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Every year, millions of visitors flock to visit Florida. That's partly because of the area's stunning natural beauty. Keep reading to find out about some of the best scenic drives you can enjoy around Jacksonville, FL. 5 Amazing Scenic Drives to Take in North Florida 1. Arlington State Road 116 You don't necessarily have to leave the city to enjoy a beautiful scenic drive. Arlington State Road 116 takes you past beaches and past historic sites like the Ribault Monument. Keep your eyes peeled for Fort Caroline, a reconstruction of a 16th-century fort on the banks of the St. John's River. Start from the intersection of Mt. Pleasant Road & Fort Caroline Road and finish up at Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park. At the endpoint, you can enjoy the park facilities, including walking trails and a splash park. This is an eight-mile drive that should take around 15 minutes. more 2. Florida State Road 13 Florida State Route 13 runs alongside the St. Johns River. It's packed with old homes and historic towns, providing lots of photo opportunities. This drive is dotted with fishing piers, so bring your rod and stop for a while! The drive should take around 30 minutes each way. Begin on the Acosta Bridge near the downtown area and turn back at the small community of Spuds. When you're making a long drive like this one, a vehicle like the 2023 Volkswagen Jetta SE can allow you to travel in luxury! 3. Old Dixie Highway Old Dixie Highway showcases the best of Florida's natural beauty. The road is shaded by old oaks and palm trees. The Halifax River also runs alongside the road in places. To reach the Old Dixie Highway, travel south from Jacksonville on the 95. Then take the route to Burlow Creek State Park before returning home. Bulow Creek State Park is another great place for a break if you have the time, offering nature trails and a lake. 4. To Amelia Island Amelia Island is a beautiful spot in Florida. And the drive to this Sea Island is packed with gorgeous sights too! Avoid the freeway and take the slow route along the First Coast Highway. Enjoy the views as you roll past tidal marshes and maritime forests, with plenty of wildlife to be seen in the trees. Take a little extra time at the end to enjoy the island. There are clean, pristine beaches studded with sand dunes. If you arrive in the daytime, you could take a swim in the ocean or enjoy a little sunbathing. In the evening, these beaches offer the perfect spot for a walk, especially if you can watch the sunset. With a great vehicle, you can enjoy drives around the beautiful North Florida. Pay a visit to Tom Bush Volkswagen today for a test drive.

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.

From beautiful beaches to plenty of parks, museums, and shops, Jacksonville, FL, is a phenomenal place to spend some quality time. There's also no shortage of fun places to make memories with your family and friends. Your 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 Pro with a complete entertainment system, including LCD monitors in the front, will keep you safe and entertained the whole way there. 5 Fun Places in Driving Distance of Jacksonville, FL 1. Cecil Aquatic Center The Cecil Aquatic Center, at 13611 Normandy Boulevard, is a great place to bring your whole family for some great, wholesome fun during the summertime. The center is clean, and there are pools for people of all levels, including a smaller baby pool. You'll find on-site lifeguards, and it's open for longer hours. Also, since it's right in the heart of Jacksonville, you don't have to drive too far to have a ball. more 2. The Escape Game Jacksonville Visit The Escape Game Jacksonville, at 4720 Town Crossing Drive, Suite 107, for an exciting, family-friendly night out where you can combine your skills and brains to figure out a way from the escape room. Plus, The Escape Game Jacksonville staff are friendly and knowledgeable, and it's easy to find. 3. Jacksonville Ice and Sportsplex Jacksonville Ice and Sportsplex, at 3605 Philips Highway, is an excellent place to hit the ice and enjoy a fun, athletic day. You'll be able to rent skates on-site and get guidance from highly trained, knowledgeable staff. There are refreshments, gloves for sale, and regular open skate opportunities. 4. Zero Latency Jax Visit Zero Latency Jax at 8206 Philips Highway Unit 27 for some of the finest immersive gameplay in the state of Florida. Everyone gets a VR headset, which allows them to immerse themselves in the game entirely. Thanks to VR technology, the experience is as real as it gets, and you and your family will have a blast teaming up to fight the bad guys. It's also an excellent way to bond with your co-workers or simply do something exciting and new on a night out. 5. Stumpy's Hatchet House Jacksonville Stumpy's Hatchet House Jacksonville, at 1719 North Main Street, offers a fun-filled, unique experience where participants can throw axes and compete against their friends. There are also other games available to play, great camaraderie, and a welcoming and safe atmosphere. Those looking for something off-the-beaten-path, challenging, and most of all, fun, should give Stumpy's Hatchet House Jacksonville a try. Jacksonville is nothing if not a super fun city, and these fantastic activities prove it. Stop in and see us at Tom Bush Volkswagen and take a test drive today.

At times, the hustle and bustle of city life can start to feel a bit overwhelming. If you are happy to call Jacksonville, FL your home, but feel you need a break, you may want to fuel up your Volkswagen Atlas and check out one of these charming small towns in the area. 3 Charming Small Towns You Can Drive to Near Jacksonville, FL 1. Neptune Beach If you plan on visiting Neptune Beach, you strongly consider checking out Jax Surf & Paddle at 241 Atlantic Boulevard #102. You can rent a surfboard or stand-up paddleboard for one hour, four hours, 24 hours, or a week. You can also schedule private boarding lessons regardless of your experience level or attend public classes if you are a beginner or intermediate surfer or paddleboarder. Jax Surf & Paddle will also take you on a tour of local waterways if you are an intermediate boarder. Alternatively, you can schedule a private tour. Additionally, depending on the type of paddleboarding you do, you may want to arrange to have a party with the company. more 2. Callahan If you go to Callahan for the day, we recommend that you spend some time at West Nassau Museum of History at 45383 Dixie Avenue. In the freight room, there are many G, O, and HO model railroad cars that are extremely popular with visitors of all ages. However, it is not just the rail cars that make this museum worth a visit. The museum features displays that tell the story of each community in the county and memorabilia that dates back over a century. 3. Fernandina Beach Despite its small size, there is a lot to do in Fernandina Beach. We love visiting Fort Clinch State Park at 2601 Atlantic Avenue. The park is open daily from 8 o'clock in the morning to sunset, but the ranger station is only open from 10:30 to 5:30. You can access the visitor center between 9:00 and 4:30 every day, and you can tour the fort at any time between 9 and 5. Whether you're looking to get back in touch with nature or learn more about the history of the fort, you will love this state park. Once you're done exploring, you can relax on the beach. It is accessible via the jetty boardwalk. If you want to take a break from the hustle and bustle of Jacksonville and explore a nearby charming town, it is crucial that you have a comfortable, reliable vehicle. However, you need to get routine maintenance to keep your vehicle reliable. Contact us at Tom Bush Volkswagen to schedule a service appointment if it has been a while since your last oil change or tire rotation.