Jacksonville is a sprawling coastal city that has a special, beachy, "Florida vacation" vibe throughout the bustling metropolis. You can get the best of both worlds here-- city and beach! Zoos, beaches, pro sports teams, parks, and cultural institutions can all be explored in Jacksonville, depending on what your idea of the perfect vacation is.
And what's a trip to Florida without a visit to the beach? The Jacksonville Beach is pretty great: it's got a huge, free parking lot, clean shores, and plenty of shops, restaurants and bars nearby. Set up a towel on the sand and do some people watching, walk down the pier, or dip your toes in the water!
Once you reach Jacksonville, you deserve a drink! Moxie Kitchen and Cocktails offers sleek, modern takes on southern and soul comfort food classics, as well as tons of craft cocktails. Crispy chicken livers, deviled eggs, chicken and waffles, meatloaf, and more are transformed into chic dishes worthy of the undeniably cool, industrial atmosphere.
And as you drive through Florida, definitely don't miss out on Ichetucknee Springs State Park (they have awesome tubing, swimming, and manatee-spotting opportunities) on your way to your final destination: Jacksonville.
Need a comfy place to spend the night? Located right in the middle of downtown Tallahassee (and conveniently near tons of restaurants, shops, and attractions) the Governors Inn is a charmingly vintage hotel that makes for a great place to stay the night after an evening of exploring the city. It's swanky, and is definitely one of the cooler hotels in Tallahassee.
Tatiana Danger
Roadtrippers co-founder. When I grow up I'm going to be Indiana Jones or a professional pizza tester. Current Status: Mom to Bruce and Nina.