The Great Fire of 1901 destroyed much of Downtown, the bright side being young and aspiring architects flocked to the opportunity to rebuild something great. Stand out, century-old buildings  include the Bethel Baptist Church by M.H. Hubbard, The Carling Hotel by Thompson, Holmes & Converse, The St. James Building by Henry J. Klutho (pictured) and the Laura Street Trio.

Nestled within the suburban jungle that is Arlington sits Tree Hill Nature Center, 50 acres of natural beauty with walking trails, animals and a museum.

Driving though Ortega, one might not notice it beneath all the mature trees, but there’s a quaint, little home bearing ever-changing messages, mindful and meant to inspire. ⇒

The Southside homebase to the Jacksonville Humane Society recently moved into a new and improved facility. One of the services they provide is allotting time for kids to come in and read to the animals. Not only does it improve the confidence of those kiddos conquering a new skill, it calms the animals and gives them valued interaction time.

It might not be Broadway, but isn’t that kind of the point? ABET (All Beaches Experimental Theatre) is a community troupe providing opportunities for anyone to get up on stage or work behind the curtains. 

Learning more about Downtown is easy with the Top to Bottom Walking Tour. Step into an underground bank vault and see the skyline from the tallest building in the city. Can you see your house from up there? 

Long before teams such as the Jumbo Shrimp, Suns and Jaxpos played baseball in town, guys with names like Leroy “Satchel” Paige and James “Cool Papa” Bell were running the basepaths at a nearly forgotten park on Myrtle Avenue north of Downtown. The tidy brick-faced field of dreams was months from being demolished in the 1980s. Fortunately, repairs were made and J.P. Small Memorial Park Stadium looks much like it did on opening day in 1937, complete with covered bleachers and a small museum. 〈〈〈

» Jacksonville comes with no shortage of public art. Case in point: UNF’s sculpture garden in Jax Beach. Sculpture students create large scale pieces and submit them to be displayed in the park, only the best making the cut. Every few years new creations are installed, bringing something fresh to the scene.

The park at Riverside Avenue Christian Church, which is open to everyone, has more than just a playground with a few swings and a slide. Recent additions include a handful of outdoor musical instruments including drums and chimes. A walk in the park is now music to one’s ears. «

With more than 200 acres of marsh ecosystems, Castaway Island Preserve is a natural getaway from the hustle and bustle of town. Stroll along its paved trails and boardwalks and keep eyes peeled for gopher tortoises, ospreys and wood storks, along with a variety of indigenous flowers and plants. ⇓

While many neighborhoods have a commercial center of some kind, Murray Hill’s walkable strip on Edgewood Avenue is brimming with unique shops such as Bobby K’s clothing boutique, Grater Goods cheese shop and Vagabond Coffee.

In Ponte Vedra there’s an ongoing debate over how to pronounce Mickler. Mick-ler or mike-ler? There’s a sign displaying one side of the argument, but it doesn’t seem to settle the debate either way. 

For a novel way to spend an evening in Fernandina, book a flounder gigging charter. Not your typical fishing experience, flounder gigging is more hunting than fishing. And just as challenging. ›››

In Arlington, Norman Studios is the most significant remaining piece of Jacksonville’s silent film legacy. Every few months the studio partners with Hotel Indigo in Tapestry Park to hold Silent Sundays—events showing silent films accompanied by live music from JU’s Tony Steve and the Silver Synchro Sounds. This month catch the 1916 version of 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. ⇓

Not every high schooler is into geometry and chemistry. Actually, chances are very few are. Douglas Anderson School of the Arts is a different kind of school, focusing extensively on the arts. Programs include dance, music, theatre, creative writing, cinematic arts and visual arts. Here, the big theatre production is as big as the homecoming football game at other schools…especially considering DA doesn’t have a football team.

In the past few years tired businesses and abandoned buildings in Springfield have been replaced by a burgeoning dining district, bringing new life to the historic neighborhood.

It’s always a worthy excursion to take a walk down River Road in San Marco, where you’re just as likely to spot a 1920s bungalow as you are a Mediterranean style mansion. 

Take a walk through Downtown and notice a mural. Keep walking and there seems to be a new one on almost every block. While this neighborhood boasts the most, large-scale artwork can be found all over town.  »

For a stroll through nature there’s Black Creek Trail in Orange Park. Tree lined paths wind their way through the woods, providing a peaceful respite. Also, an eight -mile paved path, which runs adjacent to Highway 17 on Fleming Island, is open to hikers, cyclists and even those out walking their dog. ←

One will always know she is safe when swimming off the shore of Jacksonville Beach, thanks to the landmark lifeguard station and the volunteer corps’ signature orange chairs lining the sand.

In Five Points, Sun-Ray Cinema plays a mix of blockbusters and indie flicks. During the summer they appeal to the little ones with a kids’ movie series. This summer’s showings include Ratatouille, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, Paddington and Inside Out. Tickets are $4 if you want to spring for the bowl of cereal, which goes well with the 10:30 AM showtime.

At Engine 15 Brewing Company’s Downtown location, in the rail yards, parents can grab a beer while the kiddos romp around on a play pirate ship. Just don’t try and go down the slide yourself after having one too many. We know from experience.

Beachwalk is presently building its very own 14-acre lagoon. One can kayak, paddle board, swim, snorkel or sail its crystal waters, just steps away from coastal style homes.

The area is called St. Johns for a reason, as the mighty river hugs the land. Live right on the water at Rivertown, a community surrounded by conservation areas and maintaining plenty of boardwalks and docks taking one right onto the river.

