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Guide to Jacksonville, USA - Florida
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Click to go to Flight Prices for Jacksonville
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JacksonvilleSome say Jacksonville is the littlest sibling of the coastal cities in Florida, but a good number who've visited in recent years will agree to the fact that there is nothing you can't find here in larger-than-life form. Its trademark museum and zoo are nationally renowned and continually boast exhibits that stand among the best in the US. History is at the forefront of the tourist sector, with the oldest city to ever grace the American continent just a few miles away. Civil War reenactments are common in the city's parks, and at the official start of summer Jacksonville becomes crowded beyond reason with vendors doing everything short of throwing merchandise at bewildered vacationers. We must say that Jacksonville has a soft spot(s), however. Take a stroll downtown and you'll see restaurants of 5 stars and feel ant-like standing next to office buildings that would seem more appropriate as parts of New York's skyline, but the real silver lining (or should we say sandy lining?) are the city's beaches. One next to another, Mayport, Atlantic, Neptune and Jacksonville Beaches are among the cleanest of all of Florida, and the highlights don't stop there. Resorts do stop short of paradisiacal services, but beachfront hotels offer the full course when it comes to accommodations. If you're tired of the hassle associated with big-name destinations, maybe it's time to go the "other" route. Make Jacksonville your next vacation plan.
When to go:
Jacksonville is like any US city in that all seasons have their distinct characteristics here. Summers are hot if a tad sedated with rushes of Atlantic air that pass through town. Springs and summers are humid and see much more rainfall; winters are bearable - the city sees a great influx in travel during this time what with travelers escaping the continent's northernmost points for a warmer sanctuary. Snow does not fall here but you need to be quite determined to venture into the water.
Getting there and around:
Though much of the air traffic to northeastern Florida is reserved to Orlando International Airport, Jacksonville's own international center has grown its schedule immensely after modernism and expansion swept through the terminal. Jacksonville International isn't quite "around-the-corner" of the city's downtown area, but the 18 miles are easily conquered by shuttle bus or taxi. During off-peak hours the highways leading to the airport are free of gridlock, and getting to your hotel will take 30-60 minutes of your day. Jacksonville is far from compact, and with openness come transit issues. There's no better way to get around town than with a personal vehicle, and rates stay at very reasonable levels, apart from the spikes that occur when the 'spring break' crowd arrives.
Attractions:
If there was only one place we could recommend a visit to in the city, it would be Jacksonville Zoo. Exhibits run the entire wildlife kingdom, with native animals and birds from Florida's Wetlands, the African wilds and elsewhere. The snake is one of the zoo's specialties, but the top prize most definitely goes to the African Veldt, where up-close views of alligators, elephants and rhinos are possible. If you notify the Zoo weeks ahead of your arrival, you can obtain 'behind-the-scenes' access to animals' holding quarters, etc. Housed in the former residence of the Western Union Telegraph Company, the Jacksonville Museum of Modern Art transformed the bleak interior into festive network of galleries showcasing 20-century pieces. Along with the rooms reserved for artistry, there exists an annex known as the ArtExplorium that offers children immersion into technologically enhanced activities.
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