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
travel 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 big 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.
