Visiting Jacksonville?

I've only been in Jacksonville for 3 years and don't claim to be an expert on it at all, but there are a handful of places I always take guests when they come!  My closest girlfriends came down to visit me from NYC this past weekend and I had the chance to take them to some of my faves - some with the kids and some without!

Here's a list of some must do's in Jax:

1.  Riverside Arts Market - We love to just go down here on random Saturdays and walk around.  There are tons of vendors selling things they've made, a live band playing music, and a small farmer's market.  It's right on the river and is completely shaded because it's under the 95 highway!  We LOVE to buy bread from JC's Daily Bread.  His bread is amazing if you get a chance to stop by (he gives samples).  We also love to buy pickles on a stick from Olive My Pickle!  It's my daughter's favorite thing to do!  You can get pickles for $1/pickle and stack them on a stick.  We discovered a new place this time around with a lovely lady that makes pepper jellies - they're AMAZING!!!!

Pickle on a stick

https://riversideartsmarket.com/

Here's the pepper jelly I was talking about:
http://www.mypepperjelly.com/

Pepper Jelly

                                      And the pickle place:
                              https://www.olivemypickle.com/



And the BREAD!!!
http://www.jcsdailybread.com/


2.  St. John's Town Center - There happened to be a Sip and Savor event going on this weekend when we went, but other than that, we just love to walk around. I MUCH prefer this to going to the mall.  When I have the kiddos with me, we like to go to the new area by the Nordstrom and get a fancy popsicle from inside the store Natural Life.  The Nordstrom eBar has fancy coffees and drinks too and there's a path of little fountains and rocks that I let my 2 year old play around.  We will usually take the walk all the way down and go to the Barnes and Noble where there is a Thomas the Train table that my 2 year old LOVES.

http://www.simon.com/mall/st-johns-town-center/stores



3.  Hawker's - My husband and I love this Asian Fusion Street Food restaurant down in 5 points.  It's one of our faves!   I prefer to get lots of small plates and share them with everyone!  My most favorite thing on the menu is the Curry and Roti (Roti Canai) served as an appetizer. This place always gives me a little feel of NYC!

http://eathawkers.com/menu/

4.  The French Pantry - LOVES this place!  I've only been twice, but both times have been phenomenal.  They aren't open on weekends and have very funny hours (11:00-2:15pm), but everything I've tried was AMAZING!  They are attached to a commercial bakery and everything is made in house.  Their breads and cakes and pastries are out of this world and the food they serve is very well made, simple, and as very large portions!  I highly recommend trying this place if you haven't!  Just FYI - the line to get in is usually VERY long!!!

https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-french-pantry-jacksonville

5.  Black Sheep - This is another favorite of mine here in Jacksonville.  I happened to take the girls there the last time they were here, so we didn't go this weekend.  I LOVE their Little Gem Salad and sitting up on the roof top!  If you go when the weather starts to get a little cooler, they have a great seating area with fire pits that's perfect for the slight chill in the air.

https://blacksheep5points.com/

6.  The Beach - Of course you should take your guests to the beach!  I personally prefer Mickler's, but when guests come, we like to go down to Jax beach.  My favorite time of day to go is actually around 5pm when the sun starts to fall behind the buildings and the buildings provide shade on the beach!  This is perfect with the kids because my 2 year old loves nothing more than playing at the beach!  This way we don't have to worry about the sun being too strong and making sure she's in some shade!  Mickler's on the other hand, has parking, showers, bathrooms, and is wagon/stroller accessible!

Jax Beach:
http://www.jacksonvillebeach.org/visitors/special-events

Mickler's Beach:
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g34573-d8388424-Reviews-Mickler_s_Landing_Beach-Ponte_Vedra_Beach_Florida.html

7.  Old Towne St. Augustine - We love to take our guests down to St. Augustine and walk through Old Towne.  We also love to get a Kilwin's ice cream while we're there or a fancy Hyppo popsicle to cool off!  We love the little, unique shops and the old cobblestone (no cars allowed) walkway.  It's just nice to spend an afternoon and walk around.  There's also a GREAT playground located just past the visitor center near the entrance to Old Towne that our 2 year old loves!

http://www.oldcity.com/