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

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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