Head inland and come across Shearwater, a community with amenities unique to the area such as a kayak club, or stay classic and visit the fitness lodge followed by a soak in the lazy river. ⇒

While some areas are packed with homes, businesses and a smattering of parking spaces, the empty land south of the beaches has been filled with well-planned communities boasting endless amenities. A standout is Nocatee’s waterpark with slides, splash zone, lazy river and kiddie pools.

A flea market might not be the first place one would think to look for exotic fruits, but the Beach Boulevard Flea Market has an admirable selection—rambutan (pictured above), dragonfruit, longan and jackfruit to name a few—and sold at more reasonable prices than most specialty food outlets.

Bridges typically take you high above. Get a different view from Dames Point Park below the concrete connector. The park serves as an El Faro memorial, honoring the 33 crew members who went down with the ship. →

Housed inside a 125-year-old building that has been a cigar factory, upholstery shop and feed store is the Corazon Cinema & Cafe. The theatre has three screens showing independent and throwback films, accompanied by drinks and eats. «

Having been an established community for more than 100 years it comes as no surprise there’s a Mandarin Museum & Historical Society. Standout figures include Harriet Beecher Stowe, the author of Uncle Tom’s Cabin, who had a winter home here. 

Downtown, one can see a variety of shows from national headliners to local acts at a wide range of venues including Daily’s Place, Veterans Memorial Arena, Florida Theatre, Times-Union Center, Maverick’s and 1904 Music Hall.

Nestled into Atlantic Beach’s landscape is architect William Morgan’s Dune House. The modernist design was built directly into the sand in the ‘70s, largely camouflaged by grass and sea oats for the majority of its existence. Modern touches have since been added, but the original structure continues to hug the earth. ⇓

Cedar Hills, a Westside neighborhood located along the Cedar River, offers a large collection of Ranch style homes, many of which are situated on streets named for popular fairy tales and children’s books. There’s Peter Rabbit Drive, Miss Muffet Lane, Mother Goose Road, Mopsy (and Flopsy) Lane, and more. 

On Anastasia Island there’s no need to go to the gym, locals can just go climb the 219 stairs to the top of the St. Augustine Lighthouse. Not only does one get in a good workout, but the reward is a bird’s eye view.

⇐ The Ortega River Bridge has connected the peninsula to Fairfax since 1927. Enjoy a view of the water and the Downtown skyline. The view is so pretty, you won’t even mind waiting for the boats to pass through.

Get everything from hydroponic lettuce to freshly harvested honey from local farmers at Rype & Readi Downtown Farm Market. Rype & Readi’s farm fields lie southwest of St. Augustine in the tiny town of Elkton. Make sure to check out the barn—there are live goats and sheep to pet. Wheee! 

While once considered dated, mid-century design is now being lauded. Get a glimpse into homes built in the style’s height and survived the test of time on Arlington’s Mod & More Home Tour each fall. ↓

Amelia Island River Cruises are pet-friendly adventures, giving the entire family a chance to explore the island from the water. While you relax and enjoy the ride the pups can stick their heads up into the wind, enjoying the breeze like the two-legged passengers. 

You could go to the pet store and get a cat or a hamster, or you could go to Standard Feed & Seed and get some chickens or a bunny—and everything you need to take care of such animals. There’s also a nursery, if plants are more your speed than animals.

Sometimes looking for sharks teeth and sand dollars is more of a hunt, a race to scoop them up before someone else does. Ditch the crowds and head to Amelia Island State Park, accessible only by horse or four-wheel drive cars, where the shore is littered with ocean treasures.

Take a walk to the end of Edgewood Avenue and find a large swing hanging near the river. With its long ropes it’s a bit hard to get going by yourself, so we suggest bringing a partner to push.

Being at the beach in summer makes one want to keep cool, and what better way to do so than ice cream? Add a little fun to the cold treat by heading to Christy’s Dream Ice Cream, where they make desserts “For the Grown Ups” with alcohol mixed in. The options are ever-changing, but think Amaretto, Irish cream or raspberry liqueur.

Get to know the Oldest City from a different point of view with Helicopter Tours of St. Augustine. From up there you won’t have to fight crowds of tourists or worry about the trolley causing a traffic snarl. ←

Some RV parks look more like parking lots than campsites, but Bryn Mawr Ocean Resort in St. Augustine Beach is a beauty, settled right up to the ocean, surrounded by sand and palms.

Add a new element to your tennis game by playing a set or two at the Boone Park clay courts in Avondale. The public facility is kept in top condition—but you might want to reserve in advance as leagues and regulars do line up.

Not everyone is fortunate enough to have a pool. Or even a yard big enough for a sweet slip ‘n’ slide! During July in Florida, we all deserve a refreshing dip. Lee High School’s pool is open to the public all summer long, just one of the few around town with such welcoming waters.

Take a stroll through Granada (near San Marco) and stop in Colonial Manor Park to feed the ducks and other water birds frequenting the pond. Who needs to go bird-watching when a slice of bread attracts an entire flock? «

Kona is the oldest skatepark on the East Coast. While the Southside skatepark itself—with its snake run and vert ramp—is impressive, lining the walls inside is a collection of vintage skateboards dating back to the 1950s sure to spark a memory in even the oldest rider.

The homes lining Ponte Vedra Boulevard do cost a pretty penny, but one can dream. Take a leisurely ride down the exclusive street and gawk at the extravagance of the houses and the properties on which they sit. Which one would you want for your very own?  〉〉〉

⇒ The Mayo Clinic may house state-of-the-art technology, but it’s also home to an artistic masterpiece. Dale Chihuly crafted the colorful blown glass sculpture that is suspended from the Gonda building’s lobby, a whimsical contrast to a typical hospital’s sterile and subdued atmosphere.