Are you planning a trip to Jacksonville/St. Augustine?
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Browsing Jacksonville/St. Augustine
Alexander Brest Museum
Located in the Phillips Fine Art Building on the campus of Jacksonville University, this is a fabulous collection of decorative art and artifacts. Lovely Steuben Glass is featured with the Tiffany Collection of glassware, and Chinese porcelain and cloisonné from the 18th century. Works by students, faculty and other artists are displayed in the Premier Gallery. Give the museum a call for more information on special events and traveling exhibits.
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Alexander Brest Planetarium
Located inside ALLTEL Stadium
ALLTEL Stadium is a state-of-the-art sports complex located on the banks of St. Johns River in downtown Jacksonville.
This mega-complex seats 82,000 fans and is the home field of the National Football League's Jacksonville Jaguars franchise, the annual Gator Bowl football game each New Year's Day and the Florida/Georgia college football game every fall. Past performances also include U2, Garth Brooks, and the Rolling Stones. Concession stands are available, and indoor dining and skyboxes offer luxury seating. Special features include the largest Sony Jumbotron scoreboards in the country. More »
Amelia Island Museum of History
Spanning an impressive 4,000 years of the barrier island's past, the museum takes you on a journey back in time with help from spellbinding narrations, lectures and walking tours of the historic district. Numerous artifacts of both land and marine archaeology are on display, detailing the island's occupation under eight different flags. Guided tours take place at 11am and again at 2pm Monday-Saturday. The Historic District tour is by appointment only.
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Amelia Island State Recreation Area
Offering more than 200 acres of natural, untouched land with beaches, salt marshes, and coastal woodlands set on the southern tip of the First Coast, the park offers a variety of outdoor activities including fishing, hiking, boating, sunbathing and wildlife watching. Amelia Island is northeast of Jacksonville, seven miles north of Little Talbot Island State Park on State Road A1A and eight miles south of historic Fernandina Beach. Bring the beach towels and grab the binoculars for a great day outdoors!
Admission is $3.25 per car. More »
Anastasia State Recreation Area
Located off A1A, 1.5 miles from historic downtown St Augustine, this recreation area is one of Florida's oldest state parks.It offers visitors natural beauty, ancient sand dunes, an abundance of wildlife and birds, plants and activities that include swimming at a beautiful beach, fishing, hiking on self-guided nature trails and picnicking. There are many picnic pavilions, restrooms and vending machines.
Admission: USD5 per vehicle; USD1 if entering by foot or bike. More »
Anheuser-Busch Brewery
Close to I-95 on the north side of city, this brewery lets you can watch the bottling process from a 20-foot open-air observation area and sample the finished product in the hospitality room—ages 21 and up only, of course. Children are welcome on the tour, which includes a look at a small museum chronicling the history of Busch beer and the Busch family. There is a gift shop on site.
Brewery tours are free, and guided tours take place hourly with self-guided tours permitted at any time the brewery is open. More »
Authentic Old Drug Store
This drug store is nothing like today's pharmacies. Located on Orange Street at the corner of Cordova, this old-timey spot sports wooden floors, old cash registers and a wood and glass apothecary filled with bottles of old remedies, elixirs and tonics. In the adjacent gift shop, you can find collectibles, jewelry, pewter figures and Christmas items. Admission is free.
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B.E.A.K.S.
When wild creatures are injured and need a safe place to recover and gain strength, B.E.A.K.S. comes to the rescue. Calling itself a "Bird Emergency Aid and Kare Sanctuary," the facility serves more than 2,000 birds and animals each year.
The facility offers you an opportunity to get a close look at eagles, owls, seagulls and other bird species while they recuperate. Admission is free, but voluntary donations are accepted. Call for an appointment for a guided tour. More »
Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville
Now home to the Class AA Jacksonville Suns, the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville was built by the city in 2003 to replace the historic Wolfson Park in what, some say, was an effort to eventually attract a Class AAA team. The new park is larger with a 112,000-square-foot field and 18,400-square-foot skybox. It also features three dressing rooms, a media room, weight room, kitchen, and indoor batting tunnel. The stadium seats 10,000 and offers great sight lines for fans. In addition, smaller seating areas mean lots of aisles that allow visitors to come and go freely without inconveniencing others. The season runs April through September; to catch a game while you're in town, see the website for schedule and ticketing information.
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Bent Creek GC
Golfers have long enjoyed playing Bent Creek Golf Course, The City of Jacksonville's public golf course. Since Bent Creeks's opening in 1989, the 6,620-yard course has provided a fun and challenging golf experience for residents of Northeast Florida and visitors alike. Crafted by renowned architect Bobby Weed with consulting services by Mark McCumber, Bent Creek's meandering terrain takes golfers through a certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary, towering pines, and alongside creeks and swales. The championship layout boasts bent grass greens, plush fairways and a state of the art lighted practice facility.
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Bethesda Park
Restore yourself and head back to nature at this serene 50-acre park, which offers a variety of activities and amenities for individuals and groups in a picturesque natural setting. Groups should check out one of their fully equipped cabins or central lodge rooms; there are accommodations for 216. You will find plenty of picnic areas, as well as a boardwalk and nature trail. There is also a large lake stocked for fishing and the facility is handicapped accessible. Bethesda Park is located a few miles northwest of downtown Jacksonville. Admission is free.
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Big Talbot Island State Park
This park features a breathtaking coastal habitat covered with oak, holly and magnolia, along with sea-oat covered dunes overlooking the ocean. Hiking is a favorite activity on the scenic nature trails and fishing, canoeing or swimming on the Nassau Sound shoreline is tough to beat. Rumor has it that the island is haunted, particularly in the spooky Houston cemetery and Tamaqua Burial Grounds just outside the entrance. Admission is $1 for pedestrians, joggers and bicyclists. Vehicles cost $3.25, which includes up to eight people per car.
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Buccaneer Trail
Traveling the Buccaneer Trail is a great way to learn more about Florida history. It highlights important sites for early pirates and explorers of the new world.
Traveling south on A1A over the Nassau River, you can drop by Big and Little Talbot Island State Parks for a picnic or nature hike. Then you will hop aboard the Fort George Island ferry for a breathtaking ride across the St Johns River to the quaint fishing village of Mayport.
