The 28 Best Drinks in Jacksonville
After a long day there is nothing more satisfying than sitting down at a local #OnlyinJax bar and sipping on a hand-crafted beverage.
Springfield
This neighborhood located just north of Downtown offers historic experiences along with hip new restaurants, breweries and public art.
Established in 1869, and located north of Downtown Jacksonville, Springfield is the one of oldest neighborhoods in our city. Once home to the city’s wealthiest residents and famous silent film stars (Jacksonville used to be the winter film capital of the world!), this historic neighborhood is now filled with restored mansions (and bungalows), hip restaurants, locally owned shops, murals, some of the city's oldest parks, craft breweries and tons of southern charm with majestic oaks providing protective shade and a beautiful visual along its residential streets. Popular festivals like PorchFest and the Springfield Tour of Homes attract thousands of visitors each year.
Springfield has become the place to go for young entrepreneurs with big dreams, especially women. Innovative businesses have transform this neighborhood into a must-visit spot!
Eat & Drink in Springfield
You’ll find a variety of fantastic and award winning dining options in Springfield, including 1748 Bakehouse, 1 Foxy Lady Café & Catering, Crispy’s Springfield Gallery, Fred Cotton’s Landmark BBQ, Hola Mexican Restaurant, Othello, Uptown Kitchen & Bar, and Wafaa N Mike’s Café. Main Street Food Park has a variety of food trucks and family-friendly events on the weekends. For delicious coffee, don’t miss Social Grounds Coffee Company. When you need cooling off with a sweet treat, stop by Icecapades Frozen Treats for the BEST homemade Italian ice or Springfield Scoops or Dreamette for ice cream. Then when you’re ready to switch to beer, don’t miss Strings Sports Brewery, which has food options. If you’re looking for a truly local experience, Shantytown Pub is Springfield’s favorite dive bar. Check out the newest wine bar in the neighborhood, The District, and grab a small bite and drink!
Tours & Itineraries
See & Do
Retail Stores in Springfield Jacksonville: Where to Shop in Springfield
Springfield has seen a steady influx of small retail shops popping up over the last few years. The Classic Maven caters to full-figured women with a variety of styles. Simply Ke’say Boutique specializes in the latest fashions for elegant, classy, and sophisticated women. If skateboarding is more your speed, head to The Block Skate Supply which boasts the coolest footwear, apparel, and hardgoods from both local and global brands. Located a few doors down, Bobby K Boutique carries a variety of basics for both men and women including button-up shirts, cotton dresses and graphic tees, with some home decor and gift items sprinkled in. Reggae Roots is your one stop shop for African and Caribbean Culture and shop at Big House of Glass for all of your vaping needs.
Stop by Avela Day Spa or MakeupCraze for all your beauty needs. Are crystals your thing? Meta Earth offers high quality natural rocks and minerals at affordable prices. For all your natural and organic apothecary need, Auntie Peaches will delight your senses with a wide variety of herbs and spices, coffee and tea, candles and essential oils, as well as bath products and home goods. Sweet Christi's offers fantastic bath and body products in the shapes of some of your favorite sweets. Owner Christianna Alexander is only 16 years old, making her the youngest of Springfield's entrepreneurs!
Things to do in Springfield:
Bicyclists, rejoice! According to WalkScore.com, Springfield is the most bikeable neighborhood in Jacksonville’s urban core. In 2018, Springfield Preservation and Revitalization Council (SPAR) received a Neighbors Get Moving award from the City of Jacksonville, recognizing SPAR for it’s role in organizing and promoting wellness activities in the Springfield Historic District community. You’ll find bicycle repair stations in Henry J. Klutho Park (intersection of Pearl and 3rd St) and behind the SPAR building at 1321 N Main Street.
Visitors can enjoy a ride on the S-Line Urban Greenway, or easily ride to many of Jacksonville’s other attractions.
Spend an afternoon in Klutho Park where you can lose hours on the many walking trails and look for turtles in historic Hogan’s Creek. There are many recreational activities including the Springfield Disc Golf Course, StoryWalk, and the Springfield Dog Park.
Whether its to the Riverside Arts Market, Jacksonville Farmers Market, or the Stadium Area, Springfield continues to be one of the most connected and easily bike-able neighborhoods in the Urban Core. Want to experience it yourself? SPAR organizes bike socials throughout the year, free and open to all ages and skill levels. Check out their website for a list of dates and times. In the meantime, you can Explore the Core yourself using these suggested routes and activities.
Looking for a fun group activity? Check out Stumpy’s Hatchet House, the newest Axe Throwing location in Springfield.
Annual Yearly Events
Springfield is home to some of Jacksonville’s favorite annual events!
Held each year in November, Jacksonville PorchFest is a music festival held on the welcoming front porches of Historic Springfield. This family-friendly, free event features musicians from a wide variety of genres and draws over 10,000 people to the neighborhood. PorchFest brings important attention to Springfield’s historic architecture and ongoing revitalization and highlights the breadth of musical talent in Jacksonville. Proceeds from the event are dedicated to SPAR’s arts programming and education fund.
There are two annual Home Tours in Springfield. The Spring Tour of Homes is held in May and is produced by SPAR. This tour has showcased the unique character of the community for over 40 years. Held in December, the Historic Springfield Holiday Tour of Homes is produced by Springfield Improvement Association and Archives (SIAA) and features beautiful historic homes that are decked out for the holidays.
