places to go / downtown, north bank and san marco
Farmer's Market
Fresh fruit and vegetables for sale daily from 5am-6pm. Come early, before it gets hot. Least busy days are Wednesday and Thursday.
904-354-2821 / 1810 W Beaver St / www.jaxfarmersmarket.com
Friendship Fountain
One of the largest self-contained fountains built, pumping 3,500 - 6,500 gallons of water per minute to a height of 100 feet, with 265 lights molding the water into a sparkling mist. Bring a picnic lunch and enjoy the view of the river.
835 Museum Circle / Friendship Fountain
Jacksonville Fire Museum
Housed in a 1902 fire station, 700 Artifacts, and steam engine used to fight 1901 great Jacksonville fire. Fire Museum tours can be scheduled by calling Kids Kampus at 904-630-KIDS.
904-630-0618 / 1406 Gator Bowl Blvd / www.jacksonvillefiremuseum.com
Jacksonville Historical Center
History of Jacksonville permanent exhibit. Free admission. Located at the foot of the Main Street Bridge.
904-398-4301 / 1015 Museum Circle
Jacksonville Maritime Museum
Collection of maritime artifacts and ship models including Navy, Merchant Marine, Fishing and River Steamboats. Docents available to answer questions. Open Mon-Fri, 10:30am-3pm and Sat & Sun, 1pm-5pm. Walk through takes about 15 minutes. Children must be closely supervised. Located on the water between friendship fountain and the bridge. FREE.
904-398-9011 / 1015 Museum Circle
JCC Toy Lending Center
"The Jacksonville Children's Commission Toy Lending Center was created to help parents and child care providers enrich children's lives with a variety of play experiences and developmentally appropriate activities." "The Lending Center provides a variety of toys for children of all ages and developmental abilities, including large-knobbed puzzles, easy-to-grasp toys and sensory items." Open Mon-Fri, 8am - 4pm. Located in the Children's Commission offices. For more information and to register, please call (904) 630-6433 or e-mail aisaac@coj.net
904-630-6433 / 1095 A. Philip Randolph Blvd / Jacksonville Children's Commission
Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum
The Karpeles Library is the world's largest private holding of important original manuscripts & documents. The archives include Literature, Science, Religion, History and Art. FREE admission.
904-356-2992 / 101 W. 1st St / Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum
Kids Kampus at Metropolitan Park
A ten-acre recreational facility with bright, colorful, climbing, digging and sliding equipment with an educational twist. Also, have fun in the Splash Park (water features offered May-Sept.). Developed with local educators, Kids Kampus allows children to indulge their natural curiosity while enjoying its engaging playscapes and mini Jacksonville landmarks. Also features a picnic pavilion and jogging trail. Spring/Summer Hours: Mon-Sat, 8am-8pm; Sun, 10am-8pm. Fall/Winter Hours: Mon-Sat, 8am-6pm; Sun, 10am-6pm. (Hours subject to change due to holidays, special events and inclement weather.)
904-630-KIDS / 1410 Gator Blvd / www.coj.net
Kids Kampus’ Splash Park
From May thru September, the Splash Park is daily until 7:30pm.
904-630-KIDS / 1410 Gator Blvd / www.coj.net
Klutho Park
"Most of the park and adjacent Boulevard were created along Hogans Creek between 1899 and 1901, on land donated by a developer, the Springfield Company. The City’s first zoo opened at the park in 1914, followed by the first municipal swimming pool in 1922. Founded in 1904, the Springfield Improvement Association & Woman’s Club has steadfastly worked for the beautification of the park."
www.coj.net
Libraries - Downtown / San Marco
Main Library
904-630-2740
Florida Relay phone #: 711
303 N. Laura St
Monday thru Thursday, 9am to 8pm
Friday & Saturday: 9am to 6pm
Sunday: 1pm to 6pm
Brown Eastside Branch
904-630-5466
1390 Harrison St
Monday: 10am to 6pm
Tuesday: 12noon to 8pm
Wednesday thru Friday: 10am to 6pm
Saturday and Sunday: Closed
Graham Branch
904-630-0922
2304 N Myrtle Ave
Monday and Tuesday: 12noon to 9pm
Wednesday thru Saturday: 10am to 6pm
Sunday: Closed
San Marco Branch
904-858-2907
1513 LaSalle St
Monday & Tuesday: 12noon to 9pm
Wednesday thru Saturday: 10am to 6pm
Sunday: Closed
jpl.coj.net
Metropolitan Park
Riverfront walk, small playground, and picnic areas. Right next to Kids Kampus. Arrive by water on the S.S. Marine Taxi (runs between the Northbank and Southbank, and to Metropolitan Park by request), and arrange for a ride back to the Northbank or Southbank.
904-630-0837 / 4110 Gator Bowl Dr / www.coj.net
Movie Theaters - Downtown/San Marco
San Marco Theater
A 60+ year-old Art Deco style movie theater.
904-396-4845 / 1996 San Marco Blvd
To read synopses for G through P-13 movies currently playing, visit Jax4Kids.com's Movies page.
Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA)
MOCA's ArtExplorium Loft is an interactive classroom for all ages. Sixteen stations feature fun and engaging activities highlighting major concepts in art and artworks from MOCA Jacksonville collection. Open Tue, Thurs, Fri, Sat,
Free Admission:1st Wednesday of every month during Art Walk, after 5pm
Sundays 12pm to 4pm - Children under the age of 18 and accompanying adults are free. The last admission is sold 30 minutes prior to the Museum's closing hour.