Finally you will arrive in St. Augustine, the nation's oldest city. More »
Camp Blanding Museum and Memorial Park
Less than an hour's drive from Jacksonville is this museum dedicated to the memory of American soldiers in World War II, housed in refurbished barracks featuring historical exhibits. There are objects and artifacts related to the history, heritage and traditions of the camp's namesake General Blanding, as well as the individuals and units that trained here. There is also a collection of weapons from both allied and Axis forces. Numerous monuments cover the museum's grounds. Admission to the museum is free.
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Castillo de San Marcos
Step back in time as you visit the oldest remaining European fortification in the nation. El Castillo dates back to 1672 and is a fine example of military architecture from the Spanish empire. It served as a prison for a short time and was declared a national monument in 1924. Immerse yourself in history during one of the fort's historic reenactments, living history events, or spooky torchlight tours at night. The fort's original cannons are periodically fired during the summer months.
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Champions Club at Julington Creek
Florida's First Coast is renowned for its "dead solid" perfect golf courses. In fact, the region has become a hub for golfers.
At The Champions Club at Julington Creek, located just five miles south of I-295 in St Johns County, golfers can compare scorecards on an 18-hole course that meanders through the woodlands.
Modeled after the finest private clubs and resorts, Champions Club offers superb service, pro shop, lounge and grill and complete practice facilities. Greens fees are $25-$55 per round M-Th and $35-65 F-Su. Call ahead to reserve tee times. More »
Cimarrone Golf Club
St Johns County is fast becoming one of the premiere golf destinations in the nation, and this course is part of that action. Just 10 miles north of World Golf Village in St Augustine, Cimarrone ("the wild one" in Seminole), has 18 championship holes carved out of pine forests and marshland. All golfers will appreciate the natural beauty and challenging layout created by nationally recognized designer, David Postlethwait. Lagoons, sand traps and other obstacles await players. A 10,000-square-foot clubhouse is available for business and social functions.
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Colonial Spanish Quarter
Visit a bit of the old world at St Augustine's historic St George Street and Spanish Quarter Village. St George Street is a quaint pedestrian mall, closed to all motorized traffic. Most of the buildings are reproductions of homes and shops one would have seen in St Augustine centuries ago. Plenty of shops and restaurants are available and a myriad of street performers provides entertainment - you can meet with and talk to colonists and soldiers as they go about their tasks, mimicking daily life during the mid-18th century. Admission is $6.89 for adults and $4.24 for students.
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Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens (The)
Opened in 1961, this museum and art education center has handsome gardens with fragrant blooms, and peaceful, winding walkways. The permanent collection focuses on the history of art with exhibits spanning the eras from ancient times to the 20th century. Temporary exhibits are also presented throughout the year. It is located off I-95, approximately five minutes from downtown.
Admission: $6 Adults, $4 for seniors over 60, $3 for students and $1 for children age 5 and under. There is free admission Tuesday nights from 4pm-9pm. More »
Cypress Knoll At Palm Coast
"Cypress Knoll was created by Gary Player, carved from 60 acres of preserved wetland with sounds of wildlife surrounding your every shot. This course has slightly narrow fairways which require you to be very accurate off the tee. It is not an overly difficult course, but if you don't stay in the fairways, it can make for a long day". A very fair and beautiful test of golf. The golf course and the scenery are breathtaking.
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Deercreek Country Club
TeeBone's only PRIVATE championship golf course in the Jacksonville area offers both a challenging and entertaining round! The course is a spectacular, par 71 layout which meanders through naturally wooded wetlands. An ensemble of trees frame each hole and the abundance of water offers the golfer a difficult test of skill. At the heart of the course is a large 285 acre natural preserve hosting a variety of Florida wildlife. So challenging is the course, in 1996 Deercreek hosted the U.S. Open Championship Local Qualifier and the USGA Senior Amateur Qualifier.
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Diamond D Horse Stables
Diamond D Horse Stables is your chance to get close to nature and soak in some fresh country air at this expansive ranch. Groups of up to 20 are welcome. If you prefer to rough it a little, take one of their overnight pack trips, complete with meals and ranch hands to help out with camping details. Horse rentals cost $20 per person for one hour, $38 for two hours, and $80 for a half-day tour, which includes a pack lunch. Reservations are required.
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Eagle Harbor Golf Club
This Clyde Johnston design is exciting, challenging, well maintained, and skillfully carved into a forest of 60-foot-high pines. Featured here are multiple tees, multi-tiered greens, rolling fairways, and a variety of sand and grass bunkers. Surrounded by numerous lakes, this terrific layout has become one of Jacksonville's most popular courses. A new, modern clubhouse adds to the golf experience.
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Early American Weapons & History
You will be entertained and educated at this unusual museum that features an authentic collection of weaponry, spanning centuries and the globe. You will see all types of unusual guns, rifles, pistols, muskets, and swords, along with various artifacts dating from the 15th to 19th centuries. There are also 18th century shipwreck artifacts, English colonial and Spanish artifacts, Civil War relics, a large Confederate Army weaponry display, and much more.
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Exhale Oxygen Bar
At this bar, you'll find 92 percent pure oxygen on tap, not beer. Exhale is the area's first establishment to offer oxygen therapy in a variety of services. Featuring all new state of the art Hyperbaric Oxygen Chambers, Exhale offers a variety of different treatments. Try an oxygen facial for those fine lines, wrinkles, sun spots or sunburns. For the ultimate detox, treat yourself to a massage, ionic foot bath and sauna session. Each oxygen/aroma treatment comes with an array of aroma selections, a seated massage, herbal neck wrap, and eucalyptus oil, and O2 spray. If you're looking for even more pampering, the O2 bar doubles as a spa and offers Swedish, deep tissue, and neuromuscular massages that can be supplemented with Oxygen therapy. Head to this bar for a breath of fresh air!
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Fairfax Gallery
This pleasant gallery features a wide range of artwork from contemporary to traditional art and prints from local, national and international artists. The Venice Collection features the work of Louise Freshman Brown, Larry Wilson, Bob Fagin, Alynne Sharp and others. The gallery also stocks one of the largest lines of designer mouldings in north Florida. You will find this gem of a gallery south of the historic Riverside neighborhood in Jacksonville, just two blocks from Roosevelt Boulevard (US 17).
