If Jacksonville were summed up in a nutshell, it would be a boiled peanut: a secret recipe, an unexpected delight, a reason to pause instead of pass through. Sure, Jacksonville has 35km of beaches, year-round sunshine, world-class museums and all the trimmings you’d expect from a city this size. But this city offers a different spin on the familiar. It’s a little bit country, and a whole lot of (Southern) rock ’n’ roll. If you’re open to the unexpected, you’ll uncover a slice of Florida that locals keep close. Don’t worry, you’re not seeing things. You’ve just never been to Jacksonville – the flip side of Florida.
Surprising food
Congaree and Penn Jacksonville
Jacksonville’s dining scene is a delicious blend of influences, championed by award-winning local chefs. Expect a vibrant mix of inventive, laid-back fare and soulful Southern staples – all served with flair, no jacket required.
Food trails
The Jax Ale Trail links up the city’s craft breweries and taprooms, while the Jax Coffee & Donuts Trail guides you to 60 indie cafés and donut shops. Complete the Mayport Shrimp Trail to savour Jacksonville’s signature catch – with the bonus chance to win tickets to a Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp baseball game.
35km of beaches
Black Rock Beach
Ketterman
These aren’t your grandparents’ beaches. Ride the waves, kayak, paddleboard, swim, dive, boat or fish along Jacksonville’s lively shoreline. Pet-friendly sands, surf shops, seafood shacks, indie boutiques and oceanfront parks make them a true coastal playground.
The great outdoors
Untamed woodlands, marshes, beaches and waterways beckon to be explored. Jacksonville is home to the largest urban park system in the US, with more than 80,000 acres of wild beauty waiting just beyond the city streets.
Culture
The Northbank Riverwalk in Jacksonville
Art and history surface everywhere in Jacksonville. Think public installations downtown, concerts with the Jacksonville Symphony, or smooth sets at the Jacksonville Jazz Festival. Add in bustling street fairs, craft markets and world-class museums, and the city’s cultural rhythm never misses a beat.
For more information visit visitjacksonville.com
