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Whether you are searching for a dessert joint for your next romantic date night or you want to find a family-friendly sweets shop for the kids, Jacksonville, FL has something for everyone. This sunny coastal Florida city boasts endless options of sweets and treats for all. more 5 Sweet Spots for Dessert in and Around Jacksonville, FL 1. Kilwins The moment you walk into this famous Jacksonville chocolatier shop, you can smell the wafting sweet aroma of all kinds of candies and chocolates. Kilwin's is the jack of all trades when it comes to high-end sweet selections. They have every type of gourmet treat from pralines to cookies to caramel apples and fudge. They even have a full-service ice cream shop with endless flavors available to choose from. 2. Rita's Ice Drive over to Jacksonville Beach and hit the shorelines for some tasty treats in the sun at Rita's Ice. It is located directly across from the beach, a short walk, and serves delectable ices outdoor to a picnic-tabled patio. This shop is a staple of the area, becoming a favorite among local families for light and fluffy soft serve and creative new Italian ice flavors. You can even mix in fun toppings like cookies and candies. While visiting Rita's Ice, be sure to ask for their world-famous gelati or try some of the Italian ice made fresh daily with real fruit. There are endless flavors and combinations to choose from. Use the app online to earn points toward free desserts each time you come. 3. The Cheesecake Factory at St John's Town Center This restaurant is located conveniently among unique shops and galleries. Peruse the gorgeous outdoor St John's Town Center mall and then sit down to a cute date night at The Cheesecake Factory. Try gourmet selections of cheesecake among picturesque settings at this dine-in restaurant, and have an unforgettable night in the town. 4. Icecapade Frozen Treats Not every treat has to be coated in sugar and cream. Some can be healthy recipes that satisfy your sweet tooth with natural ingredients, like the products included on the menu at Icecapade Frozen Treats. This gourmet shop serves artisanal popsicles, mouthwateringly concocted using fresh ingredients like vegetables, herbs, and fruits. This healthy treat shop offers a full menu that includes everything from smoothies to juices, and even food like salad. 5. Sweet Theory Baking Sweet Theory has the home-baked goods that let you truly indulge your sweet tooth. Baked fresh daily, Sweet Theory's doughnuts, cupcakes, cookies, and cinnamon rolls don't disappoint, which is why the place has become such a local favorite. Residents also enjoy that they include plenty of gluten-free options, making the bakery a place for everybody. Are you a chocoholic or do you prefer healthy, fruit-filled sweets? No matter your taste or pallet, Jacksonville has endless options for sweets and treats so that you can find your favorites in town. While you're in town, visit Tom Bush Volkswagen today to purchase your dream vehicle to take you around the Jacksonville area.

Jacksonville, FL, with its warm temperatures, countless beaches, breathtaking natural areas, and one of the largest urban park systems in the country, has unlimited kid-friendly activities for families to enjoy together. Take the kids to learn more about history at the various museums and historical sites, explore the outdoors, and encounter local and exotic animals at the zoo and animal wildlife sanctuaries. more 4 Great Kid-Friendly Activities for Families in Jacksonville, FL 1. Discover Nature with Your Family Jacksonville certainly has no shortage of outdoor recreational areas, with more than 400 national, state and city parks spreading out over 80,000 acres of hardwood forests, salt marshes, and coastal wetlands. The Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve covers 46,000 acres of wetlands and waterways filled with wildlife to explore. Visit Fort George Island Cultural State Park and Yellow Bluff Fort Historic State Park to learn more about history. Explore the outdoors at Big Talbot Island, Little Talbot Island, and Pumpkin Hill State Parks for a day of hiking, biking, boating, paddling, and fishing. You can also take the kids to one of the city parks on the St. Johns River or spend the day on the beach at Kathryn Abbey Hanna and Huguenot Parks. 2. Go on a Kayaking Adventure Take the kids on a kayaking adventure and paddle down the unique waterways around the city. Many kayak rental companies in Jacksonville offer self-guided and guided kayak tours if you don't have kayaks. Kayak Amelia provides kayak rentals in the Talbot Islands State Parks and offers tours of the wetlands and marshes. See manatees and turtles with All Wet Sports and paddle the ocean and intercoastal waters with Beach Life Rentals. Adventure Kayak Florida in Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park rents kayaks to paddle on the park's scenic freshwater lake. Black Creek Outfitters offers fantastic guided paddling tours on various picturesque waterways if you want to see wildlife. 3. Encounter Local and Exotic Animals The Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens boasts a collection of over 2,000 exotic animals. Take the kids to The African Forest exhibit to see the apes and watch them hand-feed the giraffes at the Giraffe Overlook. The Museum of Science and History (MOSH) offers exciting interactive animal encounters at the Florida Naturalist's Center filled with local wildlife. You and your kids can go on a nature walk and a guided trail tour to see wildlife right in the heart of the city at The Tree Hill Nature Center and meet tigers, cougars, leopards, and lions at Catty Shack Ranch, a wildlife sanctuary for rescued endangered big cats. The kids will love the nighttime feeding tour when these nocturnal animals are awake. 4. Visit the Museums Jacksonville has a wide range of museums with interactive displays that will keep your kids entertained for hours on end. The Hands-On Children's Museum offers an engaging, interactive environment where families learn through creativity, problem-solving, and role-playing. The Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) displays an astounding collection of more than 1,000 contemporary and modern paintings, sculptures, installations, photographs, and prints. The Museum of Science and History (MOSH) boasts fascinating interactive ecological and cultural exhibits spanning thousands of years. Experience the life of a Jacksonville family at the turn of the century at the James Merril Museum and visit Kingsley Plantation within the Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve to find out more about the history of plantation life. Explore the outdoors and discover history on unforgettable family adventures and make memories with your kids that will last a lifetime. Visit Tom Bush Volkswagen today, and our qualified Volkswagen technician will ensure that your vehicle is in excellent condition for an exciting family outing.

