Unique Things to Do in Jacksonville, FL

After visiting Jacksonville’s top attractions and beaches, check out these unique spots to explore the art, history, and natural beauty of the city. With plenty of opportunities to get outdoors and exciting family-friendly activities, you just might discover a new favorite place to visit. Don’t miss these top hidden gems in Jacksonville!

1. Catty Shack Ranch Wildlife Sanctuary

1860 Starratt Road
This wildlife sanctuary offers visitors plenty of opportunities to admire and learn about the endangered big cats living at Catty Shack Ranch through self-guided tours, feeding tours, and enrichment tours.

2. Timucuan Ecological & Historical Preserve

12713 Fort Caroline Road
Discover Jacksonville’s unique habitats at this 46,000 acre preserve. Enjoy breathtaking views of salt marshes, coastal dunes, hardwood hammocks, and abundant wildlife.

3. Kingsley Plantation

11676 Palmetto Avenue
Explore Kingsley Plantation to learn about Jacksonville’s history of freedom and enslavement, admission is free and visitors can reserve guided tours of the plantation house on weekends.

4. Talbot Islands State Parks

State Road A1A North
Outdoor enthusiasts love visiting Big Talbot Island State Park and Little Talbot Island State Park. The parks have plenty for visitors to enjoy including climbing bleached live oaks on Boneyard Beach, bird watching, beachcombing, and camping.

5. Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park

500 Wonderwood Drive
Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park is full of exciting, family-friendly activities kids will love including a playground, splash park, pedal boats, kayaking, and more.

6. Jacksonville Arboretum & Gardens

1445 Millcoe Road
Learn about local plant life in 13 different eco-systems while hiking well-kept trails in 120-acres of urban woodlands at Jacksonville Arboretum and Gardens.

7. Fort George Island Cultural State Park

12241 Fort George Road
For more than 5,000 years people have occupied Fort George Island Cultural State Park. Today, the park is visited by those seeking dog-friendly hiking trails, breathtaking scenery, and the opportunity to explore an area steeped in history.

8. Treaty Oak

1123 Prudential Drive
Make your way to Jessie Ball duPont Park in the Southbank area of Downtown Jacksonville to see an impressive oak tree estimated to be roughly 250 years old.

9. Chamblin’s Bookmine

4551 Roosevelt Boulevard
Book lovers can easily spend a few hours or an entire day browsing the collection of new and used, collectible, and out-of-print books at Chamblin’s Bookmine. Those looking for books on Sunday can explore a second location, Chamblin’s Uptown.

10. The Volstead

115 West Adams Street
Downtown Jacksonville’s speakeasy-style bar, The Volstead, serves expertly crafted cocktails in anintimate setting and invites patrons to enjoy a variety of live events including Swing Dance Sundays and live performances.

11. Jacksonville Walking Tour

245 Water Street
To find even more hidden gems take a behind the scenes walking tour of Downtown Jacksonville where you can enter an old bank vault, secret underground tunnels, and more.

12. Secret Tiki Temple

8617 Baymeadows Road
Book a reservation, put on your best tropical attire, and make your way to the Secret Tiki Temple for an immersive tiki bar experience where friendly staff serve up themed cocktails and inspired bites.

13. Buchner’s Bierhalle

1188 Edgewood Ave South
Enter this German bar through Blackhat Vapor in the Murray Hill neighborhood and pull up a seat at the bar to enjoy a variety of German beers on draft and popular German snacks.

14. Jacksonville Public Library - Main Library

303 Laura Street
The Main Library in Jacksonville is home to more than just books. Head to the fourth ﬂoor to view The Lewis Ansbacher Map Collection, a collection of 244 historic and current maps of Florida. During your visit be sure to check out the Jax Makerspace Gallery to admire the rotating exhibit of art.