of the art playground equipment.  Includes an area called “Safe City” which contains a child-sized city in miniature.  This amazing miniature version of 4 blocks of Jacksonville features stores, schools, and Little Tyke houses.  Tricycles and helmets are available for children to borrow and ride through the “city.” 

The park contains a water park complete with squirt guns, sprinklers, jungle gyms, and a water slide.

Peterbrooke Chocolate Factory

1470 San Marco Avenue

(904) 398-2489

Watch chocolate made into many delectable shapes and sizes.  Free samples.

Sprinkles’ Museum

101 W. First Street

(904) 356-2992

Tues.-Sat. 10-1.  Children’s area:  Wed. and Sat. 10-1.

Museum Admission free.  Small charge for children’s area. The children’s wing of the Karpeles Manuscript Library is an educational, hands-on play area for ages 1-10.