Top Things to do in Jacksonville, Florida
Jacksonville is the cultural and regional business center of North Florida. It’s a large city with nice beaches, impressive high-rises, and quaint neighborhoods. It’s also a vibrant destination with many museums, numerous cultural offerings, and a thriving arts scene. The downtown is also a lively center of activity.
A perfect year-round destination, Jacksonville also has a number of great accommodations to suit every traveler’s need. One of the best areas to stay is near EverBank Field, where you can find great accommodations. You’ll find several IHG hotels near EverBank Field. Whether you seek luxury, comfort, or convenience, IHG offers the perfect accommodations for a relaxing and pleasant stay.
From exciting sights to nice hotels, the city is truly a great vacation spot. Have an unforgettable stay with these top things to do in Jacksonville.
1. The Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens
The Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens is the largest fine arts museum in Northeast Florida. It’s home to a historic garden and a variety of art exhibits and installations. The museum holds one of the finest art collections, with nearly 5,000 objects in its permanent collection. The museum’s collection includes numerous American and European paintings as well as an excellent collection of early Meissen porcelain.
The garden, which is behind the museum, boasts 2.5 acres of beautiful scenery along the St. Johns River. The garden features several plants and huge oak trees, as well as pools, fountains, and sculptures. It’s a good place to stroll, and it’s also a perfect place to spend time with family.
2. Catty Shack Ranch Wildlife Sanctuary
An exciting thing to do in Jacksonville is taking a wildlife tour at Catty Shack Ranch Wildlife Sanctuary, which houses and rehabilitates big cats. The sanctuary is home to more than 40 animals, including tigers, lions, cougars, leopards, bobcats, and foxes.
Catty Shack is open for daytime and nighttime feeding tours on specific days. A guided tour is available for tourists interested in visiting the sanctuary and learning something about wildlife.
3. Little Talbot Island State Park
Little Talbot Island State Park covers a 2,500-acre island 17 miles of northeast Jacksonville. Some activities you can enjoy here include camping, fishing, hiking, swimming, canoeing, and surfing.
This state park features a large, beautiful beach that’s ideal for long walks. This is a great place for a tranquil getaway in Jacksonville.
4. Atlantic Beach
Part of the Jacksonville Beaches communities, Atlantic Beach is another destination you shouldn’t miss. This laid-back beach is just a short drive from several other activities and attractions, but Atlantic Beach is less touristy and located in a very quiet neighborhood.
5. EverBank Field
Home of the Jacksonville Jaguars NFL team, EverBank Field is an American football stadium located in downtown Jacksonville. This 76,000-seat facility hosts a number of football games and many concerts and events. The stadium even hosted Super Bowl XXXIX in 2005. For sports and football fanatics, the stadium is one of the top places to visit in Jacksonville.
These are just some of the places to see in Jacksonville. With a bustling downtown, stunning beaches, significant landmarks and parks, and extraordinary cultural and historical spots, you’ll really never run out of activities to enjoy in Jacksonville.