When it comes to fun family attractions in Jacksonville, Florida, you have a lot of options. There’s the Jacksonville Nature Center, which has an interactive hedge maze and signs with plant species information. The Jacksonville Zoo is also nearby. The city is also home to many museums and attractions. Whether you’re a history buff or a culture vulture, Jacksonville is sure to have something to entertain your group.
Bird Island Park
This peaceful waterfront park boasts a variety of native birds, foliage, sculptures, and trails. You can walk or bike in the park, or take a hike through the hedged maze. Regardless of the season, you’re sure to find something to enjoy. And what’s more, the park is free.
Bird Island Park offers several trails, including one that leads to an elevated boardwalk. There’s also a gazebo on the waterfront and a play area for children. You can walk around the entire park three times for a mile. For those with kids, there’s a small stage with a labyrinth in the center.
If you’re looking for some more adventure, head to the Jacksonville Zoo. Kids under the age of 18 can visit for free in November. This zoo is also a good place to see rare birds. A visit to the Jacksonville Zoo or Gardens will give you a chance to see hundreds of species of birds.
There are also a number of places to visit in Jacksonville for families and nature enthusiasts. Near Ponte Vedra Beach, Bird Island Park is a popular spot for families, as it offers a number of family-friendly activities, including a branch of the library. There are also many ways to spend a day exploring the park, including bird watching, swimming, or just relaxing.
Located right on the ocean, this 450-acre park offers a variety of activities for the entire family. There are kids’ splash pads and a kid’s playground, while you can also take a bike or hiking trail, or even go kayaking. It’s also accessible to the public and has restrooms for families.
Big Talbot Island State Park
Big Talbot Island State Park is located on a coastal barrier island 20 miles east of downtown Jacksonville. Big Talbot Island is immediately north of Little Talbot Island State Park, which is also on the Atlantic coastal plain. If you’re looking for a great place to go for a day trip, Big Talbot Island State Park may be the place for you.
This state park features pristine beaches and rare geological formations. Old trees on the beach and a scenic four-mile trail make for a stunning backdrop. This park has limited parking, so you may want to plan your visit accordingly. Parking is $3 per day.
Big Talbot Island offers a boat ramp that offers access to the Intracoastal Waterway, Nassau Sound, and Atlantic Ocean. There’s also a kayaking concession, which allows visitors to take a guided trip down the creeks. This concession also offers guided kayak tours and canoe rentals.
Big Talbot Island offers a great environment for birdwatching. The habitat is rich with marsh and shore birds, including endangered wood stork. You can also see herons, osprey, and barred owls. Other wildlife in the area includes white-tailed deer and opossums.
Visitors can also take advantage of the 2,500-acre Little Talbot Island State Park. The park is a popular spot for kayaking and hiking, and its coastal trails are dotted with bird species. This park also offers canoe rentals and boat launch facilities.
Besides being a great place to visit, Big Talbot Island is also a cyclist’s paradise. It has several paved and unpaved cycling trails. Four miles of paved trail wind through maritime forest. Other trails, the Kings Highway and Jones Cut, offer off-road biking through live oak forests. Bicycles can be rented from numerous vendors on the island.
Museum of Science and History
The Museum of Science and History in Jacksonville is a private, non-profit institution located on the Southbank Riverwalk. It is the city’s most popular museum, with exhibits focusing on local history and science. There are also many educational programs for children and adults. Visitors can learn about the history of the city by viewing the museum’s numerous interactive exhibits.
The MOSH has been operating at its current location since the late 1960s. Originally chartered as the Jacksonville Children’s Museum, it later became the Jacksonville Museum of Arts & Sciences, which changed its name to MOSH in 1988. In the late 1980s, the museum underwent major renovations and expansions. The new building’s design draws inspiration from the surrounding landscape, rising from the edge of the water and the city to the north. The new MOSH will greatly increase the number of visitors it can serve.
The museum is open seven days a week. Children and adults can enjoy the museum’s daily events, which include planetarium nights, boat tours, and family yoga. The museum is a wonderful place to take the family if you’re visiting Jacksonville. There’s something for everyone at this museum, so even if you’re not a history buff, you’ll be able to find something of interest to you.
The Museum of Science and History is a nonprofit institution located on the Southbank Riverwalk. The museum is designed to inspire lifelong learning by combining local history with science and art exhibits. A highlight of the museum is the Bryan-Gooding Planetarium, which is one of the largest single lens planetariums in the world.
Moroccan Shrine Auditorium
If you are looking for places to visit in Jacksonville, consider a visit to the Moroccan Shrine Auditorium. This auditorium was built in 1985 and has been expanded several times. Today, the facility is used for conventions, wedding receptions, and conferences. You can also rent the auditorium for events or other occasions.
The Morocco Shrine Auditorium hosts concerts across many genres. You can check the schedule to see which concerts are being held at the venue. You can also use the seating chart to determine where to find the best seats. There are also a number of family-friendly events and concerts held at the venue.
The museum also features an acclaimed research library and a collection of art and memorabilia from different eras in history. The museum’s curators are always happy to share stories and information about the region they are representing. The museum also features exhibits of classical art and photographs from the antebellum south.
You may be interested in the history of Jacksonville. The city is home to many museums. The Museum of Science and History is one of the most fascinating places in the city. You can learn about the city’s early history and enjoy live performances. You can also take a planetarium show and watch a live animal event.
Another cultural destination is the Museum of Contemporary Art. The city has a vast waterway that makes swimming and surfing easy. The city also has many artisan cafes and shops. There are also theaters and art galleries.
Cummer Museum of Art
When you want to take in some beautiful artwork, you should visit the Cummer Museum of Art in Jacksonville, Florida. The museum was founded in 1961 by the late Ninah Cummer, who left her gardens and personal art collection to the museum. Visitors will have a great opportunity to explore a wide variety of works by renowned artists and master craftspeople.
The Cummer Museum is open Tuesday through Sunday, except for holidays and New Year’s Eve. Admission is free on Tuesdays. The museum is sponsored by VyStar Credit Union. Whether you’re a budding artist or have never painted before, the museum will provide the tools you need to express yourself creatively.
The Cummer Museum of Art and Garden offers a diverse collection, with works dating from 2100 B.C. to the present day. Works by famous artists such as Peter Paul Rubens, Winslow Homer, Whitfield Lovell, Norman Rockwell, and Thomas Hart Benton can be found in the museum’s galleries. You can also explore the fabled Meissen porcelain collection and stroll through the beautiful historic gardens.
The Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens is located in the Riverside neighborhood outside of downtown Jacksonville. The museum features close to 5,000 works of art and has a wonderful education center for children. With so many options for family outings and art education programs, you’re sure to find something to interest everyone.
Accessibility is another important component of the Cummer’s mission. The museum provides free admission to those with disabilities, as well as a wide variety of programs for children with disabilities. The museum’s programs include art workshops, arts education, and teacher training. The Cummer has even been recognized nationally as an accessibility leader.
