Featured Photo: Digital Creator on IG @shaneroheu
By Phoebe Mullis, Fall Marketing and Events Intern
Whether you’re planning a trip, visiting friends/family, or thinking of moving to Downtown Jacksonville, we’ve created a three-day itinerary for a weekend trip to Downtown Jax. If you’re looking for more fun things to do in Downtown, check out our map which highlights restaurants, tours, things to do and places to see.
Day 1 | Friday
The first stop in Downtown Jacksonville is coffee, since #DTJax is quaintly known for the robust aroma coming from the Maxwell House manufacturing plant. A few local coffee shops we recommend are Urban Grind, Back to the Grind, Ground Level Coffee and The Brick Coffee House. Grab a coffee and breakfast then walk over to the James Weldon Johnson Park to sit and enjoy your coffee while peeking at the murals and other public art displayed nearby.
Within walking distance of the park is The Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) perfect for any artist, adult or child. In the Atrium space, work by Irish artist Maud Cotter is displayed. The second floor is dedicated to an exhibition of Kara Walker and features more than 80 pieces of her work, with varying use of mediums including prints, drawings, sculpture and film.
Getting hungry? For lunch, try a cranberry turkey sandwich at Mag’s Cafe or a Duuuval Hot Chicken Melt at The Happy Grilled Cheese.
If you’re looking for an adventure-filled afternoon, book with Art Bikes Jax where you can take a guided tour of Downtown or rent one of their unique electric bikes to explore for yourself.
For dinner, recommendations include Bellwether, Cowford Chophouse or Super Food and Brew.
Day 2 | Saturday
Weekends in Downtown Jacksonville are bustling! You can start your weekend with a local staple, the Riverside Arts Market, browsing all kinds of vendors for art, food, music, jewelry, clothing, beverages and more. Here, you can grab breakfast or lunch while you shop!
Looking for a game? Baseball fans can catch a game at our recently elevated Triple A team, the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp.
Or, if shows are more of your thing, check out the 1904 Music Hall, or the historic Florida Theatre, open since April of 1927.
@floridatheatre
For the late night owls, grab some friends and start with a pedal pub tour with Pedal Pub Jax. They stop at two to three local establishments so you can get a taste of Downtown Jacksonville’s night life and drink menus. Without pedaling, you can also visit Myth Nightclub, Underbelly and The Volstead (a favorite local speakeasy).
Day 3 | Sunday
Sunday mornings seem especially cherished in Jacksonville. Brunch is an essential part of the local experience. Check out Estrella with a rooftop view of the Main Street bridge, Bread and Board for a low-key brunch or another buzzworthy bistro, bb’s.
Wander into Chamblin’s Bookmine Uptown and get happily lost in the floor to ceiling shelves of stories. Refuel at their cafe with a delicious lunch menu and coffee. Afterward, check out Visit Jacksonville’s website to stroll through the streets on a self-guided tour of early film history. See the many locations used in early film, as Jacksonville was the original ‘Hollywood’ before Hollywood, California.
Possibly our most notable suggestion is to attend a Jacksonville Jaguars game, filled with passion no matter the ending score. If it’s an away game, we recommend visiting That Bar at the Arena for some grub or beers. If you’re staying at the DoubleTree by Hilton hotel, a fun and easy way to get to and from the game is taking the St. Johns River Taxi.
Other great hotels to stay in Downtown Jax are: Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront, The Southbank Hotel at Jacksonville Riverfront or Marriott Jacksonville Downtown.
If you decide to try out Duval, make sure to take pictures of the memories, and to tag us with the hashtag #DTJax!