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Family Fun Factory
This place has something for everyone: play more than 70 arcade games, feed alligators at a 'gator pond or play on a challenging 18-holes of miniature golf. Seven batting cages get you in the swing of things, and there is racing action with go-karts and dune buggies.
Younger kids enjoy kiddie-karts, while bigger kids can test their skills with super dragsters that take you from 0-75 in three seconds! A snack bar serves pizza, sandwiches, sodas and popcorn. The park is located at the intersection of I-95 and State Road 16. More »
Faver-Dykes State Park
Tranquility reigns at this 1,450-acre park at the intersection of I-95 and US 1 on Pellicer Creek. This unspoiled aquatic preserve, and its tidal marshes offer visitors a wide range of outdoor activities and recreation: saltwater and freshwater fishing, hiking, camping, boating, and picnicking. Canoeing is also popular on the state designated four-mile canoe trail, and canoes can be rented with an advanced reservation. This is no theme-park ride—those are real birds, alligators, turtles, otters, and snakes. Nightly campground fees are $9 without electric and $11 with electric hookup.
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Fernandina Beach Golf Club
This course has been operating since 1953 and includes three nine-hole courses: West, with a par of 37, South, with a par of 36 and North, with a par of 35. Teaching pros are on site for personal lessons and instruction. Your play takes you through thick stands of oaks and sand hazards. The course is close to the Atlantic ocean, 17 miles northeast of Jacksonville.
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Flagler College
A wonderful example of turn-of-the-century architecture, this private college was once the Ponce de Leon Hotel, built by railroad tycoon and oil magnate Henry Flagler in the late 1800s. A textured red tiled roof, graceful arches and cool pink stucco walls are features of the museum, which also offers handsome landscaping accented by palm trees and views across Matanzas Bay. Guided tours are available through this breathtaking example of Spanish Renaissance architecture and design.
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Fort Caroline National Memorial
In 1564 French explorers founded the first Protestant colony in the US along what is today the St Johns River. This reconstructed fort commemorates its probable location. The Spanish seized the original colony and massacred its residents in 1565, so not much is known about these early pioneers. The site stretches across 130 acres overlooking the river and features a museum with French and Indian artifacts from the 16th century. Fort Caroline was established as a national memorial in 1950 and is 14 miles from downtown Jacksonville. Admission is free.
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Fort Clinch State Park
This 19th Century historic landmark park is named after General Duncan Lamont Clinch. On the first weekend of each moth, local volunteers dress as Union soldiers and relive many of the daily routines of the fort from the 1860s, in a living history exhibition. Visitors can take a guided tour of the fort or can wander through its many rooms on their own. Three campgrounds are available for overnight visits and a small gift shop sells souvenirs.
Admission: USD5 per vehicle More »
Fort Matanzas
Originally built as a watchtower to aid in the defense of St Augustine from enemy ships, this well-preserved Spanish fort was named a National Monument in 1924. Breathtaking beaches, sand dunes and abundant wildlife, including nesting sites for endangered sea turtles, surround the fort. A short nature trail allows you to tour the small island and guided tours take place every hour. The only way to reach the fort is by ferry. Admission is free for both the park and the ferry ride, but donations are happily accepted.
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Fountain of Youth
Approximately 35 miles south of Jacksonville is where the Spanish explorer Ponce de Leon is believed to have come ashore on April 2, 1513 in search of an elusive fountain of youth. The Landmark Cross, consisting of 27 different stone slabs, is on display. Stroll through the excavations of the original colony of St. Augustine, the continent's first European settlement. The planetarium outlines Ponce de Leon's voyage using celestial navigation. Admission is $6.50 adults, $5.50 seniors over 60, $3.50 children ages 6-12 and children under 6 are free.
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Friendship Park and Fountain
One of the world's tallest fountains, this spectacular piece of architecture is an impressive 200 feet in diameter and shoots water more than 120 feet into the air. At night, the colorful lighting turns the splashing waters into an animated, playful work of art. A lovely greenspace surrounds the fountain and comes complete with picnic tables and seating for relaxing and admiring the views of the St Johns River and city skyline. You will find the fountain next to the Museum of Science and History, on Museum Circle.
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Gallery 1037
This gallery is located inside the Reddi Arts shop off Hendricks Avenue, it features an eclectic range of two and three-dimensional works in a variety of media by local artists. If you are an art collector or art lover, you can pick up original pieces ranging in price from USD50 for an unframed print to USD4,400 for an original mixed media creation.
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Gold Head Branch State Park
This 2,000-acre park features camping facilities, nature trails, swimming, picnicking, fishing and canoeing; bring your own or rent one at the park. There are also paved bike trails and a playground.
The park is six miles north of Keystone Heights on SR 21, halfway between Jacksonville and Gainesville. Admission is $4 for up to eight people, and campsites are $16 per night plus an additional $2 for electricity. Canoe rentals are $4 an hour, $10 for a half day or $20 for the whole day (8 hours). More »
Government House Museum
This museum on the plaza in downtown St Augustine offers a look into the history of America's oldest city. It explores its history from early native settlements through European colonization to Flagler's Golden Age. In presentations here, you can see the components of the old city's economy, architecture, culture and archeology. Gold and silver pieces retrieved from shipwrecks off of the coast are on view. You will be introduced to the colorful history of the nation's oldest city in a fashion that is both educational and delightful!
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Grand Haven Golf Club
Part of a group of Nicklaus Signature series, this course offers twisting fairways and bunkers, irregularly shaped lagoons and marshes, and almost hidden greens—three hug the Intercoastal Waterway for scenic views and plenty of water hazard. The course, with a par of 72, offers five tee placements for yardage up to 7,069 yards. Golfers of all skill levels are welcome, including non-members. Grand Haven also offers a driving range and practice facility, as well as private or group instruction from a staff of PGA professionals.
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Guana River State Park
Located on a beautiful barrier island just south of Ponte Vedra in north Florida, this 2,400-acre park offers visitors sand-dune surroundings, protected beaches, salt marshes, tidal creeks and 17 historic cultural sites. Beach-goers can park in two locations for a smalll fee and, after walking across a short boardwalk, will find one of the most peaceful and unspoiled beaches in the Jacksonville area. Many species of wildlife can be spotted. Hiking, biking, bird watching, boating, and fishing are just some of the activities that the park supports.
