25 Best Things to Do in Jacksonville: A Local Guide

Estimated reading time: 8 minutes

The best things to do in Jacksonville include Saturday mornings at Riverside Arts Market, evening shows at the Florida Theatre, a beach day at Hanna Park, and slow strolls through historic neighborhoods like Springfield, Riverside, and San Marco. I moved to Jacksonville in 2003 and have enjoyed so many of these things myself. This list comes from real weekends, not a brochure. Some picks are free. Some take a full day. All of them show you what this city is really like.

If you are thinking about living in Jacksonville, this list is also a simple way to test-drive different parts of town.

Riverside, Avondale, and the Riverfront

1. Shop the Riverside Arts Market

Every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., rain or shine, the space under the Fuller Warren Bridge fills with artists, farmers, makers, and food trucks. Admission and parking are free. From March through October, there is free yoga at 9 a.m. by the river. Check riversideartsmarket.org before you go.

2. Tour the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens

The Cummer sits right on the St. Johns River, and its gardens are worth the trip alone. The museum is closed on Mondays. Admission is free on the first Saturday of each month. Heads up: the museum lots switched to paid ParkMobile parking on September 1, 2026. See cummermuseum.org for current hours.

3. Spend an Afternoon in Five Points

Five Points is a small, busy corner of Riverside with vintage shops, local restaurants, and old brick storefronts. It is a few blocks from the river, so pair it with the Riverside Arts Market on a Saturday. Want to know more about the area? Read my Riverside neighborhood guide.

4. Browse the Shops of Avondale

St. Johns Avenue in Avondale has boutiques, home decor shops, and places to eat under big oak trees. Take the long way home and look at the houses. The 1920s architecture here is some of the best in the city.

5. Catch the Lights at Friendship Fountain

Friendship Fountain first opened in 1965 and came back in 2024 after a major rebuild. Go after dark for the light and music shows, weather permitting. Then walk the Southbank Riverwalk for a great view of the downtown skyline.

6. Picnic Under the Treaty Oak

Treaty Oak is a giant live oak on the Southbank that is hundreds of years old. Its branches spread across a whole small park. It is free, quiet, and one of the best photo spots in town. Grab something to go in San Marco and enjoy lunch in the peaceful setting.

Downtown Arts and Game Days

7. Walk the First Wednesday Art Walk

On the first Wednesday of every month, from 5 to 9 p.m., downtown fills with local artists, live music, and food trucks. The hub is James Weldon Johnson Park, and many galleries and businesses open their doors too. It is free and happens rain or shine.

8. See a Show at the Florida Theatre

The Florida Theatre opened in 1927 and still hosts concerts, comedy, and films. The ornate inside is half the fun.

9. Visit MOCA Jacksonville

The Museum of Contemporary Art faces James Weldon Johnson Park. It is easy to pair with Art Walk or a downtown lunch.

10. Go to a Jaguars Game

EverBank Stadium is in the middle of its “Stadium of the Future” rebuild. The Jaguars are playing at home in 2026 with about 42,500 seats. In 2027, home games move to Orlando while work finishes. The new stadium is set to open in 2028. Check jaguars.com for tickets and game-day rules.

11. Catch a Jumbo Shrimp Game

Minor league baseball at VyStar Ballpark is cheap, easy, and fun. The season runs spring through summer, and the park sits right next to the stadium district.

Historic Neighborhood Things to Do in Jacksonville FL

12. Stroll Springfield

Springfield has blocks of Victorian, Prairie, and Craftsman homes built after the Great Fire of 1901. Walk around Klutho Park, then grab food on Main Street. I live here, so I am a little biased. Learn more in my Springfield neighborhood guide.

13. Hang Out in San Marco Square

San Marco Square is a tight little hub of shops and restaurants built around a fountain with lion statues. See my San Marco neighborhood guide.

14. Eat Your Way Down Edgewood Avenue

Murray Hill has a laid-back main street on Edgewood Avenue with local restaurants, coffee, and a brewery. The side streets are full of classic bungalows. Read my Murray Hill neighborhood guide.

