I was born and raised in Jacksonville, Florida. Here are 10 things I wish tourists knew before visiting. (2024)

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Many people underestimate how big Jacksonville actually is.

Jacksonville is huge. According to Visit Jacksonville, the official tourism board for the city, the city takes up more than 840 square miles, making it the largest city by landmass in the contiguous US.

Many people think that Jacksonville is just the downtown area or just the beach, but there's so much more to the city. There are dozens of neighborhoods to explore, over 400 city parks, and 22 miles of beach.

Although many of the neighborhoods are walkable, I really think you need a car (whether it's a personal vehicle or a rideshare) to get around the city.

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It's only 40 minutes from the oldest city in the country.

One of the coolest things about visiting Jacksonville is the ability to take a short drive to the nation's oldest city, St. Augustine.

From downtown Jacksonville, the drive is about 40 minutes on the highway.

There's so much to do in the historic center, including riding the iconic red trolley, touring the Castillo de San Marcos National Monument, or shopping and dining around St. George Street. The city is also home to a pirate museum that showcases one of two known Jolly Roger pirate flags.

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Jacksonville has more than a dozen museums dotted around the city.

One of the most popular is the cumme*r Museum of Art & Gardens in the Riverside neighborhood. There are more than 5,000 pieces of art on display, along with a stunning outdoor garden that overlooks the St. Johns River.

Another museum worth checking out is the Museum of Science and History, often called MOSH by locals. It's great for families who want to learn more about Florida culture and wildlife through interactive exhibits.

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Too many people come in the summer and then complain about the weather.

I get it, sometimes the only opportunity people have to travel is over the hot and busy summer months, especially if they have kids in school.

But Jacksonville is very hot from mid-May through at least September with many days reaching into the upper 90s Fahrenheit and heat indexes in the triple digits. Even worse is the humidity, which can make it feel like you're breathing through a wet sweater outside.

Many tourists are prepared for the heat with lightweight clothes and sunscreen, but nothing can prepare you for the onslaught of humidity. I always tell people to come before May or after September, if possible.

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I think most visitors miss out on the city's thriving culinary scene.

Jacksonville has fun dining spots in eclectic neighborhoods across the city. But most of the time, I just see tourists flocking to easy-access restaurants near the beach or dining at chains.

I recommend researching the local restaurant scene to see where reviews are high or asking a hotel concierge about great spots to eat.

A few standout spots in the city include Silkies Chicken and Champagne Bar for chicken and biscuits, Catullo's Italian for handmade pasta, and Carolina Jax for incredible burgers and loaded fries.

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The local breweries have more to offer than a pint of domestic beer in a grungy bar.

Jacksonville has dozens of craft breweries, and I don't think enough tourists make their way to the local spots.

One way to get out and try a few of the breweries is by participating in the Jax Ale Trail. Visitors and locals can get a brewery passport stamped at participating locations and send it back to the tourism board to get prizes. The passports can typically be picked up at any of the participating breweries or at a visitor's center.

If you prefer to venture out on your own, I recommend trying Intuition Ale Works, Bold City Brewery, or Wicked Barley Brewing Company.

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Local markets are the best place to pick up souvenirs.

From farmers markets to craft markets, Jacksonville has something for everyone. But I rarely see tourists perusing these unique spots.

One of the coolest markets in town is the Riverside Arts Market, which takes place every Saturday under an overpass in the Riverside neighborhood. The market is known for its fun mix of vendors, including produce farms, baked goods, and crafts.

There's also weekly yoga by the river if you have a mat with you, and there are plenty of food trucks on site so you can try some tasty food while walking around.

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It's best to avoid making fun of the Jacksonville Jaguars while visiting the city.

Most Jacksonville locals are very proud of their NFL football team, the Jacksonville Jaguars. In the past, the team has been considered the laughingstock of the league, but that doesn't give tourists the right to make fun of them.

Jaguars fans are highly devoted, especially after a whirlwind 2022 season led by quarterback Trevor Lawrence and head coach Doug Pederson. They made it all the way to the divisional playoffs.

If you're visiting during football season, you may want to check out a game. Jaguar fans make game days a pretty unforgettable experience.

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Don't forget to turn your lights off if you're staying on the beach.

Staying at a hotel along the beach is a great way to experience the rich surf and beach culture of the city. But I wish everyone knew the importance of turning their lights off (or at least closing curtains) at night when staying along the shore.

Nesting sea turtles make their way to the shore to lay eggs between early May and late October. The artificial lights can distract the hatchling turtles away from the natural light of the ocean where they need to go.

Sea-turtle-nesting season happens to line up with the high tourist season in Jacksonville, so be sure to ask your beachfront hotel if there's anything you need to do to help protect the turtles.

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You're missing out if you don't play a round of golf.

One of the best parts about having decent weather almost all year is the ability to play a round of golf in any season.

I always tell visitors to play at one of the beautiful courses around the city. You can also check out the World Golf Hall of Fame, Top Golf, and the PGA Superstore.

If you just like to watch golf, you'll want to come for the Players Championship, which the city hosts every March at TPC Sawgrass. Be sure to get your tickets early though, because the tournament usually sells out every year.