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Historic Fernandina
More than 50 blocks of historic homes and boutiques surround centre Street. Pretty tree-lined streets offer ample shade for a day of exploring the Victorian architecture. Home to elegant restaurants and chic stores, the town offers you an opportunity to enjoy breakfast overlooking sparkling waters or lunch in a charming sidewalk café. Hop on a clip-clopping horsedrawn carriage and watch the sun set over the Atlantic in majestic splendor—it is a grand way to end a memorable day.
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Huguenot Memorial Park
Named in honor of the Huguenot French settlers who colonized the area for a short while in the 16th century, Huguenot Memorial Park is another Jacksonville jewel. Aficionados of our fine-feathered friends will enjoy the avian observatory tower, and nature trails, perfect for bird watching. Adventurous types can rent canoes and use the boat launch to access the waterways, while sports-lovers can rent volleyball equipment, horseshoes and bicycles for an afternoon of fun.
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Island Art Association Gallery
Paintings and sculpture await at this gallery, which is conveniently located on Centre Street in beautiful downtown Fernandina Beach, on scenic Amelia Island. A co-op gallery of Nassau County artists, this attractive collection features a variety of mixed media works, from watercolors and acrylics to pottery, stained glass and woodcuts. Works from more than 52 artists are on display and there is no charge for admission.
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Jacksonville Historical Center
Who says learning can't be fun? The Jacksonville Historical Center has all manner of fun, hands-on interactive exhibits and films relating to Jacksonville's rich history. Explore the past from the Native American Timucuan Indians, the region's original settlers, to the role played by the US Navy in the growth of the city, all the way to the present as Jacksonville enters a new millennium as a top-tier city. The small museum is located at Jacksonville Landing
Situated on the St. Johns River, this riverside playground features great restaurants and shopping opportunities. Its facade is a famed part of the Jacksonville skyline. Clothing, gifts, music and more fill the shops and a food court and wide variety of restaurants stave off starvation. Outdoor concerts and special events take place regularly at the Landing, making it a favorite gathering spot in the city for visitors and locals out to eat, drink and dance the night away.
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Jacksonville Maritime Museum
All aboard this small but informative museum overflowing with exhibits dedicated to nautical history, particularly that relating to the St Johns River and the Port of Jacksonville. Browse artifacts from the Civil War and models of the Titanic, Florida's famous tugboat The Three Friends, sailing ships and steamboats. A small gift shop sells an assortment of nautically themed collectibles and gifts. Volunteer help is always needed.
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Jacksonville Museum of Modern Art
Take some time off for a visit to this museum because it's an educational and exciting trip down history. Get a glimpse into the world of modern art at the Jacksonville Museum. It is appropriately named after its permanent collection of artwork, which spans the entire 20th century. This non-profit organization tries to reach out to all sections of society - scholars, students, art lovers, and young people. Choose from exhibitions, collections, and awareness programs at JMOMA. The exciting and ever-changing schedule also has special summer programs, family programs, film programs as well as an art camp. Head to Café Nola for some yummy coffee and interesting conversations. This contemporary venue is also available for parties, dinners and other events. Entrance costs $6 for adults and $4 for seniors, students and military personnel.
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Jacksonville Museum of Science and History
Nicknamed MOSH, this museum overlooks the St. Johns River and is near the downtown area. Great fun and an educational experience for the whole family, it comes with its own planetarium. Exhibits include marine life, native Florida wildlife, local history, and the Holozone, full of interactive games and simulator rides. In addition, classroom activities and planetarium programs allow for hands-on, interactive fun. Don't miss The Living Room, MOSH's animal exhibit.
Admission is $6 adults, $4 children ages 3-12 and $4.50 seniors over 60 and military. More »
Jacksonville Zoological Gardens
The Jacksonville Zoo features lots of animals. Visit white rhinos, crocodiles, lions and more on a Plains of Africa tour. An overlook area allows visitors to observe elephants and giraffes. Native Florida wildlife is also featured, including the jaguar, endangered Florida panther and American alligator. There is so much to see here that you should allow an entire day to catch it all! Refreshments are available throughout the park.
Admission is $6.50 for children ages 3-12, $9.50 for adults and $8.00 for seniors over 60. More »
Karpeles Manuscript Library
Located off Main Street in downtown Jacksonville, this collection is billed as the world's largest holding of historical documents on literature, medicine, science, music and anthropology. Rare books and documents, some a century old, are made available to the public. The Library has seven different locations throughout the country, so it frequently rotates its historical exhibits before returning them to the archive; you can visit again and again without seeing the same documents twice. Admission is free.
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Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park
Soak in the fresh air at this oceanfront park, which features a 1.5-mile beach, nature trails, campgrounds, picnic areas, stocked fishing lakes and serene beaches. Lifeguards keep a watchful eye on swimmers and refreshments can be purchased at concession stands. The lakeside swimming area has fountains and squirt guns. Boating, canoeing, hiking and biking are available, while lakeside tables and grills provide the perfect spots to relax.
Admissions: Ages six and up $1; Under six are free. Campgrounds are $13.50/night. More »
Kingsley Plantation National Historic Site
Zephaniah Kingsley, one of Florida's more colorful characters, earned a fortune from slave trading, and in 1817 built what is now Florida's oldest standing plantation house. You can now see a variety of historic exhibits and the best preserved slave quarters in the nation—perhaps the most interesting part of the plantation. Made of "tabby" rock, a mix of oyster shell, sand and cement, the 23 buildings include one that has been fully restored.
Admission is free but donations are happily accepted. More »
Koger Gallery & Gardens (The)
Abundant natural and artificial lighting highlight display cases filled with delicate objects d'art featuring Chinese ceramics and Asian culture. The museum's inaugural exhibit, entitled The Chinese Potter: Artists of The Millennia, remains on permanent display. Works by other Chinese painters, as well as some American and English painters, rotate through the museum's collections. Check in with the museum from time to time for special events (such as weekend concerts), when admission may be free.
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Laurel Island Links
Laurel Island Links is a Davis Love III design located just thirty minutes north of downtown Jacksonville, in Georgia. Built along the banks of the Crooked River, this challenging layout with its natural beauty and detailed maintenance is a truly wonderful golfing experience. The large, undulating Tif-tiawan greens and wide receptive fairways combined with four sets of tees, make Laurel Island both challenging and enjoyable to every caliber of golfer. Nominated by Golf Digest for "The Best Public Course in America for 1997".
