Your Travel Guide to Jacksonville, St. Augustine, & Amelia Island, Florida
Sunset in Jacksonville, Florida. Click on my photos to pin on Pinterest!
Florida is an incredibly popular U.S. vacation destination, but have you ever been to Jacksonville? What about St. Augustine or Amelia Island? I’ve had the pleasure of exploring around Jacksonville and the surrounding areas, because this is where my good friend, Brittnee, has lived for several years. My family has also enjoyed vacationing on Amelia Island during my childhood, so I have the full scoop of the best things to do around the area! This blog will be all about where to eat, where to stay, what to do, my favorite beaches, and the best day trips around Jacksonville, Florida.
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Getting to Jacksonville
Jacksonville has its own airport, Jacksonville International Airport, making it easy to fly into. It’s also a good central location to some pretty cool day trips from the Jacksonville area, like Amelia Island and St. Augustine. Just make sure to rent a car for getting around. If you’re staying in Jacksonville, a vacation rental by the beach is the best! Check out these highly rated vacation rentals by Jacksonville Beach with pool access for your visit.
What to do Around Jacksonville
There’s plenty of fun things to do around Jacksonville! While in Florida, we enjoy the beautiful weather by hanging outside as much as we can. We play pickleball, beach volleyball, ride bikes, and so much more. My favorite part about Jacksonville, Florida is the beach!
Jacksonville Beach
Jacksonville Beach
Jacksonville Beach is a must do while you’re visiting. This beach is so pretty, with long stretches of sand and blue water. You can surf, fish, swim, and just relax. No matter what time of year you visit, you can have a great time at the beach soaking up the sun. Spring is a popular time, because the weather is warming up, and it’s spring break for schools. Fall is beautiful, as the water is still warm and the the beach is less crowded than in the spring. I’ve even visited in February and still had so much fun at the beach as someone from Wisconsin.
My friends and I enjoy riding bikes to the beach. We bring our own chairs and hang out for hours. Jacksonville Beach is also a great place to come for sunrise. I recommend grabbing some doughnuts from Parlor Doughnuts and relaxing at the beach to catch a peaceful sunrise. It’s a special experience. We love the beach!
Riverside Arts Market + Yoga
Every Saturday morning in downtown Jacksonville, you can attend the Riverside Arts Market and morning yoga under the Fuller Warren Bridge. The yoga is free and such a great way to start the morning. Then, enjoy some local food trucks and talented artistry at the Arts Market. Afterwards, you can get a birds-eye view by walking the Fuller Warren Bridge. The scenery is amazing!
View from the Fuller Warren Bridge
TPC Sawgrass
Florida is known for their amazing golf courses. Over in Ponte Vedra Beach, is the famous TPC Sawgrass. This golf course is home to the Players Championship. You can book a tee time here, or simply tour the clubhouse. If you’re big into golf, this is definitely a cool spot to check out.
Topgolf Jacksonville
I am not an avid golfer, so I personally enjoy Topgolf more. I always have a good time at Topgolf! lol. Grab some food, drinks, and spend the afternoon challenging your friends. This is much more laid back than TPC Sawgrass.
Beaches Oktoberfest
During the fall, check out Jacksonville’s Beaches Oktoberfest. This was so much fun to attend. There’s plenty of food, drinks, games, and live music. We saw X Ambassadors perform and it was a great night! See who’s performing this year here.
My friend Jenna having fun with the pups at BrewHound Dog Park + Bar
BrewHound Dog Park + Bar
If you’re with your furry friend, check out BrewHound Dog Park + Bar! This is the coolest dog park I’ve ever been to. You can grab a cup of coffee, enjoy the sunshine, and let your pup play with some friends. Check out their events, because they have some fun ones like summer movie nights, crafts, and live music!
Where to Eat Around Jacksonville
Below are some of the delicious restaurants and shops I’ve enjoyed getting food at around Jacksonville. Shout out to Brittnee for showing me around and recommending these great places!
River & Post
In downtown Jacksonville, right by the Riverside Arts Market, is River & Post. This is a fantastic brunch spot. They have a patio, live music, and an upstairs bar that overlooks the city and ocean. The food is great and so is the atmosphere.
Margaritas at the Flying Iguana Taqueria & Tequila Bar
Flying Iguana Taqueria & Tequila Bar
Looking for some delicious Mexican cuisine? The Flying Iguana Taqueria & Tequila Bar is my friend, Brittnee’s, favorite restaurant in Jacksonville. Their food is so tasty! The margaritas are delicious and they make guacamole right at the table. You can’t go wrong with this restaurant.
