Top 22 Things to Do in Jacksonville, FL | Visit Jacksonville (2024)

With so much to see and do in Jax, we want to guide you to Jacksonville's must-do attractions.

Here are the top 22 ranked attractions in Jax, check them out! You can also view them on our things to do page and the Visit Jax App.

Photo by: John Reed

1. Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens

A true family adventure, the Zoo has something for everyone with over 2,000 rare and exotic animals and 1,000 varieties of plants. Whether you are a visitor to Florida’s First Coast or a lifetime resident, we invite you to experience the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens through interactions with people, wildlife, and the environment.

Since 1914, the Jacksonville Zoo has supported wildlife conservation on a stunning riverfront landscape. Grown-ups and little ones alike will love feeding the giraffes at the African Overlook and watching the otters float along in the Wild Florida exhibit. The Zoo also houses an Australian Adventure, featuring colorful birds called lorikeets. Tigers roam overhead at the Land of the Tiger exhibit and Jaguars steal the show at their award-winning exhibit. During your visit, step onto the Zoo’s scenic Trout River dock. You might even spot a manatee.

Location: 370 Zoo Pkwy, Jacksonville, FL 32218

2. The Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens

Enjoy fine art and European-inspired gardens along the St. Johns River at the Cummer. Originally the home of art collector Ninah Mae Holden Cummer, the museum focuses on diverse, dynamic art and the beauty of nature. With an expansive, interactive children’s exhibit, the Cummer is the perfect attraction for art lovers of all ages.

Location: 829 Riverside Ave, Jacksonville, FL 32204

3. Catty Shack Ranch Wildlife Sanctuary

This tiger-focused ranch has a conservation mission, often rescuing tigers and other big cats from inhumane captivity. Volunteers give tours of the ranch, providing the cats’ histories and detailed explanations of their operations. Buy tickets ahead of time for a night feeding. Watching the cats pace around their cages to tear into whole carcasses is an experience like no other.

Location: 1860 Starratt Rd, Jacksonville, FL 32226

4. Riverside Arts Market

Local artisans, craft makers, artist and local farmers gather every Saturday morning under the canopy of the Fuller Warren Bridge for this outdoors marker. The Riverside Arts Market, or RAM, offers unique entertainment with an unparalleled view along the St. Johns River. Enjoy live music, food trucks, and free yoga at this community event.

Location: 715 Riverside Ave, Jacksonville, FL 32204

5. Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park

This beautiful, oceanfront city park in Atlantic Beach, offers more than 20 miles of biking and hiking trails ranging in difficulty, it has an area dedicated to camping, a lake for fishing and paddle boarding, access for kayaking and miles of white sand beaches. Hanna is also home to one of the best surfing spots in Jacksonville.

Location: 500 Wonderwood Dr, Jacksonville, FL 32233

6. Little Talbot Island

Big Talbot Island

Wetlands, marshes, bike paths and secret beaches, that’s the magic you’ll find at Big Talbot. Blackrock Beach and Boneyard Beach are the highlights, be sure to enjoy a guided kayak tour or go for a hike.

Location: State Road A1A North, Jacksonville, FL, FL 32226

Little Talbot Island

Enjoy a five-mile stretch of pristine shoreline amid a maritime forest. Little Talbot Island is home to dozens of native wildlife species. Fishing enthusiasts are likely to catch flounder, sheepshead, and more. Bring your binoculars for a chance to view birds of prey perched in the treetops or comb the shore for glistening seashells.

Location: 12157 Heckscher Dr, Jacksonville, FL 32226

7. St. Johns Town Center

With over 1.2 million square feet of open-air shopping and 175+ retailers and 20+ restaurants, the St. Johns Town Center is Jacksonville’s shopping mecca. There’s everything from Target to Tiffany & Co. and something for everyone – whether you’re a savvy saver or a luxury lover. There are also three hotels inside the St. Johns Town Center, so you can shop till you drop.

