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An
Exhilarating Adventure Vacation in Daytona Beach
Discover
the Florida Frontier for an Authentic Cowboy Experience
Enjoying
Charter Fishing in Florida
Florida
Golf Vacations
Kingfish
to Blue Marlin - Destin, Florida is a Great Little Fishing Town With
Beaches Your Family Will Love
Reeling
them in, Destin Style
The
Best of Fort Lauderdale Restaurants
Vacationing
in Clearwater
Vacationing
in Fort Myers
Visit
to Kennedy Space Center, See a Space Shuttle Launch
Want
to See a Space Shuttle Launch - Better Hurry, Only Five Missions to Go
Jacksonville Offers the Perfect Balance
For a Family Getaway by Kirby Collins
Jacksonville
is one of my favorite cities in Florida because while it is very
cosmopolitan it still has the same laid back feel as the rest of Florida.
Jacksonville is the first major city in the Sunshine State, just 25 miles
inside the boarder from Georgia. It's the county seat of Duval County and
is constantly in a fight with Miami for ranking as Florida's largest
city; it was named for Andrew Jackson who was the first military governor
of the Florida territory.
Jacksonville
is a major banking, financial and transportation hub which gives it that
hip edge, as does the beautiful architecture of the city. The laid back
Florida feel comes from the St. John's River that runs almost through the
middle of the city which is nice because you can see boats, both private
and commercial; floating along from a window should you work in a high
rise office in some downtown building. There is also the beautiful Blue
Bridge that spans the river in the downtown area near the popular
shopping; dining and night spot Jacksonville Landing. Jacksonville is
also home to the NFL's Jacksonville Jaguars football team, when they have
a good season they are quite a draw. On game day the stadium downtown has
a big tailgating crowd partying until the final whistle blows.
Jacksonville is becoming a major vacation destination too with the help
of nearby, Amelia Island.
Jacksonville
is becoming major player in the financial field and in other industries;
in Expansion Management Magazine's annual poll, Jacksonville has been
consistently rated one of the "Hottest Cities in America" for
business expansions and relocations. It's been the only city to have
taken the number one spot three times, and has been in the top 10 for six
straight years. Inc. Magazine ranked Jacksonville 11th on its list of
"Best Cities for Doing Business" in 2006.
The
city has a great skyline, the Wachovia and Sun Trust buildings are very
prominent in it; the unique design of the Modis building is very eye
catching and adds to the skylines architectural character. Jacksonville
itself is beautiful; they have parks with palm trees dotted here and
there all over. The Friendship Fountain at the Museum of Science and
History is another example of the city's beauty.
The
St. John's River is a vital part of Jacksonville commercially as well as
leisurely. The Port of Jacksonville is a major seaport for cargo and
cruise ships as well as the Mayport Ferry, a ferry that takes cars and
people across the river. The railways are also a big part of the
transportation hub here, they work their way through Jacksonville picking
up people and goods for deposit all over the country.
The
St. John's River is also a favorite place for the people of Jacksonville
to spend a day, sailing, fishing or roaming up and down on their jet ski.
If you don't have a boat or water craft follow the crowd to Huguenot
Memorial Park. On sunny weekends this place gets full to capacity. You
can park right on the beach, in the surf, here which many people do.
You'll see cars and trucks all lined up with their tailgates down, dogs
tied up to the back , music playing, food spilling put of coolers,
footballs and Frisbees flying through the air and as of that wasn't
enough, the ocean. It's a great place for a family to spend a day.
Just
off the coast of northeast Florida mere miles from the boarder with
Georgia is fabulous Amelia Island. 15 minutes off I-95 and 20 minutes
from northern Jacksonville, this island has 13 miles of beautiful
beaches, including Fernandina Beach and in 2008, Conde Nast Traveler's
reader's voted it number 6 in the Top 10 North American Islands in their
Reader's Choice Awards. This was the second consecutive year Amelia
Island has been the highest ranked island destination in Florida and in
this state, that's saying something. Amelia Island has world class
resorts and spas, quaint bed and breakfast inns, and many other places to
stay. While there you can explore historic Fort Clinch or catch one of
the many local festivals and events. If you're an outdoor enthusiast you
can enjoy pristine golf courses, hiking, biking, fishing, kayaking horseback
riding on the beach or take a sunset sail.
Jacksonville
is a great city to visit, live, to start or relocate a business or just
spend a day. The architecture, landscaping and river make this one
Florida's most beautiful cities. They have sports, a great downtown area,
an excellent transit system, museums, parks and a fantastic little island
just off the coast what more could a person ask for, Jacksonville truly
has it all.
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