15. Stamp Your Jax Ale Trail Passport

Jacksonville has 20-plus local craft breweries on the Jax Ale Trail. Grab a passport at any brewery or use the Visit Jax app. Eight stamps earn you a free T-shirt and koozie. Details at visitjacksonville.com.

Beaches, Parks, and Trails

16. Spend the Day at Hanna Park

Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park has 1.5 miles of beach, a 60-acre lake, and more than 20 miles of trails. Entry is $5 per car or $3 if you walk or bike in. Veterans and active military get half off. See Hanna Park fees and hours.

17. Watch the Surfers at the Jacksonville Beach Pier

Walk out over the ocean and watch surfers below. Go early in the morning for the best light and the smallest crowds.

18. Explore Beaches Town Center

Where Atlantic Beach and Neptune Beach meet, you will find shops, restaurants, and the ocean just steps away.

19. See Where the River Meets the Ocean at Huguenot Park

Huguenot Memorial Park sits where the St. Johns River meets the Atlantic. You can watch ships head out to sea. Some parts allow beach driving. Check the city parks site for fees and rules before you go.

20. Walk Boneyard Beach at Big Talbot Island

Boneyard Beach is covered in bleached, fallen trees. Next door, Little Talbot Island State Park has a quiet beach and trails.

21. Learn the History at Kingsley Plantation

Kingsley Plantation on Fort George Island has the oldest standing plantation house in Florida and the tabby cabins where enslaved people lived. The site tells a hard and important story. Entry is free, and the grounds are open Wednesday through Sunday. Check nps.gov/timu for hours.

22. Hike Fort Caroline and the Timucuan Preserve

The Timucuan Preserve protects marsh, forest, and river views along the northside. Fort Caroline marks where French settlers built a colony in 1564. It is free and part of the National Park Service.

23. Wander the Jacksonville Arboretum & Gardens

The Arboretum has shady trails around a lake in the Arlington area. It is an easy nature fix without driving to the beach.

24. Visit the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens

The zoo mixes animals with big garden spaces on the northside. Check the zoo website for hours and ticket prices before you go.

25. Ride the Emerald Trail

The Emerald Trail is a planned 30-mile trail and park loop that will link 14 historic neighborhoods to downtown. As of 2026, about half is open, under construction, or in design. Start on the S-Line Rail Trail or the LaVilla Link.

How to Plan Your Jacksonville Weekend

Jacksonville is big, so group your plans by area. Do Riverside and Five Points on a Saturday. Save the beaches and Hanna Park for a full day. Pair Art Walk with dinner downtown or in Springfield. I am happy to help you see which part of town fits your daily life.

Things to Do in Jacksonville: Your Questions Answered

What are some free things to do in Jacksonville this weekend?

Riverside Arts Market, Treaty Oak, Friendship Fountain, the Riverwalk, Kingsley Plantation, and Fort Caroline are all free. If it is the first Wednesday of the month, go to Art Walk downtown.

What part of Jacksonville has the most to do in one spot?

Riverside and Avondale pack the most into a small area. You get the arts market, Five Points, the Cummer Museum, and the Avondale shops within a short drive of each other. Murray Hill is right there too.

How far is the beach from downtown Jacksonville?

Hanna Park is about 17 miles east of downtown. Plan on 25 to 40 minutes, depending on traffic and where you start.

Are the Jaguars still playing in Jacksonville during the stadium rebuild?

Yes, for 2026. The team plays at home with fewer seats this season. In 2027, home games move to Orlando, and the new stadium is set to open in 2028.

When is the Riverside Arts Market open?

Every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., rain or shine. It sits under the Fuller Warren Bridge at 715 Riverside Avenue.

Whether you have one Saturday or a whole year, this list of things to do in Jacksonville is a good place to start.

This content is for general informational purposes. Neighborhood preferences, commute times, amenities, housing availability, school assignments, and local conditions vary by location and can change. Buyers and renters should independently evaluate properties and areas based on their individual priorities. Equal Housing Opportunity.