Ports of Call - USA - Florida - Jacksonville
Jacksonville & the Beaches offer a natural escape for the traveler seeking a decidedly different Florida vacation destination, and a Caribbean vacation has never been easier, now that JAXPORT serves as a home port for Carnival Cruise Lines.
History, culture, sports and nature intersect at a regional crossroads of southern charm and coastal cool. From the quiet solitude of Talbot Islands’ seaside wilderness to the boardwalk and nightlife of Jacksonville Beach, over 20 miles of stunning coastline provide ample opportunity for reflection or recreation. Jacksonville Landing is the entertainment hub of the urban core.
At the northern and southern borders, lavish hotels and resorts offer luxurious amenities infused with an historic old world flavor.
The most historically rich region in the state, Jacksonville’s Ft. Caroline marks the site of the earliest colonization attempt in Florida, Kingsley Plantation provides a glimpse of life on a cotton plantation, and the Ritz Theatre & La Villa Museum chronicle the significant contributions of the local African-American community.
Attractions include St. Johns riverfront, the World Golf Hall of Fame, the Jacksonville Museum of Modern Art in downtown’s historic Hemming Plaza, the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens, the Jacksonville Zoo & Gardens, Kids Kampus (a free downtown public recreational facility), and local chocolatier, Peterbrooke, offers daily tours of their chocolate factory.
Year-round special events are the Jacksonville Jazz Festival, Springing the Blues and the Sea & Sky Spectacular.
Photo courtesy Jacksonville & the Beaches CVB
Main attractions in Jacksonville include:
Beaches
Talbot Islands
Jacksonville Beach
St. Johns riverfront
Jacksonville Landing
Fort Caroline
Kingsley Plantation
Ritz Theatre & La Villa Museum
World Golf Hall of Fame
Jacksonville Museum of Modern Art
Hemming Plaza
Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens
Jacksonville Zoo & Gardens
Kids Kampus
Peterbrooke chocolatier
Jacksonville Jazz Festival
Springing the Blues
Sea & Sky Spectacular