Keith Pierson Toyota

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Jun 8, 2023
unique summer activities in jacksonville, fl
Coatimundi by Del Adams is licensed with CC BY-ND 2.0

Summers in Jacksonville, Florida, usually involve days enjoying the sand and surf at Jacksonville Beach, rocking out at Beachella Music & Arts Fair, and watching the Independence Day fireworks downtown. But why not do things a little differently this year? These unique summer activities are perfect for shaking things up.

Hit Bullseyes with Axes

The summer sun isn’t for everyone. If you’d rather beat the heat indoors, why not throw some axes? Jacksonville has several cool axe-throwing facilities, butbour favorite is Axe Champs in Murray Hill. Axe throwing is great fun and an excellent way to relieve the stress of the workweek. It also makes a fun bonding activity for families, friends, and colleagues. If you’ve never thrown an axe before, don’t worry. All venues have coaches who’ll school you on your technique and safe throwing practices. Newcomers aren’t just welcome; they’re encouraged.

Meet Unusual Animals

Catty Shack Ranch Wildlife Sanctuary is best known for its tigers, but it’s also home to several exotic animals you’ve probably never heard of before, let alone seen. During your visit, you’ll meet coatimundis called Cody and Squeakers, servals called Gracie and Merlin, and a sweet caracal called Baby. You’re welcome to take a self-guided tour any afternoon between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. or attend a night feeding at 6 p.m. on Friday or Saturday.

Try Frog Legs

If you’re like most people in Jacksonville, you spend your summers enjoying fresh seafood, such as fish, shrimp, and crab. They’re delicious but also a little bit run-of-the-mill. This summer, why not broaden your horizons and try frog legs? Some say this French delicacy tastes like chicken, but we think it has a flavor that’s all its own. You can try them for yourself at Sam’s St. John’s Seafood or Crystal River Seafood.

Visit an Authentic Tiki Temple

You’ve probably enjoyed classic cocktails and beers at Jacksonville’s bars, but we bet you’ve never experienced anything quite like Secret Tiki Temple. Steeped in Chinese tradition, it offers an immersive tiki bar experience. Dress in your best tropical attire, and enjoy the cocktails and tasty dishes including chicken potstickers and crab rangoon in fun themed spaces, such as the Elvis Cove or Tiger Cove.

Join a Scavenger Hunt

While the drag queen pub crawl was a strictly adults-only affair, scavenger hunts are unique Jacksonville tours that the whole family can enjoy. Businesses, including 3Quest Challenge, Let’s Roam, and Zombie Scavengers, all offer app-based scavenger hunts with clues that guide you toward locations around Jacksonville. It’s a really fun way to see the city and get your step count up during summer.

Try Disc Golf

You might have played a few rounds of golf or thrown a Frisbee before, but what about combining the two? That’s disc golf, an exciting new game that’s fun for all ages. You can try it for yourself at Ed Austin Regional Park, which has an 18-hole course designed to test new and more experienced players. Professional players regularly visit the course and are always happy to offer pointers. If you enjoy the game, consider signing up for one of the park’s tournaments.

Meet Wrestling Royalty

Jacksonville Fairgrounds Expo Center hosts River City Wrestling Con, an annual celebration of one of America’s most beloved and off-the-wall sports. Held from June 10 to 11, this year’s event will feature appearances from colorful characters, such as Low Ki, Cha Cha Charlie, Simon Sez, and Tiny Tanaily Lopez. All wrestling stars will meet and greet fans and participate in the River City Rumble, a massive wrestling tournament on center stage. Autograph packages and one-day, two-day, and VIP weekend passes are available from the River City Wrestling Con website.

Strap On Your Skates

Most people think of ice skating as a winter activity, but it makes the perfect summer day out. When the temperature soars, time on the ice at Community First Igloo will cool you right down. Special tots and youth sessions help younger skaters gain confidence. Community First Igloo also runs learn-to-skate summer classes through July 29. To save money, keep an eye on Community First Igloo’s calendar for $9 public skating sessions.

Bounce Around at Flight Adventure Park

Flight Adventure Park claims it’s the coolest trampoline park in Jacksonville. With hoops for airslam basketball and space for bouncy games of dodgeball, it’s hard to argue with that. The trampolines are the main draws, but there are plenty of other exciting activities. Launch yourself into the foam pits, swing on the trapeze, and put your skills to the test on the ninja obstacle course. Flight Adventure Park also offers summer passes, which let you visit every single day from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend for a massively discounted price.

Participate in a Fishing Competition

You might have spent some time fishing in Jacksonville, but have you ever tried competitive fishing? From July 17 to 22, Sisters Creek will host the 43rd Annual Greater Jacksonville Kingfish Tournament, one of the largest tournaments of its kind in the Southeast. The event attracts amateur and professional anglers, and there are separate competitions for ladies and juniors. The food festival, boat display, and live entertainment in the Liars’ Tent add to the fun.

Get a New Summer Ride From Keith Pierson Toyota

When you’ve got summer plans, you don’t need an unreliable vehicle slowing you down. If your car has seen better days, summer is the perfect time to upgrade at Keith Pierson Toyota. Our Jacksonville dealership is open every day of the week until late for your convenience. Come visit us to browse our range of new and used vehicles, and tell our team what you’ve been up to this summer.