Art and Culture Itinerary

Day One

Morning

If you are flying into Jacksonville, make sure to visit one of Jacksonville International Airport’s six gallery spaces that showcases fine art, cultural exhibitions, and the history of flight in Jacksonville. You can find these exhibits before and after security.
Check into Hotel Palms and explore around your hotel. In addition to being a unique place to sleep, Hotel Palms also serves as a gathering space of community activity for locals and visitors alike and features not only a coffee shop, but an art gallery as well.
Get ready to head Downtown! While visiting Jacksonville’s historic neighborhoods, remember to keep an eye out for public art murals. You’ll find dozens of murals representing diverse scenes by emerging and established local and international artists.

Afternoon

After settling in, head Downtown and check out some of Jacksonville’s best local art galleries. Located in Downtown on North Main Street, Studio Zsa Zsa Lapree was named Jax Best Art Gallery for 2022, showcases up-and-coming artists and specializes in Black art of all mediums.
For another great gallery head over to the Jessie Ball duPont Center. Outside, you’ll find mosaics that salute the famous faces of Jacksonville’s African American heritage, including Rutledge Pearson, Rodney L. Hurst and Eartha M.M. White. Inside, you’ll find The Corner Gallery. The Corner Galleryis a cultural, educational experience that showcases local artists in a residence-style exhibit throughout the year. Curated by Shawana Brooks, the space supports art, advocacy, and local BIPOC creatives and was designed to spark conversation and innovation.
For lunch, relax at Charlie’s Café in James Weldon Johnson Park, Jacksonville’s oldest city park at over 160 years old. Every Monday through Friday, local food trucks and live musicians visit James Weldon Park for residents and visitors to enjoy. James Weldon Johnson is also home to many art sculptures and unique history markers.
After lunch, head across the street to the Museum of Contemporary Art Jacksonville (MOCA) and The Public Library. MOCA houses a permanent collection of nearly 1,000 works of art, including painting, printmaking, sculpture, and photography. Next door to it, the Jacksonville Public Library not only has books, but also is full of beautiful paintings, exhibits, sculptures and interesting architecture.
Take a break and walk a block over to Chamblin’s Uptown, an independent bookstore with two floors of books and a cafe serving local coffee, breakfast & lunch and baked goods.
Make sure to visit The Creative Exchange, also known as CX904. Located on the first floor of the Bank of America Tower in Downtown Jacksonville, it boasts an array of locally crafted products ranging from paintings and sculptures to jewelry and books. Everything in the space is available for purchase to support the community and the creator alike.

Night

If visiting on the first Wednesday of the month, make sure to stop by the Downtown Art Walk. This event has more than 40 galleries, museums, cultural venues, restaurants, bars and businesses, in addition to dozens of artist booths at James Weldon Johnson Park, street performers and live music.
Before leaving Downtown, make sure you stop by Sweet Pete’s for a sweet treat!
Take a small drive over to Riverside for dinner. Historic 5 Points has several delicious restaurants to choose from.
For a little bit of nightlife, walk over to Park Street and check out Hoptinger, Root Down and Birdies.

Day Two

Morning

Wake up and get ready for a day exploring the beaches. When it comes to brunch, the world is your oyster in Jacksonville Beach, but we recommend Jax Beach Brunch Haus be on your weekend itinerary. Enjoy classic brunch favorites, classic coffee and delicious cocktails. Plus, they offer plenty of vegan options!
After brunch, spend some time at the beach and soak up the sunny Florida weather. Checkout Oceanfront Park for easy beach access, parking, play equipment and sculptures.
Across the street from Oceanfront Park, you’ll find the UNF Seaside Sculpture Park. This park houses art created by University of North Florida students and installed by the universities’ sculpture program.

Afternoon

Later, visit the Beaches Museum. Here, you can explore the history of the beaches, view a 28-ton Steam Locomotive, stroll down the boardwalk, visit archives and step back in time in their old post office.
After exploring the Beaches Museum, head up Beach Blvd to Angie’s Subs for lunch. Angie’s has some of the best subs and sweet tea in town. Plus, the décor is out of this world!
For an after-lunch activity, spend some time discovering some local galleries. Gallery725 specializes in artist reproductions, photographic restorations, fine art, and large format and alternative printing. Gallery725 exhibits artwork with a wide range of concepts, styles, media, and a diversity of artists (gender, race, perspectives) whose work inspires and challenges the community to see the world from a different perspective.
Another great local gallery is the Holly Blanton Studio. Located in Atlantic Beach, Holly Blanton Studio Gallery features the work of artist Holly Blanton, who is an inspiring American artist. Holly's artwork is created by layering paint to create texture across a canvas that transforms into ethereal, soft, and serene abstract paintings.

Night

Spend Happy Hour at Lemon Bar, a local favorite. This beachfront bar offers amazing waterfront views, great cocktails and good times! Don’t forget to take a selfie in front of the ‘Welcome to Neptune Beach’ mural on the outside of Lemon Bar.
For the book lovers, hit up Poe’s Tavern for dinner. Located two blocks from the Ocean, this Edgar Allen Poe themed restaurant is an American gastropub offering 50+ beers and is best known for their gourmet burgers.
For some nightlife, Jacksonville Beach has many watering holes within walking distance to one another, from Irish pubs to pulsing dance clubs and the swanky Penthouse Lounge at Casa Marina Hotel & Restaurant with sweeping views of the ocean. You can also check out local breweries including Green Room Brewing, Engine 15 Brewing Company, Ink Factory and Southern Swells.

