5 Fun Day Trips You Can Take From Jacksonville, FL

Jacksonville, FL, is a coastal city with a population of over 800,000 people. There are lots of things to do in the city, including enjoying its 22 miles of beaches, going on a fishing expedition, and exploring historic neighborhoods. Its perfect location also makes it an ideal place for day trips to neighboring cities. Want to see more beaches? Visit the car racing capital or maybe explore state parks? Let’s look at places to visit for a quick trip.

5 Fun Day Trips You Can Take From Jacksonville, FL

1. Salt Springs

Salt Springs is in the heart of the Ocala National Forest and is home to a wide variety of wildlife and plant life, including dozens of endangered species like the Eastern Indigo Snake and Bald Cypress Trees. There are a variety of activities to enjoy, such as canoeing, kayaking, fishing in the basin, or hiking through the forest to view its diverse ecosystem. Salt Springs has been featured in films like Tarzan and Jurassic Park III.

2. Daytona Beach

Also known as “The World’s Most Famous Beach”, this city is famous not only for its beaches but also for being the capital of car racing. You can spend the day surfing, boating, or fishing. Stroll the pier and boardwalk, then take a tour of the Daytona International Speedway that includes the Motorsports Hall of Fame America. You’ll also find the Jackie Robinson Ballpark, a local stadium and now a shrine for the late Hall of Famer.

3. Amelia Island

This popular vacation destination is home to the prestigious Amelia Island Plantation. It also has many other luxurious hotels, golf courses, and beaches. If you’re a history lover, you’ll enjoy Fort Clinch State Park, where you can learn about the life of a Union soldier while touring through the fort’s rooms, grounds, and galleries. You’ll also find the Big Talbot Island State Park and the Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve here.

4. Cross Creek

Cross Creek is a historic site in Florida that was once the home of Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, author of the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, ” The Yearling”. Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Historic State Park commemorates her life and work. The state park offers an interpretive center with displays of her life, as well as a one-mile hike that leads to the sites mentioned in the book.

5. De Leon Springs

Take a trip to De Leon Springs, home of The Sugar Mill Restaurant. Open for breakfast and lunch, this restaurant is a century-old replica of the 1830s mill that once stood here. In the cooler months, restaurant patrons can relax next to a crackling fire while their food is prepared. You’ll also see The Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuge and its exhibits on native wildlife. Don’t forget to book a Fountain of Youth ECO/History tour.

6. Gainesville

Gainesville is home to many of Florida’s top industries, including the aerospace industry. You’ll also find the University of Florida, which has one of the best STEM programs in the state. Browse for art and antiques in the quaint town of Micanopy. Don’t miss the Florida Museum of Natural History where you can witness birds and butterflies flying free in the Butterfly Rainforest.

Jacksonville may have many things to boast about, but you’ll find other places that you’ll also enjoy nearby. Before you go on that day trip, schedule an oil change and tire check at Tom Bush Volkswagen. We might even recommend other places you’d be interested in.

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