A Boutique Experience

San Marco, a quaint neighborhood located five minutes south of Downtown Jacksonville, complete with plenty of boutiques and antique shopping. 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. Stop in at homegrown favorite, Peterbrooke Chocolatier, named for the owner's two children, Peter and Brooke. With a location on the Square and the production center down the road, there's everything for a sweet tooth. At the Production Center, take a tour and watch the experts create chocolate-covered everything - pretzels, potato chips, graham crackers, and their signature snack, chocolate popcorn. III Lions Antiques features the finest in old and new with silver, furniture and jewelry. The San Marco Bookstore is a local favorite, where you can find an assortment of collectible and rare books and The Write Touch stocks upscale stationary from Crane & Co., Kate Spade and Jonathan Wright and Company as well as leather goods and unique gifts. For the latest trends, stop by Olive, Rosie True or 5 Sisters to find the perfect outfit for a night out on the town.

Historic Avondale, one of the country's largest National Register of Historic Districts, is host to stately homes, charming dining, strolling and shopping. The Shoppes of Avondale's sophisticated charm and oak-lined avenues cater to the upscale shopper with a variety of specialty boutiques, fine galleries and gourmet eateries. Shop until you drop at more than 45 stores featuring children's clothing, women's accessories, fine art and great antiques. Edible Arrangements provides the perfectly delicious gift for friends, co-workers or family members with a basket of flower-molded fruit, some dipped in chocolate. For the latest in men's fashion, stop by Hayden's Haberdashery or Armor, and for the ladies, check out the trendy assortment of clothes and shoes at J. Ashley Boutique, Petal, Clover or Emly Benham. For the fashionable baby, Hobby Horse and Julia Claire are the spots for clothing, high-end diaper bags and trinkets.

Riverside's funky, trendy Five Points is considered Jacksonville's arts and commerce district. Built in the 1930s as Jacksonville's first shopping area outside of Downtown, it continues to thrive as the region's edgy town center. For specialty handmade gifts from around the world, stop by Midnight Sun on Park Street. They offer a wide selection of sterling silver and gemstone jewelry as well as sarongs, yoga wear, furniture, natural body care and incense. For news junkies, peek through the collection at the Five Points News Stand and catch up on the latest news from around the world. Ladies will enjoy the vintage fashions at Time Warp Vintage, where you can take a step back in time and find fashion from yesteryear or shop at Violet, Anomaly, Wolfgang and Edge City for the latest styles. Surf wear, perfect for Jacksonville's beaches, can be perused at Aloha Paradise with brands like Roxy, Reef and Rainbow. After a day of shopping, gather your thoughts or listen to the live entertainment with a cup of java at Fuel Coffeehouse in the heart of the shopping district.