Day Three

Morning

Metro Diner is a Jacksonville staple for breakfast. Fill up on chicken and waffles and cinnamon roll pancakes to get ready for your third day in Jacksonville.
On your way over to Mandarin, stop by Mussallem Galleries. This gallery started as an Oriental rug business in the late 1800s and has since expanded into an eclectic art collection. The expansive 90,000 square-foot gallery showroom features a vast selection, including oil paintings, watercolor, and mixed media. There is also an extensive collection of Chinese, Japanese, Russian, Continental, and European objects of art, estate jewels and antique furnishings from around the world.

Afternoon

For lunch, head over to Picasso’s in Mandarin. At Picasso’s you’ll find a large menu with St. Louis style Italian cuisine, as well as New York-style pizza, Philly cheesesteak sandwiches, seafood and steak dishes. What makes Picasso’s special for art lovers is their modern décor that is adorned with paintings.
After finishing a delicious lunch, visit the Florida Mining Gallery and check out their latest exhibitions.
While in Mandarin, do a bit of shopping at Vintage Arts. An award winning locally owned home décor and gift boutique, Vintage Arts sources and sells vintage, new, antique, local, and handmade décor, gifts, and art.

Night

Before the sunsets, take a trip to Springfield for a self-guided art tour. You can walk, bike or drive around the neighborhood as you explore the art and mural of Historic Springfield.
While in Springfield, make sure to stop by the Phoenix Art District. Covered in art, the 100,000 sf of warehouse space spanning over a 4.5-acre campus will soon be converted into workshops, studios, apartments, a café, event space, galleries, restaurants and more.
For dinner, head over to The District, a wine bar and beer lounge in Springfield with a modern Art Deco inspired space. You can eat dinner in their Peacock Garden, which features their popular Geodome, Boho Yurt Lounges.
For some nightlife, dance the night away at Root Down every Friday and Saturday for the Silent Disco nights.

Day Four

Morning

Wake up and check out Maple Street Biscuit Company for breakfast. You’ve had biscuits before, but have you ever had them like this! Maple Street serves a wide variety of coffee and fresh biscuits made daily, along with homemade jams. The now regional chain was founded in Jacksonville.
After filling up on breakfast, head to the Riverside Arts Market. It's a weekly market hosted on Saturdays, rain or shine, that features a variety of small businesses from farmers to artists to makers, bakers and food trucks.
Check out some of the amazing street art completed by local, emerging artists at Cork Art District and College Park.

Afternoon

Spend some time at the Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens. The Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens is the largest fine arts museum in Northeast Florida. Cummer’s estate includes nearly 5,000 works of art. The 2.5 acres of historic gardens, set against the backdrop of the St. Johns River, serve as a centerpiece of beauty for all to enjoy. On the first Saturday of every month, admission to the Cummer is free.
For lunch, stay on sight at Cummer and enjoy a large selection of food and refreshments at The Cummer Café.
If you are feeling up for a tour, reserve a Go Tuk’n for the afternoon. Go Tuk’n the certified provider of an in-depth experience of Jacksonville’s public art throughout the urban core (Downtown Jacksonville, Springfield, Riverside, Avondale and San Marco).

Night

Before you leave, make sure to visit The Ritz Theatre and Museum. The Ritz houses the past, present, and future contributions and stories of African American arts and culture in Jacksonville. Whether visiting the museum, attending a concert, viewing a film or listening to a lecture, there is always something going on, such as an exhibition, music or dance performance, or the dramatic arts inside the Ritz that will enthrall, educate and entertain.
Take in an unbeatable view of the St. Johns River and Downtown for dinner at River and Post. After dinner, you may also choose to enjoy their rooftop bar that serves all the way until 2 am.

Day Five

Morning

Wake up for your last art-filled day in Jax. Head over to San Marco and enjoy Taverna for brunch. Indulge in a classic French 75 or Mimosa and dine on lemon-ricotta pancakes and poached eggs with Serrano ham and truffles.
Following brunch, check out some of San Marco’s local art galleries. The Vault 1930 is full of two and three-dimensional art from established and emerging local, regional, and national artists. One of the longest operating, privately owned galleries in Northeast Florida, Stellers Gallery is a full-service art gallery providing art consultation, framing, and installation for residential, corporate, and healthcare facilities. Located in Historic San Marco Square, Stellars features work from several different local and international artists with styles ranging from conservative and traditional, to expressionist, abstract and whimsical.

Afternoon

Do some shopping at San Marco Square and make sure to check out San Marco Books and More.
If you are feeling up for another tour, Art Bikes has you covered! Take a guided tour or rent a unique electric art bike, choose your adventure and explore the amazing gallery of public art, architecture, parks and points of interest in and around downtown Jacksonville.
For lunch, check out The Bearded Pig. A local favorite, this southern BBQ and beer garden offers some of the best traditional southern style food in Jacksonville.
Following lunch, check out The Art Center Cooperative in San Marco or their second location Downtown. The art in this gallery is rotated every two months, so there is always something fun and new to enjoy. The artwork displayed includes different dimensions and mediums, including original oil, acrylic, watercolor paintings, mixed media collages, figure sketches, pastels, and fine art photography, as well as metal, wood, and clay sculptures.
Before leaving San Marco, visit Riverfront Park for an amazing view of the St. John’s River like you’ve never seen before.

Night

Head back to the beach for an easy night in.
For dinner, check out Taco Lu in Jacksonville Beach. Known for fish tacos & over 125 tequilas, this high-energy Mexican restaurant as has quirky art and murals throughout.
Before turning in for the night, head back to Atlantic Beach for visit the Beaches Town Center for some shopping and nightlife.
Head back to the hotel for the evening and have a safe trip home!