Visit Florida - Visit Florida 2026
NORTHEAST
2025-12-07 06:43:51
Feel Those First Coast Vibes
From the treasure trove of Colonial history that is St. Augustine to the balance of the beach and cultural delights in Jacksonville—plus wild shores and natural sanctuaries in between—Florida’s First Coast bustles with sights, sounds, experiences, and flavors for every personality.
For a detailed state map, see pages 20-21.
ATTRACTIONS
Discover a world of wonder at Jacksonville Zoo & Botanical Gardens, where over 2,000 rare and exotic animals mingle among more than 1,000 species of plants and immersive exhibits. Rev your engines for race-car history with The Brumos Collection in Jacksonville, featuring 40-plus race cars on display. Giddy up and catch the sunrise over the ocean at Peters Point Beachfront Park on a ride with Amelia Island Horseback Riding. When night falls, join Ghost Tours of Amelia Island—whether it’s their spooky bar crawl, haunted hike, cemetery tour, or classic ghost walk led by lantern light. In St. Augustine, delve into a little history of pop culture at Potter’s Wax Museum—the oldest wax museum in the U.S.—where over 160 lifelike figures from George Washington to Michael Jordan are ready for a selfie.
ACCOMMODATIONS
Scan the QR code to discover places to stay in Northeast Florida: VISITFLORIDA.com/places-to-stay
DINING
Crack into fresh oysters or get your fix of Southern staples like shrimp ‘n’ grits at the bustling Slider’s Oyster Bar in Atlantic Beach. Soak in the stylish atmosphere at Hawker’s Asian Street Food in Neptune Beach while you try Korean twice-fried wings and Yaki Udon. Head to Oaxaca Club in Jacksonville Beach for modern twists on classic Mexican dishes, like carne asada or pork belly tacos. In St. Augustine, Bea’s Fine Food + All Day Café is a sunny, farm-inspired eatery serving morning pastries and fancy coffee drinks to cast-iron pizzas and inventive shareable plates by night. While in town, sip expertly crafted cocktails and savor farm-to-table fare at the Ice Plant Bar—an atmospheric spot set inside a restored 1927 ice manufacturing plant.
OUTDOORS
Embrace both history and nature at Fort Clinch State Park in Fernandina Beach, where a Civil War-era fort and ranger-led re-enactments mix with hiking and shark tooth hunting. Go on a geocaching treasure hunt through the ecosystems of Fort George Island Cultural State Park in Jacksonville. In Ponte Vedra Beach, hop on the A1A Scenic Coastal Byway to the serene Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine, a destination for research scientists from around the world. Whip the waters of Palm Coast by jet ski or boat from Mystic Knot Water Adventures. The riverside trails of St. Mary’s Shoals Park in Glen St. Mary lead equestrians, birders, and bicyclists to prime spots to see herons, woodpeckers, and migratory songbirds.
EVENTS
Amelia Concours d’Elegance in March merges timeless elegance, historically significant automobiles, and roaring motor sports into one dazzling show on Amelia Island. Soak up the rhythm of Jacksonville Beach’s Springing the Blues Festival, where powerhouse blues artists ignite the stage all weekend long in April.
ARTS & CULTURE
Take in rousing performances at The Ritz Theatre and Museum of Jacksonville, located in the historic African American community of La Villa. While in town, spend your Saturday shaded under the city bridge and strolling the year-round Riverside Arts Market to shop fresh Florida produce, browse local art, and support small businesses. Step inside the Plantation Artists’ Guild & Gallery on Amelia Island to discover work by talented local artists, see themed exhibits, and get hands-on in creative workshops. At The Military Museum of North Florida in Green Cove Springs, American military heritage comes alive through rare artifacts, interactive exhibits, and massive outdoor vehicles that trace conflicts from the Revolutionary War to Iraq. Visitors flock to Castillo de San Marcos—the oldest masonry fort in the U.S.—to admire the stone architecture and over 300 years of history in St. Augustine.
Scan the QR code for a list of upcoming events: VISITFLORIDA.com/things-to-do/events
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NORTHEAST
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