Flying Iguana Taqueria & Tequila Bar is located in the Beaches Town Center, which has boutiques, and other great bars and restaurants to try. Brittnee also recommends Coop 303 & Living Room Lounge, Lemon Bar,
Salumeria 104 Atlantic Beach, and Hawkers Asian Street Food.
Cookies and Creme JAX Beach
What’s a Florida vacation without some ice cream? At Cookies and Creme JAX Beach, you get cookies, and ice cream, and so much more. This place is so good! You’ll definitely satisfy your sweet tooth and leave happy and very full.
Parlor Donuts + Sunrise on Jacksonville Beach
Parlor Doughnuts
Parlor Doughnuts is where we stopped to grab doughnuts before watching the sunrise on Jacksonville Beach. These doughnuts were SO GOOD and definitely decadent. Parlor Doughnuts’ flavors are fun and unique, so there’s something for everyone. I highly recommend it.
Day Trips from Jacksonville
There are a couple of other incredible places to visit only a short drive away from Jacksonville. Don’t miss these stunning Northeastern Florida destinations while on your trip.
St. Augustine
St. Augustine is the oldest city in the U.S.! It’s less than an hour drive away from Jacksonville and is such a beautiful place to visit. You can do a day trip or spend a couple of days here. Check out these highly rated hotels and vacation rentals in St. Augustine. Below are some must dos while on your visit.
San Sebastian Winery
Get a free wine tasting and tour at San Sebastian Winery. After the tour, grab lunch or dinner at La Cocina at The Cellar Upstairs on their patio. We ordered some tasty charcuterie boards to pair with our wine and sangria.
Drinks at La Cocina at The Cellar Upstairs
St. Augustine Distillery
Close by the San Sebastian Winery is the St. Augustine Distillery. Take a walk over and get another free tour of the distillery. If you’re planning on partaking in these two tours, please plan ahead and do not drink and drive. St. Augustine is very easily walkable. So have fun, take a walk, see the Spanish Colonial architecture, and enjoy this beautiful city.
The Tini Martini Bar
I love a good martini bar and this one is so cute! The martinis are lovely, plus, they go all out and decorate for the holidays, like Halloween and Christmas. They have outdoor patio seating and it’s such a great spot to come to with your friends. The Tini Martini Bar is so much fun!
Harry's Seafood, Bar & Grille
If you’re looking for a classic seafood restaurant, check out Harry’s Seafood, Bar & Grille. The atmosphere here is amazing, with outdoor tables nestled underneath the trees and a view of the ocean close by. If you’re in Florida, you have to try the fresh seafood. It’s delicious! Plus, it’s right next to The Tini Martini Bar. How convenient!
Amelia Island
In the opposite direction of St. Augustine, is Amelia Island. This beautiful island is only a 45 minute drive from Jacksonville. The city of Fernandina Beach is located on Amelia Island and has a charming downtown and wonderful beaches. My family has vacationed here several times and we love it so much. It’s such a relaxing spot. You can make it a day trip from Jacksonville, or stay for several nights. Check out these highly rated and beautiful hotels and villas on Amelia Island.
Fort Clinch State Park & Beach
Driving through Fort Clinch State Park is magical. Trees covered in moss make a canopy over the roads. It’s like you’re driving through a nature tunnel. You can tour Fort Clinch and learn all about its civil war history. My favorite part is the wonderful beach and shark tooth hunting. If you’re careful, you can find shark teeth in the white sand of the beaches here. It’s pretty exciting! We also enjoyed boogie boarding and just relaxing in the sunshine. There is a fee of $6 per vehicle to enter this state park. You can pay online before you visit.
Cumberland Island Tour
I recommend taking a river cruise and exploring Cumberland Island. This river cruise is full of nature and I had a such a wonderful time. It was an awesome experience. We saw dolphins swimming right along the boat, manatees, and wild horses on Cumberland Island. It’s a perfect family friendly activity.
Overall Thoughts on Jacksonville, St. Augustine, and Amelia Island
Overall, Jacksonville, St. Augustine, and Amelia Island are so pretty! I love the weather, the beaches, and fun outdoor activities. This area of Florida can be missed compared to other areas, but I feel like it’s definitely worth visiting. Jacksonville, St. Augustine, and Amelia Island are laid back, full of beautiful scenery, and the perfect vacation destination.
Camera used to document my travels: Canon EOS 5D Mark IV 35mm lens and iPhone
