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Typically eclipsed by neighbors resembling Orlando and Miami, many individuals don’t know simply how wonderful Jacksonville is. It’s the most effective locations to go to in Florida. There’s a lot to do on this stunning metropolis, and what’s extra, there are a lot of enjoyable, free issues to do in Jacksonville which might be nice for {couples}, households, and even solo vacationers.

The vacationer sights in Jacksonville are nearly infinite, and after dwelling right here for a yr, I used to be shocked to learn how many don’t value a dime. So, in the event you’re touring on a finances or simply need to save a buck or two, that is the town for you.

Greatest Free Issues To Do in Jacksonville

Not solely have I been a resident of Jax for some time, however I visited the realm for 5 years earlier than shifting right here. There are occasions when funds have been tight, and I’ve needed to get inventive with concepts for locations to go in Jacksonville. I used to be delightfully impressed to find that there are dozens of issues to try this are utterly free within the metropolis.

These are my favourite suggestions at no cost issues to do and locations to go in Jacksonville, Florida. Who doesn’t like a free and enjoyable time out?

1. Head to the Seaside

There are nearly infinite issues to do in Jax, however considered one of Jacksonville’s most blatant (and finest) free issues to do is to move east to the seaside. This metropolis has a few of the most superb seashores I’ve ever seen, and I by no means get uninterested in going.

The seaside cities in Jacksonville embrace Ponte Vedra Seaside, Jacksonville Seaside, Neptune Seaside, and Atlantic Seaside. Every one has one thing distinctive to supply, together with a alternative of eating places and the vibe; nonetheless, in relation to free actions, sunbathing doesn’t get any higher than on these broad stretches of sentimental, white sand.

Packing a seaside towel and enjoyable along with your favourite e book doesn’t value a factor, (and also you’re certain to get a pleasant little tan!).

Handle: Ponte Vedra Seaside, Jacksonville Seaside, Neptune Seaside, Atlantic Seaside

2. Riverside Arts Market

One other enjoyable, free factor to do in Jacksonville is to take pleasure in a day by the river with meals, music, and native crafts on the Riverside Arts Market. Taking place each Saturday from 10 a.m. to three p.m., come rain or shine, it’s the proper method to save a buck whereas nonetheless having enjoyable.

Situated on the north financial institution of the St. Johns River, beneath the Fuller Warren Bridge, the market is dwelling to loads of native distributors, reside music, and engaging meals. In fact, any purchases will value cash, nevertheless it actually doesn’t value something to admire artwork, people-watch, and benefit from the environment.

I attempt to make it as much as this market each Saturday; I discover one thing distinctive and funky each time I go to. It’s additionally an important outing for households.

Handle: 715 Riverside Avenue, Jacksonville, Florida 32204

3. Go Mountaineering

Though Jacksonville doesn’t have any mountains, it doesn’t imply it doesn’t have some nice mountaineering. Probably the greatest free issues to do in Jacksonville is to move out to the 46,000-acre Timucuan Ecological & Historic Protect.

I’m initially from Oregon, so mountaineering is mainly in my blood. When first I moved to Florida, I assumed I’d be leaving my mountaineering days behind. I used to be over the moon to seek out this beautiful, sprawling pure wonderland.

Stroll the paths as you discover the gorgeous marshland, surrounded by large oak bushes with hanging Spanish moss. There’s additionally an commentary tower with an attractive view of the estuaries – maintain an eye fixed out for native wildlife.

Handle: 12713 Ft Caroline Rd, Jacksonville, FL 32225

4. Go to the Kingsley Plantation

Plan a cease on the Kingsley Plantation on the identical day as mountaineering within the Timucuan Ecological & Historic Protect. It’s a dwelling historical past exhibit situated within the oldest intact plantation home within the state of Florida.

Admission is completely free, and the exhibit contains the plantation home, plantation gardens, a kitchen, a barn, and 20 completely preserved tabby slave cabins. There’s additionally an audio tour that gives you with the whole historical past of the plantation for these trying to discover out extra data.

It’s a humbling look again into the previous and is an effective way to study in regards to the tradition of Jacksonville.

