10 More Free Things To Do In Jacksonville
One thing you’ll probably never do is go bored in Jacksonville. With all the things there seem to be available to do in this city, the price tag for “fun” can start to get pretty hefty. Fear not, for not only is there lots of things to do—there’s lots of things to do for FREE. Here’s a second installment of “10 Free Things to Do in Jacksonville.”
1. Jacksonville Beach Seawalk and Pavilion
You don’t have to solely be a beach fan to love the Jacksonville Beach’s Seawalk and Pavilion. The Seawalk Pavilion extends over two blocks in the heart of Jacksonville Beach. Unlike lots of other pavilions and bandshells, this one is located directly on the beach. While the Seawalk is a cool place to visit on any given day, all throughout the year the Seawalk is a venue for an array of live music, food festivals, and parties.
The festival season usually starts mid-March with the Great Atlantic Seafood and Music Festival, and extends well through summer. Live music shows are put on throughout the summer, too. Other notable events at the Seawalk Pavilion include: The Moonlight Movies Film Series, The Smooth Sounds of Hot Summer Nights, and the Fourth of July Liberty Fest.
The Beaches Seawalk and Pavilion is located at 75 North 1st Street. For information on special events, visit www.jacksonvillebeach.org.
2. Friendship Fountain
If you like pretty views, then you definitely should take a trip down to Friendship Fountain. Known as one of Jacksonville’s most recognizable attractions, the Friendship Fountain was the world’s largest fountain when it opened in 1965. Recently, Friendship Fountain underwent a three-million dollar renovation. Included in this renovation was the installation of six light towers with computer-controlled, color changing floodlights.
Friendship Fountain is ideal in location, too, as it is located right on the Southbank. So, it is a nice place to pack a picnic and enjoy the view of the river, or to go hangout and watch the light show at night. Every now and then, you can catch a special event, too.
Friendship Fountain is located at 1015 Museum Circle. For information on Friendship Fountain, you can visit jaxfountain.com or COJ.net.
3. Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens
If you are an art lover who is free on Tuesday nights, then the Cummer Museum is the place to be. The Cummer Museum’s got three parts—the art, the gardens, and the education center. As far as the art goes, the Cummer has one of the finest collections in the Southeast, housing nearly 5,000 in its permanent collection. Moreover, the art collection spans from as early as 2000 BC, all the way up through the 21st century.
The Museum’s gardens on the other hand, spread over 2.5 acres, housing reflection ponds, arbors, and one of Jacksonville’s oldest trees. Alongside both the gardens and the art, the Cummer works to enhance the visitor experience by including a nationally recognized, interactive learning center.
The Cummer is free to anyone every Tuesday evening. For location and event information, visit www.cummermuseum.org.
4. Riverside Arts Market
The Riverside Arts Market, or RAM, has got a little bit of something for everyone. Every Saturday, more than one hundred artists come to showcase at RAM. Vendors include local artists, painters, jewelers, chefs, and designers. RAM also has an expansive Farmers Market, featuring local produce, artisan breads, and fresh cheeses. As if this wasn’t enough, there is an array of live performers there every Saturday, too.
The Riverside Arts Market is located on the Northbank, below the Fuller Warren Bridge. RAM runs every Saturday from 10 AM to 4 PM. For more information, visit www.riversideartsmarketcom
5. Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) Jacksonville
The Museum of Contemporary Art, or MOCA, began all the way back in 1920 as the Jacksonville Fine Arts Society. Since then, it has been incorporated into the Jacksonville Art Museum, accredited by the American Alliance of Museum, and now, stands as a nonprofit visual arts educational institute and “cultural resource” for the University of North Florida.
MOCA is dedicated to collecting and preserving modern and contemporary art. Today, MOCA has close to 800 pieces in their collection, and in the last few years alone, has created over thirty exhibits.
MOCA is free on Wednesday nights to the general public, between the hours of 5PM and 9PM.
The Museum is located at 333 North Laura Street. For information about upcoming exhibits, please visit www.mocajacksonville.org.
6. Little Talbot Island State Park
For the nature-lover and the adventurer in all of us—this state park covers 2,500 acres of forests, dunes, and marshes. Little Talbot State Park is one of the few underdeveloped barrier islands in Northeast Florida, making it home to lots of animals and trees, and even more pretty sights to see.
There’s a lot to do at this State Park, too. Tidal streams make a great place to fish from. Rivers and marshes provide lots of space for kayaking. There are also nature trails and approximately five miles worth of beaches that are the perfect place for a nice afternoon walk.
Little Talbot offers several amenities including picnic tables, restrooms, and camping facilities. They also offer tours and wildlife viewings. For information, please visit www.floridastateparks.org/littletalbotisland.
7. Fort Caroline National Memorial
If you’re a history buff, you’ll probably like this next stop. In 1564, Fort Caroline was established under René Goulaine de Laudonnière as a new territorial claim for the French, and a safe haven for the Huguenots. Fort Caroline ended up sacked by the Spanish, as the settlement came into conflict with the Spanish settlement in St. Augustine. Where the National Memorial Stands today is not where the original Fort Caroline stood, for the simple fact that its original location is unknown.
