places to go / northside
Archer Lanes
Special kids rates, Mon-Fri. Youth bowling leagues Sat mornings Sept through May. Video arcade.
904-751-2888 / 10850 Harts Rd / www.archerlanes.com
Braddock's Blueberries
You Pick your own Blueberries. Normal IN SEASON is typically the month of June hours are: Monday, Friday and Saturday 8am to 12pm. No restroom facilities. Cannot accommodate school groups. Please call before you go
904-768-0280 /Thomas Mill Road
Fort George Island State Park
Features self guided tours and the newly opened Ribault Club. Walk, bike or drive through historic plantation structures and nature trails. Also located on the Island is Huguenot Memorial Park, a city-run park, and the historic Kingsley Plantation. Many Ranger-led programs offered throughout the year. Also features boat ramp, fishing, and canoeing.
904-251-2320 / 11241 Fort George Road, Ft. George Island / Fort George Island State Park
Hollywood Theaters River City 14
Family atmosphere and daily bargain matinees.
904-757-9880 / 12884 City Center Blvd / www.gohollywood.com
Home Depot Kids' Workshops
Free "How-To Clinics" designed for children ages 5-12. Offered the first Sat of each month between 9am and 12 noon. Children accompanied by an adult construct projects from pre-fabricated kits. The kits are designed to be both educational and practical. Teaches do-it-yourself skills and tool safety.
904-766-2818 / 12111 Lem Turner Rd / www.homedepot.com
Huguenot Memorial Park
This city-park is situated on Fort George Island. It features a beautiful beach, waterfront campsites, swimming, fishing, picnic shelters, and bird observation area. There are also restrooms and shower facilities. The only park in Duval County that allows beach access by vehicle. Admission fee is 50 cents per person. Open daily 8am - 8pm April - October and 8am - 6pm November - March. Click here for current weather and tide information.
904-251-3335 / 10980 Heckscher Dr / Huguenot Memorial Park
Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens
In addition to the plethora of animal exhibits, don't miss the daily Keeper Talks and 2.5 acre Play Park, which includes a Splash Park and Plaza, mazes, a Discovery building, a tree house, and petting area. March thru September, visit the new Sting Ray Bay touch tank.
Open 7 days a week, from 9am-5pm. Open until 6pm on weekends from March 1st through Labor Day. Tickets available online or at the zoo entrance.The Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens / 904-757-4463 / 370 Zoo Parkway / www.jacksonvillezoo.org
Kayak Amelia at Long Island Outfitters
Guided 3-hour kayak tours, as well as 1-and 2-person kayak/ canoe rentals. Service provider for Talbot Island State Parks and Fort George State Park. Location selected for kayak tours depends on the current conditions. Call to make areservation.
904-251-0016 / 13030 Heckscher Dr / www.kayakamelia.com
Kingsley Plantation
This historic site, operated from 1813-1839 by Zephaniah Kingsley, who lived with his wife, Anna Madgigine Jai (purchased as a slave but freed in 1811), is located on Fort George Island and includes the ruins of 25 of the original slave cabins, barn, kitchen building, and main house. Self-guided tours are available during the fall, and Ranger-guided programs are available by appointment in winter and summer. Junior Ranger activity booklets are now available for kids ages 4-7 and 8-12. Kids who complete the activity booklet will earn a Junior Ranger badge. Booklets contain activities from both Kingsley Plantation and Ribault Club and kids must go to both sites to complete booklet and earn their badges. Estimate 30-40 minutes per site for kids activities. Kingsley Plantation is open daily, 9am to 5pm. Ribault Club is open Wed-Sun, 9am to 5pm. Sites are approx. 5 miles apart. Free.
904-251-3537 / 13165 Mount Pleasant Rd / Kingsley Plantation
Lannie Road Park
This 60-acre park has a radio control flying field where radio control model airplanes are flown by enthusiasts. Come be a spectator. Also includes playground equipment and athletic fields. In order to fly a model, you must have Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) insurance coverage or its equivalent. Free.
904-630-4100 / 3461 Lannie Rd / www.coj.net
Libraries - Northside
Bradham Brooks Northwest Branch
904-765-5402
1755 Edgewood Ave W
Monday thru Thursday: 10am to 9pm
Friday and Saturday: 10am to 6pm
Sunday: Closed
Brentwood Branch
904-630-0924
3725 Pearl St
Monday: 10am to 6pm
Tuesday: 12noon to 8pm
Wednesday thru Friday: 10am to 6pm
Saturday and Sunday: Closed
Highlands Branch
904-757-7702
1826 Dunn Ave
Monday thru Thursday: 10am to 9pm
Friday and Saturday: 10am to 6pm
Sunday: 1pm to 6pm
Closed on Sundays in June and July
jpl.coj.net
Ray Greene Park
"BMX riders have the perfect place to practice at Ray Greene Park." The park also includes five ball fields, two tennis courts, and picnic facilities. Open 5am - 10pm daily with the exception of Tuesday and Friday evening, when it is reserved for Jax BMX members to practice and races. Learn more about JAX BMX at their website, www.jacksonvillebmx.com . Reservations are required for picnic shelters.
904-630-4100 / 2149 Leonid Rd / www.coj.net
St. Johns River Ferry
A 10-minute ride cross the St. Johns River runs between Mayport and Fort George Island.
From Mayport Village To FT. George Island
Mon.-Fri. 6am, 6:20am, 7am, and continuing on the hour and half hour,
with the final departure at 7pm.
Sat. and Sun. 7am, 7:20am, 8am and continuing on the hour and half hour,
with the final departure at 8:30pm.
From FT. George Island TO Mayport Village
Mon.-Fri. 6:10am, 6:40am, 7:15am, and continuing on the quarter after and
quarter before the hour, with the final departure at 7:15 pm.
Sat. and Sun. 7:10am, 7:40am, 8:15am and continuing on the quarter after and the
quarter before the hour, with the final departure at 8:45 pm.
Rates: Pedestrian/Bicycle $1.00, Motorcycle $3.00, 2 axle $5.00, Each additional axle $1.00/Axle, Passenger Bus $10.00
904-241-9969 / 4610 Ocean St, Mayport / www.stjohnsriverferry.com
Talbot Island State Parks (Big and Little Talbot)
Big Talbot Island State Park - Features miles of hiking trails, shell covered beaches, and a 40 site campground. A perfect setting for your picnic. Admission Fee: $1/person to fish or enjoy the park. Picnicking Fee: $2 /vehicle entrance fee for the Bluffs picnic area.
Little Talbot Island State Park-The park has a full–facility campground, a youth/group tent campground, beachside picnic pavilions, fishing and 5 miles of white, sandy beaches. Guided paddle tours available. Call Kayak Amelia at 251-0016 to schedule. Open from 8am until sundown 365 days a year. Admission $4 per vehicle (up to 8 passengers). Click on link for more information about Little Talbot and other area parks and activities.
