Jacksonville is a cosmopolitan and vibrant city in Northeast Florida with a lot to offer tourists. The downtown area is full of attractions, sporting venues, historic landmarks, awesome hotels and entertainment. Don’t know where to begin? Start with this guide.
Tour Local History on Foot
Colonial architecture is on display at the Thomas V. Porter House on North Julia Street in downtown Jacksonville. Among other historical mansions the Thomas V. Porter House, built in 1902, stands out with its front portico and Corinthian columns. This area of downtown Jacksonville is also home to dozens of galleries that support both new and established artists.
Explore Local Culture
Some of the city’s finest museums, MOCA and MOSH, are in downtown Jacksonville. The Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) has more than 1,000 art pieces on display, including paintings, sculpture, and photography. The Museum of Science & History (MOSH), just across the river from downtown, features interactive exhibits, the largest single-lens planetarium in the world, and explores Northeast Florida’s ecological history.
There are several hotels within walking distance of both museums. Omni Jacksonville Hotel offers affordable and well-appointed rooms, within walking distance of most downtown attractions. On the Southbank across the river, the Hampton Inn Jacksonville Downtown I-95 is another budget-friendly option.
Gather with Sports Fans
Sports fans can easily get their fix in Jacksonville, all year-long. Go online to get tickets to see the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars play at EverBank Field and be sure to get to the stadium early to tailgate with thousands of other fans.
There are two other sports arenas near Everbank Field, including the Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena, home of the Jacksonville Sharks Arena Football club and the Jacksonville Suns Baseball field. Book your event tickets when you schedule your vacation to make sure you get the best seats in the house!
Enjoy World-Class Entertainment
More traditional performing arts shows happen at the Times-Union Center and the Florida Theatre. The architecture of this historic Florida Theatre is almost as impressive as the acts that grace the stage. From superstars to ,
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