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Lightner Museum
Step back to the 19th century at the Lightner Museum in downtown St Augustine, the nation's oldest city, just 30 minutes south of Jacksonville. Beautiful exhibits include fine and decorative arts, unusual home furnishings, and Tiffany stained glass. The collections also include Victorian collectibles and costumes, and even mechanical musical demonstrations. The museum is in what was once the Alcazar Hotel, an historic landmark dating back to 1887 with a restaurant, the Café Alcazar, in the old massive swimming pool!
Admission: Adults: $8; Children 12-18: $2; Children under 12: free. More »
Little Talbot Island State Park
Nature lovers will undoubtedly fall in love with the peaceful seascapes at this state park; pristine beaches and unspoiled marshlands allow visitors the opportunity to enjoy the abundant wildlife up close. Sportsmen can fish either in the ocean surf or in tidal inlets, and beachgoers can spend the day surfing, sunbathing and swimming. The park also features a variety of hiking trails, picnic areas and campgrounds.
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Loves' Art Emporium
When you step through the doors of this emporium, you enter a world of unusual and beautiful gifts. Artist Thomas Kincade, 'The Painter of Light' is featured here and the shop also offers six levels of collectibles from miniscule to extravagant Hawthorne Villages, Nightlights, and plates with an array of backdrops, such as houses, city scenes, gardens, oceans and nature.
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Mandarin Museum and Historic Society
Mandarin is located about 20 miles south of downtown Jacksonville, Florida. This rural farming village on the St. Johns River captures a significant part of Southern history. It began as Timucua village site before being settled by Spanish missionaries. It served as an important colony for Spain and England. In the 1880s, it produced citrus and other crops that were shipped north to cities on steamboats that were called regularly to Mandarin's long wharfs. Several historic figures resided in Mandarin, including Harriet Beecher Stowe and Anna Kingsley. Mandarin was also the site of the wreck of the Maple Leaf, a Union steamboat that struck a Confederate mine in 1864. It lies near the park and is now a National Historic Landmark.
The Mandarin Museum & Historical Society is located in The Walter Jones Historical Park, Jacksonville's first historic park. The ten-acre park features an 1875 farmhouse, barn, outbuildings, sawmill, picnic area, wine cabin, riverfront boardwalk, dock, and a small boat ramp. The Mandarin Museum contains exhibits related to the history of Mandarin, including the Maple Leaf shipwreck, Harriet Beecher Stowe, and local artists. The Mandarin Museum & Historical Society also provides tours of a restored 1911 Mandarin Store & Post Office, located a mile from the museum, on the first and third Saturday. This building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Next to the store, is the 1872 Mandarin School, where the Stowes held religious services and helped to produce village plays. More »
Mandarin Park
Mandarin Park has acres of space and plenty of activities for the whole family. There are tennis courts, nature and bike trails, picnic shelters, three playgrounds, and open spots to throw down a blanket and soak up some rays. Try your hand at fishing off the small pier, or stop by the Visitors Center to browse interesting natural history exhibits. The park is easy to access from I-295 off San Jose Boulevard and Westburry Road in Mandarin. There is no entrance fee for the park.
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Marineland
This famous National Historic site, open for more than 60 years, was once an underwater filming studio. Today it is a 450,000-gallon aquarium for fish, dolphins, turtles and more. The Dive Marineland program offers you an opportunity to swim with hundreds of colorful marine creatures—scuba and snorkel gear is provided. Attractions include dolphin shows, underwater feeding shows, films and exhibits.
Admission: USD12 adults USD9.95 teens/students ages 13-17 USD8 children 3-12 Reservations are required for the Dive Marineland experience. More »
Matanzas Woods
One of the five courses at the Palm Coast Resort. Designed by Arnold Palmer, this course is tight with well-bunkered, rolling fairways. A very challenging layout. Matanzas offers a quiet and peaceful atmosphere as you play through a variety of cypress and pine trees. #18 offers a memorable par-5 finish to an "island" green.
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Mayport Naval Station
Jacksonville is home to Mayport Naval Station, the second largest aircraft carrier basin on the East Coast. Maritime buffs and military enthusiasts may tour the base and visit ships at no charge on Saturdays and Sundays. The base features some of the nation's most impressive aircraft carriers, frigates, and destroyers. It is located just east of downtown off Mayport Road (State Road A1A). Call for directions and to arrange your own tour.
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Metropolitan Park
It is difficult to imagine the skyline of Jacksonville without the much-loved Metropolitan Park, the riverfront park that has it all. It is home to the Jacksonville Jazz Festival each Fall, Independence Day fireworks every summer and a number of other musical events throughout the year. There is a playground for the kids, numerous picnic areas, manicured gardens and a sidewalk along the river for a scenic walk. Water taxis ferry folks from the opposite side of the river and private-boaters can pull right up to the dock.
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Mission of Nombre De Dios
Turn back the clock and soak up some fascinating history at Americas first mission, founded in 1565 in St Augustine. It was at this site that Menendez knelt to kiss the wooden cross presented to him by Father Francisco Lopez de Mendoza Grajales, the chaplain of his expedition, and here that Lopez celebrated the first parish mass and began his missionary work.
A bronze memorial to Father Lopez stands on the lagoon's eastern bank, along with the Great Cross, erected as a memorial of the Mission's 400th anniversary. Admission is free. More »
Morningside Living History Farm
Experience a taste of country living at the charming Morningside Living History Farm in Gainesville. It is located about a 90-minute drive southwest of Jacksonville and features guides dressed in period costumes, to show you what went on in a typical day on a turn-of-the-century plantation. Special events are held each Saturday, so you can learn hands-on how to make soap, syrup, applesauce, candles, quilts and cloth. Kids can interact with farm animals, and parents can browse a quaint gift shop. Handmade biscuits and cornbread with fresh butter and cane syrup are served after a long days work.
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Moultrie Creek Studios
Historic St Augustine is home to Moultrie Creek Studios' folk arts and sculptures. Local artists Gayle Prevatt and Enzo Torcoletti are among the artists that display their one-of-a-kind ceramics and multimedia imagery here. Artwork includes Mediterranean Majolica pottery, folk art, marble and stone carvings. Several of the pieces reflect themes taken straight from the St Augustine area. This is one of St Augustine's oldest privately owned galleries.
