Beaches

9 Reasons to Visit Jacksonville, Florida

Published

7 years ago

August 15, 2017

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In a state that dazzles with such glitzy cities as Naples and Miami Beach, Jacksonville—or JAX, as locals lovingly call it—has remained a quiet, under-the-radar treasure beloved by those in the know. That is, until now. A highly touted food scene, buzzing neighborhoods, world-class architecture, hopping art and design galleries, and some of the best waves around are earning it the moniker the “next San Francisco or Portland.” The time to go is now. Here are nine reasons why.

RISING RESTAURANT SCENE

Everywhere you look, new and exciting things are happening in the JAX eating scene. Inspired by the bounty of fresh ingredients culled from its coastline, St. Johns River, and fertile farmland, restaurants are taking Southern cuisine to a new level. Chef/owner Tom Gray’s Moxie Kitchen + Cocktails, for example, has adopted a “full-circle” philosophy to its regional cuisine (vs. farm to table), meaning everything in the industrial-chic restaurant, including the hardwood paneling and glass chandeliers, is sourced locally. And the sleek Black Sheep is getting a reputation for such innovative toggles on the classics as fried green tomato BLT and Black Hog Farm chicken and dumplings (sliced chicken served over gnocchi). But the most intriguing of all is taking place at Unity Plaza Park (see No. 2).

Insider Tip: JAX is also making a name for itself in craft brews. Sample them on the JAX Ale Trail.

FREE YOGA & MORE IN THE PARKS

Walking through downtown’s Hemming Park, you’ll spot signs advertising all kinds of free happenings: yoga, art walks, night markets, a chess meetup, and a summer movie series, to name a few. This is a city that loves its outdoorsy activities—and you won’t find a shortage, considering it boasts the nation’s largest urban park system (two national, seven state, and 400-plus city parks). You can bring Fido to Confederate Park; go paddleboarding at Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park; take a sunset water taxi across the St. Johns River to Treaty Oak at Jesse Ball duPont Park; camp on the sand at Huguenot Memorial Park; and go biking on the Jacksonville-Baldwin Rail-Trail through pinewoods, wetlands, and hardwood uplands (keep an eye out for songbirds and wild turkey).

But the most forward thinking is Unity Plaza Park in the Brooklyn neighborhood. Centered around an amphitheater with residential apartments above, Unity Plaza is anchored by three restaurants—and not just any restaurants, but Top Chef winner Kevin Sbraga’s Sbraga & Company and chef Roger Regulacion’s Hobnob, along with the wood-fired pizzeria Brixx. The concept is to create community interaction, a flow between one place and the other. The amphitheater offers activities and events 365 days a year, including concerts, a lively daily broadcast, art shows, and yoga. A big band shell for concerts and a beer garden are in the works (along with one more restaurant). You can spend a whole day here, dining, imbibing, and hanging out.

Insider Tip: A hidden gem that even locals are surprised to learn about is the Jacksonville Arboretum and Gardens, a tranquil oasis in the heart of the bustling Arlington neighborhood. Hiking trails wind through 13 different ecological habitats.

DREAMY BEACHES

Twenty-two miles of sugary white sand and turquoise surf hug Jacksonville’s easternmost edge, where long days of lounging beneath colorful umbrellas are sublime. There are three distinct beach communities with very different personalities. Atlantic Beach is a vintage beach town, very casual and surfer-dude relaxed, with trendy shops and restaurants at its Town Center. Just south is Neptune Beach, popular among families. And the southernmost section is trendy Jacksonville Beach, with its fishing pier and summer moonlight movie series.

All that said, amped surfers know some of the state’s best waves occur right here as well, challenging grommets and Gandalfs alike. Join (or watch) them near Mayport Naval Station, where jetties create the best break on the state’s northeast coast, or “The Poles” in Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park. Hot-doggers flock here in May during the WaveMasters Surf Festival, Florida’s most prestigious open amateur surfing competition, with the Florida Surfing Association Super Grom Surf Festival following in June.

