Located on the campus of Jacksonville University, this fine arts museum specializes in Steuben glass, B & G porcelains and 18th through 20th century cloisonné. It also includes a fabulous collection of ivory.

American Lighthouse and Maritime Museum

An intimate museum offering the history of lighthouses. It includes paintings, authentic scale models of lighthouses, rare photos, architectural drawing, lighthouse artifacts and navigational aids.

Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens

829 Riverside Drive

Jacksonville, FL

904.356.6857 ext 241

A fine art museum with an interactive teaching gallery situated on the St. Johns River. Collection covers western art from 2,000 BC to the present. The 12 galleries are arranged in chronological order, featuring great European and American works. The Wark Collection of Early Meissen porcelain is unique. The Italian garden is modeled after the gardens of Villa Gamberaia in Florence, Italy.  English gardens on the St. Johns River are also a favorite place for a stroll.

The Museum and its award-winning education center, Art Connections occupy adjacent buildings overlooking the three acres of the Cummer Gardens. The museum campus is situated on the banks of the St. Johns River.

Fort Caroline National Memorial

13 miles east of Jacksonville

904-641-7155

Daily 9-5.  Donation.

The Fort Caroline National Memorial was created to memorialize the Sixteenth Century French effort to establish a permanent colony in Florida. A one-mile trail helps explain the site’s history. 

Friendship Park and Fountain

Situated at the west end of the South bank Riverwalk and adjacent to the Museum of Science and History is Friendship Fountain. Dedicated in 1965, it is one of the largest self-contained fountains built, pumping 3,500 - 6,500 gallons of water per minute to a height of 100 feet, with 265 lights molding the water into a sparkling mist.

Jacksonville Maritime Museum

1015 Museum Circle

904-398-9011.

Mon.-Fri. 10:30-3:00.  Sat., Sun. 1-5.  Free Admission.

Scale model ships, paintings, and photographs emphasize the importance of the St. Johns River and the Port of Jacksonville.

Jacksonville Museum of Contemporary Art

701 Fisk Street

Jacksonville, FL

Contemporary museum with a permanent collection presenting modern and contemporary exhibitions, special events and educational programs for adults and children. Permanent collection includes art by Louise Nevelson, a sculpture garden and pre-Columbian art.

Jacksonville Princess

accommodates up to 149 passengers.

Jacksonville Zoo

Travel to the Jacksonville Zoo for the only walking safari in Northeast Florida. Open a whole world of opportunities, encounter wildlife wonders and interactive experiences.

8605 Zoo Parkway - Jacksonville, FL

Jacksonville Zoological Gardens

8605 Zoo Parkway

Jacksonville, FL

Birds of the Rift Valley exhibit,  dozens of exotic animals in the Plains of East Africa. a new Reptile House, Elephant swimming pool and the Great Apes of the World. Ride the expanded train route. Enjoy lunch at the Zambezi River Restaurant or a cool drink at Kikuyu Kooler and finish the day with a shopping stop at Mombasa Import-Export, Co.

Karpeles Manuscript Library

101 W. First Street

(904) 356-2992

Tues.-Sat. 10-1.  Children’s area:  Wed. and Sat. 10-1.

Museum Admission free.  Small charge for children’s area.

Displays rotate and include letters written by figures of history, documents such as constitutions and treaties, and other significant historic documents.

Museum of Science and History

1025 Museum Circle

Jacksonville, FL

904.396.7062

Mon.-Fri. 10-5  Sat. 10-6.  Sun. 1-6

Admission charged.

Galleries offer a variety of exhibits, including "Atlantic Tales: Whales, Dolphins and Manatees of Northeast Florida," the story of the majestic but threatened marine mammals that inhabit the waters of Florida's First Coast. The newest exhibit, "Currents of Time: A History of Jacksonville and Northeast Florida," explores the rich human drama of the region through unique artifacts, period furnishings and costumes, architectural facades, and rare photographs and documents.

Museum of Southern History

4304 Herschel St.

Jacksonville, FL

A locally operated museum dedicated to preserving the lifestyle and culture of the Ante-bellum south through a variety of displays and artifacts.

Pablo Historical Park

Enjoy guided tours of historic buildings and the Beaches' railway beginnings in San Pablo (which became Jacksonville Beach in 1925). The museum features a collection of artifacts and photographs. On the grounds, see two Henry Flagler structures, Florida East Coast Railway track and a marker honoring aviation pioneer Jimmy Doolittle's record-setting flight from then San Pablo Beach to San Diego.

Riverwalks: Southbank and Northbank

The northbank is anchored by the Jacksonville Landing and the riverfront and features historic street lamps, benches, docking facilities and two Victorian style gazebos. The southbank contains Friendship Fountain, restaurants and a marina. The boardwalk is also an ideal place to take photographs of Jacksonville's downtown skyline and bridges or catch a water taxi ride.

Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve

Visitor Center at Junction of Monument and Fort Caroline Roads

(904) 641-7155.

9-5 Daily.  Donations accepted.

The Visitor Center has displays describing the area’s marine environment, the Timucuan Indian era, early attempts at colonization, and a satellite image of present day northeast Florida. 

Tree Hill Nature Center

7152 Lone Star Road

Mon.-Sat. 8:30-5. 

(904) 724-4646.

Minimal Admission charge.

A 50 acre nature preserve located in the midst of a Jacksonville suburb.  It showcases Florida’s native plants and animals.  The preserve offers four nature trails, wildflowers, butterfly and hummingbird gardens, and a small natural history museum in the shape of a pyramid.  The museum contains a collection of snakes, animal skulls, and fossils.  Turtle Town provides protection for the endangered gopher tortoise.  Another exhibit describes the Florida black bear.