Best 5 day trips from Jacksonville
/If you live in Jacksonville, Florida, chances are, you are familiar with the many different activities that our great city has to offer. Whether you are a person who loves the outdoors, spending your time caught up in the surf of our beautiful beaches or you are a person of the arts, exploring the growing food and local art scene, Jacksonville has something for each of us. Today, we are going to speak to the hearts of those who have a love for travel + adventure as we explore five of the best day trip destinations available from our very own Jacksonville, Florida.
St. Simons Island
First on the list, St. Simons Island. Less than a two hour drive from Jacksonville, this quant island offers a charming escape from the hustle and bustle of city living. This family friendly island boasts of beautiful beaches along with biking paths. If you are looking for a serene and peaceful walk on the beach, be sure to check out Gould’s Inlet. If you have little ones, be sure to stop by Neptune Park Fun Zone where you will find miniature golf, a water park with pools and splashpad, playground and more. From Neptune Park you will be able to see St. Simons lighthouse and pier. When you are ready to grab some food, make sure to explore the many different dining options available in Pier Village or if you are looking for some beach front dinning, head on over to ECHO located within The King and Prince Resort.
St Simons lighthouse
Gould’s Inlet
Jekyll Island
Next on our list, Jekyll Island. Just across the bridge from St. Simons this island is made for the person who loves adventure. With plenty of bike baths, public beaches, golf courses, horseback riding, historic areas + tours, water parks, paddle boarding, dinning, shopping, and more, Jekyll Island offers more than enough fun to keep you busy for one day. For a special treat, be sure to check out Driftwood Beach along with The Georgia Sea Turtle Center, Georgia’s only center for sea turtle education and rehabilitation.
Driftwood Beach
The Georgia sea turtle center
Florida Springs
If you have lived in or visited Florida, then it is no secret that our summer months can get hot! Thankfully, to match that high heat, Florida has graciously provided us with over 700 natural springs to help keep us cool, with spring waters consistently staying in the low 70 degrees. Here are five of our favorite springs worth adding to your travel list, each spring being under a two-hour drive from Jacksonville:
Ginnie Springs
Freshwater diving, underground cave, scuba diving, camping, hiking, volleyball courts, tubing, kayaking, canoeing, swimming, restrooms.
Ichetucknee Springs
Tubing, paddle boarding, kayaking, canoeing, swimming, tube and paddling rentals, scuba diving, hiking, birding, dinning, restrooms.
Gilchrist Blue Springs
Swimming, paddling, paddle rentals, snorkeling, picnic pavilions, concessions, camping, hiking, horseback riding, restrooms.
https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/ruth-b-kirby-gilchrist-blue-springs-state-park
Alexander Springs
Swimming, kayaking, canoeing, diving, hiking, Timucuan Trail, boardwalks, biking, fishing, seasonal concessions, picnic areas, restrooms, showers.
https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/florida/recarea/?recid=83547
Devils Den Prehistoric Spring
Scuba diving, snorkeling, no general swimming, camping, cabins, picnic area, grills, showers, restrooms.
Ichetucknee Springs State Park
Okefenokee Swamp Park
If you are a nature lover, make sure to put Okefenokee Swamp Park on your day trip travel list. Less than two hours from Jacksonville by car this park is filled with plenty of swamp adventure. Whether you enjoy exploring on your own or prefer a guided tour this park offers a little bit of something for everyone. Enjoy exploring the swamp land through boat tours, bike trails, train tours, wilderness boardwalks, live wildlife shows and more!
Cumberland Island
Last but certainly not least, Cumberland Island. Just north of Jacksonville, this island is best known for its charm + grace with historical roots tracing back to the Carnegie family. A unique aspect of this island is that transportation to and from the island can only be made by passenger ferry or private boat, with the passenger ferry departing from St. Mary’s. Once on the island be prepared to take in the peaceful picturesque scenery with excellent hiking, historical ruins, beaches, wild horses and more!
