Favorite Can’t-Miss Things in the Jacksonville Beaches
There’s nothing better than spending a day at the beach. Lucky for you if you find yourself in the Jacksonville area, there are 22 miles of beaches to enjoy.
In the 1880s, train tracks were laid from the south bank of the St. Johns River in downtown Jacksonville straight through to the shoreline.
The oceanfront town was given the name Pablo Beach.
Around the turn of the century, you would have found an amusement center that came to be known as Little Coney Island here as well as a number of resort hotels.
The hard-packed sands became popular for auto racing in the years leading up to the First World War, but eventually fizzled out with the development of racing to the south in Daytona.
It wasn’t until 1925 that the town was renamed Jacksonville Beach.
Today, the area’s four main beaches are Jacksonville Beach, Neptune Beach, Atlantic Beach and Mayport Beach. The beaches are a short drive from downtown Jacksonville and each has its own unique character and charm.
Beaches Museum
381 Beach Blvd, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250
The best place to get oriented with the communities that make up the area is at the Beaches Museum.
This two-story building on Beach Boulevard offers an interactive, informative, and intriguing look at the area’s heritage through exhibits and firsthand accounts. Large displays featuring artifacts from the early days of the Beaches allow visitors to travel back in time to see the people and events that shaped the area.
Across the street is a small park dedicated to preserving some of the oldest structures from the beach communities. An informative docent-led tour of the building interiors is available by checking in at the museum lobby.
While the museum and history park are free, cash and debit card donations are welcome.
Hours
Tuesday-Saturday
10a-4p
Sunday
12p-4p
Closed Monday
Jacksonville Beach Pier
503 1st St N, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250
The heart of Jacksonville Beach is the Jacksonville Beach Fishing Pier, which as of this video’s production, is receiving a facelift.
But don’t let the construction deter you from checking out the eclectic neighborhood around this landmark.
Cup of Job can’t be missed because of its colorful exterior and serves up coffee with a mission of helping the area’s homeless.
If you’re looking for a place to stay at the epicenter of all the fun in Jacksonville Beach, we recommend the Margaritaville Beach Hotel.
With its carefree vibe and stunning ocean views, this property makes an excellent base camp for exploring the Jacksonville Beaches.
Cradle Creek Preserve
900 S 15th St, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250
Tucked away in a residential area just south of Beach Boulevard is Cradle Creek Preserve.
This 36-acre park along the Intracoastal is a great way to slip away from the urban environment and enjoy nature with nature trails and raised boardwalks, plus a kayak landing and observation platform.
The parking lot here is very small with only a few spaces. Plan to go early if you can.
The Mini Bar
1300 Beach Blvd, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250
Located in a strip mall a few blocks from the beach is The Mini Bar, a donut and coffee shop that truly lives up to the hype.
The bar is called “mini” for a reason. What they serve up here are tiny little donuts that you’ll consume in just one or two bites, if you’re lucky.
The menu changes seasonally, but favorites like Fruity Pebbles, Maple Bacon and Boston Creme are usually available plus a whole lot more.
Here’s my theory. You can’t go wrong when a donut shop has a vintage big orange VW Bus for a pick-up counter.
Enjoy your tiny little donuts at the large tables inside or go out into the courtyard. Be sure to look up and grab a snap or two of this awesome raining donuts mural. Homer would be proud.
Beaches Town Center
0 Atlantic Blvd, Neptune Beach, FL 32266
Where Atlantic Boulevard meets the ocean is where you’ll find Beaches Town Center.
On one side of the street is Atlantic Beach, while Neptune Beach sits on the other side.
There’s a lot here to keep you busy on a weeknight or a full weekend with a couple of oceanfront hotels and a number of boutiques and restaurants. Many offer outdoor seating in beautiful courtyards where you can take in the ocean breezes.
The Jax Surf and Paddle store is where you can find a variety of products for a day at the beach or learn more about one of their surf camps. A Bodega Bar in the corner of the shop will help you jumpstart your day.
And don’t forget to pop in at Pete’s Bar, the first bar to open in Duval County after Prohibition was repealed in 1933. It’s still family owned and operated.
Salt Life Retail
240 3rd St S, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250
Jacksonville Beach was the birthplace of the Salt Life movement in 2003. And if you’re a fan of this lifestyle brand that embraces love of the ocean, you’ll want to pay a visit to the flagship retail store on the corner of 2nd Avenue and A1A.
While the space is on the smaller side, it’s well laid-out with just about everything you would expect to find when it comes to ocean wear. There’s even a clearance corner where you can find some good bargains.
Shop Local
Near the intersection of 4th Avenue and A1A is a little neighborhood of some unique locally-owned boutiques and vintage shops that are really worthy of your support.
Cottage by the Sea is the place to go for coastal decor and rustic furniture you won’t find anywhere else. Lots of great gift items too.
Next door at mother-daughter-owned boutique Sailors Siren are gift essentials that celebrate the salty, Southern life. Be sure to check out the shop’s healthy selection of wickedly funny gift and holiday cards.
Around the corner is an artist co-op with more than 40 local vendors inside called the Seaside Shoppes.
This is one of those places you step inside and instantly know you’re in Florida. Great variety of things for the home and handmade items.
Wonderbird
528 Beach Blvd, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250
Wonderbird is a new fast-casual eatery where high-quality chicken sandwiches along with nuggets and tenders are served up daily.
Wonderbird focuses on natural farm-raised, steroid-free, and hormone-free chicken options. There’s even chickenless sandwiches and tenders on the menu for vegan diets.
Specialty sauces range from WonderSauce, a blend of sweet, soy and citrus flavors to the gluten-free Jax Sauce, which is a smoky and sweet mustard combo.
The homemade breading on Wonderbird’s chicken options makes all the difference and puts those fast-food giants down the road to shame. If you’re a fan of chicken, try Wonderbird one time and I promise you, you’ll find a way to make special trips over to Jacksonville Beach.