Sightseeing in Jacksonville - what to see. Complete travel guide

There are many large cities in Florida, and Jacksonville is one of them. In modern times, this is a rapidly developing urban center, and this fact has a beneficial impact on the prosperity of local people, and, naturally, on the size of Jacksonville’s population. Tourists also enjoy visiting this city because of the gorgeous old districts of Jacksonville that still have many historical buildings, an interesting location on the St. Johns River, beautiful waterfronts, and a large number of museums.

The territory of modern Jacksonville was one of the earliest settlements in the territory of the United States. The first settlement in the area, Ossachite, appeared approximately 6,000 years ago. At that time, the Timucua people lived there. Europeans appeared in this part of the American land only in the 60s of the 16th century. This is when French Huguenot explorer Jean Ribault landed on the bank of the St. Johns River. After that, the river appeared on the map. Two years after this event, the first European settlement on the river – Fort Caroline – was established. This territory became a part of the United States only in the first part of the 19th century. This is when the city got its current name. Jacksonville got its name after the seventh President of the United States of America.

During the Civil War period, in 1864, the biggest battle in Florida, the Battle of Olustee, took place near Jacksonville. Even though the city remained safe and didn’t get any damage, the war had a negative effect on the economy of the region. In 1867, Jacksonville turned into a winter resort that attracted celebrities and rich people. When the Second World War started, it was decided to make a naval base in the city. When the war ended, the nearby settlements merged with Jacksonville, making it the biggest city in the United States at that time. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

Beaches in Jacksonville are perfectly suitable for both groups of tourists and families with children. Despite the achievements of the local building industry, the city’s authorities banned development near the waterfront. This is the reason why local beaches maintain their original look. The Jacksonville Beach area is the most popular. It is also the biggest one. This part of the city is always crowded but it is quite calm at the same time. Because of this, it is always comfortable to relax here and forget about the urban stress. Tourists can even fish in the river and don’t worry that the surrounding noise and people might drive the fish out.

Tourists and vacationers from all over the world visit this place in order to not only sunbathe but also enjoy various activities such as cycling and beach volleyball. Are you fond of horseback riding? There are special sites where people can ride a horse not far from the beach area. Even complete beginners can ride a horse here together with a professional who teaches the basics of horseback riding. Fans of exploring the underwater world can always rent all gear nearby. Water is quite transparent in this region, so it is easy to see the bottom even without goggles.

Travelers and vacationers in Jacksonville usually enjoy visiting Friendship Fountain in Jacksonville that has got worldwide recognition. The fountain is installed on the south bank of the St. Johns River. The official opening of this marvelous fountain happened in 1965. At that time, this was the tallest and biggest fountain in the world. The fountain was reconstructed and remade a number of times over the years, but it still remains the calling card and the most famous attraction of the resort city.

Besides beach recreation, tourists can visit local museums if they want to learn more about the culture and history of the region. There are many museums of different kinds in Jacksonville. For example, the Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens is a great venue that is worth visiting. In this museum, visitors can see unique and interesting artworks by talented artists not only from America but also famous European painters. Besides paintings, the museum exhibits a big collection of porcelain. Each item exhibited here is a masterpiece with its own story.

You are lucky if you visit Jacksonville during the Independence Day celebration. On July 4th, all local people celebrate this important holiday, and so this is a traditional time for festivities of all kinds. Various parades and festive processions with loud music have become an essential part of the holiday. In the evening, bright fireworks paint the sky in different colors.

Jacksonville has an international airport that is situated twenty-three kilometers from the central part of the city. The airport serves flights from the majority of large US cities such as Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Huston, New York, Washington, and Philadelphia. Besides air connection, there are daily trains to Jacksonville from New York and Miami.