Go Explore Jacksonville, Florida!
As a city that is home to one of our You've Got Maids franchises, Jacksonville, Florida is full of many attractions that will occupy you for days on end. From theme parks to intriguing museums, Jacksonville is brimming at the seams with entertainment for you and your family. We've gone ahead and compiled a list of our top ten attractions you must see on your next trip to Jacksonville, Florida.
Disclaimer: These are purely suggestions and not sponsored in any way.
Jacksonville's Top Ten
1. Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens
Address: 370 Zoo Pkwy, Jacksonville, FL 32218
Hours: Monday-Friday | 9am - 5pm
Saturday/Sunday | 9am - 6pm
You can't go wrong with a zoo, but you really can't go wrong when it's combined with beautiful gardens. It houses over 2,000 animals and 1,000 plants, making the Jacksonville Zoo & Gardens an all-day extravaganza. Take your entire family on a day trip to the zoo, and you'll be amazed at everything you can see. General admission to see the zoo and gardens is between $15-$20, but if you'd like to purchase a Total Experience Ticket that gives you access to the 4D theater, campground critters, and unlimited train and carousel rides, it's between $22-$29. (You can still purchase tickets to those exclusive attractions separately if you want to stick with a general admission.) Make sure to go to the Jacksonville Zoo & Gardens on your next trip to Florida!
2. Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park
Address: 500 Wonderwood Dr, Jacksonville, FL 32233
Hours: Everyday from 8am - 8pm (April-October)
Everyday from 8am - 6pm (November-March)
This beach and city park along the coast of Jacksonville has over 15 miles of walking and biking space. In or near the park, there are many trails and kids' parks to entertain all members of your family. If you'd prefer to stay on the beach, Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park is known for its wonderful surfing location. You can go fishing, kayaking, canoeing, and swimming in their 60-acre lake. The entrance fees vary depending on your method of transportation, but parking your car costs only $5. They have additional fees if you decide to stay on their campsite, and those range from $21-$34. Check this beautiful park out next time you decide to go to Jacksonville's beaches!
3. Museum of Science and History
Address: 1025 Museum Cir, Jacksonville, FL 32207
Hours: Monday-Thursday | 10am - 5pm
Friday | 10am - 8pm
Saturday | 10am - 6pm
Sunday | 12pm - 5pm
This non-profit organization is Jacksonville's most visited museum, displaying many local history and science exhibits. MOSH includes a planetarium, boat tours, homeschool days, and so many more unique components that contribute to Jacksonville's greatness. They provide you with the ultimate hands-on experience. Tickets to get in range from $12-$15, which is quite a deal for all that you have access to and get to see. Once again, this museum is fun for people of any age, since even the grownups have many things to enjoy at the Museum of Science and History in Jacksonville!
4. Friendship Fountain
Address: 1015 Museum Cir, Jacksonville, FL 32207
Hours: Everyday from 5am - 10pm
If you want to be able to tell your friends you saw one of Jacksonville's top attractions, then you should definitely head to Friendship Fountain. This magical site pumps thousands of gallons of water on schedule, which includes different songs and light sequences you can marvel at all day long. The best part is that it's completely free to visit, so this is something we highly recommend during your stay in Jacksonville!
5. Museum of Contemporary Art, Jacksonville
Address: 333 N Laura St, Jacksonville, FL 32202
Hours: Monday | Closed
Tuesday/Wednesday | 11am - 5pm
Thursday | 11am - 9pm
Friday/Saturday | 11am - 5pm
Sunday | 12pm - 5pm
The coolest thing about this contemporary museum is that some of its exhibits are constantly changing, as they have to keep up with their "contemporary" promise. MOCA also has permanent exhibits, of course, and they also include a children's play area for the young ones in your family to enjoy. From studio practice sessions to museum tours, Jacksonville's Museum of Contemporary Art has many cool events to top off their incredible displays of artwork. What's most exciting is that their entrance fees are very low, starting at only $5. For a five dollar bill, you can visit one of Jacksonville's best attractions, so don't forget to put it on your list of things to do in Florida!
