Jacksonville
Around Jacksonville
Photo: DXR · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Metro area · Florida · 1.8M people
Jacksonville
“Jax”, “Bold City”, “River City”
Where the river meets the sea and the sun never quits.
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Welcome to Jax! Whether you're here for the river, the beaches, or the football, you'll find a friendly, laid-back vibe. Grab some shrimp at Mayport and enjoy the sunshine!
Clubs for Jacksonville
No clubs for Jacksonville yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Jacksonville. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Jacksonville. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- EverBank Stadium Home of the Jaguars and host of the annual Georgia-Florida game.
- St. Johns Riverwalk A mile-long boardwalk along the river with views of downtown.
- Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens Art museum with 2.5 acres of riverfront gardens.
- Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens Large zoo with a wild Florida exhibit and a train ride.
- Museum of Science & History (MOSH) Interactive science exhibits and a planetarium on the Southbank.
- TPC Sawgrass Famous golf course with the iconic island green on 17.
- Outdoors Surfing and beach days at Jacksonville Beach
- Outdoors Kayaking or paddleboarding on the St. Johns River
- With kids Visit the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens
- With kids Explore the Museum of Science & History (MOSH)
- Evenings Bar hopping in Riverside/Avondale
- Evenings Live music at the Florida Theatre
- Locals love Beach bars and surf spots
- Locals love Riverfront parks and trails
Through the year
- The Players Championship March The PGA Tour's flagship event at TPC Sawgrass, famous for the island green.
- Jacksonville Jazz Festival April Free jazz performances in downtown's Metropolitan Park.
- Gate River Run March The USA's largest 15K road race, crossing the river via the Hart Bridge.
- Greater Jacksonville Agricultural Fair October A classic fair with rides, livestock, and fried food at the fairgrounds.
- Jacksonville Beach Sea & Sky Spectacular October Air show and beach festival with military jets and civilian performers.
Jacksonville has a humid subtropical climate with hot, humid summers and mild winters. The best time to be out is spring or fall. Best: Spring and fall are perfect: mild temps, low humidity, and sunny skies.
Talk like a local
- “Jax”
- Short for Jacksonville.
- “The Beaches”
- The beach towns: Jacksonville Beach, Neptune Beach, Atlantic Beach.
- “The River”
- The St. Johns River, a central part of local life.
- “Mayport”
- The old fishing village and harbor on the St. Johns.
Getaways
- Kingsland, GA Gateway to Cumberland Island National Seashore and St. Marys.
- Palatka, FL Historic river town with Ravine Gardens State Park and the St. Johns River.
- Brunswick, GA Jumping-off point for St. Simons Island and Jekyll Island.
- Gainesville, FL Home to the University of Florida and nearby natural springs.
Local flavour
Teams
- Jacksonville Jaguars NFL
- Jacksonville Icemen ECHL
- Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp MiLB (Southern League)
- Jacksonville Armada FC NPSL
- UNF Ospreys NCAA Division I
- Jacksonville Dolphins NCAA Division I
Eat and drink
- Mayport shrimp Fresh local shrimp from the historic fishing village of Mayport.
- Minorcan clam chowder
- Datil pepper sauce A signature hot sauce made from the datil pepper, a local staple.
- Firehouse Subs A popular sandwich chain founded in Jacksonville in 1994.
Where people go
- Beaches Jacksonville Beach, Neptune Beach, and Atlantic Beach offer miles of sandy shore and a surf culture.
- St. Johns River riverwalk A scenic promenade along the river, perfect for walking, biking, and enjoying the water.
- Historic neighborhoods Riverside, Avondale, and San Marco are known for their early 20th-century architecture, oak-lined streets, and local shops.
- TPC Sawgrass A world-renowned golf course in Ponte Vedra Beach, home of The Players Championship.
- Mayport fishing village A working waterfront with shrimp boats, seafood restaurants, and a laid-back maritime atmosphere.
Heritage and traditions
Jacksonville is proud of its riverfront city, its deep-rooted African American history and music, its military heritage, and its laid-back beach culture.
This time of year in Jacksonville
- Jaguars football Fall Tailgating and cheering at EverBank Stadium.
Say it like a local: “Fixin' to” — About to do something.
