Top 22 Things to Do in Jacksonville Today: Your Ultimate Guide | Visit Jacksonville

The Top 22 Attractions in Jacksonville With so much to see and do in Jax, we want to guide you to Jacksonville's must-do attractions.Here are the top 22 ranked attractions in Jax, check them out! You can also view them on our things to do page and the Visit Jax App. Photo by: John Reed 1. Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens A true family adventure, the Zoo has something for everyone with over 2,000 rare and exotic animals and 1,000 varieties of plants. Whether you are a visitor to Florida’s First Coast or a lifetime resident, we invite you to experience the Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens through interactions with people, wildlife, and the environment. Since 1914, the Jacksonville Zoo has supported wildlife conservation on a stunning riverfront landscape. Grown-ups and little ones alike will love feeding the giraffes at the African Overlook and watching the otters float along in the Wild Florida exhibit. The Zoo also houses an Australian Adventure, featuring colorful birds called lorikeets. Tigers roam overhead at the Land of the Tiger exhibit and Jaguars steal the show at their award-winning exhibit. During your visit, step onto the Zoo’s scenic Trout River dock. You might even spot a manatee. Location: 370 Zoo Pkwy, Jacksonville, FL 32218 2. The Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens Enjoy fine art and European-inspired gardens along the St. Johns River at the Cummer. Originally the home of art collector Ninah Mae Holden Cummer, the museum focuses on diverse, dynamic art and the beauty of nature. With an expansive, interactive children’s exhibit, the Cummer is the perfect attraction for art lovers of all ages. Location: 829 Riverside Ave, Jacksonville, FL 32204 3. Riverside Arts Market Local artisans, craft makers, artist and local farmers gather every Saturday, rain or shine, from 10 am-3 pm under the canopy of the Fuller Warren Bridge for this outdoors market. The Riverside Arts Market, or RAM as the locals call it, offers unique entertainment with an unparalleled view along the St. Johns River. Enjoy art vendors, live music, food trucks, and free yoga at this community event. Location: 715 Riverside Ave, Jacksonville, FL 32204 4. Catty Shack Ranch Wildlife Sanctuary This tiger-focused ranch has a conservation mission, often rescuing tigers and other big cats from inhumane captivity. Volunteers give tours of the ranch, providing the cats’ histories and detailed explanations of their operations. Buy tickets ahead of time for a night feeding. Watching the cats pace around their cages to tear into whole carcasses is an experience like no other. Location: 1860 Starratt Rd, Jacksonville, FL 32226 5. Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park This beautiful, oceanfront city park in Atlantic Beach, offers more than 20 miles of biking and hiking trails ranging in difficulty, it has an area dedicated to camping, a lake for fishing and paddle boarding, access for kayaking and miles of white sand beaches. Hanna Park is also home to one of the best surfing spots in Jacksonville. Location: 500 Wonderwood Dr, Jacksonville, FL 32233 6. Kingsley Plantation Located on the Fort George Island marsh side, Kingsley Plantation plays a large role in Florida’s complicated history. The 1814 plantation house and its surrounding structures, all preserved by the National Park Service, shed light on a different era in the South. Make time to explore the unique tabby houses, built and inhabited by the Plantation’s slaves. You can take a self-guided audio tour or book a tour with a park ranger. Location: 11676 Palmetto Ave, Jacksonville, FL 32226 7. Friendship Fountain Friendship Fountain is located in St. Johns River Park (a/k/a Friendship Park), on the south bank of the river, just west of Main Street. When the park opened in 1965, the Fountain of Friendship (named at the suggestion of a Rotary Club member because one of the Club’s cardinal principles is friendship) was the world’s largest and tallest fountain, capable of spraying 17,000 gallons of water a minute to a height of 120 feet. Accentuated by colored lights at night, it soon became a popular tourist destination and local recreation site. This area allows for great views and photo spots of the Jacksonville skyline. Many monthly events also take place at the fountain each month. Location: 1015 Museum Circle Jacksonville FL 32207 8. North & Southbank Riverwalk The downtown Riverwalk is a network of multi-use trails and open space developments along both the north and south banks of the St. Johns River in Jacksonville, Florida. The roughly 2-mile Downtown Northbank portion travels from the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville into the Brooklyn district. The 1.25-mile Southbank portion connects local landmarks such as Friendship Fountain and Riverplace Tower. All along the riverwalks on both banks are spectacular views of the St. Johns River. Location: South: 1001 Museum Circle Jacksonville FL 32207 North: 201 East Coastline Drive Jacksonville FL 32202 9. St. Johns Town Center With over 1.2 million square feet of open-air shopping and 175+ retailers and 20+ restaurants, the St. Johns Town Center is Jacksonville’s shopping mecca. There’s everything from Target to Tiffany & Co. and something for everyone – whether you’re a savvy saver or a luxury lover. There are also five hotels inside the St. Johns Town Center, so you can shop till you drop. Location: 4663 River City Dr, Jacksonville, FL 32246 10. Big & Little Talbot Island Big Talbot Island Wetlands, marshes, bike paths and secret beaches, that’s the magic you’ll find at Big Talbot. Blackrock Beach and Boneyard Beach are the highlights, be sure to enjoy a guided kayak tour or go for a hike.Location: State Road A1A North, Jacksonville, FL, FL 32226 Little Talbot Island Enjoy a five-mile stretch of pristine shoreline amid a maritime forest. Little Talbot Island is home to dozens of native wildlife species. Fishing enthusiasts are likely to catch flounder, sheepshead, and more. Bring your binoculars for a chance to view birds of prey perched in the treetops or comb the shore for glistening seashells. Location: 12157 Heckscher Dr, Jacksonville, FL 32226 11. The Florida Theatre Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Florida Theatre is one of only four remaining high-style movie palaces built in the state in the 1920’s. It now hosts more than 200 annual events, everything from ballet and opera to contemporary pop, jazz, rock, country and blues concerts, this is a cultural and entertainment center in the middle of Downtown Jacksonville. Location: 128 E Forsyth St, Jacksonville, FL 32202 12. Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) With more than 1,000 pieces in its permanent collection, MOCA encompasses one of the largest collections of modern and contemporary art in the Southeast. View paintings, installations, prints, sculpture, and photography by some of the biggest names in the visual arts. 13. EverBank Stadium The home of the Jacksonville Jaguars is an attraction on its own. From its sparkling swimming pools and cabanas, to one of the largest video boards in the world as well as several state-of-the-arts meeting spaces, local food spots, and beautiful murals made by local artists. Location: 1 EverBank Stadium Dr, Jacksonville, FL 32202 14. USS Orleck Naval MuseumStep aboard the USS Orleck, a restored Gearing‑class destroyer docked at Pier 1 along Jacksonville’s Northbank, and discover one of the most decorated ships in U.S. naval history. Visit this naval museum to learn more about the history of the ship. Location: 610 E Bay St, Jacksonville, FL 32202 15. Beaches Town Center Located where Atlantic and Neptune Beach meet, this quaint and relaxing shopping and dining hub offers some of the best shopping and dining in Jacksonville. Stroll through one-of-a-kind shops, beachy stores, art galleries and delicious dining options just feet from the ocean. Location: 0 Atlantic Blvd, Neptune Beach, FL 32266 16. Jacksonville Arboretum and Gardens Located in the historic Arlington neighborhood, the Arboretum is by far one of the best hidden spots in Jacksonville. Great hiking trails, different ecosystems, wildlife, streams, and a beautiful and peaceful pond covered in lilies. The arboretum is pet friendly and a great outdoor spot for a family hike. Location: 1445 Millcoe Rd, Jacksonville, FL 32225 17. Huguenot Memorial Park It's an oceanfront park and beach - all in one! What's special is that it's the only beach you can drive your car on in the Jacksonville area. Huguenot Memorial Park is a great place to head for a day of beach activity, birdwatching, kite surfing and so much more. Located on Ft. George Island on the Northside of the city, it's easily accessible by the Mayport Ferry or Heckscher Drive. They also have onsite camping. Location:10980 Heckscher Drive, Jacksonville, FL 32226 18. 13th Floor Haunted House 13th Floor Haunted House is Jacksonville’s premier haunted attraction, located on Arlington Expressway. This immersive 26,000 sq ft horror experience features elaborately themed rooms, chilling special effects, and talented actors bringing clowns, ghosts, vampires, and more to life. They have been voted "Top 5 Most Terrifying Haunted Houses in the U.S." by USA Today. This attraction is primarily open in the fall season. Location: 9230 Arlington Expy, Jacksonville, FL 32225 19. Alhambra Theatre & Dining The Alhambra Theatre & Dining, located on Beach Boulevard, is the nation’s longest-running professional dinner theatre and was voted #1 Dinner Theatre in the U.S. by USA Today in 2025. Since 1967, it has offered Broadway-style performances paired with chef-crafted, themed dinners in an intimate setting, making it a top choice for a memorable night out in Jacksonville. Location: 12000 Beach Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32246 20. Treaty Oak Jessie Ball duPont Park in Jacksonville’s Southbank is home to Jacksonville's oldest resident, Treaty Oak. Named in the 1930s by a reporter’s fictional tale of peace treaties signed beneath its branches, the tree was preserved thanks to efforts by local groups and philanthropist Jessie duPont, whose foundation donated the land in 1964. The park was named in her honor in 1971, and preservation efforts continue today to protect this beloved landmark. Location: 1207 Prudential Dr, Jacksonville, FL 32207 21. Sally Dark Rides Sally Dark Rides, based in Downtown Jacksonville, designs and builds world-class animatronic attractions and interactive dark rides for theme parks and museums around the globe. Known for bringing characters like Scooby-Doo and Sesame Street to life, the company offers behind-the-scenes tours of its creative facility, giving visitors a unique look at how these immersive experiences are made. Tours must be booked in advance by calling 904-355-7100 or emailing reception@sallydarkrides.com. Location: 745 W Forsyth St, Jacksonville, FL 32204 22. Timucuan Ecological & Historical Preserve The Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve is a U.S. National Preserve in Jacksonville, Florida. It comprises 46,000 acres of wetlands, waterways, and other habitats in northeastern Duval County. Location: 12713 Fort Caroline Rd. Jacksonville, Florida 32225 There are so many great things to do around town but some of my favorite spots that I'd recommend visiting include the Jacksonville Zoo, the Jacksonville Arboretum and Gardens, Catty Shack Ranch, Boneyard Beach, Huguenot Memorial Park, Kingsley Plantation, and Fort Caroline. Elle MacRae @5suitcasesVisit Jax Local Insider Tip DISCLAIMER: The above rankings are based on TripAdvisor and Google Rankings for attractions. The attractions featured must be unique to Jacksonville, Florida. This blog was updated on August 2025. More to Explore If You Didn’t Do These 19 Things During Your Jax Trip, Then You Need to Come Back ASAP… Read More Jacksonville’s Top Parks Read More Top 6 Outdoor and Nature Attractions in Jax Read More Author Katie Local Expert- Only In Jax