Museum of Contemporary Art / 904-366-6911 / 333 North Laura Street / www.mocajacksonville.org
Museum of Science and History (MOSH)
A fun place for kids and adults to learn about science, history, space, Florida's history, and more. Features lots of fun and educational hands-on exhibits; planetarium shows that take visitors on a tour of the current night sky; an indoor play area for kids; and daily programs like "Extreme Science Show", "Animal Feedings", and "Creature Feature". Permanent exhibits include a Naturalist's Center, with live turtles, lizards, snakes, and birds; "Atlantic Tales", a hands-on exhibit with life-sized models of whales, dolphins, and manatees; and "Currents of Time", an exhibit that takes visitors on a walk through 12,000 years of Jacksonville history.
Museum hours:
Monday – Friday, 10am-5pm
Saturday, 10am-6pm
Sunday, 1pm-6pm
Click link for schedule of daily programs.
Fun idea: After your morning trip to the MOSH, why not have a picnic lunch at Friendship Fountain, located only a few steps away? Wrap up the day with a ride on the nearby Skyway Express for only 35 cents each way. A departure point is very near to the museum. (Skyway hours are Mon–Fri 6am–11pm and Sat 10am–11pm.
904-396-6674 / 1025 Museum Circle / www.themosh.org
Northbank and Southbank Riverwalks
A great place to stroll and take in fantastic views of the St. Johns River. On the Northbank (Downtown side), enjoy shopping and dining at The Landing (2 Independent Drive). While on the Southbank (San Marco side), have a picnic in the shady grass beside Friendship Fountain (835 Museum Circle), eat at one of the restaurants, visit the Jacksonville Maritime Museum, or walk over to the Museum of Science and History. While on either side, catch a ride on S.S. Marine Taxi, which makes runs between the Northbank and Southbank and to Metropolitan Park (by request). One-way fare is $3 for adults, $2 for children ages 4-12, and free for children three and under.
Downtown Waterfront
Players Grille
Tues Night is Kids Night - Kids eat for 1/2 price. Very kid-friendly. TV's, Game Room. Will read for food program. Open daily at 11am. Free Wireless Internet. Located between University and Emerson.
904-448-6670 / 4465 Hendricks Ave
Ritz Theatre & LaVilla Museum
Showcasing art, music, drama, poetry and African-American history. LaVilla Museum houses an exhibit of the history of African-Americans in Northeast Florida. Open Tues-Fri 10am-6pm, Sat 10am-2pm and Sun 2pm-5pm. Adults $6, Children & Seniors $3. On the First Wednesday of every month the Ritz is free to the public between 5pm and 8pm as a venue for the popular Artwalk Event.
904-632-5555 / 829 North Davis St / www.coj.net
Riverside Arts Market
Saturdays
10am to 4pm
New weekly market will feature artwork, musical performers, fresh produce, and local vendors. The market will run every Saturday from April 4 to December 19. Location of the event is under the Fuller Warren Bridge.
Riverside Arts Market / 904-389-2449 / Riverside Avenue at Interstate-95 / www.riversideartsmarket.com
S.S. Marine Taxi
Offers water taxi service between the Northbank and Southbank as well as a 2-hour day cruise on the St. Johns River where you can catch site of dolphins and manatees. Taxi service runs 11am - 9pm Sun-Thr and 11am-11pm on Fri and Sat, except in inclement weather. One-way fare is $3 for adults, $2 for children ages 4-12, and free for children three and under. Day cruises run on Wed and Sun and must be reserved in advance. The cost for day cruises is $15 for adults, $12 for children. Taxi lands at the Northbank, Southbank, and Metropolitan Park (by request).
904-733-7782 / Northbank and Southbank, Downtown / www.jaxwatertaxi.com
Sally Animatronics
Free tours for age 5+ of Sally Animatronics Production studios. See how realistic animals, dinosaurs, human figures, dark rides for attractions and theme parks world wide are made. Tour reservations can be made online.
904-355-7100 / 745 West Forsyth St / www.sallycorp.com
San Marco Theater
Downtown/San Marco
A 60 year-old Art Deco style movie theater. Recognized by USA Today as one of ten best classic cinemas in the USA. The San Marco Theater provides you with freshly made pizzas, sandwiches, nachos, and quesadillas. The only place in town to enjoy dinner, drinks and a movie.
904-396-4845 / 1996 San Marco Boulevard/sanmarcotheatre.com /www..sanmarcotheatre.com
Skyway Express
Take your kids on a train ride, the Skyway Express runs for 2.5 miles through Downtown and San Marco. Only 50 cents one way. Stop for lunch in San Marco or Downtown. Get on at any of the 8 stations. One departure point in located near the MOSH. Open Mon-Fri 6am-11pm and Sat 10am-11pm. Sunday - Special Event Service only.
904-630-3110 / 8 Stations Downtown and in San Marco / www.jtafla.com
The Landing
Enjoy year-round shopping and dining. There are over 250 scheduled events a year, including concerts and community events. Click link for events. Also, catch a ride on S.S. Marine Taxi, which makes runs between the Northbank and Southbank and to Metropolitan Park (by request). One-way fare is $3 for adults, $2 for children ages 4-12, and free for children three and under.
904-353-1188 / 2 Independent Drive / www.jacksonvillelanding.com
The Trolley
Three different routes. The Sunflower route includes The Jacksonville Landing, Veteran's Memorial Arena, the Courthouse, City Hall Annex, the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville, Skyway at Central Station, and more. Trolleys on the Sunflower route makes stops every 13 minutes and run Monday - Saturday, 6:20am - 7pm. No service on Sundays. Click link for additional route schedules.
904-630-3100 / Downtown Jacksonville / www.jtafla.com
Treaty Oak Park
Treaty Oak Park surrounds the Treaty Oak, a magnificent oak tree that is over two centuries old. It's trunk is over 25 feet in circumference and it's over 70 feet tall.










