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Jacksonville Travel Guide
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| Jacksonville
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Situated in the great double loop of the St Johns River
and with long established lumber and coffee industries,
JACKSONVILLE, the largest city in the US – 841 square
miles – is suspicious of anything that might upset
its hard-working tradition. Pleasure seekers are expected
to stick to the beaches. Even the film industry, which came
here seeking a base in the 1910s, was scared off by the
religious zeal of the locals and settled in California instead.
The growing size of the white-collar sector has eased the
visual blight of years of heavy industry, and efforts have
been made to enhance Jacksonville's appeal by creating parks
and riverside boardwalks. However, the sheer size of the
city dilutes its character and makes it impossible to walk
around and get a real feel for the city.
To get an overview of downtown Jacksonville, take the Skyway
monorail (daily 6.30am–7.30pm; 35¢) from the
Convention Center to Hemming Park, a ten-minute journey
at eye level with the high-rise offices. One noteworthy
building on the north bank of the St John's River is the
Florida Theater, 128 Forsyth St. Elvis Presley arrived in
1957 for his first appearance on an indoor stage, an event
noted by Life magazine because a juvenile court judge sat
through the whole performance to ensure it wasn't too suggestive.
Crossing over to the south bank – try taking the River
taxi ($2 one-way; $3 round-trip) – you'll find the
Museum of Science and History, 1025 Museum Circle (Mon–Fri
10am–5pm, Sat 10am–6pm, Sun 1–6pm; $6),
with its hands-on exhibits and planetarium. Or, for a break
from the commerce and industry of the city, visit the Jacksonville
Museum of Modern Art, 333 N Laura St (Tues–Fri 11am–2pm;
$5), which has a permanent collection of modern art and
hosts traveling exhibitions. |
| Jacksonville
Travels & Tours |
Jacksonville Zoological Gardens
The Jacksonville Zoo features lots of animals. Visit white
rhinos, crocodiles, lions and more on a Plains of Africa
tour. An overlook area allows visitors to observe elephants
and giraffes. Native Florida wildlife is also featured,
including the jaguar, endangered Florida panther and American
alligator. There is so much to see here that you should
allow an entire day to catch it all! Refreshments are available
throughout the park.
Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens (The)
Opened in 1961, this museum and art education center has
handsome gardens with fragrant blooms, and peaceful, winding
walkways. The permanent collection focuses on the history
of art with exhibits spanning the eras from ancient times
to the 20th century. Temporary exhibits are also presented
throughout the year. It is located off I-95, approximately
five minutes from downtown.
Adventure Landing
You can play miniature golf, ride go-carts, play laser tag
and try your luck at the batting cages. There is also a
waterpark, complete with slides, wavepool and pirate-themed
play village. It's the perfect place to cool off and have
a great time on a hot Florida day. Attractions are pay-as-you-play.
Most "dry" attractions run about $5/play. Admission
to the waterpark is $13-$17, and season passes are available.
Opening hours and days vary, so call for more information.
Jacksonville Museum of Science and History
Nicknamed MOSH, this museum overlooks the St. Johns River
and is near the downtown area. Great fun and an educational
experience for the whole family, it comes with its own planetarium.
Exhibits include marine life, native Florida wildlife, local
history, and the Holozone, full of interactive games and
simulator rides. In addition, classroom activities and planetarium
programs allow for hands-on, interactive fun. Don't miss
The Living Room, MOSH's animal exhibit.
Marineland
This famous National Historic site, open for more than 60
years, was once an underwater filming studio. Today it is
a 450,000-gallon aquarium for fish, dolphins, turtles and
more. The Dive Marineland program offers you an opportunity
to swim with hundreds of colorful marine creatures—scuba
and snorkel gear is provided. Attractions include dolphin
shows, underwater feeding shows, films and exhibits. |
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