Camping at Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park is a must! While a day trip from Jacksonville to the park is wonderful, staying the night adds a special touch to an already amazing experience. Located just south of Gainesville this state park is under two hours from Jacksonville and located near quaint Micanopy.  Wildlife at Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park Wild horses, bison, alligators, turkeys, deer, turtles, and birds! It’s safe to say Paynes Prairie has wildlife in abundance. While you may or may not see the wild horses and bison roaming free they are present in the vast prairie that ..read more

Summer is a time for fun in the sun and keeping cool with some inexpensive summer movies. AMC Theatres has you covered with their AMC Summer Movie Camp every week, all summer long. Tickets are just $3 and are available for purchase online. In North Florida, AMC Theatres Regency, AMC Theatres Orange Park, AMC Theatres Flemming Island, and AMC Theatres Classic Yule are all participating. The 2024 movie schedule (listed below) is good for all 4 North Florida locations. If you’re looking to visit another theater, check the AMC website for exact showtimes. There is only one movie choice each w ..read more

If you’re looking to get out of town for the day and want to beat the summer heat, be sure to check out Aquatica Water Park in Orlando. Just a few hours from Jacksonville, Aquatica has lots of attractions for the whole family. Time and time again it’s one of our favorite water park day trips to take in the summer! Aquatica has TONS of Great Slides Big slides, little slides, slides that drop out from under you, whether you’re in the mood for big thrills or a slow ride, Aquatica has something for everyone. If you’re a fan of thrill rides, Aquatica Orlando doesn’t disappoint. Aquatica has Lots fo ..read more

We love visiting water parks in and around North Florida, and if you’ve looking for a fun day trip from Jacksonville, a visit to Discovery Cove Orlando might be perfect for your family. Our family recently visited and while it’s not an inexpensive day out, the overall quality of our experience was amazing. The Snorkeling is Amazing If your kids love to snorkel or even if they’ve never tried it, a highlight of your visit will be snorkeling the Grand Reef. Discovery Cove provides you with wet suits and snorkel gear so you don’t need to worry about having the right equipment ..read more

If you’re on the hunt for a skate park in Jacksonville then we have good news, there are lots to choose from! Whether your kid is a seasoned skateboarder or just beginning to take an interest in the sport, there’s a park for every experience level. One of our favorite things about the skating scene is North Florida is that many of our favorite parks include a skating element making it easy to visit and let the kids enjoy their own thing. Public Skate Parks in North Florida Cuba Hunter Skate Park Cuba Hunter Park is located near Emerson Street and recently updated its skate park in 2023. I ..read more

Have you ever thought about raising backyard hens here in Jacksonville? With the cost of eggs rising, and the popularity of urban farming growing, raising your own flock of chickens is truly an enticing idea. But where do you start? Along with the dreams of having your own flock of hens comes with many questions and rules to follow. Read along for all the information you need to get started with raising backyard hens at the beaches and the city of Jacksonville.   Are Backyard Chickens Allowed in Jacksonville? First and most important are the rules and regulations that make it legal f ..read more

Living in Florida we have the opportunity to take a day trip so many amazing locations. Theme parks, Florida State Parks, beaches, all a short drive away. When I find a new place that I love, that we can easily take a short drive to it makes me so happy. Not too far from Orlando and all the theme parks and craziness is an adorable town with so much to offer, Winter Garden.  Winter Garden has wonderful restaurants, a Food Hall, Train Museum, great coffee and more. If you enjoy biking you can bring along your bikes to do a ride for as long as you want (up to 22 miles) on the West Oran ..read more

Blueberry picking in Jacksonville is a fun summer activity that the kids will love. Located on the west side of Jacksonville, Blu By U Blueberry Farm is a family owned and operated farm that specializes in blueberries. Their 8 acre farm is open for visitors to pick their own berries during the growing season. Blueberry Picking in Jacksonville Blue By U Blueberry Farm consists of 3 acres of blueberry plants, hydroponic strawberry plants, a petting zoo, covered picnic tables, and butterfly house. Not only is Blue By U Farm a great spot for berries, but you can spend a good part of the day there ..read more

Located on the westside of Jacksonville on U.S. 17, Roosevelt Blvd., across from the Naval Air Station Jacksonville is Tillie K. Fowler Regional Park. This park features several hiking trails, biking trails, dog park, picnic area, restrooms and nature center. The park is free and open from dusk until dawn. Take a Hike at Tillie Fowler Park For an easy hike at Tillie K. Fowler Regional Park, there’s the 1.2-mile Tower Trail, which has an observation tower in the middle of the hike with views of the marsh and Ortega River. Another option is the Island Trail, which is 2.25 miles roundtrip. Both t ..read more

Although still somewhat new to Jacksonville, City Grille and Raw Bar is garnering a lot of praise and attention. And rightfully so. The restaurant is located on the Southbank in downtown and is the perfect spot for a date night. The restaurant was opened by the owners of Eleven South in Jacksonville Beach.     Ambiance:  City Grille and Raw Bar looks like an old steakhouse with updated flair. It is definitely more of an upscale dining experience. While you are waiting for a table, you can pull up to the main bar, which includes the raw bar and Alley Cat Lounge. Or you ..read more