If you're looking for hearty portions and welcoming service, then you can't go wrong at these Italian restaurants here in Jacksonville, FL. The local spots we highlighted will serve you some of the best Italian food you've ever had and deliver it with a great experience from start to finish. Check them out next time you're feeling hungry; we promise you won't regret it. more Where to Go for the Best Italian Food in Jacksonville, FL Picasso's There's a reason this place is known as Picasso's: the food that they bring to you really is a work of art. One classic dish they offer an excellent rendition of is their lasagna bolognese. The blend of homemade meat sauce and creamy bechamel sauce combined with layers of noodles make a hearty and delicious meal from start to finish. Grab a slice of their rich and creamy authentic New York-style cheesecake to put the finishing touches on your visit. Taverna With modern interpretations of classic recipes, Taverna puts a new spin on the Italian dishes you know and love. They also offer delivery service to bring authentic Italian flavor conveniently to your door. You'll be in for a treat when you order up their house-made ravioli, stuffed with mushroom, butternut squash, parmesan cheese, kale, and truffle. Sienna's Italian Cuisine The pizza at Sienna's is absolutely top-notch, and they also do great things with other Italian dishes like their gnocchi with gorgonzola sauce. Another highlight of their menu is the homemade creamy pesto, with fresh basil and a creamy sauce tossed with vine-ripened tomatoes and a pasta of your choice. Toscana Little Italy Whether you're looking for traditional Italian dishes, some of the freshest seafood around, or real New York-style pizza, Toscana Little Italy is the place you've got to go. Their fettucine alfredo is a great dish all by itself, but you can also add your pick of mushrooms and broccoli, chicken, or shrimp to take your meal to the next level. Vito's Drawing on their Sicilian roots to make some memorable dishes, the folks at Vito's can't wait to serve you the wonderful food they cook up. For a rich and flavorful meal, grab yourself an order of their spaghetti carbonara. The creamy sauce brings out the flavor of the sauteed onion and prosciutto beautifully. Enza's Chef Enza sticks to the traditions he grew up with in his home of Sicily when it comes to making food for his guests, and the results are something you'll need to taste to believe. If you love seafood, don't leave this place without trying their shrimp fra diavolo. The spicy marinara sauce that the jumbo shrimp and linguine noodles come served with brings the perfect amount of heat to every bite. These places pair the best food with the best service to deliver you a memorable experience. Our team gives you that same high level of customer service to make some great memories at our dealership. Come on down to Tom Bush Volkswagen and let us help you next!

