Blog / Fun in Jacksonville

3 Fun Summer Activities You Can Drive to From Jacksonville, FL

3 Fun Summer Activities

As days get longer and temperatures to begin to rise, travelers from all over the United States head to Florida to enjoy their favorite summer activities and have fun with their family and friends. Located in the northeastern part of the state, the city of Jacksonville, FL is a great gateway to start exploring the area. Here are three nearby destinations you can visit in your 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan for a well-deserved break from the routine.

3 Fun Summer Activities You Can Drive to From Jacksonville, FL

1. Surfing at Little Talbot Island State Park

Featuring a long stretch of pristine sandy beach on the Atlantic coast of Florida, Little Talbot Island State Park is one of the most popular surfing destinations in the region, welcoming intermediate and advanced surfers with constant, powerful waves. Covering an area of about 2,500 acres, this state park was established in the early 1950s and has since been a well-known recreational destination.

Located a little over 25 miles northeast of downtown Jacksonville, Little Talbot Island State Park can be reached in about half an hour by car via Heckscher Drive. This nature reserve is open year-round between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm and is also a popular spot for other water sports and recreational activities including swimming, kayaking, picnicking, wildlife watching, and hiking.

2. Swimming at Anastasia State Park

Another expansive nature reserve boasting pristine beaches on a small barrier island, Anastasia State Park is a top-rated destination where you can easily spend an entire weekend enjoying the sun and swimming in the beautiful Matanzas Bay. Established in 1949 and covering an area of about 1,700 acres, this state park is open year-round between 8:00 am and 5:30 pm.

Although Anastasia State Park is an excellent swimming destination thanks to its long stretches of sandy beach and relatively calm waters, this nature reserve is also an excellent spot for other water sports including paddleboarding, kayaking, and canoeing. Located about 45 miles southeast of downtown Jacksonville, this state park can be reached in about 50 minutes by car via route I-95.

3. Wildlife Watching at Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve

A historic coastal nature preserve boasting wetlands, salt marshes, and hardwood forests, Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve is an excellent spot for wildlife watchers and photographers wanting to check out the local species of birds and mammals that live in the region. Covering an area of over 46,000 acres, this nature reserve is located about 13 miles east of downtown Jacksonville and can be reached in less than 20 minutes by car.

If you are looking for a new or used vehicle to take your family on a memorable summer adventure, visit us today at Tom Bush Volkswagen! Check out our inventory, ask one of our colleagues about our latest deals, and take home a shiny new set of wheels.

Posted in:

Related Posts

TB Halloween

Join the Fun at the Tom Bush Family Trunk or Treat Event!

Are you ready for some Halloween fun for the whole family? Look no further than the Tom Bush Family Trunk or Treat event! Mark your calendars for this exciting and safe celebration where children can wear their favorite costumes and enjoy a unique Trick-or-Treat experience from trunk to trunk. The event promises an evening of delightful surprises, games, snacks, and chances to win exciting prizes! Event Details This event is being held at two our locations: Tom Bush Volkswagen October 24th - 5:00pm - 7:00pm 9850 Atlantic Blvd. | Jacksonville, FL Mazda City of Orange Park October 25th - 5:00pm - 7:00pm 9850 Atlantic Blvd. | Jacksonville, FL Admission is Free! This family-friendly event offers a safe and enjoyable environment for children to gather treats and marvel at the creatively decorated vehicle trunks. Let your little ones immerse themselves in the Halloween spirit while you relish the joy on their faces as they participate in various games and activities. Don't miss the chance to win exciting prizes through the event's raffle drawings! Bring your entire family and friends to the Tom Bush Family Trunk or Treat, where the community comes together for an evening of laughter, joy, and unforgettable memories. With free admission and plenty of entertainment for everyone, this event is not to be missed! We can't wait to see you there! Register to Attend While there is no charge for this event, we kindly ask you to register to attend. Your registration is essential for us to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience for all attendees. Please take a moment to register for the event by clicking here. Thank you for your cooperation!

