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.

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.

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