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5 Reasons to Visit Family Friendly Jacksonville, Florida

Last Updated on June 29, 2021 by Kimberly Stroh

Even though the end of Summer is approaching, it doesn’t mean your family travel plans need to be put on hold. Florida has great year round weather and family friendly Jacksonville is a must do destination with kids. Located on the Northern East Coast of Florida, Jacksonville offers water activities at the beach or Intracoastal and an assortment of educational fun in the heart of the city. Jacksonville is only a two hour drive from Orlando and five hour drive from Atlanta, making it an affordable vacation destination for families.

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5 Reasons to Visit Family Friendly Jacksonville

Disclosure: Consideration provided by Visit Jacksonville. All opinions are my own.

Have Fun on the Water

If your kids are little fishes, like mine, then they’ll love the family friendly Jacksonville beach scene. Young kids can spend the day splashing around on the shore or discovering wildlife in the tide pools. One of the largest artificial reefs is located off the JAX Beach coast and it’s perfect for snorkeling. If you’ve got teens or tweens, paddle boarding and kayaking tours are a popular pick. A great parent – kid activity is fishing too. From sun up to sun set, you can spend all day exploring the sand of Jacksonville beach and observe the marine life.

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Learn How to Skate Like the Pros

Jacksonville is home to the oldest skate park in the nation. If your kids have a desire to feel the rush of skateboarding, then they’ll love a trip to Kona Skatepark. Open since 1977, Kona Skatepark has been offering thrills on wheels. Lessons are available for kids ages 6 and up. Street, vert, pools, flatland and downhill skating is available to skaters.

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Get Wild with The Animals

The Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens is one of the top 9 animal attractions in the U.S. Learn about the zoo’s ongoing conservation efforts, learn about the animals by talking to a zoo keeper and let the kids cool off at the splash pad. Families can also tour the botanical gardens that the Jacksonville Zoo has seamlessly integrated with the animal exhibits. For a new experience, try the Safari Sleepovers and experience the zoo after dark.

Make Memories While Having Fun

There’s nothing better than having fun as a family and Adventure Landing, in Jacksonville, is your one-stop place. Adventure Landing offers miniature golf, laser tag, batting cages and an entire water park – Shipwreck Island. Shipwreck Island features waterslides for all ages, a Splash Cove for toddlers and a lazy river. Adventure Landing is the perfect place for all day fun.

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Immerse Yourself in Learning

Jacksonville is home to the Museum of Science & History. Kids can learn about Florida marine life at the Atlantic Tales exhibit,  the science behind energy usage, kinesiology at the Health in Motion exhibit or visit the planetarium. They offer educational fun for kids of all ages. On the second Wednesday of every month, they have an exclusive program for preschoolers.

Located on Riverside Avenue, The Cummer Museum is home to one of the finest art collections of the SouthEast. The Cummer Museum offers a variety of educational programs to promote STEM.

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Planning an upcoming family trip? Check out my must have travel accessories list.

 

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