reservation-513102_1280

3 Fun Weekend Activities in Driving Distance of Jacksonville, FL

Jacksonville, FL offers its residents a wide range of activities to enjoy. There are many museums, botanical gardens, and parks. There are also many nature preserves and wildlife refuges. To help you decide how best to spend your weekend, read on to learn about our favorite weekend activities within driving distance of Jacksonville. 3 Fun Weekend Activities in Driving Distance of Jacksonville, FL 1. Visiting Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens One of our favorite ways of enjoying a Saturday in Jacksonville is visiting Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens at 829 Riverside Avenue. Through November 30, 2023, there is a special exhibition called OUTSIDE: IN. This exhibition showcases modern artists from around the world, taking inspiration from the natural world around them and creating art in the form of such media as: Painting Photographs Video You can visit this museum between 10 and 4 on Saturdays and noon and 4 on Sundays. We love coming here on Saturdays because admission is free on the first Saturday of every month. You can also get free access during the first weekend of the month if you have a BOA or Merrill Lynch card. You can tour the gardens as long as the weather is good and it is daylight or the museum is open. more 2. Enjoying Dinner and a Show at Alhambra Theatre & Dining We also recommend enjoying dinner and a show at Alhambra Theatre and Dining at 12000 Beach Blvd. This recently renovated theater will provide you with a decadent three-course meal and a show you will not soon forget. We recommend coming here regularly because the chef prepares a different three-course menu for each production running. For instance, for Fiddler on the Roof, you can choose from a salad or gluten-free soup for your first course. Then, you can choose from one of our main courses, including a vegetarian option that can be made gluten-free. Finally, you can end your dining experience with a chocolate cake or apple crumb pie. 3. Taking an Airboat Tour of the Area at Airboat Adventure Tour Finally, we recommend taking an airboat tour of the area, including the Intercoastal Waterways and Sisters Creek. Airboat Adventure Tour parking is available at 6359 Heckscher Dr, and you can expect the thrilling ride to last roughly 90 minutes. Up to 15 passengers can fit on the ​Hakuna Matata, but you can book a private tour for ​less than the cost of 15 seats. There are many fun ways you can enjoy your weekend in Jacksonville. However, you can't enjoy all the city offers without a dependable car, like a 2023 Volkswagen ID.4. To take it for a test drive, swing by Tom Bush Volkswagen today.

Drive on Down

Drive on Down: 4 Free Things to Do Near Jacksonville, FL

Jacksonville, FL is one of the most exciting cities in northeastern Florida. You'll find fabulous beaches like Neptune, Jacksonville, and Atlantic, excellent restaurants, and world-class shopping. These free things to do are great family-friendly activities and show the best of this artistic, natural, and beautiful city. The 2023 Volkswagen Taos S FWD can get you there with cruise control, excellent gas mileage, and manual air conditioning for a comfy ride. Drive on Down: 4 Free Things to Do Near Jacksonville, FL 1. Riverside Arts Market Visit the Riverside Arts Market at 715 Riverside Ave., and see some of the best artisanal wares that Jacksonville offers. You'll find food trucks, entertainment, tons of fruits and vegetables, and stalls featuring homemade goods, arts and crafts, decorations, and more at this weekly market. It's a great way to support the community, and entrance and parking are completely free. You'll also have the chance to sample some homemade goodies and interact with the community along the way. This market is dog-friendly, so feel free to bring your well-behaved leashed pup for the fun. more 2. Timucuan Ecological & Historical Preserve Timucuan Ecological & Historical Preserve, at 12713 Fort Caroline Rd. offers visitors the chance to enjoy some of Florida's best forests and see Spanish moss, towering trees, and lovely vegetation and flowers. There are plenty of trails in this preserve, so you can easily choose how challenging or easy you want your hike to be. Plus, all the trails are well-marked. Since the Timucuan Ecological & Historical Preserve is centrally located, you won't have any problem finding it, grabbing a parking space, and heading out to hike. 3. Jacksonville Arboretum & Gardens Another Jacksonville gem, the Jacksonville Arboretum & Gardens at 1445 Millcoe Rd., has ample parking and signage and a well-marked trail with different plant and floral species identified. There are a few main trails in the arboretum, and most of them lend themselves to a stroll around the grounds. Plus, there are plenty of benches, a lovely pond, and nice pavilions dotting the land. Sometimes the Jacksonville Arboretum & Gardens will have paid events, but it's open and free to the public during most times, although donations are appreciated. 4. Riverwalk The Riverwalk, at 1000 Museum Cir., winds down the St. Johns River and gives you a lovely view of the city. Plenty of murals, outdoor parks, and art are on the Riverwalk. Plus, it's paved, and safe and can take you to many places in the downtown core. For a relaxed weekend stroll that won't cost you a dime, the Riverwalk is a great option. Jacksonville is an amazing city to explore, but you will certainly need a top-notch vehicle to get around. Visit Tom Bush Volkswagen and test drive one of our great models today.