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If you had to sum up Jacksonville in a nutshell, it would be a boiled peanut: a secret recipe, an unexpected delight, a reason to pause instead of passing through.
Yes, we have 22 miles of beaches, year-round sunshine, world-class museums and all the extras you’d expect from a city our size, but Jacksonville offers a different take on the basics. We’re a little bit country, and a whole lot of (Southern) rock n’ roll.
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 pool. But if you’re open to something a little different, you’ll find a slice of Florida that locals love. Don’t worry, you’re not flipping out. You’ve just never been to Jacksonville: the Flip Side of Florida.
Only in Jax food scene
Fresh seafood, southern and island flavors, local ingredients and decorated chefs all come together in Jacksonville – an innovative and delicious food scene unlike anywhere else in Florida. From elegant bistros to casual waterfront fish camps and everything in-between, Jacksonville’s food scene is an eclectic hybrid of inspired casual elegance and classic southern comfort - no jacket required. The local culinary seafood staple is the Mayport shrimp, caught by generations of Jacksonville shrimpers at the historic Mayport Village. Ask for it at fish camps, taco joints, food trucks and fine dining bistros across the city. Other highlights include:
- Jenkins Quality Barbecue: The best BBQ in Florida according to Southern Living.
- Mixed Fillings Pie Shop: The No. 1 spot for pie in Florida as ranked by Yelp.
- Silkie’s Chicken and Champagne Bar: Former Top Chef contestant, and Oprah approved, Chef Kenny Gilbert’s restaurant in historic Springfield.
- Blue Bamboo: General Mills’ Neighborhood to Nation contest winner Chef Dennis Chan’s award-winning restaurant.
- Prati Italia: Two-time James Beard: Best Chef South nominee Chef Tom Gray’s popular restaurant.
- Congaree & Penn: Dubbed the “poster child for sustainable agriculture,” this farm/restaurant/agri-tourism business supplies several local restaurants and breweries with its’ rice (the only rice paddy in Jax), apache + ouachita blackberries, figs, arbequina olives and more. It’s also home to the largest (and youngest) Mayhaw orchard in the world.
Jax Ale Trail
Jacksonville is one of the top beer cities in the U.S. according to Fodor’s Travel, with dozens of award-winning craft breweries located throughout the city. Collectively, these breweries make up the Jax Ale Trail. Created in 2014, the Ale Trail is a self-guided tour taking visitors to 20+ unique local breweries where they can earn a stamp on their Ale Trail Brewery Passport. Once completed, or when vacation is over, passports can be submitted to Visit Jacksonville for Jax Ale Trail swag.
Free music festivals
Outdoor music festivals are a popular attraction and Jacksonville hosts numerous each year. The best part? Many of them are free, including:
- Springing the Blues: A blues music festival that celebrates America's indigenous musical form and promotes support of the arts each April in Jacksonville Beach.
- Jacksonville Jazz Festival: The annual Memorial Day weekend event in Downtown Jacksonville showcases local talent and features big-name headliners like Patti LaBelle, Kem and Herbie Hancock.
- PorchFest: Dozens of bands perform on the front porch of houses throughout the historic Springfield neighborhood each November.
The city of parks
Jacksonville is a city of parks with more than 80,000 acres of green spaces including 10 State & National Parks and more than 400 City Parks and gardens. No matter where you are in Jacksonville, you are never more than 15 minutes away from the eco-adventure of a lifetime. Hike, bike, run, fish or camp at the parks.
Live the salt life
Jacksonville has more shoreline than any other city in the state with 1,100 miles of navigable water and 22 miles of relaxing beaches, each with its own unique personality and flavor.
- Atlantic Beach is the quintessential Florida beach community with a vibrant dining and nightlife scene, fun beach dive bars, boutique resorts and friendly family atmosphere.
- Jacksonville Beach, where four avid watermen created the popular Salt Life brand in 2003, is a nightlife destination with hotels and surf shops.
- Huguenot Park lets beachgoers drive on the sand and bring the party with them.
- Boneyard Beach at Big Talbot Island is a must-see with dozens of live oaks resting on the sand reminiscent of white skeletons.
- If surfing is more your style, Jacksonville is Florida's best kept secret for great waves. Take a lesson or rent a board and experience it for yourself.
