We are driving over from Jacksonville to Orlando in the morning to see the team in action at the UCF Invitational. One bonus of living in Florida is we get to see the team live in the Spring against some good competition just about every year. It's great to be sitting in the warm sun wearing the maize and blue. (Apologies to my friends back home.)
Oh, and thank you for the updates on this site, we appreciate it.
"Honey, this trip includes a side trip to St. Augustine, where we can hold hands walking down St. George St., (shopping!) eat dinner overlooking the water and take a horse drawn carriage ride through town. The christmas lights will still be up in the town square and I hear it's the most romantic city in Florida. I'll even take you to 'The Fountain of Youth.'"
(Actually all of that's true, but it's up to you to decide if you want to put yourself through that kind of ordeal.)
you can get around there without renting a car. If you're staying in any other area, there are no good mass transit options available. Also, there are not as many cabs in Jacksonville compared to other cities of comparable size.
in Neptune Beach is my favorite "dive" bar. It reminds me of some of the best bars back home in Michigan. Sneakers in Jacksonville Beach is the oversized, loud sports bar in the area. Mellow Mushroom in Jacksonville Beach is my favorite pizza place.
There are 2 "happening" areas at the beaches. In Jacksonville Beach park somewhere near Beach Blvd. and 1st St. and walk around. There are lots of food/drink options there. From there drive north on 3rd St./A1A N about 3 miles and make a right at the dead end, Atlantic Ave. (not that Atlantic Ave.!) and there are lots of places there as well.
I moved here in 2001 from Michigan and I really like the area. In addition to the other places mentioned, I'd recommend that you look at 4 areas of town to stay. It all depends on your interests.
1. Downtown - It's the place to be if you want to be near the team headquarters and stadium. There will be Gator Bowl activities there, but the downtown area is somewhat limited for bars, restaurants and other nightlife.
2. The Beaches - Atlantic, Neptune and Jacksonville Beaches are all in a row along the Atlantic Ocean. Of course the best feature is the beach but there also are lots of bars and restaurants in Atlantic Beach and Jacksonville Beach. It takes about 20 minutes to get downtown from the beaches area.
3. Ponte Vedra Beach - This is just south of Jacksonville Beach on the Atlantic coast and is considered an upscale resort area. The TPC Sawgrass is the main attraction with 2 great courses. There is only one public access beach but it is nice. St. Augustine is about 25 miles south and it's well worth the trip down A1A.
4. Southside/Baymeadows area - This area is central to both downtown and the beaches and is a good option if you are looking visit different areas while in Jacksonville. It is also close to the St. Johns Town Center, the main shopping complex in Jacksonville.
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If you like Parker, you might consider the Castle Rock area south of the DTC area down I-25.
We are driving over from Jacksonville to Orlando in the morning to see the team in action at the UCF Invitational. One bonus of living in Florida is we get to see the team live in the Spring against some good competition just about every year. It's great to be sitting in the warm sun wearing the maize and blue. (Apologies to my friends back home.)
Oh, and thank you for the updates on this site, we appreciate it.
"Honey, this trip includes a side trip to St. Augustine, where we can hold hands walking down St. George St., (shopping!) eat dinner overlooking the water and take a horse drawn carriage ride through town. The christmas lights will still be up in the town square and I hear it's the most romantic city in Florida. I'll even take you to 'The Fountain of Youth.'"
(Actually all of that's true, but it's up to you to decide if you want to put yourself through that kind of ordeal.)
very doable as long as you get on the road early in the morning. It sounds like you'll be staying close to I-95 so the drive will be mostly highway.
you can get around there without renting a car. If you're staying in any other area, there are no good mass transit options available. Also, there are not as many cabs in Jacksonville compared to other cities of comparable size.
in Neptune Beach is my favorite "dive" bar. It reminds me of some of the best bars back home in Michigan. Sneakers in Jacksonville Beach is the oversized, loud sports bar in the area. Mellow Mushroom in Jacksonville Beach is my favorite pizza place.
There are 2 "happening" areas at the beaches. In Jacksonville Beach park somewhere near Beach Blvd. and 1st St. and walk around. There are lots of food/drink options there. From there drive north on 3rd St./A1A N about 3 miles and make a right at the dead end, Atlantic Ave. (not that Atlantic Ave.!) and there are lots of places there as well.
I moved here in 2001 from Michigan and I really like the area. In addition to the other places mentioned, I'd recommend that you look at 4 areas of town to stay. It all depends on your interests.
1. Downtown - It's the place to be if you want to be near the team headquarters and stadium. There will be Gator Bowl activities there, but the downtown area is somewhat limited for bars, restaurants and other nightlife.
2. The Beaches - Atlantic, Neptune and Jacksonville Beaches are all in a row along the Atlantic Ocean. Of course the best feature is the beach but there also are lots of bars and restaurants in Atlantic Beach and Jacksonville Beach. It takes about 20 minutes to get downtown from the beaches area.
3. Ponte Vedra Beach - This is just south of Jacksonville Beach on the Atlantic coast and is considered an upscale resort area. The TPC Sawgrass is the main attraction with 2 great courses. There is only one public access beach but it is nice. St. Augustine is about 25 miles south and it's well worth the trip down A1A.
4. Southside/Baymeadows area - This area is central to both downtown and the beaches and is a good option if you are looking visit different areas while in Jacksonville. It is also close to the St. Johns Town Center, the main shopping complex in Jacksonville.
Hope this helps.