Handle: 11676 Palmetto Ave, Jacksonville, FL 32226

5. Wander Via a Backyard

A must-see attraction in Jacksonville is the Jacksonville Arboretum and Botanical Gardens. At any time when I go to a giant metropolis, I at all times love strolling via an arboretum, and Jacksonville has one of the crucial beautiful grounds I’ve ever stepped foot in.

Known as the “hidden jewel” of Northeast Florida, these gardens cowl over 120 acres and provide 7 trails via 13 distinct ecosystems. You’ll stroll via forest and marshland, stroll round lakes, and revel in being dwarfed by large oak bushes.

This spot is good for these instances while you’re on the lookout for a little bit of peace and tranquility amongst nature. It’s considered one of my favourite spots in all of Jacksonville.

Handle: 1445 Millcoe Rd, Jacksonville, FL 32225

6. Go to a Free Competition

The sunny and heat climate of Jacksonville makes it the proper location for out of doors festivals – and lots of of them are free to attend. I’ve a calendar at dwelling of essentially the most enjoyable festivals taking place across the metropolis, and these are my favorites:

The Jacksonville Jazz Competition is held yearly throughout Memorial Day Weekend, and it’s utterly free! The four-day competition hosts a few of the most proficient jazz artists on this planet. Different free festivals embrace PorchFest, Springing the Blues, Jax Delight, and extra. Remember to seek for occasions held throughout your keep.

Handle: Varied areas

7. Go to the Seashores Museum

Situated within the coronary heart of Jacksonville Seaside, the Seashores Museum is at all times free to go to, and I am going right here each time I’ve guests. They’ve occasions, displays, and archives that take you thru the colourful historical past and tradition of the attractive seaside cities.

The factor I really like most about this museum is that it’s excellent for individuals of all ages, and also you’re proper by the seaside, so you may go for a swim after your go to. My favourite displays within the museum embrace “Tourism on the World’s Most interesting Seaside” and “Coastal Forest”.

Handle: 381 Seaside Blvd, Jacksonville Seaside, FL 32250

8. Stroll Alongside the River

The St. Johns River is the guts of Jacksonville, and it’s completely stunning. I by no means get uninterested in driving over the entire beautiful bridges and taking within the views of the town. Strolling alongside the banks of the river is a incredible method to see Daring Metropolis.

Whereas strolling alongside the south financial institution, make sure that to cease on the artwork set up referred to as “Mirrored River: The place Do You See Your self?”. It’s 64 toes of mirrors, tile, and pebbles that type a satellite tv for pc picture of the river. It’s completely gorgeous at sundown so I like to recommend heading right here in the direction of to finish of the day.

When on the lookout for free issues to do in Jacksonville, that is at all times considered one of my favourite choices.

Handle: Different areas – Artwork set up beneath the Predominant Road Bridge

9. Go for a Household Bike Journey

A lot of Jacksonville inns provide free bike leases, which is nice as a result of Jacksonville is dwelling to tons of bikeable trails which might be enjoyable to discover with the household. The most effective trails, for my part, are out at Camp Milton Historic Protect.

The blacktop path of the 14.5-mile Baldwin Path is just gorgeous. You’ll peddle down the path whereas being sheltered by a tree cover with the attractive oak bushes you discover throughout the south.

Pack a picnic as a result of the park provides loads of excellent spots to cease and revel in a fast chew earlier than persevering with with explorations.

Handle: 1225 Halsema Rd N, Jacksonville, FL 32220

10. Cummer Museum of Artwork and Gardens

Fairly probably the preferred museum in the whole metropolis, the Cummer Museum of Artwork and Gardens is likely one of the high vacationer sights in Jacksonville. Each the artwork museum and gardens are equally spectacular and are perfect for all ages.

Though they don’t provide free admission on a regular basis, the museum has six free admission days a month. The second and third Tuesdays, fourth Fridays, first Saturdays, and first full weekends of every month are utterly free.

