Last updated: October 10, 2026.
Jacksonville anchors Florida’s northeast coast — Florida’s largest city by area, with Atlantic beaches, the St. Johns River, and easy escapes to Amelia Island. It makes a relaxed start or finish to a Florida road trip that ends at the Space Coast, about 2.5 hours south. See our Florida travel guide for the full statewide picture.
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✈️ Flights · 🏨 Hotels · 🚗 Rental cars · 🎟️ Tours & tickets
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1. Top Things to Do in Jacksonville
Book these top-rated Jacksonville and Amelia Island tours in advance:
- Amelia Island Guided Kayak Tour of Lofton Creek — from $65 Rated 5.0/5 from 402 reviews.
- Fernandina Beach CraigCat Boat Tour — from $135 Rated 4.9/5 from 411 reviews.
- Amelia Island Sightseeing Tour — from $59 Rated 4.8/5 from 344 reviews.
- Florida Kayaking Eco Tour with Master Naturalist Guide — from $55 Rated 4.9/5 from 160 reviews.
- Downtown Jacksonville Sightseeing Tour by Tuk-Tuk — from $114 Rated 4.9/5 from 74 reviews.
- St. Augustine Hop-On Hop-Off Trolley Tour — from $40.56: Narrated hop-on hop-off trolley through America’s oldest city with 22 stops near St. Augustine’s top sights. Rated 4.5/5 from 4144 reviews.
- Amelia Island Floating Tiki Boat Cruise with BYOB Option — Relaxed BYOB tiki-boat cruise along Amelia Island’s waterways. Rated 4.8/5 from 26 reviews.
- Amelia Island & Big Talbot Island Electric Bike Tour — from $115: Guided electric-bike ride through Amelia and Big Talbot Islands’ maritime forests and coastal scenery. Rated 4.9/5 from 190 reviews.
- San Marco Food Tour Culinary Journey in Jacksonville — from $125: Guided tasting walk through Jacksonville’s San Marco Square with multiple local food stops. Rated 5.0/5 from 3 reviews.
- Amelia Sunset Paddle at Talbot Islands State Park — from $69.88: Guided sunset kayak paddle through the Talbot Islands salt marshes. Rated 5.0/5 from 2 reviews.
🛰️ Browse more Jacksonville tours and attractions on Viator
2. Where to Stay: Top Hotels in Jacksonville
These well-reviewed hotels cover the main areas visitors choose — book early around major launches and events, when rates spike and availability tightens:
- Ponte Vedra Inn & Club (Ponte Vedra Beach) — AAA Five Diamond oceanfront resort in Ponte Vedra Beach with championship golf, tennis, a spa, and beach access.
- Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort & Spa (Ponte Vedra Beach) — Golf resort steps from TPC Sawgrass with four pools, the Sawgrass Spa, and a shuttle to the oceanfront Cabana Beach Club.
- Casa Monica Resort & Spa, Autograph Collection (Downtown St. Augustine) — Historic Moorish Revival landmark hotel in downtown St. Augustine with ornate architecture and a rooftop restaurant.
- Omni Amelia Island Resort & Spa (Amelia Island) — Oceanfront Amelia Island resort with golf, a full-service spa, pools, and a nature center.
- Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront (Downtown / Northbank Riverfront) — Downtown riverfront hotel with a rooftop pool, St. Johns River views, and Northeast Florida’s largest event space.
3. Getting to Jacksonville: Airports
Fly into Jacksonville International Airport (JAX) — ~20 min drive to downtown Jacksonville. The sole commercial airport serving Northeast Florida, north of downtown near the I-95/I-295 interchange.
✈️ Book flights to Jacksonville: Southwest · Delta · American · United · JetBlue ·
4. Getting Around Jacksonville: Rental Cars & Transit
You’ll want a car in Jacksonville — the city is huge, and the best day trips (Amelia Island, St. Augustine) are drives:
- Alamo, Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Hertz, and National — counters inside the JAX terminal
Save up to 50% on your Jacksonville rental car
Book in advance — restrictions may apply.
🚗 Compare rental car prices in Jacksonville on Booking.com — free cancellation on most cars, no prepayment needed.
Tip: book ahead during THE PLAYERS Championship week. Most major routes out of JAX are toll-free, though toll-by-plate can still apply on express lanes.
5. Best Time to Visit Jacksonville
Spring (March–May) and fall (September–November) offer the best balance of warm beach weather and thinner crowds. Summers are hot and humid but great for the beach; winters are mild, with occasional chilly snaps. The city’s big events — like the Florida-Georgia football game in late October — fill hotels fast.
6. Where to Eat in Jacksonville
Mayport shrimp — sweet, local, and best fried or in a po’boy — is the dish to seek out near the St. Johns River ferry. Riverside and Avondale offer the city’s most interesting dining rooms, from Southern comfort food to international kitchens. Beach bars at Jacksonville Beach do fish tacos and sunset views right.
- For honest, detailed restaurant reviews from a local, check out Monkey Vacations — new Central Florida and Space Coast reviews are added regularly.
7. Cruises from JAXPORT
JAXPORT is one of the best-value cruise departures in Florida — Carnival sails 4- and 5-night Bahamas cruises (Nassau, Princess Cays) from Jacksonville, often at the lowest fares in the state.
- Fly in the day before. Compare flights to Jacksonville (JAX); the cruise terminal is about 20 minutes from the airport.
- Stay near the port. Top hotels in Jacksonville — several offer park-and-cruise packages.
- Shore excursions. The bookable tours above cover Amelia Island kayaking and historic tours for your pre-cruise day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which airport serves Jacksonville?
Jacksonville International Airport (JAX), about 20 minutes north of downtown. It’s a mid-size airport with direct flights across the eastern US — easy in and out.
How far is Jacksonville from Kennedy Space Center?
About 160 miles (roughly 2.5 hours) south — best as part of a multi-day Florida road trip.
What is there to do in Jacksonville?
Amelia Island kayaking, the Cummer Museum, St. Johns River tours, and 22 miles of Atlantic beaches.
Is Jacksonville good for families?
Yes — beaches, the Jacksonville Zoo, and hands-on museums make it an easy family stop.
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