Discover the excitement of Jacksonville, Florida with its myriad of activities, perfect for visitors and locals alike. From picturesque parks to thrilling water sports, Jacksonville offers something for everyone, whether you’re a long-time resident or just moved into a Jacksonville apartment. Explore the best things to do in Jacksonville across its diverse neighborhoods in this Redfin article, carefully curated to unveil hidden gems and provide local perspectives on the city’s vibrant attractions.
1. The Friendship Fountain
Check out the new Friendship Fountain in Jacksonville, Florida. You’ll be amazed by the captivating light show while you relax by the water, making unforgettable memories in the heart of the city.
Laura Perez, also known as Laura Perez Photography, a wedding and engagement photographer in the area, mentions, “The Friendship Fountain just opened, and it has a light show around sunset. It was so magical to sit there, watch, and just enjoy the outdoors in a magical way. I stumbled upon it by accident during an engagement session, hitting my usual favorite spots downtown.”
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Going to a silent disco sounds like a fun idea; it’s like a party where everyone’s dancing to their own beat with headphones on. “My favorite thing to do is Silent Disco,” suggests Jade Robinson, an Operations Manager at J.R. Events, a local wedding and event service. “They have a local bar, Root Down, and they have city events on the beach pier or downtown on the riverfront. It is a great time for people of all ages to hear three genres of party music.”
3. Bull Park
“Jacksonville is filled with great parks,” says Candy Keane from Momtastic Mommy. “My favorite one for little ones is Bull Park in Atlantic Beach. It’s small, shaded and completely fenced in so you can let them roam. And the playground equipment there is designed with small kids in mind.”
Visiting Bull Park in Jacksonville is a great way to enjoy the outdoors. With its lush greenery, walking trails, and picnic spots, it’s perfect for a relaxing day out with friends and loved ones.
4. Breweries
“Jacksonville, Florida has so much to offer and we love spending our weekends visiting breweries on the Jax Ale Trail,” suggests Tim Smith, Owner of ViewFromALove travel blog. “We had no idea that Jacksonville was so huge and the ale trail brought us to some extremely cool local neighborhoods such as Murray Hill and the Springfield Historic District. On top of that, we were able to find our favorite brewery in Jacksonville, Reve Brewing, which also plays host to Bones Pizza, our favorite pizza in Jacksonville by a mile. I definitely recommend giving it a shot and if you complete it all, which we did, you get some really neat swag from Visit Jacksonville.”
5. Treaty Oak
“Visiting the Treaty Oak at Jessie Ball duPont Park is one of my favorite activities in Jacksonville,” suggests Icy Tales, a digital marketing service provider. “This octopus-like tree, perhaps the single oldest living thing in Jacksonville, preserves the founding history of the city.
The 70-foot-tall tree is more than 200 years old. Numerous stories revolve around its twisting branches, linked to the early settlers and native peoples and other legacies. Surrounded by city skyscrapers, the park offers a sense of relief. Any tourist, from a day-long exertion, can find a sense of peace around this landmark. There are picnic tables and other amenities you can avail of during your visit to enjoy the remarkable beauty. You can walk on the boardwalk around Treaty Oak to adore its size and rich texture.”
6. Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park
Jaime Crews Manager at 2nd Bay Brewing Company says, “My favorite thing to do in Jacksonville is spending the day with my kids at Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park. We ride bikes, watch for all the wildlife we can encounter, then after working up a sweat, we cool off at the beach or splash pad.” It’s a perfect outing that creates lasting memories and allows people to reconnect with nature in the heart of the city.
7. Manifest Distilling
“One of my favorite weekend spots to get a craft cocktail is Manifest Distilling located next to the Veterans Memorial Arena,” suggests Jordan Mixson, Floridian blogger and photographer. “It’s one of the hidden gems in walking distance after attending a concert or show. Manifest exclusively uses their own spirits to make distinctive minimalist cocktails in their cocktail room that are expertly balanced that you won’t find anywhere in town.”
8. Memorial Park
Mark Krancer, event and landscape photographer from Kram Kran Photo, shares, “My favorite activity in Jacksonville is walking around Memorial Park and enjoying the scenery. It is peaceful yet full of life at the same time. You can see slices of life from all walks of life there. The park, designed by famed architects, the Olmsted brothers, is celebrating its 100th year this year. Very thankful to have this great place of tranquility and art for all to enjoy.”
“My favorite thing to do in Jacksonville is to grab lunch from Sub Cultured, a hole in the wall sandwich shop in Mayport, and head to the St. John’s Ferry to catch a ride over to Ft. George Island,” says Jacksonville local, Julie, from Julie Ryan Photography. “From there you’re a few minutes of driving to Big Talbot Island’s Boneyard Beach. A windy walk through tall and thick coastal trees takes you out to the beach, scattered in driftwood, it’s beautiful and peaceful. A unique and scenic journey to a hidden gem off the beaten path and surely not a bad place to enjoy a sandwich or snap a few photos.”
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Holly is part of the content marketing team and enjoys writing about home improvement and lifestyle. Her dream home would incorporate both an industrial and biophilic design.
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