41 Best Day Trips from Jacksonville
Sure, Jacksonville is pretty great, but sometimes it’s just nice to get away. If you’re looking for the perfect day trip, look no further. We’ve got you covered! Trust us, there are lots of adventures that are less than a tank of gas away. Some of our favorite day trips from Jacksonville are to St. Augustine and Fernandina Beach, but there’s plenty more to do outside of these popular locations. From wild horses to ancient natural springs, there’s something for everybody within 100 miles of Jacksonville!
Best Day Trips from Jacksonville
Amelia Island State Park- Did you know that Amelia Island State Park is the only Florida State park that allows horseback riding on the beach? This makes it a popular destination for bucket listers.
Alexander Springs Recreational Area– Located in the Ocala National Forest, Alexander Springs is great for swimming, canoeing, kayaking, paddleboarding, and camping.
Anastasia State Park- One of St. Augustine’s greatest natural attractions is the Anastasia State Park. The park has 4 miles of sugary white-sand beaches. This location is great for paddleboarding, kayaking, surfing, and boating. There is also a full campground.
Appleton Museum of Art– Located in Ocala, this museum features a permanent collection of 18,000 works including art and artifacts representing the Americas, Europe, Africa, Asia, and Pro-Columbia styles.
Big Shoals State Park- Located in White Springs, near the Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center Park, is Big Shoals State Park. This park has the biggest whitewater rapids in the state making it popular for kayaking and canoeing. There are also 33 miles of trails for hiking and biking.
Blue Spring State Park– This place is great year round! Located in Orange City, Blue Spring State Park is home to hundred of manatee in the winter. During the summer months it is the perfect place to swim, float down the spring, paddleboard, kayak, or take a boat tour. This is one of our favorite day trips from Jacksonville!
Castillo de San Marcos– Located in St. Augustine, this well preserved fort is the centerpiece of the historic district. It is the oldest 17th century fort in North America and has the unique ability to absorb cannonballs! Castillo de San Marcos is a must-see for any history lover.
Cumberland Island- Head north from Jacksonville and cross on over the Florida/Georgia border for an opportunity to explore this magnificent island. The Cumberland Island National Seashore is home to a population of wild horses that inhabit this mostly undeveloped island.
Daytona Beach– Much like our Huguenot Beach, the hard packed sands of Daytona Beach allow you to drive your car on the beach. This popular tourist location features beaches, a ferris wheel, tons of restaurants, and a plethora of NASCAR themed sites.
De Leon Springs State Park– This park is an absolute must-see! The site has been home to a plantation, a glamorous hotel, and one of the state’s first eco-tourism sites before becoming a state park. There are hiking trails, boat tours, kayak and canoe rentals, and even a super trendy restaurant where you make your own pancakes. De Leon Springs State Park is a must!
Devil’s Millhopper Geological State Park- Located in Gainesville, this is the place to go if you enjoy the great outdoors. The park features a rainforest, trails, and a 120-foot deep sinkhole that draws visitors from all around.
Farm Tours of Ocala– Located in Ocala, get an insider’s tour of Ocala’s working farms and learn why Marion County is the “Horse Capital of the World”.
Fernandina Beach– Just north of Jacksonville is one of the oldest towns in Florida. The downtown area has been meticulously restored and features tons of shops and restaurants.
Flagler College-Located in St. Augustine, Flagler College was once a bustling hotel known as the Ponce de Leon Hotel. It was built by Henry Flagler in 1888. It is free to roam around the campus but we suggest booking a tour to appreciate the site (and my alma mater!).
Florida Museum of Natural History– Located in Gainesville on the University of Florida Campus is one of the largest natural history museums in the area. Your kids will love the Prehistoric animals on display at the Florida Museum of Natural History!
Fort Clinch State Park– Located in Fernandina Beach is one of our favorite State Parks, Fort Clinch. This place is great for sharks teeth, shelling, hiking, bicycling, and camping. Oh…and there’s a really cool Civil War era fort to explore complete with re-enactors.
Gainesville- Gainesville is more than just a college town, it is home to many great museums, restaurants, and buildings that are on the National Register of Historic Places.
Gamble Rogers State Park- This stunning park was named after a famous folk singer that rescued a man from drowning at the nearby beach. The park has magnificent beaches and hiking trails. Bring plenty of water and bug spray!
Gilchrist Blue Springs State Park– Meet Florida’s newest state park! It is still in it’s early development stages however it’s already pretty amazing. There is a campground, RV park, and a shop to rent canoes and kayaks. The highlight of the park is, of course, the springs. The springs are perfect for swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, kayaking, and canoeing. Be sure to hop on a water vessel and paddle out to the Sante Fe River for impressive sights.
Ginnie Springs- This is one of the most popular summer hotspots! It is perfect for canoeing, kayaking, paddleboarding, and swimming. This is also a prime location for divers since there is an extensive cavern system to explore. The waters here are crystal clear! There’s also a campground with private cottages.