The Cummer Museum is true close to the north financial institution of the river, with over 5,000 artworks, and overlooks 2.5 acres of historic gardens. It’s actually a particular expertise and is certainly price including to your itinerary.

Handle: 829 Riverside Ave, Jacksonville, FL 32204

11. Return in Time at Fort Caroline Nationwide Memorial

A go to to the Fort Caroline Nationwide Memorial is like touring again in time. Memorializing the short-lived French presence right here in Florida within the sixteenth century, there’s a lot to study and uncover right here. And, because it’s made it onto this record of free issues in Jacksonville, after all, it’s utterly free.

You’ll see tales of exploration, spiritual disputes, battles, and even the primary contact between American Indians and Europeans. I used to be in awe the whole time throughout my first go to. I had no thought this a part of Florida held a lot historical past.

When you’d prefer to discover with an audio tour, that’s accessible as effectively. Merely enquire upon arrival.

Handle: 12713 Ft Caroline Rd, Jacksonville, FL 32225

12. Get pleasure from Tranquility on the Castaway Island Protect

After I first visited Jacksonville, I had no clue how nature-centric the town was. Now that I’ve lived right here for a yr, I’ve been fortunate sufficient to discover the entire parks within the space, and the Castaway Island Protect is considered one of my favourite spots to go for a peaceable stroll with my pup.

Situated alongside the Intercoastal Waterway, you may stroll alongside the boardwalk and have enjoyable recognizing the marshland wildlife. You possibly can take within the superb views from the commentary deck, take the children alongside the interpretive nature path, or use the kayak launch to discover by water.

The park is free to enter and is open from dawn to sundown.

Handle: 2885 San Pablo Rd S, Jacksonville, FL 32225

13. St. John’s Cathedral

If visiting church buildings and cathedrals is one thing you love to do in new cities, then you may’t miss seeing St. John’s Cathedral. It would cease you in your tracks with its magnificence, and it has a historical past that’s past attention-grabbing.

Holding its first service on Easter Sunday in 1877, this cathedral nonetheless has a powerful congregation as we speak. Sadly, it was destroyed by a devastating fireplace that leveled the town in 1901. Nevertheless it was rebuilt by the group on the identical basis.

At present, it’s one of the crucial beautiful buildings in all of downtown and is actually price a go to.

Handle: 256 E Church St, Jacksonville, FL 32202

14. Go to the Jacksonville Library

There’s one thing in regards to the scent of books that makes me really feel higher about all the things. I really like popping into the Jacksonville Library every time I can for just a few causes: I can try a brand new e book, the structure is gorgeous, and it’s extraordinarily peaceable inside.

Not solely does the Predominant Jacksonville Library have a number of flooring, full of each e book you can probably think about, however additionally they host art work and displays as effectively. Previous exhibitions embrace The Jazz Jam Images Assortment, Observations of an Explorer, and Pure Narrative.

When you’re , the library additionally provides guided excursions.

Handle: 303 N Laura St, Jacksonville, FL 32202

15. Admire artwork at MOCA

The Museum of Up to date Artwork (MOCA) is one other common museum within the coronary heart of Jacksonville. It additionally occurs to be proper subsequent door to the library, so it’s a superb cease to take a look at earlier than, or after, selecting out some books.

This museum isn’t free all of the time, however they do provide free admission days all through the month. There’s free entry accessible each Saturday from 11 a.m. to five p.m., in addition to the final Friday of every month with a sound library card.

MOCA is the second oldest modern artwork museum within the nation and is dwelling to hundreds of artworks that may’t be seen anyplace else.

Handle: 333 N Laura St, Jacksonville, FL 32202

Free Issues To Do in Jacksonville: FAQs

Listed below are some solutions to essentially the most generally requested questions on one of the best free issues to do in Jacksonville, Florida:

In Closing

You’ll discover loads of free issues to do in Jacksonville in the event you’re making an attempt to be budget-conscious in your journey to Florida. From seashores and parks to museums and festivals, having enjoyable in Jax doesn’t have to interrupt the financial institution. I hope this information has helped encourage some pocket-friendly enjoyable in my dwelling metropolis – take pleasure in your journey!