Feeling overwhelmed by the hustle and bustle of city life and in need of an escape? If you reside in Jacksonville, FL, you can get away from it all. Visit these small towns to recharge your body and nourish your mind.
3 Charming Small Towns Near Jacksonville, FL
1. Callahan
Located in the northwestern part of Jacksonville, Callahan is about 20 miles away. This town owes its birth to the construction of the Florida Railroad and is named after Daniel Callahan–the person who helped build the railroad. The railroad opened up the region to new economic opportunities, including industries, tourism, and real estate. But Callahan has maintained its big, hearty small-town feel throughout the years.
While Callahan has come a long way since the first railroad passed through the area from Fernandina, it has maintained its big, hearty small-town feel over the years. When you drive around this town in your sporty Mini Cooper S Countryman, you’ll see plenty of places to eat: a testament to Southern hospitality. Plus, many local businesses sell items you might want to take home with you as essentials.
Read the rest of this entry »5 Tips for Hassle-Free Parallel Parking
Perfecting the art of parallel parking can feel like an impossible task, but fear not, as this seemingly difficult challenge can be mastered with a little knowledge and a good deal of practice. Whether you’re an experienced driver or a novice who just got a shiny new pair of keys from a MINI dealer, this guide will equip you with practical tips to master the art of hassle-free curbside parking.
From a MINI Dealer: 5 Pro Tips for Hassle-Free Parallel Parking
1. Prepare and Visualize
Before you even begin, it’s important to visualize the parking spot and your car’s movements. As you approach a potential spot, measure it with your eyes. Does it look like a good fit for your car? Does it give you enough space to maneuver? Take a moment to mentally map your car’s path into the space. Preparation and visualization are the foundation of a successful curbside parking attempt.
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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.
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Today, the iconic MINI brand has smarter cars than ever before; each model is packed with a bevy of clever tech features. To see them in action, you can always visit your local MINI dealer and ask to take your favorite model for a spin.
6 Tech Features You’ll Find on Today’s MINI Vehicles
Easy Bluetooth Pairing
When behind the wheel of your MINI, you can avoid any awkward and risky attempts at trying to separately handle your phone and car at the same time. By seamlessly pairing your phone with your car via Bluetooth, you can make calls and control various other phone apps using the controls on your car’s instrument panel and even on the steering wheel.
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Founded 200 years ago, Jacksonville, FL has seen quite the number of significant historical events. Even before Florida became a state, the area had been explored and settled by the Native Americans, Spanish, and French. If you want to learn about the many stories that have taken place here, then check out these fascinating historical attractions!
Make the Drive: 3 Historical Attractions Near Jacksonville, FL
1. Fort Caroline National Memorial
Located at 12713 Fort Caroline Road along the banks of the St. Johns River, this memorial has been dedicated to the French Huguenot settlers who briefly colonized the area from 1564 to 1565. The actual location of the fort itself is unknown, but the federally designated area includes the landing site where the French first set foot on the continent. Various nature trails show off the natural beauty of park, and visitors can even see dolphins swimming in the river.
As you explore Fort Caroline, you can make use of the National Park Service app or read various informational plaques that explain how the Huguenots attempted to establish a colony for King Charles IX before they were violently driven out by Spanish soldiers. Exhibits at the Timucuan Preserve Visitor Center greatly detail the relationship between humans and the environment of Northeast Florida.
Read the rest of this entry »5 Things to Love About the 2023 MINI Clubman All4
When shopping for cars, one of the things you’ve probably noticed is that a lot of them look alike. If you’re looking for a way to stand out from the crowd and drive a car that has its own style and personality, then you need to check out the 2023 MINI Clubman All4. This vehicle has both a contemporary design and a heritage of ingenuity and quality–and there are some things to love about this car.
5 Things to Love About the 2023 MINI Clubman All4
1. It Can Be Customized
While most cars come with some options that allow you to showcase your style and individuality, they may not capture the essence of who you truly are. The MINI wants you to be you, so there are many different ways to customize your vehicle, including choosing paint, roof, and mirror color combinations that stand out from the crowd.
