A true family adventure, the Zoo has something for everyone with over 2,000 rare and exotic animals and 1,000 varieties of plants. Whether you are a visitor to Florida’s First Coast or a lifetime resident, we invite you to experience the Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens through interactions with people, wildlife, and the environment.

Since 1914, the Jacksonville Zoo has supported wildlife conservation on a stunning riverfront landscape. Grown-ups and little ones alike will love feeding the giraffes at the African Overlook and watching the otters float along in the Wild Florida exhibit. The Zoo also houses an Australian Adventure, featuring colorful birds called lorikeets. Tigers roam overhead at the Land of the Tiger exhibit and Jaguars steal the show at their award-winning exhibit. During your visit, step onto the Zoo’s scenic Trout River dock. You might even spot a manatee.

Enjoy fine art and European-inspired gardens along the St. Johns River at the Cummer. Originally the home of art collector Ninah Mae Holden Cummer, the museum focuses on diverse, dynamic art and the beauty of nature. With an expansive, interactive children’s exhibit, the Cummer is the perfect attraction for art lovers of all ages.

The gardens are amazing!

Local artisans, craft makers, artist and local farmers gather every Saturday, rain or shine, from 10 am-3 pm under the canopy of the Fuller Warren Bridge for this outdoors market. The Riverside Arts Market, or RAM as the locals call it, offers unique entertainment with an unparalleled view along the St. Johns River. Enjoy art vendors, live music, food trucks, and free yoga at this community event.

This tiger-focused ranch has a conservation mission, often rescuing tigers and other big cats from inhumane captivity. Volunteers give tours of the ranch, providing the cats’ histories and detailed explanations of their operations. Buy tickets ahead of time for a night feeding. Watching the cats pace around their cages to tear into whole carcasses is an experience like no other.

This beautiful, oceanfront city park in Atlantic Beach, offers more than 20 miles of biking and hiking trails ranging in difficulty, it has an area dedicated to camping, a lake for fishing and paddle boarding, access for kayaking and miles of white sand beaches. Hanna Park is also home to one of the best surfing spots in Jacksonville.

Located on the Fort George Island marsh side, Kingsley Plantation plays a large role in Florida’s complicated history. The 1814 plantation house and its surrounding structures, all preserved by the National Park Service, shed light on a different era in the South. Make time to explore the unique tabby houses, built and inhabited by the Plantation’s slaves. You can take a self-guided audio tour or book a tour with a park ranger.

Friendship Fountain is located in St. Johns River Park (a/k/a Friendship Park), on the south bank of the river, just west of Main Street. When the park opened in 1965, the Fountain of Friendship (named at the suggestion of a Rotary Club member because one of the Club’s cardinal principles is friendship) was the world’s largest and tallest fountain, capable of spraying 17,000 gallons of water a minute to a height of 120 feet. Accentuated by colored lights at night, it soon became a popular tourist destination and local recreation site. This area allows for great views and photo spots of the Jacksonville skyline. Many monthly events also take place at the fountain each month.

The downtown Riverwalk is a network of multi-use trails and open space developments along both the north and south banks of the St. Johns River in Jacksonville, Florida. The roughly 2-mile Downtown Northbank portion travels from the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville into the Brooklyn district. The 1.25-mile Southbank portion connects local landmarks such as Friendship Fountain and Riverplace Tower. All along the riverwalks on both banks are spectacular views of the St. Johns River.

With over 1.2 million square feet of open-air shopping and 175+ retailers and 20+ restaurants, the St. Johns Town Center is Jacksonville’s shopping mecca. There’s everything from Target to Tiffany & Co. and something for everyone – whether you’re a savvy saver or a luxury lover. There are also five hotels inside the St. Johns Town Center, so you can shop till you drop.

Wetlands, marshes, bike paths and secret beaches, that’s the magic you’ll find at Big Talbot. Blackrock Beach and Boneyard Beach are the highlights, be sure to enjoy a guided kayak tour or go for a hike.

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Florida Theatre is one of only four remaining high-style movie palaces built in the state in the 1920’s. It now hosts more than 200 annual events, everything from ballet and opera to contemporary pop, jazz, rock, country and blues concerts, this is a cultural and entertainment center in the middle of Downtown Jacksonville.

Enjoy a five-mile stretch of pristine shoreline amid a maritime forest. Little Talbot Island is home to dozens of native wildlife species. Fishing enthusiasts are likely to catch flounder, sheepshead, and more. Bring your binoculars for a chance to view birds of prey perched in the treetops or comb the shore for glistening seashells.

With more than 1,000 pieces in its permanent collection, MOCA encompasses one of the largest collections of modern and contemporary art in the Southeast. View paintings, installations, prints, sculpture, and photography by some of the biggest names in the visual arts.

Step aboard the USS Orleck, a restored Gearing‑class destroyer docked at Pier 1 along Jacksonville’s Northbank, and discover one of the most decorated ships in U.S. naval history. Visit this naval museum to learn more about the history of the ship.

Located where Atlantic and Neptune Beach meet, this quaint and relaxing shopping and dining hub offers some of the best shopping and dining in Jacksonville. Stroll through one-of-a-kind shops, beachy stores, art galleries and delicious dining options just feet from the ocean.

Located in the historic Arlington neighborhood, the Arboretum is by far one of the best hidden spots in Jacksonville. Great hiking trails, different ecosystems, wildlife, streams, and a beautiful and peaceful pond covered in lilies. The arboretum is pet friendly and a great outdoor spot for a family hike.

It's an oceanfront park and beach - all in one! What's special is that it's the only beach you can drive your car on in the Jacksonville area. Huguenot Memorial Park is a great place to head for a day of beach activity, birdwatching, kite surfing and so much more. Located on Ft. George Island on the Northside of the city, it's easily accessible by the Mayport Ferry or Heckscher Drive. They also have onsite camping.

A visit to Adventure Landing and the adjoining Shipwreck Island Waterpark offers a full day (or more) of thrills and relaxation for families, young children and teens alike. Enjoy activities such as mini‑golf, laser tag arenas, go‑kart racing and an extensive arcade.

The Alhambra Theatre & Dining, located on Beach Boulevard, is the nation’s longest-running professional dinner theatre and was voted #1 Dinner Theatre in the U.S. by USA Today in 2025. Since 1967, it has offered Broadway-style performances paired with chef-crafted, themed dinners in an intimate setting, making it a top choice for a memorable night out in Jacksonville.

Sally Dark Rides, based in Downtown Jacksonville, designs and builds world-class animatronic attractions and interactive dark rides for theme parks and museums around the globe. Known for bringing characters like Scooby-Doo and Sesame Street to life, the company offers behind-the-scenes tours of its creative facility, giving visitors a unique look at how these immersive experiences are made. Tours must be booked in advance by calling 904-355-7100 or emailing reception@sallydarkrides.com.

Jessie Ball duPont Park in Jacksonville’s Southbank is home to Jacksonville's oldest resident, Treaty Oak. Named in the 1930s by a reporter’s fictional tale of peace treaties signed beneath its branches, the tree was preserved thanks to efforts by local groups and philanthropist Jessie duPont, whose foundation donated the land in 1964. The park was named in her honor in 1971, and preservation efforts continue today to protect this beloved landmark.