Visiting the Jacksonville Area with Kids
My sister, her husband, and kids were stationed out of Mayport with the Navy. With the arrival of a new nephew, we made the trip to see them and celebrate his baptism. Being from Florida, I've always loved any excuse to go back to the sunshine state. This trip also gave us the opportunity to check out the Jacksonville area, as there is always the possibility for us as a military family ourselves to be stationed there.
Although I've driven through Jacksonville plenty of times on road trips from DC to Miami, I've never actually stopped and explored the area. St. Augustine, yes. But not really the other surrounding communities. Overall, I was pleasantly surprised with the vibe of the area.
Of course, with most cities, you have some rough spots. However, I liked that Jacksonville offered a somewhat calmer atmosphere than other places, like San Diego or even Norfolk. There were also plenty of things to see and do with kids during the week that we spent there.
Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens
Location: 370 Zoo Pkwy, Jacksonville, FL 32218
This was probably my favorite part of the trip. I love a good zoo and garden. The landscape was beautiful, with so many animal and plant varieties. Everything, including the animals, looked very well taken care of- And I don't compliment zoos lightly.
The trail around the zoo was set up in sort of a circular pattern with easy access for strollers and wheelchairs, and various environments- African area, Asian area, aviaries, reptile house, the botanical garden, etc. They also had a touch tank with sting rays and a merry-go-round.
The Jacksonville Zoo has also recently opened up an area for my favorite animal- the manatee! I hope to go back soon to check that out, too.
St. Augustine- Castillo de San Marcos and Fountain of Youth
Location: 11 S Castillo Dr, St Augustine, FL 32084
Saint Augustine is about 40 minutes outside of downtown Jacksonville. The day we headed out there was, unfortunately, veryy rainy. However, that area is always a fun outing so we made the most of it.
One of the main attractions is the fort, Castillo de San Marcos. There is an admission fee. It's part of the US National Park Service, so you can get in free if you are a military member, military family, or have a national parks pass.
My boys loved checking out the rooms inside the fort and the cannons. There were helpful informational guides around and pamphlets available with more information.
If you have time, and the weather allows, the rest of downtown St. Augustine is a fun area to explore, too. There are various restaurants and shops- many with original architecture from hundreds of years ago. The legendary Fountain of Youth is also nearby and a cool tourist destination.
Museum of Science and History (MOSH)
This museum was cool and very kid-friendly with various interactive displays. My boys absolutely loved the dinosaur and space exhibits. My husband and I really enjoyed the historical walk-through that took you through various key moments in US/Florida history.
They also had a cute art studio for the kids with comfy chairs if you need a moment to wind-down. The restrooms were clean. The gift shop had many cute items offered that it was hard to haul my kids out. And on the way out, they had a nice little indoor playground and reading area with a faux tree.
At the moment, MOSH appears to be closed. Their website mentions that they are moving to a newer, larger facility with a new location at Northbank. The estimated reopening is 2028. If we're ever back in the area after that time, I hope to check it out. We really had a lot of fun!
Shopping Malls- The Avenues
Jacksonville had many wonderful shopping malls in the area. Our trip took us to the Avenues. It had many trendy and popular shops with various levels. There was also an indoor foam playground for littles. With all the rain that week, it was a great way to get out and allow the kids to move. With it being right after Christmas, the decorations were still up. They did such a beautiful job decorating for the season. There were so many spots for good photo ops.
Playgrounds- Spring Park at Green Cove Springs
Location: 1 Walnut St, Green Cove Springs, FL
Although our trip was mostly a wash-out when it came to outdoor activities, try to take advantage of the various parks when visiting the area. Jacksonville has many wonderful playgrounds and parks. Spring Park at Green Cove Springs was highly recommended by my sister, and I hope to check it out next time.
Beaches
And the beaches! Of course, when the weather permits, the beach is always a good idea. Jacksonville, being on the coast, boasts so many wonderful beach spots- Jacksonville Beach, Neptune Beach, Atlantic Beach, Ponte Vedra, Vilano Beach. Tides and time of year can obviously affect the water. However, because of its location on the Atlantic, it usually has pretty decent waves if you're into body boarding or a novice surfer.
Overall, Jacksonville is a great destination if you're traveling to the area with kids. There are plenty of things to see and do. I hope you enjoy your trip if you're visiting or plan to go. If you've been I'd love to hear your experience. Feel free to drop it in the comment section below!
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