Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens
A riverfront museum and formal garden pairing for an indoor anchor with a short outdoor reset.
Riverside, Avondale, and Five Points
Family travel guide
Things to Do in Jacksonville, Florida with Kids
Jacksonville is a sprawling Northeast Florida city for travelers who want Atlantic beach time, riverfront museums, food-led neighborhoods, and nature without pretending they all fit into one walkable weekend. Each choice includes a pace, weather, or access cue for planning with children.
Museum of Science & History
Hands-on science exhibits and river views make MOSH a weather-proof family anchor near the Southbank.
Downtown, Southbank, and Riverwalk
Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens
A large zoo and garden campus worth a dedicated Northside half-day, especially for families.
Northside and Zoo
Jacksonville Beach
An Atlantic beach day for surf, a long walk, or a simple ocean reset; get there early in hot weather.
Jacksonville Beaches
Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park
Beach, pine forest, trails, and lake paddling in one Mayport-area park.
Mayport and Atlantic Beach
Riverside Arts Market
A Saturday market under the Fuller Warren Bridge with local food, makers, and riverfront energy; verify the current schedule.
Riverside, Avondale, and Five Points
Five Points and Riverside walk
A neighborhood walk for independent shops, coffee, architecture, and a meal, not a rushed downtown detour.
Riverside, Avondale, and Five Points
San Marco Square
A compact, restaurant-led neighborhood stop with river-adjacent streets and an easy evening rhythm.
San Marco
Museum of Contemporary Art Jacksonville
A downtown contemporary-art museum that gives a rainy afternoon a real purpose.
Downtown, Southbank, and Riverwalk
Kingsley Plantation
A National Park Service historic site on Fort George Island with a difficult but essential Northeast Florida history.
Mayport and Atlantic Beach
Fort Caroline National Memorial
River and marsh trails with early French-colonial history, best paired with Kingsley Plantation rather than downtown.
Mayport and Atlantic Beach
Jacksonville Arboretum & Botanical Gardens
Wooded trails and lakes for a low-key outdoor morning on the east side.
Mayport and Atlantic Beach
Jacksonville Riverwalk
A simple riverfront walk between downtown and Southbank that works near sunrise or after dinner.
Downtown, Southbank, and Riverwalk
Catty Shack Ranch Wildlife Sanctuary
A Northside big-cat sanctuary visit that needs current tour-hour verification before it becomes a fixed plan.
Northside and Zoo
Jacksonville-Baldwin Rail Trail
A flat, shaded rail-trail ride or walk for travelers who want a local outdoor break beyond the beach.
Northside and Zoo
Confirm current details with Official Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens information before departure.
Travel conditions, access, and reservations can change. Check official sources close to departure.