Jax: attractions range from beaches to nature preserves

Florida’s city of Jacksonville, the 55^th largest in the US, has over 20 miles of coastline. So the beaches alone are a popular attraction. But it’s sometimes overlooked that the area also has the largest urban park system in the country. With more than 80,000 acres of designated land, including the 46,000-acre Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve, it’s easy to find getaways from city life. Five great places for the entire family to take a hike: Jacksonville Beach, the Jacksonville Riverwalk, the Kingsley Plantation, Fort Caroline and Hanna Park. The later is a combined beach-park attraction because it’s a 450-acre beachfront hideaway with an abundance of outdoor activities that include camping, mountain biking, tent and RV sites and fishing.

If your tastes run more towards driving on the beach, Jacksonville is one of the few places outside Daytona Beach where there’s a designated area for that activity. Visitors to the 450-acre Huguenot Memorial Park find incomparable wildlife watching in a place where motorists can park their car next to their favorite sun-soaking spot.

Water surrounds Jacksonville, making this city in Northeast Florida an attractive spot for fishermen who can choose between the deep seas of the Atlantic Ocean or the more mellow St. Johns River.  Full and half-day inshore and offshore fish expeditions are available, including some from Capt. Dave Sipler Sportfishing. He provides it all: reels, rods, tackle, bait and fishing license.

Golfers of all ages can find things to do here. Northeast Florida is home to 72 courses and the World Golf Hall of Fame. The later includes stunning golf courses, a museum dedicated to the sport, an IMAX movie and putting greens.

Many interactive exhibits are a highlight at the Museum of Science and History (MOSH), which says it welcomes visitors aged 1 to 101. There’s also a planetarium that is included in the price of admission (only $9 for adults and $7 for children 3-12).
The Jacksonville Zoo & Gardens has over 2,000 rare and often exotic animals and over 1,000 often unique plant species. There’s also a new Play Park and Giraffe Overlook.

Adventure Landing in Jacksonville Beach every Thursday invites parents and toddlers to participate in Teddy Bear Thursdays where children can create their own stuffed animals for $7.99. There are also coloring contests and other activities and a Wacky Worm Family roller coaster.

A variety of group tours are available with the latest offerings from TourJax, which gives visitors a choice of beach or scenic tours lasting anywhere form three to eight hours.

Jacksonville also boasts the world’s oldest operational skate park, Kona. The park features everything from concrete speed runs to extreme courses, and offers a challenge for every level of experience.

For a taste of the past, visit the Florida Theatre which on Sunday afternoons shows classic favorites. A star in early silent films, Jacksonville in recent years has seen a resurgence of films with movies such as “G.I. Jane” and “Devil’s Advocate” shot here.

The Jacksonville Maritime Museum offers scale model ships, paintings, artifacts and photographs related to maritime history. The price is right: it’s free.

For sophisticated shopping, the Avenues Mall has more than 20 stores exclusive to the area. It’s also Northeast Florida’s super-regional shopping center with more than 150 specialty shops and restaurants.

One of the city’s biggest events in November is the Jacksonville Light Parade when the St. Johns River is transformed into a sparkling cavalcade of holiday spirit as the area’s finest boats and captains put on their own parade down the river. Another noteworthy event in November is the Sea & Sky Spectacular when the US Navy entertains visitors with an air-show and ship tours.

A somewhat offbeat attraction is the Peterbrooke Chocolatier Production Center where visitors can sample chocolate popcorn, chocolate dipped strawberries and fresh baked cookies.

For those who want to sample classic southern standards, try Chew, a new downtown restaurant that offers fried green tomato BLT’s and Stone Mill Grits with Applewood Smoked Bacon and Cheddar Cheese. It’s become an “in” place so get there early.

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