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Jacksonville, FL |
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| View baggage charges Flights : - Your choice of roundtrip flight from New York City | ||||||
| Car: - Your choice of rental car |
| Package prices include all tax recovery charge & service fees | |
| Leaving Sat, Nov 21 | |
| Returning Mon, Nov 23 | from $354 per person |
| Returning Tue, Nov 24 | from $408 per person |
| Leaving Thu, Nov 26 | |
| Returning Tue, Dec 1 | from $785 per person |
| Leaving Fri, Nov 27 | |
| Returning Tue, Dec 1 | from $789 per person |
| Leaving Sat, Nov 28 | |
| Returning Tue, Dec 1 | from $765 per person |
| Leaving Thu, Dec 3 | |
| Returning Sun, Dec 6 | from $307 per person |
| Returning Mon, Dec 7 | from $345 per person |
| Returning Tue, Dec 8 | from $313 per person |
| Leaving Fri, Dec 4 | |
| Returning Sun, Dec 6 | from $286 per person |
| Returning Mon, Dec 7 | from $322 per person |
| Returning Tue, Dec 8 | from $315 per person |
| Leaving Sat, Dec 5 | |
| Returning Mon, Dec 7 | from $311 per person |
| Returning Tue, Dec 8 | from $301 per person |
| Leaving Thu, Dec 10 | |
| Returning Sun, Dec 13 | from $307 per person |
| Returning Mon, Dec 14 | from $345 per person |
| Returning Tue, Dec 15 | from $313 per person |
| Leaving Fri, Dec 11 | |
| Returning Sun, Dec 13 | from $286 per person |
| Returning Mon, Dec 14 | from $322 per person |
| Returning Tue, Dec 15 | from $317 per person |
| Leaving Sat, Dec 12 | |
| Returning Mon, Dec 14 | from $311 per person |
| Returning Tue, Dec 15 | from $309 per person |
Jacksonville, FL: Why Go
Relax on the beach while soaking up some southern sunshine, citrus, and seaspray--all nearly as revivifying as a true Fountain of Youth.
Local flavors: The sea creates bounty, so get your conch fritters, seafood soup, oysters, and shrimp prepared in infinite ways. Craving hard-shelled crustaceans? Get them at Joe's crab shack at Atlantic Beach. If you've had enough of seafood, head to local chain Sonny's for savory southern-style pulled pork.
Chill-out spot: Within easy reach, the southern Georgia coast is liberally dotted with idyllic islands reachable only by bridge or ferry. With its bike trails, sublime swimming beaches, ritzy golf courses, and solitary stretches of coast perfect for fishing, horseback riding, and canoeing, Jekyll Island is an anachronistic beach lover's dream.
Place we love, even if it's touristy: The horseshoe-shaped Jacksonville Landing is located along the St. John's River, where tons of sailboats bobble. This mall-like area along the waterfront is filled with restaurants and boutiques, and is a fun place for people-watching, especially on weekends when the scene is usually accompanied by fireworks and live music.
Get out of dodge: Just an hour south of Jacksonville lies St. Augustine, the oldest city in America, and fabled home to the Fountain of Youth. Discovered by Ponce de Leon, this charming town features buildings made of coral and seashells. Come here to eat old-fashioned fudge, ride in a horse-drawn carriage, and stroll along cobblestone streets.
The real deal: The sport of skateboarding is alive and well at the Kona Skatepark. Watch from the sidelines as the pros take tricky turns--or, if you're feeling the effects of the Fountain of Youth, you can rent the necessary equipment and take to the pavement yourself. Parents and seniors get in free everyday, and group and private lessons are available.
Did we mention it's free: "Finder's keepers" is the policy if you find arrowheads along the coast. Chances are, they once belonged to the native Timucuan Indians. Those with a good eye can distinguish these treasures from the colored seaglass and spectacular seashells, which also make fabulous free souvenirs.
Where the locals go: Jacksonville's new Alltel Stadium is proud home to the Jaguars pro football team, and plays host to the annual Gator Bowl, complete with skydivers, marching bands, and pulse-pounding dashes towards the end zone. To witness a true rivalry, try to score tickets to the yearly NCAA University of Florida versus University of Georgia match-up.
Recommendations & Suggestions
Biscotti's
3556 St. John's Avenue
Fresh California-styled food served up by a knowledgeable staff--Biscotti's looks like a little slice of San Francisco dropped in downtown Jacksonville.
Jacksonville Beach
The liveliest beach in the area, with concessions, rental shops for all sorts of sports, and a very popular fishing pier (closed until Spring 2001 for remodeling).
Kingsley Plantation
Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve
13165 Mount Pleasant Road
Phone: 904.251.3537
Kingsley Plantation, part of the Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve administered by the National Park Service, is located on Fort George Island and includes the plantation house, a kitchen house, a barn, and the ruins of 25 of the original slave cabins. The plantation was named for one of several plantation owners, Zephaniah Kingsley, who operated the property from 1813-1839. Kingsley operated under a "task" system, which allowed slaves to work at a craft or tend their own gardens once the specified task for the day was completed. Proceeds from the sale of produce or craft items were usually kept by the slaves. Purchased as a slave, Kingsley's wife, Anna Madgigine Jai, was freed in 1811. She was active in plantation management and became a successful business woman owning her own property. As an American territory, Florida passed laws that discriminated against free blacks and placed harsh restrictions on African slaves. This prompted Kingsley to move his family, impacted by these laws, to Haiti, now the Dominican Republic, where descendants of Anna and Zephaniah live today.
River City Brewing Company
835 Museum Circle
Set in a prime location on the south bank of the St. John's River, this top-notch microbrewery also serves some of the tastiest food in town (the seafood jambalaya rocks). Sit inside and take in the views of the city, or sit outside on the oversized deck that hangs over the waterfront.
Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve
13165 Mount Pleasant Road
Nestled between northeast Florida's lower St. Johns and Nassau Rivers, the 46,000 acre Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve was established in 1988 to protect the natural resources of one of the last unspoiled coastal wetlands on the Atlantic Coast and to preserve historic and prehistoric sites within the area. The estuarine ecosystem within the Preserve includes salt marsh, coastal dunes, hardwood hammock, as well as salt, fresh, and brackish waters, all rich in native vegetation and animal life.
