places to go / westside
103rd Street Sports Complex
This city-owned park features a lighted asphalt Go-Kart track with bleachers, grills, restrooms, and parking. Use of the track is free. However, riders must have their own Go-Kart and equipment. Spectators are also welcome to come on race and non-race days. For more information or race schedules, contact the North Florida Kart Club. Their website is http://www.nfkc.us/php/
904-219-8729 / 10244 103rd St / 103rd Street Sports Complex
Adventure Landing
Two 18-hole miniature golf courses, Go-Karts, Laser Tag, Arcade.
904-771-2803 / 4825 Blanding Blvd / www.adventurelanding.com
Blueberry, Blackberry and Grape Picking - Westside
Blueberry season is typically May - early July. Grape season runs August - September. Pick your own at these locations (Call ahead as ripe supply varies from week to week).
Williams Blueberry Farm
904-781-4676 / 2595 Statton Rd
Blueberry picking available late May through early July on Saturday and Sundays, 8am to dark. $2 per pound picked.
Cason Vineyards
904-781-1314 / 2780 Parish Cemetery Rd
Grape Vineyards. Open: August 15 thru September, Monday to Saturday 8am to 7pm.
Sellers Blueberry Farm
904-781-7739 / 10229 Old Plank Rd
Blueberry picking available June 1-30. Wednesday 8am to 6pm and Friday and Saturday 8am to 7pm.
Mackert Vineyards
904-266-9405 / 13448 Sellers Lane
Grape Vineyards. Open: August 15 thru September 15
Dowless Blueberry Farm
904-772-1369 / 7010 Ricker Road
Blueberry picking available late May through early July. Early is best!
www.pickyourown.org
Bowling Alleys - Westside
Bowl-O-Matic Phoenix Lanes
904-387-3569 / 2600 Blanding Blvd / www.phoenixbowling.com
Cassat Batt Bowl
904-389-2360 / 1838 Cassat Ave
Cecil Aquatics Center Pool
Swim indoors at Cecil Aquatics Center. This heated pool is open to the public and open all year long, except on major holidays. Free. Hours are Monday - Thursday, 9am - 8pm; Friday, 8am - 6pm; Saturday, 9am - 6pm; Sunday, 1pm - 6pm. Note: The pool is closed for maintenance from 2pm - 3pm Monday - Saturday.
904-573-8994 / 13611-A Normandy Blvd / www.coj.net
Chamblin Book Mine
A used and rare books store. Customers can exchange books for others they wish to read. Features a big kids book section with kid-sized tables where children can sit and enjoy the book offerings. Hours are Mon-Sat, 10am - 6pm.
904-384-1685 / 4551 Roosevelt Blvd / www.chamblinbookmine.com
Crystal Springs Road Park
40-acre park with nature trails, exercise course, picnic tables, grills, a pond, playground, tennis courts, and multi-purpose play fields. Admission is free. Park hours are 5am - 10pm.
904-693-4909 / 9800 Crystal Springs Rd / www.coj.net
Diamond D Ranch
Ranch and forest horseback riding for all ages. 1 hour trail ride - $35. 2 hours - $65. Or pack a lunch and go for half day - $140. Children under 7 years of age - a parent or adult can hand lead a pony while child rides in the saddle around the ranch and can see all kinds of animals, such as water and bison buffalos, deer, goats, sheep, lama, antelope, ostrich, cows, horses and many more. Over-night stays available in the their bunkhouse. Call to make a reservation.
904-289-9331/ 5903-1 Solomon Rd / www.diamonddranchinc.com
Doing Dishes
Paint your own pottery studio. No lessons needed. $6 per person plus pottery.
904-388-7088 / 1026 Edgewood Ave. South / www.doingdishes.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.
904-782-6208 / 855 Lane Ave S / www.homedepot.com
Jacksonville-Baldwin Rails to Trails
14 miles of trail along the former CSX railway line. Features a paved path for walking, running, or in-line skating. Plenty of shade along much of the trail. The East entrance is two-tenth mile north of Commonwealth Ave, on Imeson Road. Two additional trails are currently under construction: one for mountain biking and another for riding horses.
NOTE- Be prepared to stop at points where highways intersect the trail.
904-630-4100 / East Entrance: two-tenth mile north of Commonwealth Ave on Imeson Road; West entrance: North of Route 90 on Brandy Branch Rd / www.coj.net
Jax Lanes West
904-781-4422 / 6526 Ramona Blvd
Jungle Quest
Jungle Quest is a safe, fun and experiential challenge that teaches self confidence, responsibility, problem solving and teamwork. The jungle, which includes four private party rooms, a toddler area and an observation area for parents, is open seven days a week, 10am to 6pm.
Available for birthday parties, drop-in play, groups and special events, Jungle Quest features:* Zooming Zip Lines: 75 feet long, suspended 17 feet in the air
* Traverse Swinging Bridges: 15-feet-long rope bridges suspended seven to nine feet in the air
* Rock Wall: 20-feet-high Located across the street from JAX NAS Yorktown Gate
Jungle Quest / 904-779-7572 / 4616-1 Sub Chaser Court / www.junglequest.net
Libraries - Westside
Argyle Branch / 904-573-3164 / 7973 Old Middleburg Rd S
Open Monday & Tuesday, 12noon - 8pm; Wednesday - Saturday, 10am - 6pm.
Maxville Branch / 904-289-7563 / 8375 Maxville Blvd
Open Monday & Tuesday, 12noon - 8pm; and Wednesday - Saturday, 10am - 6pm. Located near the intersection of Normandy and Hwy 301.
Murray Hill Branch / 904-384-2665 / 918 Edgewood Ave S
Open Monday & Tuesday, 12noon - 8pm; and Wednesday - Saturday, 10am - 6pm. Located near Jones College.
Webb Wesconnett Branch / 904-778-7305 / 6887 103rd St
Open Monday - Thursday, 10am - 8pm; Friday & Saturday, 10am - 6pm; and Sunday, 1pm - 6pm. Closed on Sundays in June and July.
West Regional Branch / 904-693-1448 / 1425 Chaffee Rd S
Open Monday - Thursday, 10am - 8pm; Friday & Satuday, 10am - 6pm; and Sunday, 1pm - 6pm. Closed on Sundays in June and July.
Westbrook Branch / 904-384-7424 / 2809 Commonwealth Ave
Open Monday - Friday, 10am - 6pm.
jpl.coj.net
Ringhaver Park
The park includes a two-mile asphalt path with wooden bridges, providing access to the Ortega River Nature Preserve for walkers, joggers and the handicapped. There are also softball and soccer fields, a covered picnic area, and an all-child playground. Open 5am - 10pm.
904-630-4100 / 5198 118th St / www.coj.net
Tillie K. Fowler Regional Park
(Formerly Westside Regional Park)
"With 509 acres, Tillie K. Fowler Regional Park is among the largest of all Jacksonville parks. It features a nature center and outdoor classroom, picnic area with grills and playground equipment, biking trails, a series of hiking and nature trails, and an elevated platform from which to view wetlands, soaring bald eagles, and other birds. Along the trails you will see evidence of Jacksonville's past in the form of a 16-foot wide brick road built in the early 20th century. (Click here for a map of the park.)
Tillie K. Fowler Regional Park is headquarters for the city's park naturalist who will gladly set up a nature walk or program for your organized group, club, school, or class. All programs are free of charge and can be scheduled by calling 904-573-2498."
Call ahead for park hours.
