Jacksonville Vacation Rentals and Hotels

Jacksonville is the biggest city in the state of Florida and the district seat of Duval County. It is a major port, the insurance and economic center of the state, site of U.S. Navy bases and the home of the National Football League's Jacksonville Jaguars. This beautiful city is a true blend of contemporary and traditional cultural extravaganza and is a visual treat to all.

According to the 2006 census estimate, the city proper had an estimated population of 794,555 with a metropolitan population of more than 1.3 million.

 

The heart of Florida's First Coast has a lot to offer you when you plan to visit this beautiful city. It has a vast accumulation of museums, theaters, art galleries, cruises, shows etc.

 

Places of interest:

 

Jacksonville has some of the most exotic beaches with miles of white sands inviting you to spend some beautiful time in plane solitude or with your loved ones. It has 3 main beaches: Atlantic Beach, Neptune Beach, and Jacksonville Beach. The Jacksonville Beach Pier is well known for fishing and people watching; and artifacts, paintings. The d lighthouse models are the focus at the American Lighthouse Museum in Jacksonville Beach.

The beach has a Seawalk Pavilion, which is an open-air auditorium with a seating capacity of 2000 people. A few miles away from the beach is the Pablo Historical Park, which preserves the area's railroad history with a nineteenth-century stationmaster's house, a railroad depot, and a 1911 steam engine. Mayport one of U.S largest naval air station is located in this charming community.

 

On the shores of the St. Johns River is Jacksonville's beautiful downtown area. This downtown has undergone tremendous change since the time it was established. It is one of the most happening places for the younger generations and the evenings are a treat for any tourist. On the northern end of the river is Jacksonville Landing, which is a very busy marketplace with some of the busiest dinning areas, shopping centers, ethnic boutiques and large open areas for concerts. Close to the landing is the Jacksonville Maritime Museum, which has objet d'art embracing all aspects of the maritime scene from historical to latest state-of-the-art.

Across the river on the southern end is the Riverwalk, which is a wooden boardwalk, with a huge array of shops, restaurants, and outdoor vendors. The strategic location of this market will allow you to get the most beautiful view of the city?s skyline. There is a Friendship Park at the end of the Riverwalk with one of the tallest fountains in the world. The most important part of this town is the water taxi ride, which takes you to the other end of the city and is surely not to be missed.

 

The city also boasts of a Zoo known as the Jacksonville Zoological Gardens, which is located on the city's north side. It is spread over 89 acres and has more than 1000 animals residing in it.  The zoo also has an African veldt where visitors can experience the nature at its closest. The Okavango Village is an imitation of an African river facing village that features a dock, wildlife exhibits, a petting zoo and a river shuttle back and forth from downtown.

If you are in that area do plan to take the tours that display all the steps of the beer-making process at the Anheuser-Busch Brewery.

 

Places to visit:

• Museum of Science & History
• Cummer Museum of Art
• The Museum of Contemporary Art Jacksonville
• Jacksonville Maritime Museum
• Ritz Theatre & lavilla Museum
• Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum
• Sprinkles' When I Grow Up Museum
• Atlantic Beach, Jacksonville Beach and Neptune Beach
• Jacksonville zoo
• Alltel Stadium, The Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville, Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena
• Fort Caroline National Memorial
• Downtown Jacksonville
• The Jacksonville landing