Ichetucknee- Located near Lake City is one of the best place to beat the Florida heat. This is the place to visit for some prime river tubing. Get there early, this place gets packed on the weekends!
Jekyll Island- This barrier island in Georgia was first used as a hunting club for the elite. Today it is home to the Georgia Sea Turtle Center, Summer Waves Water Park, and pristine beaches.
Kanapaha Botanical Gardens- Located in Gainesville, these gardens are a must-see. There’s a large scenic lake, bamboo stands, waterfalls, and a play area for kids. Be sure to pack your bug spray.
Marineland- This spot was once Florida’s largest tourist attraction. It was originally built so that Hollywood filmmakers could catch underwater shots of marine animals. Today Marineland teaches about conversation and preservation. There are also dolphin encounters available.
Mudslinger Tours- Believe it or not we found more shark teeth in a creek in Gainesville than we have EVER found on the beaches here in Jacksonville! Join Mudslinger Tours for a day of shark tooth and fossil hunting.
Olustee Battlefield State Park- This park commemorates the site of Florida’s largest Civil War Battle. The Battle of Olustee took place on February 20, 1864. More than 10,000 troops engaged in a five-hour battle here. The battle ended with 2,807 casualties.
Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park- Where else can you see horses, bison, and gators all in one place? Located just south of Gainesville this preserve is a nature lovers paradise. Be sure to check out the Paynes Prairie State Park’s La Chua Trail for your best chance at seeing wild life!
Ponce Inlet Lighthouse- Located south of Daytona, is the tallest lighthouse in the state and one of the tallest lighthouse in the USA. The lighthouse and the keepers home have been restored and are open to the public. Visitors can also climb to the top of the lighthouse for a magnificent view.
Princess Place Preserve– Located in Flagler county, the park has 5 miles of hiking and equestrian trails free to the public. There are also docks for canoes, kayaks, and paddle boards. The preserve once belonged to Henry Cutting. After his death, his widow Angela married an exiled Russian prince. The two lived together on the property.
Ravine Gardens State Park- Ravine Gardens State Parks is one of the most beautiful state parks in north Florida. Thousands of years ago, two natural ravines were carved by a local spring. The ravines can be up to 120 feet deep and have steep banks covered with local plants. The stunning park has 60 acres open for exploring.
Rum Island Springs County Park– Right across from Gilchrist Blue Springs is a county park known as Rum Island. This park is the gateway to Rum Island Springs, one of the many springs on the Sante Fe River. This is a great place to launch a kayak, canoe, or paddleboard. The park is open year round.
Salt Springs Recreation Area- Salt Springs is one of the 4 spring parks within the Ocala National Forest. The tranquil blue waters are a great spot for swimming, floating on an inner tube, or snorkeling. Kayaking, paddleboarding, and boating is available from the dock adjacent to the park. The park is also known for camping and features two hiking trails.
Silver Springs State Park– This site in Ocala was once a private attraction. Today, Silver Springs is a state park where you can explore the springs on a glass-bottomed boat. This is a popular day trip from Jacksonville since there’s so much to do at this park!
St. Augustine Alligator Farm-Did you know that this is the oldest alligator attraction in Florida? Not only do they have gators and snakes, but they also have a sloth encounter and a super rad zip-line! Check out all of the awesome things they have to offer at the St. Augustine Alligator Farm!
St. Augustine Lighthouse- Are you looking for the best views of the Ancient City? Climb to the top of the St. Augustine Lighthouse!
St. Augustine Pirate and Treasure Museum- This place is cool for kids and adults alike. They have interactive maps and exhibits including a 4D mini-show depicting Blackbeard’s last battle. The St. Augustine Pirate and Treasure Museum also has props from pirate themed movies. It’s located right across the street from Castillo de San Marcos making it easy to pair the two together.
St. Simons Island- We love St. Simons Island (SSI). The island is dotted with a ton of incredible places to explore. We recommend looking for Tree Spirits at Mallery Park (and other sites), visiting Fort Frederica, picnicking at the Wesley Memorial Monument, and spending some time at Christ Church. Make sure you also check out the stunning lighthouse!
Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park- This park is a real gem, it’s one of our favorite in north Florida. They have several trails that are perfect for hiking or biking. The parks trails offer great views of the Suwannee River Valley. The park also has a stunning campground. The is also a hotspot for kayaking, canoeing, and paddleboarding.
Summer Waves- Summer Waves is hands-down the coolest water park in the region. They have tons of great water slides, a lazy river, a splash zone, and our favorite- the Frantic Atlantic wave pool.
Twelve Mile Swamp Conservation Area- Located in St. Augustine, this park has just under 3 miles of trails that are great for hiking, biking, and even horseback riding.
Washington Oaks Gardens State Park- Tucked in between the Atlantic Ocean and the Matanzas River is a stunning park called Washington Oaks Gardens State Park. The park preserves 425 acres of coastal scenery. Within the hammocks is an immaculate and extremely impressive 20-acre formal garden. Don’t forget a swimsuit and towel so you can hit the beach!
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