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Museum of Southern History
This small but informative 25-year old museum, located minutes from I-10 off US 17, celebrates both the history and culture of daily life in the South during the 19th century. There are artifacts and memorabilia from the Civil War, and from everyday Southern life, politics and fashion. Friendly staff can assist visitors who are interested in tracing the genealogy of Southern families, leading you through the extensive research library that features more than 3,000 volumes. A spectacular assortment of original military items is on sale in the museum's shop, called The Florida Depot.
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Nathan H. Wilson Center for the Performing Arts
This four-building complex includes a 530-seat proscenium theatre, studio theater, art gallery, conference center, music studios and labs for visual arts, media arts, computers and graphic design technology. An adjoining art gallery showcases the work of critically acclaimed artists, and works from the college's students, faculty and local members. See their website for further information.
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Nation's Oldest House (The)
Inside the coquina shell-and-limestone walls of this old Spanish house, the decor portrays three centuries and three cultures—Spanish,British and American—that have left their mark on the home. On a narrated tour, you'll get a look at the vast differences between present and past. If you are a reader of Eugenia Price's novels, you may find Maria's Room particularly interesting—it was described in her historical novel Maria. The house is easy to find in downtown St Augustine, and admission is $7 adults; $6 Seniors; $4 ages 6-18; no charge for children under 6.
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Oak Bridge Club at Sawgrass
Play where the champions play at the attractive Oak Bridge Club in Sawgrass, right in the heart of Ponte Vedra. Tee off amid wooded fairways surrounded by Florida's native palms; afterwards, retire to the upscale clubhouse. Golfing greats Arnold Palmer and Ed Seay recently redesigned the course's 18 holes, which now feature more than 6,000 yards at par 70. There are also 10 lighted tennis courts and an Olympic-size swimming pool. A clubhouse has golf and tennis pro shops, as well as handsome dining facilities. Greens fees are $68.90, including cart.
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Ocean Hammock Golf Course
Once every few decades a piece of land is made available for the creation of a golf masterpiece. In the case of Ocean Hammock, recently opened along Florida's northeast coastline between St. Augustine and Daytona Beach, the artist is golf course designer and legend Jack Nicklaus. This pristine parcel of oceanfront property is set amidst the dunes and natural landscape on Florida's northeast coast and features more ocean play than any other course on the state's east coast. Ocean Hammock is Florida's first oceanfront golf course since the 1920's. Six holes overlook the ocean, including a magnificent 468-yard, par 4 finishing hole. Lakes, dunes and forested terrain add to the challenge. Ocean Hammock's design and five tee options will entice golfers of all levels to play the course over and over again creating a different experience each time. "Ocean Hammock is very much a part of its coastal setting and the surrounding environment helps determine the overall character of the golf course", says Nicklaus.
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Old Florida Museum
This educational museum is just six miles off I-95 in historic St. Augustine. Explore Florida's pre-European past when Timucuan Indians inhabited the region. Get a feeling for what it was actually like to live and work in those times. Or imagine yourself during the Spanish colonial era, drilling holes with pump drills, discovering 18th century amusements or even hand-dipping homemade candles. You can pretend you're an old-time Florida pioneer, writing with actual feather quill pens in a true-to-life pioneer homestead.
Admission: $5 adults, $4 children 5-18. Free for children under 5. More »
Old St. Augustine Village
Situated between St. George and Cordova Streets in old St. Augustine, this old neighborhood may cover only one city block, but it also spans over 400 years of history. Part of the St. Augustine town plan in 1572, the block retains an archaeological record of a 16th-century hospital, a historic bridge, and a Spanish Colonial defense line. This was also the site of the reading of the Emancipation Proclamation that freed slaves in Florida in 1863. Today you can explore nine historic homes original to the site, built between 1790 and 1910, and follow up your history lesson wandering through the exhibit galleries tucked away in the lush courtyards and gardens there. Explore on your own, or take a guided tour; call before you visit to find out about any special, upcoming programs.
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Oldest Store Museum
This museum was once a social center and a general store at the turn of the century. Its enormous collection includes original old-time stock, guns, hardware, advertising art, and house wares. You'll get the feeling as you browse among the Model-T truck, a Conestoga wagon and steam tractor, all while a lively player piano kicks up a tune or two. It's located two blocks off US 1 in the historic district of St Augustine, and 30 minutes from Jacksonville.
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Oldest Wooden Schoolhouse
The Old School House is a national treasure said to be the oldest surviving wooden schoolhouse in North America. Built more than 200 years ago, it made its debut as a schoolhouse until 1788, when Spanish rule ended. Sturdy construction has enabled it to withstand the ravages of time—it's held together with wooden pegs and handmade nails!Animatronic robots are dressed in period costumes, designed to depict schoolmaster and students on a typical 18th Century day.
Tickets are $2.50 adults, $2 seniors 55 and older, and $1.50 children ages 6-12. More »
Olustee Battlefield State Historic Site
Olustee Battlefield is a beautiful, tree-filled historic site commemorating the largest Civil War battle fought in Florida. There is an on-site museum that offers many informative details about the battle and the area. In February, an annual re-enactment of the battle between the North and South is held. This includes a large festival, arts, crafts, foods and various vendors and exhibits. The re-enactment draws thousands of visitors each year.
It is located west of Jacksonville off of I-10, exit 45 to US 90, then west 5 miles. Admission is free. More »
Osprey Cove Golf Club
Osprey Cove is a magnificently groomed, links-style challenge on the Atlantic coast. Set among tidal inlets and pristine salt marshes, the course offers a fantastic panorama of natural beauty. In addition to world-class golf you can enjoy easy living in our gated community with clubhouse overlooking a double green and a vast field of marsh to the St. Marys River. Other amenities include tennis, pool and boat dock. Host site of the '93 and '94 PGA Tour Qualifying School, the Mark McCumber-designed Osprey Cove course has been rated 4 1/2 Stars by Golf Digest. "Outstanding ... Plan your next vacation around it ... Great value," are just some of the accolades received by the course in the magazine's 1996 "Places to Play."