No matter what day it is, ice cream is always a hit in Florida. Whether you are a traditional custard fan or want to try something new, these shops will never disappoint. Check out these top sweet spots for a cold treat in Jacksonville, FL. more Sweet Spots: 7 Best Places for Ice Cream in Jacksonville, FL 1. Sweet Pete's Candy Shop Sweet Pete's does not disappoint with its gourmet candies and frozen delights. Started by renowned confectioner Peter Behringer, Sweet Pete's is a delight to the senses with over-the-top shakes served in mason jars and sundaes with unlimited toppings. Handmade confections include a giant dessert pretzel and Sweet Pete's brownie a la mode. Yum! 2. Whit's Frozen Custard If you're a fan of frozen custard you have found heaven on earth! This thick, smooth, creamy treat is made fresh daily with flavors like Toasted Coconut Custard with Chocolate Flakes, Mint Custard with Cookies ‘n' Crème, and Pecan Toffee Crunch. Located on Beach Blvd in Jacksonville Beach, Whit's is just a half-mile from the beach. If you'd like to eat there, they've got both indoor and outdoor seating. 3. Dreamette Dreamette is famous for its classic soft serve. Serving the Jacksonville community for over fifty years, Dreamette is legendary for its shakes, sundaes, and banana splits in flavors like hot fudge, gummi bears, butterscotch, and cookie dough. Be sure to bring an appetite for these huge scoops and carry cash because this no-frills spot is cash only. 4. Kilwin's Original Recipe With over thirty-five flavors, Kilwin's serves up spectacular frozen and chocolate creations. Located in St. Johns Town Center, Kilwin's is famous for its handmade chocolate, sweets, and frozen desserts. Get their original recipe in flavors like Blueberry Waffle Cone, Georgia Peach, and New Orleans Praline Pecan. 5. Rita's Located on Jacksonville Beach, Rita's serves up Italian ice and good old-fashioned custard. Rita's creations are made fresh daily and include a creamy version of its Italian ice which is delightful. Their award-winning frozen custard in flavors like Apple Berry Blue, Island Fusion, and Blood Orange is available in creamy and hand-scooped versions. Rita's also serves up gelato and milkshakes. 6. Sweet Frog Ready for fun and phenomenal frozen yogurt? Check out this family-friendly shop and its creamy yogurt concoctions and freshly stocked toppings bar. Sweet Frog on Riverside Avenue has premium yogurt flavors in eye-popping colors like Blue Cotton Candy, Red Velvet, and Georgia Peach. Pick your favorite, then add on toppings like chocolate hazelnut, caramel, and brownies! 7. Mayday With over twenty classic and seasonal flavors, Mayday is one of the best dessert parlors in town. Available from four locations in Jacksonville, their creations include handcrafted cream and homemade waffle cones. This popular shop creates heavenly artisan flavors like Queen Salted Caramel, Mint Monster, and Ice Box Lemon. It also helps that they use homemade cookies and sprinkles! Once you've sampled these frozen delights, stop by Tom Bush Volkswagen and schedule a test drive of one of our amazing vehicles.

In the mood for a zesty taco or a hearty burrito tonight? Check out some of these spots on our list below that serve up some of the best Mexican food around. Best of all, each of these spots is local to the Jacksonville, FL area, so you won't have to go far to satisfy your cravings. Stop in at any of these picks for a meal that is sure to leave you satisfied. more Where to Find the Best Mexican Food in Jacksonville, FL Los Loros Mexican Restaurant Fans of live music and karaoke have to visit Los Loros for their fun Fridays, where music and the smell of authentic Mexican food both fill the air. They've got such a wide array of options on their menu that you could have a different meal each time you visit. If you want a hearty meal you can take with you on the go, check out their burrito supremo. Casa Maria At Casa Maria, they treat you like their house is your house. You'll feel right at home from the minute you walk in with their welcoming atmosphere and friendly servers. You can't go wrong no matter what you order here, but our pick has to be the carne asada. This choice steak is grilled in its own juices and complemented by a side of beans, lettuce, tomato, onions, guacamole, and limes. Cantina Louie Mexican Street Food After its founding in 2014, Cantina Louie has quickly become a local favorite here in Jacksonville. Start out with some of their queso dip as an appetizer. The optional chorizo they add really takes this starting dish up to the next level. Then move on to the scrumptious street tacos they serve up here. Our favorite has to be the taco de carnitas. The pork it comes filled with is seasoned to perfection. Hola Mexican Restaurant Here you'll get modern interpretations of all the classic Mexican dishes you know and love. Their enchiladas are out of this world good and come in a number of different varieties. They've also got excellent vegetarian options for anyone with a plant-based diet, or if you just want to try something different. Make sure you save room for dessert because the fried ice cream they serve up is heaven in a bowl. El Potro Mexican Restaurant At El Potro, the chefs believe that a quality meal starts with quality ingredients. You'll be able to taste the care that went into picking what goes into your meal with every bite. The queso fundido they have makes an excellent start to any meal, while the tacos al pastore are a real treat of a main dish. Check out their list of specials to get a great deal on a tasty meal. It was difficult to choose just five, but those are our picks for the best Mexican cuisine you can get here in Jacksonville. And for the best automotive services in the city, come meet our team. Visit Tom Bush Volkswagen today!