Jacksonville
Jacksonville Beach
Atlantic Beach
Neptune Beach
Jacksonville is geographically the largest city in the contiguous 48 states. It is the hub of “The First Coast,” which encompasses a five-county area.
The town of Jacksonville was established in 1822 and named after General Andrew Jackson. By the time Florida achieved statehood in 1845, Jacksonville was an important port in the cotton and timber trades. During the mid-to-late 19th century, Jacksonville was billed as the "winter city in summerland" and became a haven for those seeking respite from colder northern climes.
Today Jacksonville has something to offer everyone: miles of uncrowded nearby beaches; ecological and nature-based excursions; world-class golf courses; top-of-the-line tennis facilities and other recreation; historical sites and architecture; sporting, gaming and cultural activities; unique shopping and dining; nightlife and entertainment; festivals and events; a riverfront festival marketplace and river cruises. And that is just the beginning. Last year Jacksonville hosted more than 5.14 million visitors.
Escape to the Jacksonville Zoo for the only walking safari in Northeast Florida, where you will encounter wildlife wonders and interactive experiences. A true family adventure, the Jacksonville Zoo is growing and changing daily, with over 1,000 rare and exotic creatures.
The Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens is the largest fine art museum in Northeast Florida. It is noted for Old Master and American paintings, beautiful formal gardens, and a renowned collection of Meissen porcelain. The national award-winning art education center enhances the cultural experience of more than 150,000 visitors annually.
Jacksonville is home to two professional sports teams, the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Jacksonville Suns. The Jacksonville Jaguars are the most successful expansion franchise in the history of the National Football League. Since entering the league in 1995, the Jaguars have been to the playoffs four times and played in the AFC Championship game twice. The Jacksonville Suns are members of the "AA" Southern League, affiliated with the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Suns play 70 home games from April to August at the new Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville.
Jacksonville's Beach communities occupy the land between the Intracoastal waterway and the sandy beaches of the Atlantic Ocean. Spreading from north to south along Highway A1A are Mayport, Atlantic Beach, Neptune Beach, and Jacksonville Beach.
Jacksonville Zoo
The Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens
Jacksonville Jaguars
Jacksonville Suns
Located between the Atlantic Ocean and the Intra-Coastal Waterway, you'll find miles of uncrowded, white sandy beaches. Perhaps this is why while hunting for the location of the Fountain of Youth in 1513, Ponce De Leon chose to step ashore at “30 degrees and 8 minutes latitude,” just south of current day Jacksonville Beach’s city limits.
When enterprising Jacksonville businessmen decided to develop a summer resort to attract tourists to the Jacksonville area, they chose the beach settlement of Ruby, destined to become Jacksonville Beach. They acquired acres of oceanfront property and divided it into lots. On November 12, 1884, thirty-four lots were sold for a grand total of $7,514.
The City of Jacksonville Beach and the small communities of Mayport, Atlantic Beach and Neptune Beach are ideally located for fun-in-the-sun vacations. With more than 20 miles of wide, white sandy beaches, these seaside towns offer great vacations for families and friends who seek cool ocean breezes, salt spray waves, or just the chance to relax and enjoy great seaside restaurants, nightlife, and shopping. During the summer, Jacksonville beaches host many festivals and offer numerous sea-related activities, including surfing, parasailing, swimming, fishing, and boating.
William Trotter Lighthouse Maritime Museum in Jacksonville Beach displays art of historic ships, Mayport ferry, lighthouses and Jacksonville waterfront scenes from the past. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
On Beach Boulevard, just east of the Intracoastal Waterway, is Jacksonville Beach's newest attraction. The park includes a water park with slides and a riverway, a go-kart track, miniature golf, laser tag arena batting cage, and an arcade with a wide variety of games.
Players-by-the-Sea has been staging quality theatre entertainment for the Jacksonville Beaches community and beyond since the 1960s. Here you can enjoy a Tennessee Williams tragedy or a comical musical review after sampling the fare at one of the many fine local restaurants.
Lighthouse Maritime Museum
Players-by-the-Sea Theatre
Adventure Landing
Accommodations in the Jacksonville area will be of all types – single family homes, condominiums and villas, cottages.
HIGH SEASON - June - August
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