Insider Tip: The Beaches Trolley is a great local transport system that will take you all along the beaches for $1.50 per trip; day passes are also available.

KAYAKING WITH MANATEES

With more than 1,100 miles of navigable waterways, Jacksonville boasts more shoreline than any other city in the United States, and one of the best ways to explore is by kayak. Put in at St. Johns Marina boat ramp next to River City Brewing Company and before you know it, you’ll be paddling past downtown’s glittering skyline. Get a more natural backdrop at Timucuan Ecological & Historic Preserve, where water trails flow through a magical land of salt marshes, coastal dunes, and hardwood hammocks (Kayak Amelia offers guided kayak tours through this fertile realm). But the beauty of it all: wherever you go, you have a fair chance of spotting dolphins—and, if you’re really lucky, shy manatees.

Insider Tip: Manatee sightings are not guaranteed . . . but you never know! These lumbering giants like warm, shallow, slow-moving water. The best time to see them is between mid-December and mid-April.

STUNNING DOWNTOWN ARCHITECTURE

When Spanish moss caught fire at a furniture factory in 1901, a devastating inferno swept through downtown, leaving behind a literal clean slate that lured architectural greats to help rebuild. The greatest of all was Henry John Klutho, a friend of architect Frank Lloyd Wright, who is credited with designing dozens of buildings in the Prairie School style—giving Jacksonville one of the largest collections outside the Midwest. Sprinkled among these beauties are buildings designed in other notable styles, including Classical Revival, Chicago School, and Gothic Revival styles. Among the highlights: the ten-story 121 Atlantic Place (formerly Atlantic National Park) from 1909, Jacksonville’s first skyscraper; the 1908 Bisbee Building, the first reinforced concrete high-rise anywhere in the southern United States; and the Classical Revival Carnegie Library from 1905.

Insider Tip: Take the popular “Top to Bottom” tour to gain a true appreciation of the city’s architecture, including secret underground tunnels and enormous treasure vaults.

AWESOME NEIGHBORHOOD VIBES

The city, which happens to be the largest city in the continental U.S. (by land mass—only 850,000 people live there), is composed of a bunch of little neighborhoods, each one with its own feel. So if you’re feeling urbane, you can head downtown, with its glass skyscrapers, seven majestic bridges along the St. Johns River, world-class museums, and innovative restaurants. Then there’s historic, oak-shaded Riverside Avondale, noted for its charming architecture and the Riverside Arts Market, held every Saturday under Fuller Warren Bridge. San Marco is a pedestrian-friendly enclave with gas lamps and scrolled iron benches sprinkled among its buzzing restaurants (Bistro AIX, Taverna, and Maple Street Biscuit Company are local institutions); escape the afternoon heat with a movie matinee at the famous Art Deco San Marco Theatre. And then there are the beach communities, foremost among them Beaches Town Center in the heart of Neptune and Atlantic Beaches; just steps from the surf, enjoy healthy restaurants, art galleries, yoga retreats, and beach shops along its brick-lined, flower-filled streets.

Insider Tip: The automated Skyway Express connects several different neighborhoods as it glides silently above city streets and across the St. Johns River between downtown and San Marcos—for free!

A VERITABLE WONKA CANDY FACTORY

Sweet Pete’s is a kid’s dream come true, with bold colored rooms filled floor to ceiling with every kind of sweet imaginable—more than a thousand different kinds. You can have parties and catered events here, take an interactive candy-making or sweet science class, and watch craftspeople make fudge. And, as you may have guessed (or hoped), Sweet Pete’s isn’t only for kids. Adults can enjoy the dessert bar, rooftop patio, or adult-style cocktails at the Candy Apple Café + Cocktails.

Insider Tip: Go all in with the interactive Candy + Cocktail Demo, which includes the chef’s choice of four appetizers, a signature cocktail, and first-hand experience in making the candy du jour.

