If you’re looking for something fun to do around Jacksonville, FL that won’t wreck your wallet, there are plenty of free things to do in the area. With an abundance of gorgeous beaches, nature preserves, and more metropolitan places to go, the hardest part is making up your mind. Here are three of our favorite things to do around Jacksonville.
Drive on Down: Three Free Things to Do Near Jacksonville, FL
Visit the Riverside Arts Market
On Saturday in downtown Jacksonville, the Riverside Arts Market can be found at 714 Riverside Avenue. You’ll encounter local food trucks, live music, and booths by local artisans and vendors. You can bring your dog and get to know the local arts community and, since the RAM changes from week to week, you never know what you’ll find or who you’ll meet.
The Riverside Arts Market is close to the Jacksonville Riverwalk and the Cummer Museum, so you can make a day of it with a beautiful walk along the St. Johns River followed by a stroll through the art museum (check their website for days with free admittance). The RAM offers a snapshot of the local culture and people of Jacksonville that you won’t find anywhere else.
Walk Through Castaway Island Preserve
Walk the raised boardwalk trails through the Castaway Island Preserve at 2885 San Pablo Road South in Jacksonville. There are educational signs along the way to help you learn more about the beautiful salt marsh ecosystem. You can pause to reflect on one of the many benches positioned at scenic observation platforms along the way.
Well-behaved dogs are welcome on leashes, and the boardwalks and sidewalks are wheelchair accessible. The Education Center has clean bathrooms, and there are outhouses for times when the Center is closed. There are also docks for kayaks if you want to explore the marsh from close up.
Spend Some Time at Atlantic Beach
Enjoy the ocean air as you drive your MINI Convertible to Atlantic Beach at 800 Beach Avenue. Jacksonville has a wealth of amazing beaches, and Atlantic Beach is no exception. It is less crowded than many better-known beaches, but it has that distinctive soft white sand along a flat shore that Florida is known for.
At Atlantic Beach, you’ll find a nice pier you can walk out on to watch gorgeous sunrises or go fishing. Your kids will love hunting for shells along the sand and your dog can chase a frisbee when the tide is out, or you can check the tidal pools for wildlife.
You won’t find a car that is more fun to drive down the coast than a MINI. Stop by Tom Bush MINI in Jacksonville today to take one out for a test drive.
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