Fav Spots in Jacksonville

Written By Amanda Cifu Burke

Florida is full of coastlines and cute beach towns. One area that doesn’t get enough love for their beaches is in North Florida - Jacksonville. Yes, the city is big and spread apart but when you venture over to the ‘beach side’ , you find your footing.

It’s the perfect getaway for a long weekend - I have spent many 4th of July’s in this area and the beaches are colored in bikes and American flags everywhere you go. We typically start in Ponte Vedra (golf meets beach residential area with the famed TPC Sawgrass right by it) and work our way north up to Atlantic Beach (a beach town with non-touristy surf shops and oceanfront homes you dream of living in).

Here’s our favorites in Jax from our own experiences - whether it was for visiting friends, (many) weddings, or a long stop on a roadtrip. Make sure you get up early and head to the beach to watch the town wake up with surfers, runners, cyclists and seashell collectors.

  • One Ocean Resort & Spa: nicest beach hotel located in a popular walkable area between Neptune & Atlantic Beach

  • Margaritaville Resort: recently opened hotel located in the heart of Jax Beach

  • Rent bikes and ride up and down 1st street (north through the houses in Atlantic and down to Jax Beach bars)

  • Lemon Bar: a beachfront bar where you have to try the local favorite drink - Mango Gatorade’s

  • Eat your heart out with tacos at Flying Iguana

  • Start your morning with coffee and croissants at Le Petit Paris

  • Jax Surf & Paddle: splurge at this casual surf shop with a bar that has craft beers

  • Coop 303: good for brunch 

  • Metro Diner: great breakfast spot

  • TacoLu: quirky spot for Mexican food, Jacksonville staple

  • Maple Street Biscuit Company: great biscuit sandwiches - the more north you go in Florida the more southern it gets

  • Treat yourself to a nice dinner at Palm Valley Fish Camp (on the river) or North Beach Fish Camp (beachside)

  • Salt Life Food Shack: surf-themed restaurant with your standard menu of fish sandwiches

  • Have a martini at the rooftop at Casa Marina with beautiful views of the ocean

  • Go bar hopping at the Jax Beach Bars and shopping at Atlantic Town Center

  • If you venture off the beach, check out the Saturday market in Riverside under the bridge (walk around Riverside after)

  • Down by the river - check out the rooftop bar at River & Post and Black Sheep

     

Amanda Cifu Burke
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