AMERICA’S REAL OLDEST EUROPEAN SETTLEMENT

Few people know that Jacksonville is older than nearby St. Augustine, which gets all the credit for being the earliest settlement in the United States, dating from 1565. The French Huguenots established a village and Fort Caroline in 1564 somewhere along the St. Johns River’s south bank. The Spanish, in the middle of their treasure hunting throughout the Americas, did not appreciate the French presence. As such, a Spanish army was sent to slaughter them, destroying their fort and establishing their own settlement nearby (thereby making theirs the oldest continuous settlement in America). Never again did the French have a strong claim in North America. It’s not exactly certain where that original French settlement was, but a replica fort and small museum have been constructed at the Fort Caroline National Memorial to revisit those days.

Insider Tip: Be sure to check out the copies of Jean Ribault’s engraved illustrations at the museum, which provides a fascinating insight into Native American and colonial life—collecting gold, preparing for a feast, hunting deer.

SPIRITED BASEBALL

JAX is home to eight professional sports teams, including the Jacksonville Jaguars NFL football team. But the most fun to be had at any sports event is probably a sunny afternoon baseball game with the Jacksonville Suns, the Class AA affiliate of the Miami Marlins. Indeed, the sport has been played continuously in this baseball-loving town since 1904 (except 1969). Designed with an old-timey brick facade, their ballpark extols the age-old tradition of baseball, though the concessions are anything but old-fashioned: You’ll find jambalaya, pulled pork, and waffle cone chicken amid the hot dogs and popcorn. And the best part? General admission is as low as $5 per ticket.

Insider Tip: For a different take on sports, attend a home match of the Jacksonville RollerGirls at Skate Station Mandarin.

PLAN YOUR TRIP: Visit Fodor’s Jacksonville Guide

Beaches

4 Great Cruises from Baltimore in 2014

Published

7 years ago

August 15, 2017

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There’s something special about living near a city like Baltimore: When you want to escape, you can head to the port right off I-95, put your car in long-term parking, and board a ship in search of new experiences near and far. Though you may not be aware of it, Baltimore is growing its reputation as a homeport city; if you haven’t thought about booking a cruise out of the “Crab Cake Capital of the World,” now may be the time. According to Maryland’s Department of Transportation, 250,000 travelers sailed out of the Port of Baltimore in 2012 and, in 2013, Royal Caribbean’s newly renovated Grandeur of the Seas joined the ranks of the ships that call the port home.

CRUISE TO THE BAHAMAS

If you’re sick of cold, gray skies, a trip to the sunny Bahamas may be just what you need to get through the rest of this ugly winter. Carnival Pride, a Spirit-class ship, homeports out of Baltimore part of the year (and Tampa for the balance). While this is an older ship—she made her debut in 2002—it’s a favorite because of its size. In today’s world of mega cruise ships, Carnival Pride is a “mid-size” ship that welcomes 2,124 travelers per cruise. The ship still has everything you may need at sea—from nearly a dozens bars to an array of restaurants and in-room dining to Broadway-style shows and a terrific kids program. This itinerary to the Bahamas includes three days at sea so go ahead and treat yourself and book a few spa treatments and spend at least one full day by the pool. The ship stops at Port Canaveral near Orlando, where shore excursions include day trips to Walt Disney World, Universal, and Sea World as well as activities like canoeing and kayaking. This cruise also calls on Nassau and Freeport in the Bahamas. A lot of people spend the day in Nassau at Atlantis, but the line also offers options like a beach day at Balmoral Island or a catamaran sail and snorkel trip. More snorkeling adventures can be found in Freeport and there’s also a fun dolphin encounter.

Dates: Jan. 19, 26; Feb. 2, 9, 16, 23; March 2, 16, 23; Apr. 6; May 11, 25; June 8, 22; Jul. 6

Cruise Fares: As low as $429 per person for 7 nights.

