10 Best Things to Do in Jacksonville

Looking for what to do in Jacksonville? As the largest city by area in the continental United States, Jacksonville—or “Jax” to locals—is a sprawling, sun-drenched metropolis that masterfully blends vibrant urban energy with vast, unspoiled natural beauty. Straddling the broad, slow-moving St. Johns River and boasting 22 miles of white-sand Atlantic beaches, this Northeast Florida city offers a distinctly laid-back and spacious alternative to more crowded Florida destinations. With a rich tapestry that includes historic neighborhoods, world-class cultural institutions, protected wildlife preserves, and a rapidly ascending food and craft brewery scene, Jacksonville provides a year-round playground for outdoor adventurers, history buffs, families, and urban explorers alike.

From scenic riverfront boardwalks and eclectic historic districts to immersive museums, pristine nature preserves, and coastal spots perfect for swimming, surfing, or simply soaking up the Florida sun, here are the 10 best things to do in Jacksonville to help you plan the perfect trip to this dynamic and ever-surprising city.

1. Relax at Jacksonville Beach and the Beaches Towns

The Atlantic Ocean is Jacksonville’s front yard, and the heart of that coastal access is the vibrant community of Jacksonville Beach. This is classic Florida beach culture at its best: a wide, firm sandy shoreline perfect for long walks, jogging, or building sandcastles, coupled with gentle surf ideal for swimming and beginner-friendly waves for surfing. The iconic Jacksonville Beach Pier stretches 1,320 feet into the ocean, a favorite spot for anglers and sightseers offering panoramic views of the coast.

But the experience extends beyond the sand. The adjacent town pulses with a casual, energetic vibe, featuring a grid of streets lined with surf shops, quirky boutiques, beachfront bars serving frozen cocktails, and excellent seafood restaurants where you can dine with your toes in the sand. For a broader exploration, visit the neighboring beach towns of Neptune Beach and Atlantic Beach, which offer a slightly quieter, more residential charm with their own collection of excellent local cafes, bookstores, and community parks. A day spent here is a day immersed in the quintessential, sunny, salt-air lifestyle that defines coastal Florida.

2. Visit the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens

Consistently ranked among the top zoos in the nation, the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens is far more than an animal park; it’s an immersive journey through global ecosystems, seamlessly integrated with stunning botanical displays. Located on the picturesque Trout River, the zoo is home to over 2,000 rare and exotic animals and 1,000 species of plants. Its exhibits are renowned for their innovative, naturalistic design.

Highlights include the breathtaking Range of the Jaguar, a multi-award-winning exhibit that transports you to a Central American rainforest, complete with Mayan temple ruins and a cascading waterfall. The Land of the Tiger features a unique trail system that allows majestic Amur tigers to walk directly over the heads of visitors. The African Forest offers close encounters with gorillas, mandrills, and meerkats. Beyond the animals, the beautifully landscaped gardens provide shaded respite, while interactive elements like the giraffe feeding platform, stingray touch tank, and splash park make it an unforgettable full-day adventure for visitors of all ages.

3. Explore the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens

For a dose of refined beauty and tranquility, the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens is Jacksonville’s premier cultural gem. Housed in the former riverfront estate of philanthropist Ninah Cummer, the museum boasts a remarkable permanent collection spanning from 2100 B.C. to the 21st century. Galleries showcase everything from ancient Mediterranean artifacts and European Old Master paintings to an exceptional collection of early 20th-century American art and contemporary works.

The true soul of the museum lies outside its walls. The historic Cummer Gardens, established in the early 1900s, are among the finest in Florida. These formal Italian and English gardens unfold along the St. Johns River, featuring elegant reflecting pools, antique garden ornaments, stunning oak alleys, and vibrant seasonal blooms. Strolling through these meticulously maintained gardens, with the downtown skyline as a backdrop, is a serene and visually stunning experience that beautifully marries art, history, and nature.

4. Walk along the Southbank and Northbank Riverwalks

The St. Johns River is Jacksonville’s defining geographic feature, and the best way to appreciate its scale and beauty is by strolling its paved, accessible Riverwalk system. The Southbank Riverwalk offers a spectacular, unobstructed view of the city’s sleek downtown skyline. This 1.2-mile promenade is lively with joggers, cyclists, and families, passing by the mesmerizing Friendship Fountain—one of the largest and most iconic fountains in the world when it was built—which puts on a colorful light and music show after dark.

Across the river via the charming John T. Alsop Jr. Bridge (or the river taxi) lies the longer Northbank Riverwalk. This path winds past historic districts, the Museum of Science & History (MOSH), and several parks. Walking both riverwalks, especially at sunset or in the evening when the city lights twinkle on the water, provides a perfect orientation to Jacksonville’s urban core and its intimate connection to the river.