Location: 4663 River City Dr, Jacksonville, FL 32246

8. Kingsley Plantation

Located on the Fort George Island marsh side, Kingsley Plantation plays a large role in Florida’s complicated history. The 1814 plantation house and its surrounding structures, all preserved by the National Park Service, shed light on a different era in the South. Make time to explore the unique tabby houses, built and inhabited by the Plantation’s slaves. You can take a self-guided audio tour or book a tour with a park ranger.

Location: 11676 Palmetto Ave, Jacksonville, FL 32226

9. Beaches Town Center

Located where Atlantic and Neptune Beach meet, this quaint and relaxing shopping and dining hub offers some of the best shopping and dining in Jacksonville. Stroll through one-of-a-kind shops, beachy stores, art galleries and delicious dining options just feet from the ocean.

Location: 0 Atlantic Blvd, Neptune Beach, FL 32266

10. MOSH (Museum of Science and History)

Imagine exploring deep space and the observable universe without ever stepping foot off our planet. That’s what it feels like at The Bryan-Gooding Planetarium at MOSH, one of the largest single-lens planetariums in the U.S. (translation: expect cutting edge technology for razor-sharp viewing and immerse experiences). The planetarium is one of the museum’s most notable features, but there’s more to love. A handful of family-friendly exhibits entertain and amuse with themes that span nature and science.

Location: 1025 Museum Cir, Jacksonville, FL 32207

11. Fort Caroline National Memorial

This is a historic rebuilding of the fort settled by French colonists in 1564 in Jacksonville. In 1565, the French colony was raided by the Spanish and destroyed. The replica fort depicts what the original Fort Caroline would have looked like, complete with cannons and flags. The top levels of the fort offer a beautiful view of the mouth of the St. Johns River. There is a 1.3-mile nature trail at the park. It is a loop trail, winding through maritime and hardwood hammock. There is also a museum featuring the area’s history. When you leave the fort, you’ll see a replica of a Timucua hut, complete with an in-progress canoe. This historical landmark is under the care of the National Parks Service.

Location: 2713 Fort Caroline Rd., Jacksonville, FL 3222

12. EverBank Stadium

The home of the Jacksonville Jaguars is an attraction on its own. From its sparkling swimming pools and cabanas, to one of the largest video boards in the world as well as several state-of-the-arts meeting spaces, local food spots, and beautiful murals made by local artists, you can enjoy The Bank during game days or every Saturday during guided tours.

Location: 1 TIAA Bank Field Drive, Jacksonville, FL 32202

13. The Florida Theatre

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Florida Theatre is one of only four remaining high-style movie palaces built in the state in the 1920’s. It now hosts more than 200 annual events, everything from ballet and opera to contemporary pop, jazz, rock, country and blues concerts, this is a cultural and entertainment center in the middle of Downtown Jacksonville.

Location: 128 E Forsyth St, Jacksonville, FL 32202

14. Huguenot Memorial Park

It's an oceanfront park and beach - all in one! What's special is that it's the only beach you can drive your car on in the Jacksonville area. Huguenot Memorial Park is a great place to head for a day of beach activity, birdwatching, kite surfing and so much more. Located on Ft. George Island on the Northside of the city, it's easily accessible by the Mayport Ferry or Heckscher Drive. They also have onsite camping.

Location:10980 Heckscher Drive, Jacksonville, FL 32226

15. Jacksonville Arboretum and Gardens

Located in the historic Arlington neighborhood, the Arboretum is by far one of the best hidden spots in Jacksonville. Great hiking trails, different ecosystems, wildlife, streams, and a beautiful and peaceful pond covered in lilies. The arboretum is pet friendly and a great outdoor spot for a family hike.

Location: 1445 Millcoe Rd, Jacksonville, FL 32225

16. Riverside Avondale

Eclectic, bohemian, historic and hip, those are a few words often used to describe this Jacksonville District. Voted as one of the country’s Top 10 Great Neighborhoods, and listed in the National Registry of Historic Places, the Riverside/Avondale district has a unique mix of history, culture, charm and modern design. Located just a few blocks from the St. Johns River, the district’s “Five Points” area is a bohemian neighborhood with funky coffee shops, outdoor cafés, great local dining, one-of-a-kind shopping, nightclubs, antique stores and more. The Shoppes of Avondale, another highlight of this district, has an eclectic mix of locally owned restaurants, clothing boutiques and Spanish-moss-covered, oak-lined streets.

