Jacksonville is in North Florida on the Atlantic coast and is known for sun and fun and offers plenty of things to do. Just because it's winter doesn't mean the fun ends. Even with cooler days and longer nights, it's still a sunny retreat for anyone visiting from farther north. With its mild climate, even in the winter, you can still enjoy outdoor activities with only a jacket to keep you comfortable. So while you might forgo a swim until another time of year, there are plenty of indoor and outdoor activities to keep you busy throughout the winter months.
Indoor Ice Skating
Ready for a more traditional winter activity? Try indoor ice skating at the Community First Igloo rink located at 3605 Philips Highway. It offers daily public skating and figure skating and youth and adult hockey. Never skated before? Don't be daunted. Sign up for the weekly skate classes that start at $85 per month plus the $50 annual sign-up fee. An experienced teacher will ensure you'll be skating in no time, and even more importantly, teach you how to stop once you've got going. Check the calendar for times for the public skate, classes, and special events.
Visit the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens
The Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens is one of only seven zoos in the country with a dedicated animal welfare team ensuring that all animals are healthy, happy, and receiving the best care possible. General admission tickets are $25 for adults, $20 for children from 3 to 12, and $23 for seniors. You can also pay a little more and get the Total Experience tickets, including access to the zoo, 4D theater, unlimited train, unlimited carousel rides, and limited animal feedings. The zoo is located at 370 Zoo Parkway and is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens offers more than 100 acres of exhibits and gardens. You'll also find a gift shop, a sweet shop, two cafes, a restaurant, and a Kona ice cream van. You can see local animals such as the Florida bobcat and Florida manatee, as well as species from all around the world, including magnificent Malayan and Sumatran tigers, the fearsome Komodo Dragon, and the rare Blue-eyed Black Lemur. There are over 150 different species at the zoo, including exotic birds, curious mammals, snakes, other reptiles, newts and amphibians, fish, and other water creatures.
Art and History Museums
A local museum or art gallery visit is a great way to pass a gray winter day. In Jacksonville, you won't find a shortage of them with over a dozen different museums on offer. An excellent place to start is the Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens, located along the Riverfront at 829 Riverside Avenue. This museum was founded in 1958 by art collector Ninah Cummer who donated her home and collection to form the largest fine art museum in North Florida, with over 5,000 pieces of art in its collection.
Other Jacksonville museums include the Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum, one of nine such museums in the country that preserve the original works of important authors, thinkers, and philosophers. Located downtown is the Museum of Science and History which features the Bryan-Golding Planetarium, which is the largest single-lens planetarium in the world. You can spend hours in this museum learning about the history of Northeast Florida through thousands of years of change. If history is your thing, you can also check out the Ritz Theatre and Museum, which houses an extensive collection of African American history from the area.
White Sands Beachwalk
Florida's mild weather means you'll have plenty of opportunities to get outside whatever the time of year. Jacksonville is lucky enough to be located beside the ocean with over 20 miles of white sand beaches. The main beaches you'll find in the city are Jacksonville Beach, Mayport Beach, Neptune Beach, and Atlantic Beach, with multiple access points along the way. Winter is the dry season in Florida, perfect for a long walk on an uncrowded beach. You can take in the sunrise over the water if you arrive early enough, then look for pretty shells to take home.
The Florida Theatre
The Florida Theatre first opened to the public in 1927 as a venue for both movies, live shows, and more, with seven stories in total. It is one of only four surviving high-style movie palaces from that era built in Florida. Today it plays host to many traveling acts and events throughout the year and is home to the Florida Ballet, the children's theatre program Theatreworks, and the Community Nutcracker, which is performed every year in December and is now in its 30th year. So if you're looking for a show to attend this winter, you're sure to find something interesting.
Jacksonville Riverwalks
The St. Johns River runs through Jacksonville, with a north and south riverwalk on each side. The Northbank Riverwalk is on the downtown side and starts at East Coastline Drive, goes past the Riverfront Plaza, and continues for a total length of 2 miles of riverside views. The shorter Southbank Riverwalk runs for 1.2 miles from the Friendship Fountain in Friendship Park to the Grand Site historical place. Start your weekend day with a walk or jog along the river, taking in the views, then head downtown for a spot of brunch at any of the many eateries.
Jacksonville is a thriving, diverse city with much to do throughout the year. Take in some museums and cultural centers, go for a walk on the white sand beaches, enjoy a live show, and visit one of the best zoos in the county, all within the city. So whether you live in Jacksonville or are here on a visit, we at Keith Pierson Toyota hope you've enjoyed this list and have been inspired to get out and try something new. Contact us and tell us what activity you are most excited to go try.
