Jacksonville, FL

Provided by Visit Jacksonville

Welcome to Jacksonville, The Flip Side of Florida

If you had to sum up Jacksonville in a nutshell, it would be a boiled peanut: a secret recipe, an unexpected delight, and a reason to pause instead of passing through. Yes, we have 22 miles of beaches, year-round sunshine, world-class museums and all the special extras you’d expect from a city our size, but Jacksonville offers a different take on the basics. Sure, we get spring breakers – but you’re more likely to find breaking waves ridden by surfers, paddle boarders and pelicans. Picture a canopy of oak trees shading a historic neighborhood. Miles of waterways and marsh grass estuary where the St. Johns River meets the sea.

We’re a little bit country, and a whole lot of (Southern) rock ’n’ roll. We cheer loud and proud in our arenas and stadiums, but sports aren’t the only game in town. Don’t leave without trying our bakeries and cafés, our barbeque, breweries and distilleries. 

Throw a dart on a map of Florida, and you’ll likely land on a pretty beach, a theme park, a golf course or a crystal-blue swimming pool. But if you’re open to something a little different, you’ll find a slice of Florida that locals love. That’s Jacksonville, in a nutshell. And, like a good batch of boiled peanuts, it’s best savored when shared. 

Jacksonville, or Jax as locals call it, is the perfect destination to get lost in nature, explore the outdoors and recharge. Let our 840-plus square miles become your playground. Here, you can connect to nature by exploring uncrowded beaches, visiting remote preserves, hiking our extensive park system and going on a boat ride, as we have more waterways than any other Florida city.

The sunrises over Jax will easily be your most photographic memory – no filter needed. Once the sun’s up, walk down the 22 miles of beaches, where it’s always easy to find a place to lay your towel and even easier to find a parking spot. You shouldn’t leave Jax without taking a surfing lesson or renting a board for a day on the waves. Jax is one of the best surfing destinations in Florida. 

Want more water fun? The St. Johns River and Intracoastal Waterway are great for boating, kayaking and paddleboarding! We even have 30 offshore reefs, perfect for diving and fishing. Plus, with the largest urban park system in the country, you will never be more than 15 minutes away from a great hike, a fun bike ride or a run with incredible views. 

Jax is also a culturally rich city with historic architecture, worldclass museums, vibrant street art, one of Florida’s best craft beer scenes, a creative local food scene and thrilling sporting events. Plus, we host more than 20 outdoor festivals and events throughout the year, including the Jacksonville Jazz Festival, PorchFest, the GATE River Run, Springing the Blues, Jaguars games and so much more.

Experience the flip side of Florida at www.visitjacksonville.com.