Explore the Outdoors!

Experience wildlife and history with EcoMotion SegwayTours in a setting like no other, traveling through off-road paths on eco-friendly, battery-operated modes of transport, designed to minimize visitors' environmental footprint. No experience is necessary and all tours are guided, with riders equipped with a wireless headset to learn from guides of native plants, animals and history of the trails.  Be on the lookout for tortoises, rabbits and for the lucky travelers - the occasional alligator off in the distance. 

Your two-hour trip takes the entire state park's trail loop through the island. Your midway destination is the 46,000-acre Timucuan Ecological & Historic Preserve's waterfront Kingsley Plantation- the best example of an 1800s sea island cotton plantation in Florida. Beautifully situated on the banks of the coastal wetlands of the Timucuan Preserve, you'll have water panoramas of islands, marshes, sand bars, and tidal rivers.

Also while on Fort George Island, stop by the historic Ribault Club.  This historic landmark also serves as a gateway to the Timucuan Trail, with interpretive displays and an Eastern National book store, orienting visitors to Fort George Island's rich history stretching back to its exploration in the 16^th century by French sea captain Jean Ribault, the club's namesake. The comprehensive museum, complete with video and interactive displays, details the island's ecology, history and geography.  The Ribault Club is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is a true step back in time.

Stop by the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens for lunch and a tour.   Palm Plaza Café, located in the award-winning Range of the Jaguar exhibit, offers a southwestern menu with nachos, burritos, tacos, wraps and salads.  The glass windows of the café overlook the jaguars roaming their habitat. 

Following lunch, wander through the zoo and explore the park's over 1,500 rare and exotic animals and over 1,000 species of plants.  Throughout the grounds, the zoo masters the art of combining animal exhibits with beautiful botanical pocket gardens offering respite and enchantment for guests to learn how to conserve plant life for many generations.  The newest exhibit, Asian Bamboo Gardens and Komodo Dragon exhibit, features the Moon Gate, the Lotus Pool, the Orchid Pavilion and the Bamboo Mist Forest.  The Asian Bamboo Garden currently is host to 111 plant species and varieties and 29 species and varieties of bamboo.  The Komodo dragon exhibit is set in an Indonesian fishing village and it features two komodo dragons.  Komodo dragons are the largest lizard in the world. 

Nearby, the hotels surrounding the Jacksonville International Airport offer a wide variety of accommodations for rest and relaxation.  Enjoy dinner, a movie or shopping at River City Marketplace to close an enjoyable day. 

For more information on planning your outdoors escape, click here.