CRUISE TO BERMUDA

Not everyone will be able to snag vacation time for a cruise this winter but there are also excellent options out of Baltimore form April through October. Royal Caribbean’s Grandeur of the Seas offers six- and seven-night itineraries to Bermuda. Both options include three nights docked at Kings Wharf plus two or three sea days. Beaches of pink sand, dramatic cliffs, quaint villages evoking the country’s British roots, and green-as-can-be golf courses are just part of what makes Bermuda so intoxicating. Most shore excursions are active, like scuba, snorkeling, fishing, and kayaking, but you can also opt to be more of an observer with Royal Caribbean’s island exploration tours and glass-bottom boat excursions. While the 1,950-passenger Grandeur of the Seas is one of the line’s oldest ships, launched in 1996, she underwent a $48-million upgrade in 2012 and now has many of the same features as Oasis-class ships. The cabins were upgraded and new dining options were added, making this ship is an excellent choice for a weeklong getaway.

Dates: Apr. 26; May 9, 23; June 6, 20; July 4, 18; Aug. 1, 15, 29; Sept. 12, 26; Oct. 10

Cruise Fares: As low as $469 per person for the six-night itinerary and as low as $649 per person for seven nights.

CRUISE TO THE WESTERN CARIBBEAN

Grandeur of the Seas also offers a 10-night Western Caribbean itinerary out of Baltimore with two sea days followed by stops at Labadee, Haiti; San Juan, Puerto Rico; Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas; and Philipsburg, St. Maarten before spending three more days at sea and returning to port in Maryland. The longer length of this cruise makes it popular with people—like retirees and those with young children who aren’t yet in school—who can take off more than a week at a time.

Dates: Jan. 21; Feb. 8, 18; Mar. 8, 18; Nov. 1, 11, 29; Dec. 9, 27

Cruise Fares: As low as $619 per passenger for 10 nights.

CRUISE CHESAPEAKE BAY

For people who think they’ve already sailed every itinerary there is, we suggest American Cruise Lines’ glorious seven-night Chesapeake Bay voyage that blends just the right amount of history, culture, and the great outdoors. The cruise takes guests to Yorktown and Williamsburg, Virginia, to view Civil War battlefields and colonial homes. The ship also calls on Tangier Island in Virginia along with Crisfield, Cambridge, Oxford, St. Michaels, and Annapolis in Maryland. From aquariums to National Historic Landmarks and the U.S. Naval Academy to the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, you’re guaranteed to visit places you’ve never been before. Three ships—American Glory, Independence, and American Star—sail this unique itinerary in May, June, and November.

Dates: May 3, 10, 17, 24, 31; June 7; Nov. 2, 8

Cruise Fares: As low as $3,245 per person for six nights. Seven-night cruises as low as $3,750.

Andrea M. Rotondo is a freelance writer based in New York City. She covers cruise news and luxury travel trends for Fodors.com and writes for a variety of outlets, including her website Luxury Travel Mavens. Follow her on Twitter: @luxtravelmavens.

Beaches

9 New Things to Do in Oranjestad, Aruba

Published

7 years ago

August 15, 2017

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PHOTO: Aruba Tourism Authority

If you haven’t been to Aruba lately you might not recognize Oranjestad. The small city has been refreshed and rejuvenated with both locals and visitors in mind, and there are more innovative improvements to come.—Susan Campbell

PHOTO: Aruba Tourism Authority

Linear Park

Aruba is creating the longest linear park in the Caribbean to provide a smooth paved trail ideal for walking, jogging, biking, and sightseeing. The trail begins at the airport and stretches along the sea to downtown Oranjestad with plenty of resting spots, refreshment stands, and dining options along the way. Catch a stellar sunset at Surfside Beach and try out the new public workout equipment or take a dip in the sea along the trail. The main park plaza has also become a popular outdoor venue for events like marathons, yoga, and cultural festivals.