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Driving Around Town: The Top 3 Local Attractions Near Jacksonville, FL

Driving Around Town

When you're in the Jacksonville area, there's one thing that's for sure: there's a lot to do! Whether you're a fan of the beach, you're a history buff, or you enjoy exciting nightlife, you can find it in Jacksonville. But with so many great things to see and discover, it can be hard to narrow down your choices and actually decide what to visit! To help you, we've compiled a list of our favorite local attractions in Jacksonville, FL.

Driving Around Town: The Top 3 Local Attractions Near Jacksonville, FL

1. Timucan Preserve

If you think that Jacksonville is an urban jungle, think again! Just on the outskirts of the city, you'll find one of the most fantastic natural areas in the region: Timucan Preserve. Visitors to the preserve can experience a great deal of native flora and fauna between several points of interest located within its boundaries. These points of interest include the Theodore Roosevelt Area, the Fort Caroline National Memorial, and the American Beach sand dune.

But when we visit Timucan Preserve, our favorite part is the Kingsley Plantation, located on Fort George Island. At the Kingsley Plantation, you can learn about Florida's complex past by taking part in the Lion's Storyteller audio tour which takes you around the property of Zephaniah Kingsley.

2. Shipwreck Island Waterpark

If you've ever been to Florida before, you know that it stays hot and humid almost all year round! But that doesn't mean that you have to just stay inside with the air conditioning blasting. You can escape the heat and have a great time by visiting Shipwreck Island Waterpark! The waterpark is by far one of the best in Jacksonville, with attractions and rides for both younger and older visitors alike.

When you visit Shipwreck Island, make sure you don't miss our favorite slide: The Rage. The Rage defies gravity as it sends you both downhill and uphill, giving you a fantastic view of the park through its clear covering. You should also check out Black Beard's Revenge, the Cannonball Burst, and the Pirate's Plunge!

3. Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens

What can we say? We love the zoo! Seeing your favorite animals up close is so much fun for the whole family! And the best part about the Jacksonville Zoo is that a portion of the proceeds goes directly to conservation efforts around the world, helping to preserve the natural habitat of many of the animals who call the Jacksonville Zoo home. Don't miss this one!

To make sure all your friends and family can come along to these great attractions comfortably, drive a spacious vehicle with comfortable seats like the new 2022 VW Jetta. Come test drive one today at Tom Bush Volkswagen!

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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.

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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.