06/30/2010

Contact:  Jennifer Bryant at (904) 421-9161 or jbryant@visitjacksonville.com   
                 Lyndsay Rossman at (904) 421-9153 or lrossman@visitjacksonville.com

  Awaken Your Florida Side in Jacksonville
Uncover a Fresh, Gay-Friendly Destination

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Cool ocean breezes melt into hot summer nights in Jacksonville and its beaches.  This relaxing corner of Northeast Florida welcomes Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender (GLBT) visitors with a warm, southern hospitality.  The city is an up-and-coming gay-friendly destination with several TAG approved hotels.  With countless inviting accommodations, attractions and restaurants found throughout the destination, Jacksonville is sure to awaken your Florida side. 

Awaken Romance with the Arts
Begin your exploration in one of Jacksonville's gay-friendly neighborhoods, Riverside.  This historic district, along with neighbor, Avondale, is listed as one of the largest preservation districts on the National Register of Historic Places.  Stroll through the Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens' riverfront Italian and English gardens, recently designated to the National Register, and through an exquisite fine arts museum with hundreds of masterpieces gracing the walls.  Within walking distance from the Cummer is the funky, urban neighborhood of Five Points.  Visitors will find coffee shops, antique stores, restaurants, boutiques and the riverfront Memorial Park, perfect for strolling or a picnic on the lawn.  Enjoy a cozy meal at Orsay, a cozy French bistro serving updated classics and a fresh oyster bar to patrons nestled in high-back booths.

Another must-see attraction in the area is the Riverside Arts Market (RAM), held every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.  The largest, free weekly arts and entertainment venue in the state of Florida has returned for its second year and is located under the Fuller Warren Bridge just minutes from Downtown. RAM boasts freshly-baked bread, paintings, fresh local produce, sculpture, pottery, great food from local restaurants, cut flowers, jewelry, plants, cheeses and more.  There is also live entertainment on the riverfront stage.

For nearby accommodations, head to the heart of Downtown, an urban core thriving with arts and culture.  The Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront and the Crowne Plaza Jacksonville Riverfront are two TAG-approved accommodations in the area.  Both properties offer exceptional waterfront views and convenient access to sporting events, festivals, restaurants, nightlife and more.  For a value-added bonus, the Crowne Plaza Jacksonville Riverfront offers 20 percent off for GLBT travelers and friends of www.mygayjacksonville.com/.  

New to Downtown Jacksonville, find eight new art galleries, all of which opened over the last several months, thanks to an initiative started by Downtown Jacksonville advocacy groups and local artists.  The initiative, Off the Grid, allows local artists to create temporary galleries in unused storefronts around town.  The new galleries, along with mainstay art institutions like the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) Jacksonville, create a thriving arts destination in the heart of Downtown Jacksonville.

Awaken Your Night Owl
Head to one of Riverside's trendy gay bars and dance clubs.  Begin the evening at Jacksonville's largest and most popular gay club, The Metro.  The Metro is actually seven venues under one roof - something for your every mood.  The Boiler Room features music with a country twang and male dancers, while Sapphos is just for the ladies.  The Boom Boom Room's beats make you want to dance and Club Shadows features a popular weekly drag show.  

The King Street district is the place to be seen and hot bars include, Walker's Wine Bar with exposed brick walls lined with an exquisite collection of wines, Park Place and The Loft.  And for a laid back, neighborhood vibe, stop by gay-friendly sports bar Kickbacks Gastropub for hundreds of beers and late night munchies; menu served until 4 a.m.

The beaches GLBT nightlife scene heats up at Jacksonville's oldest gay bar Bo's Coral Reef in Jacksonville Beach's thriving nightlife-district.  You can't miss the bright pink building, one block from the Atlantic Ocean.  Bo's is a mainstay in Beaches nightlife, serving customers cocktails and tasty southern favorites since 1964.  It's a mixed-crowd venue where everyone feels welcome. 

The Beaches offer diverse nightlife, everything from trendy martinis to casual beach dives.  Martinis are afloat at Casa Marina Hotel and Restaurant and hidden on the top floor of Jacksonville Beach's most historic hotel is the Penthouse Lounge.  The outdoor wooden deck allows you to soak in an incredible view of the expanse of shoreline of the ocean, as you sip on a martini and nibble on tapas. 

Awaken with Celebration
The celebration heats up Oct. 1-17, 2010 with the annual River City Pride Festival held in the trendy Riverside district.  On Sat. Oct. 2, there will be a parade and block party in Riverside, starting at The Metro.  Throughout the week there will be a variety of events at local bars/restaurants/venues and the week will wrap up on Sun., Oct. 17 with a riverfront festival under the Full Warren Bridge.  In addition, neighboring St. Augustine hosts the Ancient City Pride Festival each September.  The family-friendly event includes live entertainment, an art show showcasing local and Florida artists, kids' activities and food and drink vendors.  

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Visit Jacksonville is the marketing organization contracted by the Duval County Tourist Development Council (TDC) to champion the growth of business and leisure tourism in Northeast Florida.  Along with its nearly 400 tourism partners, Visit Jacksonville stimulates economic impact, quality of life and recognition for the Northeast Florida region.  For a closer look at all there is to see and do in Jacksonville, go to www.VisitJacksonville.com.