5. Discover Riverside and Five Points

Step into the heart of Jacksonville’s local culture in the adjacent historic neighborhoods of Riverside and Avondale, with the bohemian commercial hub of Five Points at their center. This area is a treasure trove of architectural beauty, featuring one of the largest collections of Prairie School and craftsman-style homes in the Southeast, alongside stunning Colonial Revivals and Tudors. The tree-canopied streets are ideal for a leisurely walking or biking tour.

Five Points is the eclectic, beating heart of the district, radiating from a distinctive traffic circle. Here, you’ll find independent record stores, vintage clothing boutiques, cool coffee shops, art galleries, and some of the city’s most innovative restaurants and craft cocktail bars. The neighborhood is also ground zero for Jacksonville’s explosive craft beer scene, with beloved breweries like Bold City Brewery and Alewife offering tasting rooms and lively patios. Riverside embodies Jax’s creative, community-oriented spirit.

6. Explore Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park

For a one-stop shop for outdoor adventure, Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park is a 447-acre coastal paradise managed by the City of Jacksonville. This park truly has it all: a mile and a half of pristine Atlantic beachfront known for consistent waves, making it a premier destination for surfers; a serene, 60-acre freshwater lake (Hanna Park Lake) perfect for kayaking, canoeing, and fishing; and over 20 miles of shaded trails for hiking and mountain biking that wind through maritime hammocks and sand dunes.

The park also offers family-friendly amenities like a splash park, playgrounds, and over 300 campsites for both RVs and tents, nestled under a canopy of live oaks. Whether you come for a morning mountain bike ride, an afternoon surfing session, or a full weekend of camping by the beach, Hanna Park showcases the incredible, accessible natural diversity that makes Jacksonville unique.

7. Visit Fort Caroline National Memorial

Delve into the deep and complex history of North America’s early European colonization at the Fort Caroline National Memorial. This site commemorates the short-lived 1564 French Huguenot settlement, which represented the first Protestant colony in the New World and a direct challenge to Spanish claims in Florida. While the original fort is lost, a full-scale replica based on historical sketches provides a tangible sense of the small, wooden palisade that once stood here.

The memorial’s real power lies in its setting and its storytelling. Exhibits in the visitor center thoughtfully explore the interactions—and tragic conflicts—between the French settlers, the Spanish, and the indigenous Timucua people. Scenic trails lead through the lush, mosquito-rich landscape that the colonists would have known, down to the wide banks of the St. Johns River. It’s a place for quiet reflection on the ambitious, often brutal, beginnings of European history in Florida.

8. Explore the Timucuan Ecological & Historic Preserve

Escape into true wilderness just minutes from downtown at the Timucuan Ecological & Historic Preserve, a vast 46,000-acre network of wetlands, waterways, and forests protected in partnership with the National Park Service. This is Jacksonville’s natural crown jewel, offering unparalleled opportunities for kayaking through silent salt marshes, hiking to shell midden mounds left by the Timucua, and birdwatching for ospreys, roseate spoonbills, and bald eagles.

Within the preserve, the Kingsley Plantation on Fort George Island is a site of profound historical importance. It features the oldest surviving plantation house in Florida and the haunting, tangible remains of 23 tabby slave cabins arranged in a rare crescent shape. A visit here is a sobering and essential lesson in the area’s history of enslavement and the antebellum South. The Timucuan Preserve is not just a park; it’s a vital landscape where natural history and human history are inextricably intertwined.

9. Visit MOSH — Museum of Science & History

Spark curiosity at Jacksonville’s Museum of Science & History (MOSH), located prominently on the Northbank Riverwalk. This interactive museum makes learning fun for all ages with permanent exhibits that explore Florida’s natural wonders, the human body, and Atlantic Coast history. The Currents of Time exhibit is a standout, providing an engaging chronological journey through 12,000 years of Northeast Florida’s history, from the first indigenous inhabitants to modern day.

The museum is also home to the Bryan-Gooding Planetarium, one of the largest single-lens planetariums in the United States, offering stunning immersive shows about astronomy and space exploration. With constantly rotating traveling exhibits, live science demonstrations, and a dedicated area for young children, MOSH provides a perfect, air-conditioned escape that is as entertaining as it is educational.

10. Enjoy Jacksonville’s Food and Brewery Scene

Jacksonville’s culinary identity has undergone a thrilling renaissance, evolving from a simple Southern and seafood town into a diverse gastronomic destination. Of course, you must sample the fresh coastal bounty—think Mayport shrimp, blue crab, and locally caught fish, served in settings ranging from rustic fish camps to upscale waterfront bistros. Don’t miss the city’s unique take on the shrimp burger, a beloved local specialty.

The craft beverage scene is equally impressive. Jacksonville is now home to over 30 craft breweries, each with its own personality. From the sprawling facility of Veterans United Craft Brewery to the experimental taps at Hyperion Brewing Co., there’s a flavor for every palate. Neighborhoods like San Marco (with its charming town square) and the Beaches offer fantastic dining clusters. Whether it’s innovative Southern fusion, authentic international cuisine, or a perfect pint in a lively taproom, exploring Jacksonville’s food and drink offerings is a delicious adventure in itself.