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Jacksonville Florida One Day Itinerary for First-Timers
This one-day in Jacksonville Florida itinerary is jam-packed with must-see sites and top attractions, including, Kingsley Plantation, Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens, Museum of Contemporary Art, Treaty Oak Tree, Southbank Riverwalk, and more. Jacksonville Florida is called “Jax” by locals and referred to as the “River City by the Sea”. Jacksonville is a great starting or end point to a road trip along the East Coast or throughout Florida. Don’t mistake Jacksonville as an airport city, be sure to allow at least one day in Jacksonville Florida. Spend time relaxing on the beach, checking out a museum, wandering historic neighborhoods and street art, eating fresh seafood, and drinking craft beer. There are 22 square miles of beaches in Jacksonville; the three main beaches are Neptune, Atlantic, and Jacksonville. You will also find sand dunes, tidal pools, marshes, oyster reefs, dolphins, lizards, manatees, and turtles. Looking for more options? Scroll to the bottom for additional things to do in Jacksonville Florida to supplement this itinerary. Have more time? Consider a visit to St Augustine Florida. It is possible to travel the world with limited PTO, here is how to see Jacksonville Florida in 1 day. Enjoy your time out of the office!
READ 10 Day US Coastal South Road Trip Itinerary: Myrtle Beach to St Augustine Florida
Jacksonville Florida One Day Itinerary
7 am Grab breakfast at Maple Street Biscuit and explore the San Marcos Historic District
9 am Tour Kingsley Plantation
11 am Visit the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens
Noon Photograph the Treaty Oak Tree and the Friendship Fountain on the way to Southbank Riverwalk
1 pm Have a quick lunch and take in the skyline views from the riverwalk
2 pm Wander downtown. Check out the Floridian Theater, make a quick stop at the Museum of Contemporary Art, view the sculptures at James Weldon Johnson Park, and buy a treat at
5 pm Stop by the Veterans Memorial Wall before taking a drive on the A1A down the coast for dinner
6 pm Take a walk at Atlantic Beach, Neptune Beach or the Jacksonville Beach Pier then enjoy dinner at Safe Harbor Seafood Market
Optional: Instead of taking a drive down A1A, enjoy the St John’s water taxi service
Things to do in Jacksonville Florida
Photograph the skyline from the Southbank Riverwalk
See the city from the water on the St. Johns River Taxi and Tours
Check out the 250-year-old oak tree at Treaty Oak Park
Take the free self-guided audio tour at Kinsley Plantation
Take a free ride on the Jacksonville Skyway
Sip craft beer on the Jax Ale Trail
Explore the Cummer Museum of Art and walk the gardens
Stop for lunch at Sweet Pete’s Candy
Browse the exhibits at the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA)
Check out the Florida Naturalist exhibit at the Museum of Science & History (MOSH)
Tour the city’s underground tunnels
Wander the murals in Downtown Jax
Take the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens walking safari
Browse the vendors at the Saturday Riverside Arts Market
Pay your respect at the Veterans Wall
Relax next to the Friendship Fountain and walk along the Riverwalk
Browse Chamblin’s Uptown independent bookstore
Eat fresh seafood at Safe Harbor Seafood Market
See the historic manuscripts, documents, and books at the Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum
Support endangered big cats by experiencing a night feeding at the Catty Shack Ranch Wildlife Sanctuary
Take a surf lesson at Jacksonville Beach
Head to Hanna Park for mountain biking, canoeing, or kayaking
Watch the sunrise at Boneyard Beach on Big Talbot Island
Take a horseback ride on the white sand beach at Amelia Island
Be sure to check the Jacksonville Florida Tourism Board for current events
Bookmark and Pin One Day in Jacksonville Florida
Plan Your Trip to Jacksonville Florida
Jacksonville Florida Travel Guide
Pick up a Florida Travel Guide from Amazon.com to browse on the plane.
Book Your Accommodation in Jacksonville Florida Now
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Jacksonville Florida Attractions and Day Tours
The best attractions sell out! Don’t chance it, get your tickets now and relax when you arrive.
Travel Essentials
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Have a great vacation!