Attractions Nearby Jacksonville, Day Trips and Excursions

(Jacksonville, Florida - FL, USA)

Among Jacksonville's closest neighboring cities are Gainesville and St. Augustine, with both containing many popular attractions and Gainesville being the more significant of the two. Visitors prepared to travel the short distance from Jacksonville to Gainesville will find plenty of things to occupy their interest, with major attractions including the Florida Museum of Natural History and the Gainesville Raceway.

St. Augustine is within easy reach of Jacksonville and draws crowds from all over the state, who come to enjoy what has become an integral part of the city's character.

Devils Millhopper Geological State Park

Address: 4732 Millhopper Road, Gainesville, Florida FL, 32653, USA
Tel: +1 352 955 2008
Located 2 miles / 3 km northwest of Gainesville, the Devils Millhopper Geological State Park is a National Natural Landmark that has been open to visitors since the early 1880s. The park features an unusual bowl-shaped cavity which is 120-feet / 37-meters deep and has steep slopes on which scenic vegetation grows and gentle streams trickle. Visitors can enjoy a picnic at the park and learn more about its unusual attractions through a series of interpretive displays.
Open hours: Wednesday to Sunday - 09:00 to 17:00
Admission: charge

Kanapaha Botanical Gardens

Address: Southwest Archer Road, Gainesville, Florida FL, USA
Tel: +1 352 372 4981
Operated under the care of the North Florida Botanical Society, Kanapaha Botanical Gardens encompass 62 acres / 25 hectares of some of Florida's finest greenery and plant life. The facility is home to 16 major collections, including the Southeast's largest herb garden and the largest public display of bamboo plants in the state. Close to Jacksonville, other attractions include a number of truly impressive plants, such as Chinese royal bamboo, giant Victoria water lilies and Asian snake arums.
Open hours: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday - 09:00 to 17:00, Saturday and Sunday - 09:00 to dusk
Admission: charge, discounts available for children

Florida Museum of Natural History

Address: University of Florida, Powell Hall, Southwest 34th Street and Hull Road, Gainesville, Florida FL, 32611-2710, USA
Tel: +1 352 846 2000
The Florida Museum of Natural History is within easy reach of Jacksonville and contains a variety of permanent and visiting exhibitions, which offer something of interest for visitors of all ages and backgrounds. Permanent exhibitions and attractions include Florida Fossils, the Butterfly Rainforest, Waterways and Wildlife and South Florida People and Environments. The facility also hosts educational school trips and birthday parties.
Open hours: Monday to Saturday - 10:00 to 17:00, Sunday - 13:00 to 17:00
Admission: charge, discounts available for children, students and seniors

Gainesville Raceway

Address: 11211 North County Road, Gainesville, Florida FL, 32609
Tel: +1 352 377 0046
The Gainesville Raceway is the center of some of Florida's most exciting drag racing events. Having been a popular part of Gainesville life since 1969, the facility has a year-round season of car and bike racing events.
Open hours: daily
Admission: charge, discounts available for children

Gold Head Branch State Park

Address: 1944 Beach Boulevard, Jacksonville Beach, Jacksonville, Florida FL, 32250, USA
Tel: +1 352 473 4701
Situated half way between Jacksonville and Gainesville, Gold Head Branch State Park is a greenbelt area covering a massive 2,000 acres / 810 hectares. Besides pleasant greenery, the park is home to a variety of attractions including nature trails, picnic areas and camping facilities, while swimming, fishing and canoeing are popular activities here.
Open hours: daily - 08:00 to sundown
Admission: charge

Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Historic State Park

Address: 18700 South CR 325 Cross Creek, Gainesville, Florida FL, 32640, USA
Tel: +1 352 466 3672
The Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Historic State Park is a scenic Florida homestead which was previously home to the Pulitzer prize-winning author after which it is named. The property in which she lived has been restored and is open for guided tours. The farmyard, grove and nature trails are also open to visitors, while there are picnic facilities in the county park adjacent to the property.
Open hours: daily - 10:00 to 17:00
Admission: charge, discounts available for children