Adventures in Jacksonville

Family

Buc-ee's Saint Augustine

A road-trip rite of passage: famously clean restrooms, made-to-order brisket, and aisles of snacks and beaver merch. Easy on/off the highway, huge lot, zero stress.

The Beaches

Oceanfront Park

Park with a playground, beach access, picnic shelters & a bronze statue of a boy riding a dolphin.

Black Hammock Island

Timucuan Ecological and Historical Preserve

Historic coastal nature preserve with wetland, salt marsh & hardwood forest habitats.

Southside

University Of North Florida Nature Trails

Southbank

Southbank Riverwalk

1.25-mi. paved promenade along the St. Johns River with art, benches & city & sunset views.

Holiday Harbors

Castaway Island Preserve

Raised trails run through this undeveloped wetland preserve with scenic overlooks along the way.

The Beaches

Cradle Creek Preserve

Public park along the Intracoastal Waterway with nature trails, elevated boardwalks & a boat pier.

Northside

Big Talbot Island State Park

Picnics, hiking, boating & nature study on an island with diverse habitats, from bluffs to beaches.

Outdoors

Fort Clinch State Park

Beachfront park at a circa-1864 fort with guided tours, wildlife viewing, camping & nature trails.

Southside

Julington Durbin Creek Nature Preserve

Nature trail network for exploring extensive floodplain wetlands, diverse wildlife & lush woods.

Fort Caroline Shores

Spanish Pond Trailhead

Outdoors

Clarke House Park

Wooded park with a circa-1900 house, a lake, gardens, trails, a playground & pavilions to rent.

Northside

Little Talbot Island State Park

Barrier-island nature area with sandy beaches & activities such as kayaking, surfing & picnicking.

North Beach

Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park

Park offering surfing & swimming in the ocean plus fishing & boating in a lake, as well as hiking.

Northside

Huguenot Memorial Park

This seaside park offers 70 primitive campground sites, a playground, picnic areas & fishing.

The Beaches

South Beach Park and Sunshine Playground

Recreation site with a playground, walking trail, sport courts, playing field & picnic areas.

Crystal Springs

Crystal Springs Park

Lakeshore

Stinson Park

Downtown

Myth Nightclub | Element Bistro

Trendy nightspot featuring international DJs, craft cocktails, a bistro area & a VIP section.

Five Points

Riverside Park

Enduring public green space featuring play equipment, a basketball court & picnic tables.

Riverside

Willowbranch Park

Regency

Jacksonville Arboretum & Botanical Gardens

This 120 acre arboretum provides rustic trails through the woods & labelled plant life.

Marietta

Bulls Bay Preserve

Five Points

Memorial Park

Designed by Olmsted, 6 acres of open space along the St. Johns river used for jogging & walking.