The Memorial encompasses almost 50,000 acres. On the premises, you can find a replica of the original Fort de la Caroline. There are other notable attractions to see on these premises, too. While not directly related to Fort Caroline, you also have the option to view the Kingsley Plantation, The Spanish Pond, and Cedar Point.
To plan your trip, visit www.nps.gov/timu.
8. Jaxsons Night Market
There’s nothing not to love about Jaxsons Night Market. This open-air market aims to celebrate locally owned businesses and entrepreneurs. Jaxsons Night Market is held on the third Thursday of every month, from 5:30PM until 9PM. At the market you can find local vendors, farmers, artisan craft makers, street food vendors, and a beer garden!
Jaxsons Night Market is located in Hemming Park downtown. For more information, visit their Facebook page, at https://www.facebook.com/JaxsonsNightMarket.
9. Ride the JTA Skyway
This is for those of you who are looking for cheap options to entertain children or those who love kicking back and looking at the beautiful skyline of Jax. The Skyway is a “people mover” ran by the Jacksonville Transportation Authority. Running on a two-way monorail track, the JTA Skyway serves eight stations around Jacksonville: five within the downtown core and LaVilla areas, and three across the river on the Southbank.
Trains arrive on an average of every three minutes. They run 6AM –9AM and 4PM-6:30PM. For information on the JTA Skyway, visit www.jtafla.com.
10. Jacksonville Baldwin Rail Trail
If you like bikes, and you like trail riding, then you’re bound to love the Jacksonville Baldwin Rail Trail, located just West of downtown. The 15-mile trail is paved, but surrounded by scenic uplands, wetlands, and pine flats. Most of the trail is covered by dense tree canopies, making the trial not only nice and shady, but also home to many species of hawks, tortoises, rabbits, and snakes.
Bikers, walkers, in-line skaters, and horseback riders are welcome along the Jacksonville Baldwin Trail. While there, you can also visit the Imeson trailhead and the Camp Milton Historic Preserve.
The Jacksonville Baldwin Rail Trail is located off of Brandy Branch Rd. For information and directions, please visit www.traillink.com/trail/jacksonville-baldwin-rail-trail.
Additional Articles:
10 Free Things To Do In Jacksonville
Article by Kristen Pickrell
You don’t have to solely be a beach fan to love the Jacksonville Beach’s Seawalk and Pavilion. The Seawalk Pavilion extends over two blocks in the heart of Jacksonville Beach. Unlike lots of other pavilions and bandshells, this one is located directly on the beach. While the Seawalk is a cool place to visit on any given day, all throughout the year the Seawalk is a venue for an array of live music, food festivals, and parties.
The festival season usually starts mid-March with the Great Atlantic Seafood and Music Festival, and extends well through summer. Live music shows are put on throughout the summer, too. Other notable events at the Seawalk Pavilion include: The Moonlight Movies Film Series, The Smooth Sounds of Hot Summer Nights, and the Fourth of July Liberty Fest.
The Beaches Seawalk and Pavilion is located at 75 North 1st Street. For information on special events, visit www.jacksonvillebeach.org.
2. Friendship Fountain
If you like pretty views, then you definitely should take a trip down to Friendship Fountain. Known as one of Jacksonville’s most recognizable attractions, the Friendship Fountain was the world’s largest fountain when it opened in 1965. Recently, Friendship Fountain underwent a three-million dollar renovation. Included in this renovation was the installation of six light towers with computer-controlled, color changing floodlights.
Friendship Fountain is ideal in location, too, as it is located right on the Southbank. So, it is a nice place to pack a picnic and enjoy the view of the river, or to go hangout and watch the light show at night. Every now and then, you can catch a special event, too.
Friendship Fountain is located at 1015 Museum Circle. For information on Friendship Fountain, you can visit jaxfountain.com or COJ.net.
3. Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens
If you are an art lover who is free on Tuesday nights, then the Cummer Museum is the place to be. The Cummer Museum’s got three parts—the art, the gardens, and the education center. As far as the art goes, the Cummer has one of the finest collections in the Southeast, housing nearly 5,000 in its permanent collection. Moreover, the art collection spans from as early as 2000 BC, all the way up through the 21st century.
The Museum’s gardens on the other hand, spread over 2.5 acres, housing reflection ponds, arbors, and one of Jacksonville’s oldest trees. Alongside both the gardens and the art, the Cummer works to enhance the visitor experience by including a nationally recognized, interactive learning center.
The Cummer is free to anyone every Tuesday evening. For location and event information, visit www.cummermuseum.org.