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Pablo Historical Park
Children and adults alike enjoy this quaint park and museum, located in a restored railroad section, foreman's house, and post office from 1903. Guided tours of these historic buildings and the Beaches' railway are available. A highlight is the lovingly restored Locomotive #7, a 28-ton steam engine built in 1911 and housed in a small glass-enclosed building; visitors can view it from the outside or close up from the inside. A gift shop is located inside the Old Railroad Depot. Admission is free but donations are encouraged.
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Palm Harbor Golf Club
Designed by Bill Amick, Palm Harbor Golf Club is Ocean Hammock's most mature course. The 6,572-yard, par 72 course has narrow, bending fairways lined with palms, live oaks and pines. This beautiful and deceptively tough layout features 13 doglegs and demands accurate shots to its elevated greens.
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Pedestrian Gallery
This art gallery focuses on contemporary art and features Southeastern US artists. It sponsors numerous shows and exhibits and helps local artists establish careers. In addition, the gallery promotes education in the visual arts with its Regional Artist Workspace (RAW), a center that holds monthly classes on everything from drawing and painting to bookbinding and portfolio review, along with art programs for kids. It is a great way to appreciate the variety of local and regional artwork.
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Pena-Peck House
Built in the 1700s, this historic St. Augustine home first served as the headquarters for Juan Esteban de Pena, the Spanish Royal Treasurer. The house was later purchased in 1837 by Dr. Seth Peck, a New England transplant, who transformed part of the home into offices. The Peck family owned the home until 1930, when it again changed hands. Now run as a house-museum by the Women's Exchange, the Pena Peck House has rooms authentically furnished with both Spanish and New England antiques, offering visitors a peak into what life was like in colonial and 19th century St. Augustine.
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Pine Lakes CC at Palm Coast
Pine Lakes is the longest of the Palm Coast courses at 7,074 yards. This Arnold Palmer Signature design is a favorite of tournament players. A fixture among the rankings of Florida's best, Pine Lakes has hosted scores of professional and prestigious amateur events. Fortunately for big hitters, it can also be forgiving. There is water on half its holes and long-iron approach shots are not uncommon.
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Potter's Wax Museum
They're alive! More than 170 wax renderings collected at Potter's Wax Museum are on display: Hollywood stars, authors, scientists, artists, historic explorers and royalty. Potters was the first wax museum in the United States, and many years after its debut continues to offer both fun and education. Touring the "Chamber of Horrors" exhibit is optional. Potters has the only public real working wax studio. You'll also find a movie theatre presentation and a museum shop here. Admission is $8.95 adults, $7.95 seniors and $5.95 children ages 6-12.
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Queens Harbour Yacht and CC
With its unique contrasts between centuries-old oaks and scenic tidal marshes, Queen's Harbour is blessed with one of the most beautiful, natural sites in Northeast Florida. Queens Harbor is a private course with limited outside play in a gated community. The golf course, designed by Mark McCumber, opened in 1991 and has been widely recognized as a stern but eminently fair test of golf. Queen's Harbour has hosted such prestigious events as PGA Tour Qualifying School (1993 and '94), and the N.C.A.A. Division II National Championships (1994).
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R. Roberts Gallery
This gallery offers fine art, sculpture and professional framing services. Such well-known artists as Mackenzie Thorpe and Frederick Hart are featured, and the gallery boasts a large collection of sculptures by Hart. Local artists' works are also on display in a separate gallery. Custom-framing professionals can help you choose from more than 1000 frames and give you some nifty ideas on unusual framing of your treasured artwork. Contact the gallery for information on upcoming events.
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Ravine State Gardens
At Ravine State Gardens Park, nature lovers will find vast fieldstone terraces, rock gardens and cypress trees framing a breathtaking assortment of azaleas, palm trees and ornamental plants. On the nature trails, walkers can cross a suspension bridge through native Floridian flora and espy the crystal clear water of two natural springs. The park features jogging, hiking and biking trails in addition to the ornamental gardens. Meetings, weddings and special events are held in the park's civic center complex. Do not miss the impressive Azalea Festival, held each spring.
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Ribault Monument
This monument is on the north side of the city and can be reached from Spanish Pond, across St Johns Creek from Fort Caroline National Memorial Park and located on a high bluff overlooking the St Johns River. A wheelchair accessible terrace offers visitors a scenic view of the river and wetlands.
Ribault and his crew landed on the First Coast in 1562 and erected the original stone monument to commemorate the first-ever landing of Protestants on this foreign soil.
Admission to the monument is free. More »
Ringhaver Park
This nature preserve is soon to be renamed Ortega Preserve. It offers more than 500 acres of natural land on the banks of the beautiful Ortega River, close to Orange Park and the Jacksonville Naval Air Station.
Bike and nature trails wind through the park, which offers scenic picnic areas and spots to enjoy the surrounding wildlife. There is a huge themed play area for children, which includes pirate ships, sandboxes and jungle swings. There are also a few tennis courts and baseball diamonds.
Admission to the park is free. More »
Ripley's Believe It or Not! Museum
Housed in the historic Castle Warden, the St. Augustine Ripley's Believe It or Not! Museum could not have a more appropriate setting for its wonderful assortment of "unbelievable" items. Built in 1887, the Moorish Revival style mansion was built by the millionaire William Warden as a winter home. Robert Ripley became acquainted with the house after it was turned into a hotel a few years later by Norton Baskin and his wife, Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, the Pulitzer prize-winning author of The Yearling and South Moon Under. Ripley visited the hotel often, and he always thought it would make the perfect venue to display his fantastic collection, but it was not until after his death in 1949 that his heirs were able to secure the property for just this purpose. The museum has been open since December 1950 and can be visited 365 days a year.
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Ritz Theatre & LaVilla Museum
The Ritz Theatre is home to gospel and jazz, other entertainment and nightlife. Community theater and film are also featured. The neighboring LaVilla Museum has more than 11,000 square feet of exhibit space and is home to art and artifacts from several African countries, as well as photographs by Aaron Mervin, paintings, ceramics and other visual arts. Local African-American artists' works are featured each year during Black History Month in February at this cultural arts center.
