Jacksonville, Florida, is home to some amazing beaches, fantastic restaurants, wild nightlife, and other local gems that are sure to keep anyone busy. Whether you're a single person looking for a place to hang out with friends, a couple needing date night activities, or a family in need of some kid-friendly fun, there's something for you to do any given day, especially on the weekends. So, if you're looking for things to do in Jacksonville on any weekend throughout the year, then check out these six activities you can do to fill up your weekend with fun.
Relax in Luxury at Amelia Island
Amelia Island is the perfect spot for a weekend getaway that's still close to home. Take the 40-mile trip northeast for a destination that has a little something for everyone. The beaches at Amelia Island aren't nearly as crowded as they get here in Jax, so you can spread out on the sand and enjoy the water without bumping shoulders. You can also spend your days exploring nature, like hiking in Amelia Island State Park, riding a Hydro Bike or kayaking on the water, or renting a charter boat for a deep-sea fishing expedition.
Amelia Island is also home to amazing restaurants, both casual and formal. Head to Salt at the Ritz-Carlton for seafood in a luxury coastal atmosphere, or visit the Tavern by Amelia Island Brewing Company for delicious eats that pair with their unique brews.
But if you really want luxury, book a weekend stay at one of the resorts in the area. The Omni Amelia Island Resort features a full-service spa, pools, sports, sports clinics, Segway and tours for adults and children, group kayaking and nature excursions, and fitness classes. The Ritz-Carlton also has a full-service spa, access to the Golf Club of Amelia and its 18-hole championship course, tennis courts, private beach rentals and beach access, and both an indoor and outdoor pool.
Catch a Show
With multiple small and large-scale event venues in Jacksonville, you'll never have a dull weekend. The Florida Theatre is a historic venue that plays host to national comedy acts, including Bob Saget and Bill Maher, musical acts, like the Righteous Brothers and Gladys Knight, and other specialty shows for kids and adults. Times Union Center hosts symphony shows, comedy acts, musical theater, and national touring acts of all kinds. TIAA Bank Field is home to the Jaguars, who you can catch playing on Sundays.
Party in Five Points
Stay in Jacksonville for the weekend and enjoy the bustling, historic neighborhood of Five Points. This place features some of the city's best (and most unique) restaurants and cafes, fabulous shopping centers (including plenty of antique shops and small boutiques), a dog-friendly park, and many awesome bars and clubs. In fact, Five Points is one of the best places to enjoy Jax's nightlife, especially on the weekend.
For instance, Root Down Jax has beer and wine on tap, plus, this place often hosts cool weekend events, like a silent disco with multiple local DJs, local musical acts, artisan markets, and holiday-themed events, like for Cinco de Mayo. And Rain Dogs hosts music-themed DJ nights, including Hip Hop and Hookah on the first and third Friday of the month, and local artisan markets.
"Hike" the Jax Ale Trail
Grab your Brewery Passport and head off onto the Jax Ale Trail. You can visit one, a few, or all of the collection of local Jacksonville breweries over a weekend on your own. Coordinate your trips to Aardwolf, Bold City, Fishweir, Engine 15, Hyperion, and other local breweries on weekend days when they're hosting special events, like free concerts, cannot-miss drink specials, visiting food trucks, and holiday events. Or, you can join up with a local tour group so you don't have to drink alone.
Shop at a Local Market
It's not just the hip clubs and bars that host local markets; you can find quite a few weekend markets throughout the year in Jacksonville. If you're looking to stock up on fruits, veggies, imported items, and ethnic foods and ingredients, then you've got to hit up the Jacksonville Farmers Market. While this market is open throughout the week, Saturday and Sunday are convenient days to roam around the area, check out all the stalls, and browse the offerings from each vendor. Some of the items you're likely to find here include produce from local growers, artisan cheese, and ready-to-cook packaged veggie selections.
Another local market you have to visit is the Riverside Arts Market, which is only held on Saturdays. Here you'll find vendors selling baked goods and sweets, fresh-picked produce, homemade tea blends and coffees, candles, clothing and accessories, jewelry, soaps and bath products, books written by local authors, art, and much more. It's a great market to spend the whole day browsing vendors' wares, buying unique gifts, or stocking up on ingredients for the week's meals. Or, you can go just to browse and each freshly made food, like burgers, chicken, and ice cream, from one of the food trucks.
Tour a Museum
Jacksonville is home to multiple museums, including small museums focused on local history and large museums that cover a variety of cool topics.
The Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens features more than 5,000 works of art that span centuries of artists, and its historic gardens are home to fountains and sculptures placed around both native and non-native plants, flowers, shrubs, and trees. The Cummer Museum offers free admission on the first Saturday of every month and hosts events with hands-on activities for kids and lectures.
The Museum of Science and History (MOSH) has dozens of fantastic, hands-on exhibits that explore the wonders of the world. While you can visit the museum during your fun weekend, consider signing up for MOSH After Dark, an adults-only science experiment event that involves cocktails, Mind Over Matter yoga events, or the kid-friendly MOST Molecules events.
So there you have it, six things to do on the weekend in Jacksonville. Did we miss any of your favorite weekend fun destinations? Let us know! Contact Keith Pierson Toyota, and we'll be sure to add it to our growing list.