4. Riverside Arts Market
The Riverside Arts Market, or RAM, has got a little bit of something for everyone. Every Saturday, more than one hundred artists come to showcase at RAM. Vendors include local artists, painters, jewelers, chefs, and designers. RAM also has an expansive Farmers Market, featuring local produce, artisan breads, and fresh cheeses. As if this wasn’t enough, there is an array of live performers there every Saturday, too.
The Riverside Arts Market is located on the Northbank, below the Fuller Warren Bridge. RAM runs every Saturday from 10 AM to 4 PM. For more information, visit www.riversideartsmarketcom
5. Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) Jacksonville
The Museum of Contemporary Art, or MOCA, began all the way back in 1920 as the Jacksonville Fine Arts Society. Since then, it has been incorporated into the Jacksonville Art Museum, accredited by the American Alliance of Museum, and now, stands as a nonprofit visual arts educational institute and “cultural resource” for the University of North Florida.
MOCA is dedicated to collecting and preserving modern and contemporary art. Today, MOCA has close to 800 pieces in their collection, and in the last few years alone, has created over thirty exhibits.
MOCA is free on Wednesday nights to the general public, between the hours of 5PM and 9PM.
The Museum is located at 333 North Laura Street. For information about upcoming exhibits, please visit www.mocajacksonville.org.
6. Little Talbot Island State Park
For the nature-lover and the adventurer in all of us—this state park covers 2,500 acres of forests, dunes, and marshes. Little Talbot State Park is one of the few underdeveloped barrier islands in Northeast Florida, making it home to lots of animals and trees, and even more pretty sights to see.
There’s a lot to do at this State Park, too. Tidal streams make a great place to fish from. Rivers and marshes provide lots of space for kayaking. There are also nature trails and approximately five miles worth of beaches that are the perfect place for a nice afternoon walk.
Little Talbot offers several amenities including picnic tables, restrooms, and camping facilities. They also offer tours and wildlife viewings. For information, please visit www.floridastateparks.org/littletalbotisland.
7. Fort Caroline National Memorial
If you’re a history buff, you’ll probably like this next stop. In 1564, Fort Caroline was established under René Goulaine de Laudonnière as a new territorial claim for the French, and a safe haven for the Huguenots. Fort Caroline ended up sacked by the Spanish, as the settlement came into conflict with the Spanish settlement in St. Augustine. Where the National Memorial Stands today is not where the original Fort Caroline stood, for the simple fact that its original location is unknown.
The Memorial encompasses almost 50,000 acres. On the premises, you can find a replica of the original Fort de la Caroline. There are other notable attractions to see on these premises, too. While not directly related to Fort Caroline, you also have the option to view the Kingsley Plantation, The Spanish Pond, and Cedar Point.
Quote
Located at Fort Caroline National Memorial, the Timucuan Preserve Visitor Center hosts the exhibit "Where the Waters Meet." This exhibit showcases the richness of the environment in northeast Florida and how humans have interacted with this environment for thousands of years. The Visitor Center hosts a bookstore and information desk, and activities are available to do while exploring the exhibits.https://www.nps.gov/timu/planyourvisit/timucuanpreserve_visitorcenter.htm
To plan your trip, visit www.nps.gov/timu.
8. Jaxsons Night Market
There’s nothing not to love about Jaxsons Night Market. This open-air market aims to celebrate locally owned businesses and entrepreneurs. Jaxsons Night Market is held on the third Thursday of every month, from 5:30PM until 9PM. At the market you can find local vendors, farmers, artisan craft makers, street food vendors, and a beer garden!
Jaxsons Night Market is located in Hemming Park downtown. For more information, visit their Facebook page, at https://www.facebook.com/JaxsonsNightMarket.
9. Ride the JTA Skyway
This is for those of you who are looking for cheap options to entertain children or those who love kicking back and looking at the beautiful skyline of Jax. The Skyway is a “people mover” ran by the Jacksonville Transportation Authority. Running on a two-way monorail track, the JTA Skyway serves eight stations around Jacksonville: five within the downtown core and LaVilla areas, and three across the river on the Southbank.
Trains arrive on an average of every three minutes. They run 6AM –9AM and 4PM-6:30PM. For information on the JTA Skyway, visit www.jtafla.com.
10. Jacksonville Baldwin Rail Trail
If you like bikes, and you like trail riding, then you’re bound to love the Jacksonville Baldwin Rail Trail, located just West of downtown. The 15-mile trail is paved, but surrounded by scenic uplands, wetlands, and pine flats. Most of the trail is covered by dense tree canopies, making the trial not only nice and shady, but also home to many species of hawks, tortoises, rabbits, and snakes.
Bikers, walkers, in-line skaters, and horseback riders are welcome along the Jacksonville Baldwin Trail. While there, you can also visit the Imeson trailhead and the Camp Milton Historic Preserve.
The Jacksonville Baldwin Rail Trail is located off of Brandy Branch Rd. For information and directions, please visit www.traillink.com/trail/jacksonville-baldwin-rail-trail.
Additional Articles:
10 Free Things To Do In Jacksonville
Article by Kristen Pickrell