Situated in the
northeastern portion of Florida, lies one of
the gems of the state and a popular vacation
destination: Jacksonville. Far from being
just an urban destination, Jacksonville
offers a unique vacationing experience
complete with beaches, natural attraction,
museums, wildlife exhibits and other tourist
attractions.
Shimmering beaches, golf courses to die
for, breathtaking state parks, intimate bed
and breakfasts and enough shops to make even
the most devout shopaholic faint, are some
of the reasons that Jacksonville, Florida is
a perfect vacation getaway. Whether you are
looking to get away from it all or just want
to soak up a few rays, Jacksonville has
something to offer everyone.
Jacksonville is nestled in Florida's
northeast region which is known for its
diversity. Featuring cool mineral springs,
breathtaking lakes, lush forests, and a
string of beaches, the Jacksonville area is
a beacon for those looking for a memorable
vacation.
In Northeast Florida beaches stretch for
more than 100 miles along the Atlantic
Coast. Some of the most popular beaches are
Amelia Island and Fernandina which consist
of approximately 13 miles of stunningly
beautiful beaches. If you enjoy surfing,
windsurfing, fishing and camping, Huguenot
Memorial Park is a great beach for these
activities.
Here are just a few more of the many
activities to be found in Jacksonville:
St. Augustine. St. Augustine is the
oldest city in America and was founded in
1565 by Pedro Menendez. One of the main
attractions of St. Augustine is the old for
that sits near the bridge of the lions. This
fort is centuries old and in great
condition. While walking through the stone
corridors and gazing the rooftop, which used
to boast of powerful cannons used to protect
the fort, one can get a glimpse of history
and almost imagine what it was like to live
at the fort during the height of its glory.
Guana River State Park. This 2,000 acre
preserve is a perfect spot for your family
to enjoy picnicking, biking, fishing and
hiking.
Anastasia State Recreation Area. This
bird sanctuary consists of 1,700 acres of
ancient oaks, five miles of beach,
spectacular sand dunes and tidal marshes
which are a perfect backdrop for camping,
picnicking, hiking, boating, swimming,
windsurfing and fishing. Here you can learn
to windsurf from the professionals and take
a canoe trip along the banks of Salt run.
Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens. The
Cummer museum features an award-winning
collection of classical art, traveling
displays, breathtaking riverside gardens and
a children's learning center.
Downtown. Downtown Jacksonville boasts of
the world-famous Landing, an intricate web
of shops and eateries where local
entertainment and special celebrations are
held. Also downtown you will find Alltel
Stadium, home of the Jaguars; Veterans
Memorial Coliseum where many events such as
circuses, concerts, and monster truck shows
are held; Wolfson park, home of the
Jacksonville Suns baseball team; and Met
Park, an amphitheater that plays home to
many concerts. Jacksonville also hosts the
Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra and Junior
Orchestra. And at the Florida Theatre you
can see many Broadway plays as well as shows
from stars such as David Copperfield and the
Nutcracker Ballet during the Christmas
season.
As you can see from these few examples,
there is no chance that you will get bored
on your next vacation getaway if you choose
Jacksonville, Florida as your destination.
From a round of golf to lazing away on the
beach or touring one of the many nature
preserves, the Jacksonville area has
something to please even the most finicky
heart.