6. Adventure Landing, Jacksonville Beach
Address: 1944 Beach Blvd, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250
Hours: Monday-Thursday | 10am - 10pm
Friday/Saturday | 10am - 12am
Sunday | 10am - 10pm
Your kids will go crazy for Adventure Landing. Right on Jacksonville Beach, this water park is guaranteed to keep your kids occupied and happy for hours on end, so don't forget to pack your sunscreen! If pools and water slides aren't really your thing, they also have land attractions, such as laser tag, mini-golf, go-karts, roller coasters, and so much more. Adventure Landing is just one giant ball of fun for you and your family, and it can be yours for the pricing listed here. There are a variety of day passes to choose from that let you customize which attractions you want to be admitted to, so be sure to check out their website for more information, and then pack your swimsuits for a fun adventure!
7. Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens
Address: 829 Riverside Ave, Jacksonville, FL 32204
Hours: Monday | Closed
Tuesday | 10am - 9pm
Wednesday-Saturday | 10am - 4pm
Sunday | 12pm - 4pm
The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens is home to over 5,000 art exhibits that span from 2100 B.C. to the present day, which is an historical incredible collection. Their gardens are unique as well, featuring creative sculptures, reflecting pools, fountains, and one of Jacksonville's oldest oak trees. The museum offers an educational program, known as Art Connections, which helps its visitors learn more about their art collections through interactive experiences. Admission into the Cummer Museum is between $6-$10, which is a good price for the value of your experience. If you love art, be sure to visit this spectacular museum when you next fly into Jacksonville for the weekend!
8. The Florida Theatre
Address: 128 E Forsyth St, Jacksonville, FL 32202
Hours*: Box office | Monday-Friday from 9am - 5pm
*Depends on showtimes
As one of Jacksonville's oldest theaters, the Florida Theatre was built in 1927 and is still functional today. They have movie showings every once in awhile, but they mostly have live events for comedians, kid-friendly shows, and generic entertainers. The ticket prices vary greatly, as a movie showing can be $7.50, while another ticket for a live show can be all the way up to $100. If you want to learn more information about the Florida Theatre, feel free to visit their website. This is a really neat, historic attraction that you should at least step foot into, so add it to your sightseeing list in Jacksonville!
9. The Catty Shack Ranch Wildlife Sanctuary
Address: 1860 Starratt Rd, Jacksonville, FL 32226
Hours: Monday/Tuesday | Closed
Wednesday | 6pm - 8pm
Thursday | 1pm - 4pm
Friday/Saturday | 6pm - 8pm
Sunday | 1pm - 4pm
Jacksonville's Catty Shack Ranch is quite literally a ranch for cats. This non-profit wildlife sanctuary is home to many large, exotic cats, such as tigers, pumas, lions, and cheetahs. Ranked as a #1 attraction in Jacksonville by TripAdvisor, the Catty Shack Ranch is happy to provide the public with tours to see what goes on in the life of rescuing exotic cats. Day tours are between $5-$10, and night tours go up a little in price at $10-$15. With these tickets, you can see all the animals, their feeding process, and the ins and outs of their daily lives. If you're an animal lover, make sure you visit this sanctuary during your stay in Jacksonville!
10. Riverside Arts Market
Address: 715 Riverside Ave, Jacksonville, FL 32204
Hours: Saturday | 10am - 3pm
Sunday-Friday | Closed
The only downside to this lively attraction is that it's only available on Saturdays, which makes it unique, special, and a must-see! The Riverside Arts Market offers hours of entertainment, including food vendors, local artists, and more. It's held under the bridge in downtown Jacksonville, so this secluded area makes you feel like you're participating in an off-the-wall event that no one else knows about. People set up booths all over, and you get to freely walk around to explore whatever you desire. Even though this only takes place one day of the week, it's great for all ages and completely free to get into. The Riverside Arts Market is something you definitely need to experience on your next trip to Florida!
Bonus: You've Got Maids
Address: 11234 San Jose Blvd Suite 6, Jacksonville, FL 32223
Hours: Monday-Friday | 8am - 5pm
Saturday/Sunday | Closed
We may be biased, but we think Jacksonville's best attraction is our own You've Got Maids franchise. For residents in and near the city of Jacksonville, Florida, they can enjoy our spectacular maid service. If you happen to not live in Jacksonville, then check out our list of locations to see the closest YGM to you. Now that you're confident in our business, click the button below for your free cleaning estimate, and we'll be happy to get started with you today!
