While many people might be surprised to learn that Jacksonville is Florida’s most populous city, anyone who has visited the metropolis is well aware that it is one of the state’s most exciting and attractive areas. Miami is famous for its nightlife, and Orlando has its theme parks, but Jacksonville offers an eclectic mix of culture, recreation and family fun. Here are three things every Jacksonville journey needs to include.
The Museums
Fine art lovers will certainly fall in love with the Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens. Color and beauty abound in its three European-inspired riverfront gardens, while inside the museum walls, there is even more to behold, thanks to a collection of 5,000 works spanning the last 4,000 years. The city also supports the Museum of Science and History. Boasting one of the nation’s largest planetariums and numerous interactive exhibits, it’s a great place to get children excited about science and nature.
The Outdoors
With the nation’s largest urban park system, Jacksonville offers no shortage of places to hike, bike, bird watch or even simply spend a day outdoors. Of course, there also are numerous beaches that offer the best in swimming, surfing, sailing and sunbathing. Sportsmen and women of all ages especially enjoy deep sea fishing Jacksonville FL.
The Animals
Even the most hard-to-please kids will be delighted by the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens. The zoo houses thousands of exotic and rare animals, and its vibrant gardens display more than 1,000 varieties of plants. Kids especially enjoy the opportunity to feed the giraffes, as well as the remarkable display of jaguars. If they haven’t seen enough big cats, you might take them to the city’s Catty Shack Ranch, a rescue operation and sanctuary for tigers, lions and pumas.
If you’re visiting Florida, be sure to stop in Jacksonville. With all there is to see and do, you might spend your entire vacation there.
