On a Quest for Culture

A full-day and evening of activities

Begin the day with a visit to The Museum of Science and History. Permanent exhibits include: "Currents of Time," "Atlantic Tails: Marine Mammals of Northeast Florida" and "Maple Leaf: Port at Last." Sports fans will enjoy the newest permanent exhibit on Jacksonville Jaguars' history and memorabilia. The exhibit uses video, text and artifacts to enliven station stops. Gaze into the stars and have an interplanetary encounter in the Alexander Brest Planetarium located in the museum.

If there's time, enjoy a peaceful stroll along the Southbank Riverwalk past Friendship Fountain, The Lone Sailor, the Jacksonville Historical Center and the Jacksonville Maritime Museum.

Enjoy lunch at any one of the many delightful Southbank restaurants or hop a water taxi to The Jacksonville Landing for lunch in the food court or one of the full-service restaurants.

The afternoon can be spent at one of Jacksonville's museums. The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens is located on the St. Johns River and contains a collection of western art from 2,000 B.C. to present. The Cummer has one of the largest collections of early Meissen Porcelains in the world. Step outside to enjoy the English and Italian Gardens, graced by huge, live oak trees all framed by the St. Johns River.

Standing proudly at the entrance to the historic neighborhood of Springfield is the Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum. One of seven in the country, the museum maintains permanent and rotating exhibits of original documents, letter collections, notes and drafts of famous writings. The museum is housed in the 1921 home of the First Church of Christ Scientists, a delight to visit in its own merit.

Following a rest and change into evening clothes, plan to attend a performance of the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra at the Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts, a crowd pleasing show at Harmonious Monks or enjoy a buffet dinner and a first-rate comedy or musical at the Alhambra Dinner Theatre.