Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Jacksonville?

Q: Is a weekend (two to three days) enough time in Jacksonville?

A weekend trip is usually not enough time to experience the under-rated city of Jacksonville, so you may find yourself somewhat rushed. Or, perhaps you'll want to return another time experience everything that this medium sized city has to offer. You don't want to miss the main attractions such as the beaches, the famous sights and museums, the restaurant scene, and the nightlife scene. Many tourists set aside two to three days for their visit. However, if your schedule only gives you a couple of days, we have a handful of recommendations to make the most of your weekend adventure in Jacksonville below.

Should you spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Jacksonville?

Many travelers spend two to three days in Jacksonville during their visit. After all, the under-rated city has plenty to explore such as the beaches, the famous sights and museums, and the restaurant scene.

Located in northeastern Florida, Jacksonville has a young population and a fun atmosphere. While it's often overlooked by tourists, the city has a lot to offer. There are fascinating museums, relaxing beaches, and a local food scene with unique flavors.

Do you have one or two days to visit Jacksonville? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.

Is one day enough time in Jacksonville?

Jacksonville isn't a particularly popular city for tourists, despite having some sights and attractions worth seeing. So with one day, you'll probably feel rushed to see the main attractions around the city. You really need more time to appreciate everything that the under-rated city has to offer. Many visitors prefer to have two to three days to fully enjoy the city even though it's not huge. If you have one day or less, we still have some great ideas for what to do while you're in town.

How to spend a day in Jacksonville

The beautiful beaches await you in Jacksonville, so spend the day (or several, if you can) relaxing on the sand or swimming in the water. There are a number of beaches that are just a short distance from the city. Some have a historic vibe while others are more lively. Atlantic Beach is about a half hour drive from the city. For a laid back vibe head to Neptune Beach and the most popular beach in the area is Jacksonville Beach.

A few tour suggestions include:

Kid-Friendly Beach Rides ($35)
Amelia Island Guided Kayak Tour of Lofton Creek ($60)
Self Guided Family Friendly Kayak Rental Experience Old Florida ($48)

The restaurant and food scene here is top notch, so make sure you spend time at one of the local restaurants where you can taste the delicious cuisine. Local cuisine has its own identity. Unique dishes around town include garlic crabs, seafood boil, gumbo, and shrimp and grits. The local cuisine is similar to Lowcountry dishes with a lot of Cajun influence. If you want something different from seafood, you should try the barbecue.

The public transit in Jacksonville is fast and efficient. Over the course of a few days, you should be able to explore the city quite easily and affordably. The public transportation system includes trolleys, the Skyway, buses, water taxis, and the ferry.

Is a weekend (two to three days) enough time in Jacksonville?

A weekend trip is usually not enough time to experience the under-rated city of Jacksonville, so you may find yourself somewhat rushed. Or, perhaps you'll want to return another time experience everything that this medium sized city has to offer. You don't want to miss the main attractions such as the beaches, the famous sights and museums, the restaurant scene, and the nightlife scene. Many tourists set aside two to three days for their visit. However, if your schedule only gives you a couple of days, we have a handful of recommendations to make the most of your weekend adventure in Jacksonville below.

Jacksonville, Florida

How to spend 2 days in Jacksonville

With a weekend (two to three days) in Jacksonville, you'll have a bit more time to enjoy everything that the city has to offer.

A number of fantastic museums and famous landmarks are found in Jacksonville, so spend at least one full day exploring those that look the most appealing to you. The city has a number of museums that range from art museums to science or kid-friendly museums. Some favorites are the Museum of Science and History, the Museum of Contemporary Art, the Mandarin Museum and Historical Society, and Kingsley Plantation.

The nightlife scene is very popular here. After dark, head out to one of the many venues around town. The young population brings out the nightlife scene. There's a great concentration of bars and clubs in the area known as The Elbow, which is at the intersection of N. Ocean and E. Bay Street. You'll find plenty of cocktail bars, lounges, and clubs around town that make for a fun night out.

More Info

If you're looking for more information about Jacksonville, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.