Beautiful historic homes and grand city parks are the norm in Riverside/Avondale. Enjoy a self-guided tour or join a guided bike tour of the most architecturally significant structures in the area.

17. Jacksonville-Baldwin Rail Trail

The Jacksonville-Baldwin Rail Trail is 14.5 miles from Imeson Road in Jacksonville to the town of Baldwin. A 12-foot- wide paved trail currently exists for hikers, bikers and rollerbladers to enjoy, with an equestrian trail paralleling the paved trail. The trail is contiguous with the Camp Milton Historic Preserve, which serves as a mid-point trailhead. There are approx. 8.5 miles of spur trails onto the Jacksonville Rail Trail Buffer Properties that are designated for unpaved day hiking and equestrian use.

18. Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA)

With more than 1,000 pieces in its permanent collection, MOCA encompasses one of the largest collections of modern and contemporary art in the Southeast. View paintings, installations, prints, sculpture, and photography by some of the biggest names in the visual arts.

19. The Jax Ale Trail

Jacksonville is one of Florida’s biggest beer destinations with more than 20 craft breweries. To enjoy local breweries like Intuition Ale Works, Engine 15, Aardwolf, Veterans United and Bold City Brewing, embark on your own self-guided tour with the Jax Ale Trail Passport. Ask for it at local breweries, get stamps for each beer you drink, and win prizes when you fill it all out.

20.

The downtown Riverwalk is a network of multi-use trails and open space developments along both the north and south banks of the St. Johns River in Jacksonville, Florida. The roughly 2-mile Downtown Northbank portion travels from the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville into the Brooklyn district. The 1.25-mile Southbank portion connects local landmarks such as Friendship Fountain, and Riverplace Tower. All along the riverwalks on both banks are spectacular views of the St. Johns River.

Location: South: 1001 Museum Circle Jacksonville FL 32207 North: 201 East Coastline Drive Jacksonville FL 32202

21. Castaway Island Preserve

Tucked into a neighborhood just off the Intracoastal Waterway, Castaway Island Preserve is a hidden gem worth exploring. The most notable feature of the park is for the kiddos-the interactive trail! The easy one-mile trail allows visitors to follow animal prints in the path to education boards, giving children a chance to have fun and make parents happy because they are learning! Bring your furry friends along for the adventure because the park is also dog friendly.

Parking at the preserve is easy with plenty of spaces. Once you arrive, walk down to the end of the dock and take in the breathtaking views. The is the ideal location for spotting marshland wildlife in the area. Don’t forget your camera because this is one of the prime photo opportunities, especially during sunrise.

Location: 2885 San Pablo Rd S, Jacksonville, FL 32224

22. Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts

Classical music fans will love the superb acoustics of the Jacoby Symphony Hall, one of three theatres within the Center and home to the Jacksonville Symphony, one of the nation's top ensembles. The state-of-the-art Center hosts classical, opera, gospel, big band, ballet, and popular music performances plus Broadway and Off-Broadway productions as part of FSCJ Artist Series. Don’t miss The Ritz Chamber Players, the nation's first African-American chamber music ensemble, who also perform here.

Location: 300 Water St, Jacksonville, FL 32202

Top 22 Things to Do in Jacksonville, FL | Visit Jacksonville (1)

There are so many great things to do around town but some of my favorite spots that I'd recommend visiting include the Jacksonville Zoo, the Jacksonville Arboretum and Gardens, Catty Shack Ranch, Boneyard Beach, Huguenot Memorial Park, Kingsley Plantation, and Fort Caroline.

Elle MacRae @5suitcasesVisit Jax Local Insider Tip

DISCLAIMER: The above rankings are based on TripAdvisor and Google Rankings for attractions. The attractions featured must be unique to Jacksonville, Florida. This blog was updated on January 26, 2024.

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FAQs

What is Jacksonville best known for? ›

Known for its beautiful beaches and lively atmosphere, the city also boasts diverse and mouthwatering cuisine. Offering everything from fresh seafood to soulful Southern dishes, Jacksonville's culinary scene has something for every food lover.

