Romantic Evenings in Jacksonville

Whispers and laughter over libations...sunset strolls along the crashing ocean waves or in a riverfront garden...music coming from the DJ on the dance floor, at the ballet or in concert...there is an evening out to suit every couple's tastes. Before or after dinner, let Jacksonville set the stage for a truly romantic time between sweethearts.

In the early evenings, Northeast Florida shines along its waterways. Stroll hand in hand along Jacksonville's more secluded oceanfront communities of Neptune and Atlantic Beaches. Let the ocean waves wash away everyday stresses, so that being together is the only thing that matters. Search for the ocean's unique seashell treasures or let time stand still while witnessing the sunset. At the Beaches Town Center, which lies between the two municipalities, stop in one of the boutiques, restaurants or bars to explore the beaches way of life.

Tucked in the Beaches Town Center lies Azuréa Restaurant at One Ocean Resort Hotel & Spa offers breathtaking views of the ocean as you talk quietly and enjoy lunch or dinner from Chef Peters' seasonal menu.  Lunch offerings include innovative flat breads, crisp salads and a selection of wraps and sandwiches.  For dinner, be daring and order "The Adventurous Palate," where the chefs take you on an artistic journey of taste.  For true romance, sink into the patio furniture and let the sounds of the waves roll over you, while you sip a specialty martini and the suns sets behind the white sand dunes. 

Along the waterfront of the St. Johns River, the Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens offers a gem in the heart of the city with its magnificent English- and Italian-styled gardens. Water fountains, azaleas, lilies of the Nile and creeping fig-covered archways are among the sights visitors will see when strolling the property. Since 1903, these historic gardens, stretching over two acres in length, have delighted visitors in their breathtaking beauty and have inspired many a marriage proposal.

A musical evening at the Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts arouses love with cultural performances in each of its three distinct halls. Enjoy ballet, classical music, Broadway hits and more in this world-class structure, located in Downtown Jacksonville.

Or dance your heart out to the DJ-inspired music at any number of nightclubs. The intimate and modern setting at Mark's Downtown gives couples a chance to canoodle in leather loveseats or dance the night away. The Twisted Martini offers contemporary, yet comfortable sofas and mood lighting to accompany the musical ambiance of the upscale nightclub which inspires South Beach style. As the namesake states, sip on a large selection of delicious martinis and move with the music.

Prefer toasting the night in a quieter setting? Try the Martini Room at Atlantic Beach's Ocean 60 and listen to reggae, jazz and soul music and choose from over 30 unique martini concoctions and extensive wine list. Speaking of, wine is a perennial favorite of lovers, and those hotspots that know this best are San Marco's The Grotto, which incites an Italian wine cellar with its brick walls, candlelight and extensive wine and tapas menu, and Walker's Wine Bar in Riverside, with its exposed brick walls are lined with your favorite wines.