5 Beautiful Sights to See While in Jacksonville

Whether you’re in town for a few days or a lifelong resident, there are certain views in Jacksonville that should be a part of anyone’s bucket list.

The city is blessed with beautiful natural preserves, a tropical climate, and the presence of the St. Johns River.

We’ve highlighted a handful of sightseeing opportunities that are, in our humble opinion, an essential part of the Jacksonville experience. Better yet, a few of those options are public spaces – meaning you can soak in the sights free of charge.

THE RIVERWALK

The Northbank and Southbank of the St. Johns River in downtown Jacksonville offer some of the city’s best views, highlighting the skyline, the Acosta Bridge and Main Street Bridge, and the natural beauty of the river. The Riverwalk features over three miles of multi-use trail connected by both bridges, taking you from the edges of San Marco to the core business district, Brooklyn, and Riverside.

HISTORIC DOWNTOWN

Downtown Jax features some of the nicest historic architecture in the Southeastern United States. You can see a whole range of architectural styles from classical, to Prairie School, to Art Deco and more, all within just a few blocks of each other. And better yet, an increasing number of these historic buildings are being carefully preserved or restored, allowing their original beauty to shine through.

FORT CAROLINE / TIMUCUAN PRESERVE

There’s a whole lot of history and scenic elements at Fort Caroline National Memorial on its own. But the real gem is getting a look at the rest of the Timucuan Preserve, a span of 46,000 acres of woodlands, salt marshes, and water that once hosted the native Timucua tribes. Visitors have the opportunity to look out over salt marsh habitats, walk through dense trails, and even kayak through the marshy waters of the Preserve. Kingsley Plantation can also be found within the Preserve’s land.

THE GARDENS AT THE CUMMER MUSEUM

The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens in Riverside is worth a visit for its cultural value alone, but if that’s not enough, it has over two acres of beautifully-designed gardens along the St. Johns River. The Cummer gardens date back more than 100 years, with the top names in horticulture curating and maintaining the grounds over the years. It’s one of the most scenic spaces in all of Northeast Florida, and a must-see for nature lovers.

MEMORIAL PARK

There’s a reason Memorial Park is one of the city’s most popular public spaces. The park offers scenic views of the river as well as large, open green space, all within a park designed by the same minds behind Central Park in New York City. Its iconic Life sculpture is one of the most popular Instagram photo subjects in the city.