In many ways, Jacksonville, Florida, is emerging. 

It’s a bountiful city with a vision honoring its historic past while innovating its futuristic landscape. It’s a sprawling canvas of free, accessible art reflecting its people, past, and spirit. It’s a union of preserving cityscape and growing greenspace, a testament that these two ideologies are not opposing but synergistic. With its art and park focus and many culinary, sports, and entertainment hotspots, Jacksonville is an emerging thought leader in city planning and tourism.

Inspired by Art: Jacksonville’s Urban Gallery

Adorned by hundreds of murals, sculptures, and unique historical architecture, Jacksonville could be the most elaborate, expansive, and accessible outdoor museum. With as many as 50 awe-inspiring murals decorating downtown, this urban gallery brims with beauty.

This outdoor artistic display is not by chance but rather by design. City officials, community leaders, schools, businesses, and nonprofits have collaborated on many of these masterpieces, commissioning world-class artists from everywhere — from the streets of Jacksonville to the coasts of Australia — to come in and treat parts of Jacksonville like a large canvas. And in doing so, the spirit of Jacksonville is painted into every corner, crevasse, or plat of concrete. There’s a story at every turn, from overpass columns to mosaic walkways. To hear those stories and see how many of these pieces reflect Jacksonville’s rich history and diverse population, you must book a public art tour with Go Tuk’N. Toni and her colleagues take you on a visual storytelling journey of art in a bright, lime-green tuk-tuk, impressively citing poetry and quotes that inspired the art. Make sure your phone has enough space for this immersive experience, as there’s so much awe and wonder to behold at every stop.

A visit to the Museum of Contemporary Art, or MOCA, makes a perfect start to your morning. Local favorite Setlan Coffee Co., located in the lobby, provides an ideal opportunity to arrive before the museum’s opening and enjoy a hand-crafted coffee with a warm kolache. Enjoy the quiet enchantment of the museum’s clean minimalism or ponder as you look out at the lively green space. Take it all in before ascending through four floors of rotating exhibits, collections, and educational programs from local, national, or global artists. Whether you’re looking for political satire, historical significance, or outlandishly abstract, MOCA will have something for you to contemplate.

Another way to celebrate the artistic community in Jacksonville is to drop by the Riverside Arts Market on Saturdays. This bustling outdoor market, located under the historic Fuller Warren Bridge, is rich with sweet and savory aromas, all steaming from a fleet of food trucks. Peruse through aisles of local artisan offerings, from juices and jewelry to fresh produce and bath and body products. Listen to local talent as you indulge in everything from a taco or burger to Korean BBQ.

Restorative Green Space: The Heart of Jacksonville

While urban sprawl has continued to cut into the natural landscape across America, Jacksonville’s initiative integrates green space into every development while preserving what is currently available.

Known for having the largest urban park system in the U.S., Jacksonville continues this feat by developing the Emerald Trail. Expected to be completed by 2030, this 34-mile trail connects 14 historic neighborhoods throughout downtown. While still under construction in some areas, you can take parts of the trail that lead directly to historical landmarks, murals, coffee shops, restaurants, and even more parks, creating an art-guided green trail that enables you to enjoy the city views while supporting an active lifestyle safely.  

For those seeking a secluded nature getaway still within city limits, the Jacksonville Arboretum and Botanical Gardens provide another safe way to immerse yourself in native flora. Once a mineral mine, this sprawling 120-acre park is rich with historic vegetation. Get lost in any of the winding seven trails that lead through 13 distinct ecosystems of this Floridian biome. A dense canopy of bald cypress, longleaf pine, and evergreen oak trees, all draping with Spanish moss, will shelter you from the sunniest of days. Take a moment and listen to the sounds of wind seeping through the fanning saw palmettos, and as you step deeper into the thicket, a medley of bird songs. Be sure to read the helpful markers explaining how these curious crops provided Indigenous and colonial peoples with natural remedies.

Diverse Offerings for Every Traveler

With more than 840 square miles, Jacksonville is the largest city by landmass in the continental U.S. Because of its sheer size, Jacksonville has successfully become not only a coastal community but an urban oasis complete with diverse neighborhoods, historical districts, state parks, riverfront communities, port towns, beaches, and more. The ideal location to experience many of Jacksonville’s diverse offerings — such as art tours and MOCA, foodie experiences like the Jax Ale Trail, Jax Coffee & Donuts Trail, or Mayport Shrimp Trail, and even games at EverBank Stadium — is The Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront.

This riverfront property offers one of the best views in the city. Overlooking St. John’s River, the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront provides panoramic views of the sun setting behind the John T. Alsop, Jr. Bridge, casting a warm orange glow over all river-facing rooms. Open the sliding door to feel the cool evening wind. This bedroom sunset pairs well with a finely crafted cocktail from Tavern or the Hyatt Jax Signature Peanut Butter Balls.

Or take to the streets for this bucket list sunset and sunrise, as The Hyatt Regency is conveniently close to the bridge’s walking paths. Located just minutes around the block, you can easily walk to this path while passing many dive bars, restaurants, and micro-breweries, including stops along the Jax Ale Trail and Jax Coffee & Donuts Trail.  For a handcrafted coffee and breakfast sammy, the Urban Grind Coffee Company — a Jax Coffee & Donuts Trail stop — is just along the way to the bridge. Also, for those trekking along the Jax Ale Trail, no Ubers are necessary because a few of the Ale Trail destinations are within walking distance of the Hyatt Regency. With favorites like Intuition Ale Works and Ruby Beach Brewing nearby, you’ll be at the center of why Jacksonville was deemed a top 10 microbrewing destination.

A short drive on the nearby highway from the hotel will lead you to many locations along the Mayport Shrimp Trail. As Jacksonville’s signature dish and a cornerstone in the economic and social development of the historic Mayport Village, this shrimp offers a delectable bounty of entrees across many local favorites like Dockside Seafood Restaurant and Palm’s Fish Camp. Be prepared to wait as both locations teem with guests throughout the day. But know that any wait time is worth this foodie experience, as you’ll be treated to freshly caught Mayport shrimp and daily catches like grouper, trout, and mahi mahi. With a wide assortment of fresh seafood, including local hits like Gator Tail, Jacksonville is a foodie destination as any other.

A Sports Lover’s Paradise

Lastly, Jacksonville is a lively sports community boasting four pro teams, including the Jacksonville Jaguars and Jump Shrimp, and five sports and entertainment venues — with the highly-anticipated and innovative Stadium of the Future along the way. Take the St. Johns River Taxi to the game if you’re in town during the NFL season. This taxi service docks just outside the Hyatt Regency, providing a quick and up-close river journey experience to the stadium. Even if you’re not a Jags fan, know that you’re in for an electrifying experience, as there are no fair-weather fans here. Just recently, on one of the last games of the losing 2024 season and with an oncoming storm combining wind, rain, and chills, Jags fans turned up for their team, bringing all the hype and enthusiasm to weather any storm.

Start planning your Jacksonville experience by visiting Visit Jacksonville.

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Cover photo courtesy Visit Jacksonville.

Martin Ramirez is a brisket-eating, Shiner-loving, road-tripping enthusiast of all things Texas. This Dallas-born writer / adventurer is ready to take his ‘78 El Camino to find the best in food, fun, and fitness throughout the Lone Star State.