Festivals
- World of Nations Celebration May International festival with food, dance, and performances from around the world.
- Riverside Arts Market Saturdays Weekly market along the St. Johns River with local artists, crafts, and food trucks.
- Jacksonville Greek Festival September Greek food, music, and dancing at the Greek Orthodox Church.
- Jacksonville Irish Festival March Celebrates Irish culture with music, dance, and food.
- Jacksonville Light Boat Parade December Boats decorated with lights parade along the St. Johns River during the holidays.
Landmarks with a story
- Kingsley Plantation Historic plantation on Fort George Island, telling the story of slavery and freedom.
- Ritz Theatre and Museum African American arts and culture venue in LaVilla, preserving the neighborhood's jazz heritage.
- LaVilla Historic District Once known as the 'Harlem of the South,' a center of African American music and business.
- Basilica of the Immaculate Conception Historic Catholic church with stunning architecture, built in the early 20th century.
- Old St. Luke's Hospital Historic building, now a museum, one of the oldest hospitals in Florida.
Food traditions
- Datil pepper sauce A spicy condiment made from the datil pepper, brought by Minorcan settlers; a staple on local tables.
- Boiled peanuts A Southern snack, often sold at roadside stands, especially in summer.
- Shrimp boils Gathering with friends for a pot of shrimp, corn, and potatoes, often at the beach.
- Friday fish fry During Lent, many churches and community groups host fish fries.
- Grits and biscuits A Southern breakfast tradition, often served with shrimp or gravy.
Music and arts
- Lynyrd Skynyrd Southern rock band that formed in Jacksonville, with hits like 'Sweet Home Alabama.'
- LaVilla jazz heritage The neighborhood was a hub for jazz and blues in the early 20th century.
- Jacksonville Sound A regional R&B and soul music scene in the 1960s-70s.
- Ritz Theatre Historic venue for African American performing arts.
A little history
- 1822 City founded and named after Andrew Jackson.
- 1901 Great Fire destroyed much of the city, leading to a rebuilding boom.
- 1960 Ax Handle Saturday, a civil rights protest that led to desegregation.
- 1940s-1960s Growth of the naval bases made Jacksonville a military hub.
- 1920s Land boom and the development of the beaches.
Rivalries
- Georgia vs. Florida The annual college football game at EverBank Stadium splits the city.
- Jaguars vs. Tennessee Titans A heated AFC South division rivalry.
- Jaguars vs. Indianapolis Colts Another division foe that often decides playoff spots.
- Game day Tailgating at Jaguars games
- Game day Gate River Run
- Outdoors Riding the St. Johns River Ferry
- Outdoors Biking the Baldwin Rail Trail
- With kids Jacksonville Arboretum & Gardens
- With kids Catty Shack Ranch
Locals speak with a mild Southern accent, often dropping the 'g' in '-ing' words and using phrases like 'y'all.' The military and Northern transplants have softened the accent, but it's still distinctly Southern with a coastal flavor.
Only here
- The St. Johns River flows north, one of the few rivers in the US to do so.
- Jacksonville is the largest city by area in the contiguous United States.
- Home of the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp, a minor league baseball team with a unique name.
- The Gate River Run is the largest 15k race in the US.
New here? A few tips
- Embrace the heat: summers are hot and humid, so stay hydrated and use sunscreen.
- Learn to say 'Jax' for short – locals will know what you mean.
- Traffic can be heavy on the bridges, especially during rush hour – plan accordingly.
- Try the datil pepper sauce – it's a local specialty with a spicy kick.
- The city is spread out, so a car is essential.
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Part of Jacksonville area
Nearby
Every areaKingslandGeorgiaWhere the marsh meets the sea, and time slows down.StarkeFloridaPine‑scented roads and watermelon summers.FolkstonGeorgiaWhere the swamp whispers and the trains rollPalatkaFloridaWhere the river blooms with azaleas.BrunswickGeorgiaWhere the marsh meets the seaLake CityFloridaWhere the springs meet the river, and time slows down.GainesvilleFloridaGator country, cool springs, warm heartsWaycrossGeorgiaWhere the swamp whispers and the rails remember.
Jacksonville, FL. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.