You can also add roof aesthetics to your vehicle, including the Multitone Roof, which comes in three different color gradients, including Alpine White, Soul Blue, and Chili Red. You can pair that with a dual-pane panoramic moonroof to really make your car yours.
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MINI vehicles are fuel efficient, making them much more eco-friendly than gas-guzzling alternatives. Meatless options at vegetarian restaurants are another way to find environmentally friendly ways to live your life. Check out these restaurants here in Jacksonville, FL for a great meal you can feel good about.
5 Vegetarian Restaurants Worth the Drive Near Jacksonville, FL
1. The Walrus
All of your deli favorites with a vegan twist make every visit to The Walrus a real treat that you’ll want to keep coming back for. Our personal favorite is the Cuban Shuffle, which comes with delicious deli turk’ee topped off with their signature Noochie Boochie Sauce to make every bite a flavor bomb you’ll go crazy for. Try out the unique eats served up here when you order from their location at 948 Edgewood Avenue South.
Read the rest of this entry »Which MINI Cars Have the Best Fuel Efficiency?
When getting a compact hatchback, you want to make sure that it has good fuel efficiency. A fuel-efficient vehicle will be cheaper to run and more reliable, as you won’t have to fill your tank up as often. MINI have plenty of fuel-efficient cars that you can get from your local MINI dealership.
Top 3 MINIs With the Best Fuel Efficiency Available From a MINI Dealership
MINI Clubman
The MINI Clubman is one of the larger options you can get from this manufacturer, making it a good option for families. It offers 17.5 cubic feet of cargo space in the trunk, making it ideal for grocery shopping and more. It also has a lot of space for multiple passengers, ensuring that everyone can enjoy a comfortable ride.
Its mileage is exceptional, offering a combined MPG of 26. On the highway, you can get up to 32 MPG; however, you’re more likely to use this type of vehicle in the city. Thankfully it also excels in this environment, offering 23 MPG in urban areas, which is much better than most hatchbacks.
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The highly responsive, nimble handling of your Mini depends upon a fully functioning engine. And one of the most important components of your engine is the spark plugs. Firing off hundreds of times every minute, your plugs keep the combustion process going, and without them, your wheels will rapidly grind to a halt. With this in mind, the following six indications of plug trouble should prompt you to visit your local Mini dealer for replacements right away.
6 Signs It’s Time to Replace the Spark Plugs on Your Car
Your Car’s Idling Roughly
When even one plug starts to falter, the cylinder that contains it won’t be firing as consistently. This misfiring will cause your engine to cough, sputter, and judder when you pause in idle rather than purr away smoothly as it should.
Your Engine’s Stalling
It’s unlikely that a single defunct plug will cause your engine to stall. But problems that lead to sparking problems often affect more than one cylinder. If more than one of your plugs is struggling to do its job, then you might stall. This is most likely when idling, such as when paused at traffic lights.
Read the rest of this entry »Sports and entertainment have a long tradition here in Jacksonville, and we’ve sure got a lot of places where fans can enjoy their favorite games and shows here in Jacksonville. Whether you’re just visiting or a native Jaxon, you need to go catch a game in Jacksonville to experience what our city has to offer. For the best of the best experience, here are our favorite stadiums in Jacksonville, FL.
Take the MINI and Check Out These Top 3 Stadiums in Jacksonville, FL
1. TIAA Bank Field
The biggest stadium in Jacksonville and all of north Florida, the 67,000-seat TIAA Bank Field is an iconic sight of Jacksonville, at 1 Gator Bowl Boulevard. The stadium hosts the city’s beloved Jacksonville Jaguars, as well as numerous other sporting events and concerts year-round, including the Super Bowl on one occasion in 2005 and numerous college football bowl games.
Even if you’re not a football fan, prepare to be amazed by how well-equipped this field is. It features the world’s largest jumbotron scoreboard, and a unique deck with swimming pools behind the endzone. Good luck finding another stadium that’s got one of those!
2. 121 Financial Ballpark
Baseball fans can come enjoy a game at the lovely 121 Financial Ballpark, formerly known as the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville, located at 301 A Philip Randolph Boulevard. The stadium is home to Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp of the Triple-A International League and is one of the country’s premier minor league ballparks.
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