Boasting the largest urban park system—with the most shoreline—of anywhere in the United States, the Jacksonville area is not only a lively and beautiful destination spot, but an ideal place to call home. From Fernandina Beach to Palm Coast, see why homebuyers are putting down roots in this iconic and storied setting.
Culture & Entertainment
TIAA Bank Field Home of the Jacksonville Jaguars NFL football team, this multi-use stadium features not one, but two swimming pools in the north end zone—each offering a prime view of the field. Other activities include concerts in the stadium and in the adjacent Daily’s Place amphitheater.
Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville This minor league ballpark is the home field of the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp, the Double-A affiliate of the Miami Marlins.
Times Union Center for the Performing Arts With a scenic downtown setting along the banks of the St. Johns River, the Times Union Center for the Performing Arts features three venues for orchestral performances, Broadway shows and more.
VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena This multi-purpose arena in downtown Jacksonville hosts sporting events, concerts from world-renowned artists and family shows. Teams that play at the Veterans Memorial Arena include the Jacksonville Sharks arena football team and the Jacksonville Icemen ECHL hockey team.
Ritz Theatre and Museum Set in Jacksonville’s historic LaVilla neighborhood—once billed as the “Harlem of the South”— the Ritz celebrates the city’s deep African-American roots through art and performance.
Downtown Jacksonville Riverwalk With river bridges, water taxis and easy walking to all the restaurants, shopping and entertainment that downtown Jacksonville has to offer, the Riverwalk is an exceptional way to experience the city.
Historic St. Augustine The oldest district in the oldest continually settled city in the US, historic St. Augustine features some buildings dating back nearly three centuries. This charming time capsule offers old-world walkable streets that beckon visitors with museums, shopping, entertainment and good eats.
Amelia Island Northeast of Jacksonville, Amelia Island is one of Florida’s most popular barrier island destinations. The island offers 13 miles of picturesque beaches, rich history, colorful festivals, golf and shopping—and it’s also home to the city of Fernandina Beach.
Jacksonville Jazz Festival This days-long festival has been an annual tradition since the 1980s, with legendary headliners over the years like Dizzy Gillespie, Miles Davis and Tony Bennett. For most festival years, Jacksonville has kept admission free of charge.
Springing the Blues Music Festival Another popular mainstay that’s been going strong for decades, this three-day festival in Jacksonville Beach features multiple stages along the Seawalk Pavilion.
The World of Nations Celebration Showcasing the diverse panoply of nations represented in the Jacksonville area, this multicultural festival has been around since 1993, hosted annually at the waterfront Metropolitan Park in Jacksonville.
Museums Over a dozen museums dot the greater Jacksonville area, offering local history, science exhibits, interactive learning environments for children, contemporary art and much more.
Marineland Residents wanting a hands-on experience with oceanlife will want to visit Marineland Dolphin Adventure, often called The World’s First Oceanarium. First opened in 1938, Marineland offers hands-on exhibits, dolphin training sessions and educational talks for young and old alike to learn about local sea life.
Washington Oaks Gardens State Park Owners of new homes in the Jacksonville area will not want to miss a weekend excursion to Washington Oaks Gardens State Park. Whether you prefer bird watching, fishing, biking or just taking a casual stroll through the gardens, there’s truly something for everyone. The trail system offers many ways to explore the marine coastline and the formal garden area is even open for wedding receptions and community events.
Recreation & Natural resources
Beautiful Beaches The Jacksonville area is known for beautiful white sandy beaches. There are many towns and communities offering beach access, including Fernandina Beach and Ponte Vedra Beach. Whether you’re looking to join a beach volleyball team or just soak in the sun, you’ll love exploring the many beautiful coastal spots to enjoy nature’s best.
Urban Public Parks System Given that Jacksonville has the largest land mass of any city in the continental US, it’s no surprise it also boasts the largest urban public parks system in the country. With over 80,000 acres, 400 city parks, seven state parks, two national parks, a variety of gardenscapes and plenty of beaches, it’s a natural playground that one could take a lifetime exploring.
Waterways With 22 miles of beaches, a large stretch of the St. Johns River and more than 40 miles of Intracoastal Waterway canals—1,100 navigable water miles in all—Jacksonville lays claim to the US city with the most shoreline. From laid-back boardwalk strolls to water sports, fishing and more, there’s no shortage of water activities for the whole family.
Educational instiutions
University of North Florida (UNF)
Florida State College at Jacksonville
St. Johns River State College
Jacksonville University
Edwards Water College
Flagler College
Military
Naval Air Station Jacksonville
Naval Station Mayport
Camp Blanding Joint Training Center
Blount Island Command
Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay (Georgia)
Notable people & groups from the Jacksonville Area
Jessie Ball DuPont (Teacher, philanthropist and Great Floridian)
Pat Boone (Singer and actor)
John Archibald Wheeler (Theoretical physicist)
Zora Neale Hurston (Author)
Lynyrd Skynyrd
The Allman Brothers Band
Tim Tebow (Professional athlete and Heisman Trophy winner)
As a Florida homebuilder, Richmond American has been building new homes in the Jacksonville area for many years. It'd be our honor to build yours next. And with hundreds of personalization options—from cabinets and flooring to home technology—you'll have a new home uniquely suited to your tastes and lifestyle.
