Family Fun Downtown

Explore Downtown

Begin your afternoon in San Marco, a quaint neighborhood located five minutes south of Downtown Jacksonville. San Marco Square, fashioned after St. Mark's Square in Venice, revolves around a water fountain capped with three enormous bronze lions and a charming gazebo. The streets are lined with fine dining establishments and boutiques specializing in the finest designer clothes, precious artwork and gifts, perfect for people watching while sipping on coffee or smoothies. Stop in Hobby Horse-San Marco which has the latest in children's wear, furniture and games or discover an adventure while perusing through the large collection of antique and specialty books at San Marco Bookstore.

Hang out in the Square for a casual lunch which will please even the pickiest of eaters! Jacksonville-based The Loop Pizza Grill boasts a menu of more than you'd expect. Enjoy a number of different styles of pizzas, unique burger combinations and delicious sandwiches and salads. Make sure you're in the mood for hand-dipped malts or milkshakes, locals love them!

Make sure you leave room for dessert and check out the Peterbrooke Chocolatier Production Center! A permanent fixture in Northeast Florida for the past 24 years, this is Jacksonville's local hotspot for chocolate lovers. Enjoy sampling and indulging yourself with chocolate dipped strawberries, fresh baked cookies and their signature item, chocolate-covered popcorn. With numerous locations throughout Jacksonville, the production center in San Marco offers behind-the-scenes tours to see how their sweet creations come to life!

After sweets, experience a little science and history courtesy of the Museum of Science & History. Located on Jacksonville's Downtown Southbank, this interactive museum, known as MOSH to the locals, features the area's only planetarium and a Northeast Florida history display called Currents of Time. Explore the Atlantic Tails exhibit, an educational and fun experience all about underwater mammal life featuring dolphins, whales and manatees. In the Naturalist Center, guests can witness animal feedings among the live American alligators, gopher tortoises, native snakes and birds which call Northeast Florida home.

From MOSH, catch a ride on the S.S. Marine Taxi for a tour of the beautiful St. Johns River, which runs right through the center of Downtown Jacksonville. End your tour on the Northbank at The Jacksonville Landing, where you will find great dining, excellent shopping and a fabulous view of the river. Special events and live entertainment take place Friday through Sunday on the riverfront main stage surrounding the large water fountain. Children and adults can run through the fountain to play or just cool off after a warm day. Grab dinner at one of the full-service restaurants located there.

In season, head over to the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville for a little sports action at the ballpark! Located in Downtown's sports complex, Florida Marlins affiliate, the Double-A Jacksonville Suns has produced some of the biggest names in major league baseball. From April through September, fans take pleasure in America's pastime at the Grounds, which were designed with the rich tradition of baseball in mind. Including seating for 11,000 spectators and its brick façade, the Grounds also feature luxury skyboxes and skydecks, a playground and a unique nine-foot high mound for seating at the left field corner known as "the knuckle." Each Friday night at the ballpark is Friday Night Family Fireworks game which ends with a spectacular display of fireworks, win or lose.

For more information on how to plan your Downtown escape, click here.