5 Things You Won’t Find Anywhere Else but Northeast Florida

Located just north of Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach is a charming Old Florida-style destination brimming with charisma and historical intrigue. Fashionistas can stroll over 50 blocks of beautifully preserved Victorian-era buildings, filled with eclectic art galleries, antique stores, and gift shops with one-of-a-kind treasures. Foodies will enjoy the area’s vibrant culinary scene, with local restaurants offering fresh seafood and globally inspired dishes that cater to every taste bud. History buffs will find plenty of adventure on Fernandina Beach as well. Fort Clinch State Park and Amelia Island Lighthouse, both established in the 19th century, create a captivating journey through centuries-old stories.

Four Creeks State Forest provides over 13,000 acres of state-protected land to explore. The park is one of few state-protected wildlife sanctuaries where untouched wild animals such as white-tailed deer, wild turkey, gopher tortoise and numerous songbirds reside. Visitors and future residents neighboring the lush, protected park will enjoy various recreational activities including hiking, hunting, fishing, canoeing, kayaking, bicycling and horse riding.

The Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens allows visitors to experience exotic animals up close. The zoo stands as Northeast Florida’s sole walking safari, where visitors explore the world’s wildlife through interactive and educational activities. The Jacksonville Zoo is also one of the few zoos in the nation with a dedicated animal wellness team and robust conservation initiatives. It contributes a portion of every ticket sale to support regional and global conservation programs. This destination hosts a diverse array of species, boasting over 2,000 rare animals and 1,000 exotic plants for visitors to explore.

Whether one is a maker or enjoyer, Northeast Florida caters to the art world with a wide array of attractions. Art lovers will be delighted by the abundance of art museums in the area, including the Museum of Contemporary Art and the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens. The performing arts are also alive and well in the region, home to the largest symphony orchestra in Florida. Theater buffs can catch the latest Broadway hits at the Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts or head to Theatre Jacksonville to support the oldest continuously operating community theater in the country. The city is a hub for makers and hosts a monthly art walk, numerous craft festivals and so much more.

Northeast Florida is also the premier destination for avid sports fans. Jacksonville is host to a wide variety of professional sports teams, with the most popular being the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars. Also calling Jacksonville home are the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp and Jacksonville Icemen, the baseball and hockey minor league affiliates that the locals love to watch. The region is also host to some very high-profile events like the annual Florida-Georgia college football game and the PGA Tour’s annual Players Championship in Ponte Vedra Beach. For those who would rather be active themselves, the Jacksonville area is home to many of the nation’s top golf courses, including King & Bear, World Golf Village, TPC Sawgrass, Amelia Island Resort, and more.