Jacksonville travel guide

About Jacksonville

The Jacksonville Metropolitan Area, also called the First Coast, Metro Jacksonville, or Northeast Florida, is the metropolitan area centered on the principal city of Jacksonville, Florida and including the First Coast of North Florida. As of the 2020 census, the total population was 1,605,848. The Jacksonville–Kingsland–Palatka, FL–GA Combined Statistical Area (CSA) had a population of 1,733,937 in 2020 and was the 34th largest CSA in the United States. The Jacksonville metropolitan area is the 40th largest in the country and the fourth largest in the State of Florida, behind the Miami, Tampa, and Orlando metropolitan areas.

Places to visit in Jacksonville

1. 

   Jacksonville Beach

   Beach · 22 mi from centre

   The main oceanfront community east of the city, with a long sandy shoreline, a fishing pier, surf breaks and a lively strip of bars and seafood restaurants. Neighboring Neptune and Atlantic beaches offer quieter sand.

2. 

   Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens

   Museum

   A riverside museum in the Riverside area with European and American art and a notable porcelain collection. Its historic formal gardens along the St. Johns River are a highlight in their own right.

3. Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens

   Zoo

   A large zoo on the north side with African, Asian and South American habitats, a manatee area and extensive botanical gardens. Plan several hours to see the exhibits and the play areas for children.

4. 

   Riverside Avondale

   Neighborhood

   Historic neighborhoods along the river filled with early twentieth-century homes, oak-shaded streets and local restaurants. The Five Points area and the weekend Riverside Arts Market under a bridge add a creative vibe.

5. 

   Kingsley Plantation

   Historic · 24 mi from centre

   On Fort George Island, this preserved plantation includes a planter's house and the remains of tabby slave cabins. Park interpretation explores the lives of the enslaved people who worked there.

6. 

   Fort Caroline National Memorial

   Historic · 19 mi from centre

   A riverside site recalling the short-lived sixteenth-century French Huguenot colony, with a reconstructed fort and trails through the surrounding Timucuan Preserve. A good introduction to the area's colonial history.

7. 

   Little Talbot Island State Park

   Beach · 25 mi from centre

   An undeveloped barrier island northeast of the city with miles of quiet beach, dunes, maritime forest and salt marsh. Popular for shelling, birdwatching, kayaking and peaceful walks.

8. 

   Museum of Science & History

   Museum

   A family-friendly downtown museum on the Southbank Riverwalk with exhibits on regional natural history, science and a planetarium. It pairs well with a walk along the river.

Top experiences in Jacksonville

Tours, tickets and experiences you can book with Destina Holidays.

Shows, sports and special events

National Football League: Jacksonville Jaguars Football Game at EverBank Stadium

• 5 hours

From $259 per adult

Where to stay in Jacksonville

Popular hotels in Jacksonville, out of 213 properties you can book.

Southbank Hotel Jacksonville Riverwalk

• City Area

From $169 per night

DoubleTree by Hilton Jacksonville Riverfront

• City Area

From $161 per night

Doubletree By Hilton Jacksonville Airport

• City Area

From $182 per night

Red Roof Plus+ Jacksonville - Southpoint

• City Area

From $55 per night

Omni Amelia Island Resort

• Amelia Island

From $324 per night

Hampton Inn & Suites Jacksonville South - Bartram

• City Area

From $126 per night

Hyatt Regency Jacksonville

• City Area

From $184 per night

Home2 Suites by Hilton Fernandina Beach Amelia Isl

• Amelia Island

From $262 per night

Comfort Suites West Jacksonville

• City Area

From $118 per night

Red Roof Inn Jacksonville - Orange Park

• Orange Park

From $71 per night

Hilton Garden Inn Jacksonville/Ponte Vedra

• Ponte Vedra Beach

From $195 per night

Hilton Garden Inn Jacksonville JTB/Deerwood Park

• City Area

From $120 per night

Best time to visit Jacksonville

Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Jacksonville is April and November, when average daytime highs are around 75–83°F and rain falls on about 5 days a month.

Average daily low and high temperatures and days with at least 1 mm of rain, from recent weather records. Highlighted months are the most comfortable for sightseeing.

Jacksonville weather forecast

• Wed 11 Nov 77° 59° 6%
• Thu 12 Nov 78° 58° 2%
• Fri 13 Nov 69° 53° 0%
• Sat 14 Nov 64° 46° 0%
• Sun 15 Nov 71° 49° 1%
• Mon 16 Nov 65° 62° 22%

Know before you go

Currency

United States dollar (USD)

Language

English

Calling code

+1

Driving

On the right

Time zone

America/New_YorkUTC−5

Capital

Washington, D.C.

Upcoming public holidays in United States

• Wed 11 NovVeterans Day
• Thu 26 NovThanksgiving Day
• Fri 25 DecChristmas Day
• Fri 1 JanNew Year's Day
• Mon 18 JanMartin Luther King, Jr. Day
• Mon 15 FebPresidents DayWashington's Birthday

Banks, offices and some attractions may close on public holidays, and flights and hotels often fill up early around them.

Getting to Jacksonville

These are the airports closest to central Jacksonville. Compare fares into each one, as a slightly longer transfer can sometimes mean a much cheaper flight.

• NIP Naval Air Station Jacksonville5 mi (7 km) from the city centre
• CRG Jacksonville Executive at Craig Airport16 mi (26 km) from the city centre
• JAX Jacksonville International Airport18 mi (30 km) from the city centre
• NZC Maria Reiche Neuman Airport3148 mi (5066 km) from the city centre

Jacksonville travel FAQ