Admission: USD6 adults USD3 children & seniors More »
River City Playhouse
This non-profit professional theater company specializes in children's theater with its Tot Theatre, geared for preschool kids through second grade. Hosting a year-round season of plays based on children's favorite stories and fairy tales, from Snow White to Rumpelstiltskin and Goldilocks and the Three Bears, the Playhouse is also home to an Educational Theatre program presenting curriculum or issue-related plays for all grade levels.
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Riverwalk
This charming riverside dining and entertainment boardwalk is a popular riverfront meeting place for locals and visitors alike. You will find 1.2 miles of restaurants, bars, shops, museums, and a marina. Riverwalk is linked to area hotels, including the Royal St. Augustine Golf & CC
Introducing North Florida's newest championship golf venue. Royal St. Augustine Golf & Country Club is a masterful creation of renowned golf course architect J. Christopher Commins. Rolling fairways, intense bunkering and scenic view from every perspective make for a superb day on the links. The facility boasts a fully equipped clubhouse, practice facilities.
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Saint Augustine Shores Golf Club
Sparkling lakes and landscaped fairways are par for the course at this 18-hole, par 71 public golf course in St Augustine. Architect Chuck Almony, Sr. has integrated the area's natural beauty with a challenging course dotted with hazards, greens and bunkers. A lighted driving range and practice facility feature natural turf, and golf lessons and clinics are available for new and experienced golfers. There is a pro-shop, restaurant, and bar. Rental clubs are available.
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Sally Corporation
This is definitely not your ordinary tourist attraction, although strangely enough it provides a necessary product for many Central Florida theme parks. Sally is one of the world's leading creators of animatronics (robotic) characters.
Guided tours take you to the production floor, art and programming areas, and end with an entertaining one-of-a-kind animatronics show. All tours are conducted on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9am to 1pm and last about one hour. You must call and make reservations.
All tours are free. More »
San Sabastian Winery
Although Florida is not famous for its wineries (this is one of six), the French Huguenots produced the first fermented beverages here on the state's northeast coast nearly 400 years ago. San Sabastian's grapes are grown and processed at the Lakeridge Winery in Clermont, near Orlando, but the final steps in production are carried out here. Visitors are welcome to tour the winery and sample the San Sabastian's dry, sweet and spicy wines. A small shop sells wine and accessories to visitors. Tours are free; call for tour schedule.
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Spirit of The Suwannee Music Park
Festivals and live entertainment events take place year round at this park, showcasing some of the major names in the music industry. It is home to the very popular annual "Suwannee River Jam."
In addition to great concerts and a music pavilion, there are picnic pavilions throughout the park as well as swimming, camping, canoeing, horseback riding, biking, skating and hiking. Located 80-minutes from Jacksonville, east on I-10 to the Live Oak exit. Admission for the day is $5 a car. Event and festival days vary; call for details. More »
Spring Park
This city park, located behind City Hall and less than a half-hour drive south of Jacksonville on the St Johns River, features a spring-fed pool, for which the town is named. There is plenty for children to do here, including a playground, picnic areas, and the pool itself, which remains a cozy 72 degrees Fahrenheit year-round. You can fish off the city pier, or just enjoy a romantic stroll by the gazebo with views of the river.
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St. Augustine Alligator Farm
When you come to Florida, stop by the Alligator Farm to get a look at the state's best teeth. Don't forget a camera. Educational shows feature the care and feeding of alligators and other reptiles throughout the day. It is listed as a Florida historic site.
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St. Augustine Lighthouse & Museum
Find out what it would be like to be a lighthouse keeper as you climb 219 steps to the top of this tower. Not only you see the working light, but you will also have a breathtaking, panoramic view of the surrounding St Augustine area and beaches. Your tour of the tower, the keeper's house and grounds is enhanced by exhibits and videos. This 19th-century tower is one of only six lighthouses in Florida open to the public;only 30 are still standing.
Admissions: Museum and Tower: USD7.50 adults, USD6.50 seniors, USD5.00 children 5-11 Museum and Grounds: USD5 adults, USD4 seniors, USD3 children 6-11. More »
St. Johns Golf & Country Club
This Clyde Johnston designed course winds through a pine forest and is dotted with water challenges. St Johns Golf & Country Club is located in the northwest corner of St. Johns County, Florida, minutes from Jacksonville, World Golf Village and St. Augustine. This par 72 18-hole championship course ranges from 5,286 to 7,236 yards. Architect Clyde Johnston designed St. Johns in the traditional Florida style, with tree-lined fairways and large fast greens that vary in undulation. This public course is part of the 820-acre St. Johns Golf & Country Club master planned community, which features 799 home sites, a family sports center, and a host of other amenities.
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St. Mary's Submarine Museum
Learn more about the history of these underwater craft, including the history of submarine use in the United States, at this museum in St. Mary's, just a short drive north of Jacksonville in southern Georgia. The museum displays a large collection of memorabilia, military models, photos, and even a maritime library. Browse through the gift shop for hats, shirts, gifts and submarine patches. Tours are $3 adults, $2 seniors over 60 and military, and $1 children ages 6-18. Children under age 6 are admitted free. Tour times vary according to group size. Call for details.
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Stellers Gallery
Tucked away in the charming old San Marco district, this spacious, airy, full-service gallery is home to works from regionally and nationally acclaimed artists. It represents more than 30 artists whose work encompasses a wide variety of styles, from realism to impressionism and abstraction. In addition, it sells original works, limited edition lithographs, serigraphs and antique botanicals and illustrations.
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Stephen Foster State Folk Culture Center
This 247-acre center on the historic Suwannee River honors the memory of Stephen Foster, whose "Old Folks At Home" is the state of Florida's official song. The site is located a short distance from the Georgia border and serves as a gathering place for lovers of crafts, music and early and contemporary Florida legends. The Stephen Foster Museum and the Carillion Tower, have interesting exhibits, along with rare pianos and priceless musical instruments.
Admission is $4 per car for up to eight passengers. More »
Suwannee River State Park
This beautiful, quiet park offers 1,800 acres of sandhills, river swamp, and hardwood hammock plant communities to explore. It is an ideal spot for fishing, canoeing, boating, or picnicking. You can stroll nature trails or visit historic sites: Columbus Cemetery, one of the oldest in Florida, an old steamboat landing, and earthworks built by Confederate soldiers during the Civil War. Open year-round, the park is approximately 13 miles from Live Oak.
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