As you’d expect from such an enormous city, Jacksonville is a thriving business hub with plenty to offer tourists, too. You’ll find plenty of historical and cultural attractions, while the nearby golf courses and sandy beaches offer an escape from big city life.
Works of art
A great place to begin your visit to Jacksonville is right in the heart of the city, on the north bank of St Johns River. Here in the historic Riverside neighbourhood, you’ll find the Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens. It’s home to an excellent collection of paintings from the US and Europe from over a period of 8,000 years, as well as some fine examples of Asian decorative art among its more than 6,000 exhibits.
When the weather is good – which is most of the time in Florida - you can explore the picturesque gardens outside the museum. They include ornate fountains, sculptures, lawns and the fabled Cummer Oak – one of the oldest trees in Jacksonville.
Once you’ve visited the museum and gardens, head out into the wider 5 Points district of Jacksonville to see some arty boutique stores and hip restaurants. This part of the city has a real bohemian vibe, so it’s the perfect place to browse for quirky souvenirs, antiques and other collectibles.
That loving feline
To the north of the city, not far from Jacksonville Airport, lies another of its most popular attractions, the Catty Shack Ranch Wildlife Sanctuary. A haven for endangered big cats, it’s home to lions, tigers, leopards and cougars, among many others.
The nightly feeding sessions are a noisy but exciting spectacle, as the cats roar at the prospect of devouring their dinners. Of course, these sessions are perfectly safe for visitors.
As a non-profit attraction, the sanctuary aims to raise awareness of the conservation issues surrounding its residents. This is a popular attraction among tourists so it's worth checking whether it's open when you're planning to visit, as visiting hours can vary.
Outside the ordinary
Few visitors will come to Florida without being tempted to visit a beach. There are plenty to choose from around Jacksonville - to the west of the city center you'll find a wide selection, including Atlantic Beach, which is ideal for swimming, surfing and snorkelling.
Further north lies Big Talbot Island State Park, a nature reserve that’s perfect for walking, bird watching and photography. You can also rent kayaks or take a guided paddle tour around the island.
The area is also well-known for its 'Boneyard Beach', found towards the north edge of the park. This eye-catching spot takes its name from the salt-washed skeletons of oak and cedar trees that used to live on the shore. It's a gorgeous spot to walk down, especially at low tide, and makes for some stunning photographs.
Still on the outdoor theme, if golf is more your thing, you'll find plenty of high-quality courses dotted around the city and its suburbs, many offering beautiful ocean views or riverside settings. All this and much more is within easy reach when you rent a car at Jacksonville Airport.