How do you spend a day in Jacksonville? ›

  1. 20 Minutes Chocolate & Candy Factory Tour in Jacksonville. ...
  2. Electric Bike Tours in Amelia Island. ...
  3. Public Art Tour in Jacksonville. ...
  4. Amelia Island Area Kayak Rental on Lofton Creek with Adventures Up The Creek. ...
  5. Jacksonville Scavenger Hunt: Jacksonville, From The Ashes. ...
  6. Stumpy's Axe Throwing Activity from Jacksonville.

Is there a lot to do in Jacksonville? ›

Some of the most popular things to do in Jacksonville are visiting the Crummer Museum of Art & Gardens, Museum of Science & History, Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens, and Hands On Children's Museum.

What food is Jax known for? ›

Garlic crabs aren't the only dish of Gullah Geechee origin that's pervasive in Jacksonville. Others that can be found across the city include the seafood boil, shrimp and grits, Hoppin' John, salmon patties, gumbo, many rice dishes, she-crab soup and of course, barbecue (more on that in a minute).

What is the richest part of Jacksonville? ›

Isle of Palms

With a median home price of $1,149,691 and a median rent of $1,534, Isle of Palms is the most expensive neighborhood on our list. Based on the growth in home prices in Isle of Palms over the last 3 years, it ranks No. 1 among all the neighborhoods in Jacksonville.

What is the safest area in Jacksonville, FL? ›

If you love Atlantic Beach, then look no further than Girvin. Girvin is one of the safest places to live in Jacksonville, FL, and is full of exciting things to do. The Intercoastal Waterway separates Girvin from the popular area of Atlantic Beach.

What is the best street in Jacksonville? ›

Situated in the historical and cultural epicenter of Jacksonville, Florida, Laura Street welcomes daytime and nighttime visitors alike, and brings dynamism to the heart of the city. Laura Street is always buzzing, and people of all ages find activities and events that they can attend and enjoy year round.

Where does Jacksonville rank on crime? ›

The Wirepoints report ranked the top 75 largest cities in the U.S. based on their homicide rates, and the results showed that Tampa and Miami were ranked at 49th and 50th, while Orlando ranked 55th. Florida's murder capital, Jacksonville, was ranked significantly higher than the rest at 23rd.

What is the best month to visit Jacksonville, Florida? ›

The best times to visit Jacksonville are from March to May and September to November. These shoulder seasons see pleasant weather, as well as fewer tourists and lower prices than the summer months.

Does Jacksonville have a boardwalk? ›

From the early days along the boardwalk to today's oceanfront accommodations and Jacksonville Beach Pier, outdoor adventures are plentiful here. Morning strolls along the beach and hopping on a beach cruiser for a leisurely bike ride along First Street are a way of life in Jax Beach.

What is interesting about Jacksonville? ›

Jacksonville is not only known for its modern attractions but also for its rich maritime heritage. It's home to the oldest continuously operating seaport in the United States. The city's strategic location on the St. Johns River has been a hub of trade and commerce for centuries.

What is the city of Jacksonville known for? ›

With a rich history and diverse cultural scene, Jacksonville is known for its museums, art galleries, and lively music festivals. The city's extensive park system, including the stunning Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve, provides ample recreational activities and exploration opportunities.

Why is Jacksonville Florida so popular? ›

There's no denying the “bigness” of Jacksonville. The largest city in the U.S. in terms of geography, Jacksonville stretches on and on and encompasses so much: ocean and beach, river and history, high fashion, and lowcountry. You can go surfing, horseback riding, shopping, and exploring the city's nature and culture.

What is great about Jacksonville? ›

A: Jacksonville, Florida, is a great place to live if you're looking for a reasonable cost of living, plenty of beach access, a southern feel, and a new home in the Sunshine State. Jacksonville also boasts an up-and-coming restaurant scene, several colleges, and a solid job market.

What is Jacksonville also known as? ›

Bold New City of the South, City on the Move, Gateway to Florida, the First Coast, the River City--whatever the nickname, Jacksonville is the place to be. In the early days, the sharp bend where the wide expanse of the north-flowing St.

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