The Mayport and Beaches area is rich in natural, historical and cultural resources and was the first coast of America settled by Europeans.  There are pristine, undeveloped beaches, forests, swamps, parks, preserves, plenty of places to commune with nature to be alone and yet just minutes away from the bustling metropolitan City of Jacksonville. Jacksonville is the home of the Jaguars NFL football team and hosted the 2005 Super Bowl.  While visiting Jacksonville, Mayport or the Beaches there are many places to see and many opportunities for adventure.

 

If you're the outdoor type, there is camping, hiking, picnicking, fishing, swimming, boating, bird watching, biking, canoeing and kayaking.  If you're a history buff then you definitely want to plan your itinerary around the U.S. National Park Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve.  Within the Preserve visitors can tour Fort Caroline National Memorial, a replica of a fort built by the French Huguenots after they landed and set up a colony in 1560s.  If you would like to observe early southern plantation life where cotton was the main cash crop, then the Kingsley Plantation is the place and also located within the Preserve north of the St. Johns River.  From there you may want to head south via the St. Johns River Ferry, one of the last remaining car service ferries in Florida, to historic Mayport Village and see the St. Johns River Lighthouse.  The Ferry operates on a steady schedule and leaves the riverbank every half hour carrying cars and passengers.

 

Camping and beach related activities could be planned at the Jacksonville Beaches and at Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park, Huguenot Memorial Park or Little Talbot Island State Park.  Hiking and observing nature such as bird watching can be done here or at nearby state parks such as Big Talbot Island State Park, Fort George Island Cultural State Park and Pumpkin Hill Creek Preserve State Park.

 

If you did not get your fill of observing wild animals in nature, you may want to spend the day on a walking safari at the Jacksonville Zoological Gardens.  The Jacksonville Zoo boasts one of the finest jaguar exhibits and holding facilities in North America as well as hundreds of other animal exhibits.

 

Tired of roughing it and cooking over a campfire?  There are many local restaurants with seafood as a specialty and you're just minutes away from shopping and nightlife.  The Jacksonville & the Beaches Convention Visitors Bureau would be helpful in suggesting things to do to fill up your time while you enjoy your stay here.