I’m a native of Jacksonville, Florida and though I moved away during my college years, I’m so happy to be back “home”. It’s really unique to live somewhere your entire life and experience it as a child and then later in life through your child’s eyes. Before I became a mom, I worked at Visit Jacksonville, the city’s tourism department – therefore the reason I love Travel Tuesdays! (Interested in being a featured Tuesday Traveler guest blogger? Check out this post!)
July 2009 Pre-Molly days |
Northeast Florida is a great place to visit for families. It’s an area filled with great weather and outdoor activities. A local favorite is the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens! It has an awesome mini-waterpark for kids, train rides and even a carousel…not to mention all the cool animals there too! My favorite place at the zoo is the giraffe overlook – I can’t wait for Maggie to get a little older so we can feed them!
That’s not us in the picture – I just happened to catch a great shot! |
What most people don’t know about this area is that there is water practically everywhere you go! I’d be crazy to not tell you about our beaches! Jacksonville Beach is home to the SeaWalk Pavilion, an oceanfront area that hosts festivals throughout the summer. Whether it’s the Blues festival in April or the seafood festival in March – always something great happening at the beach!
Another one of our favorite, family hangouts is the Riverside Arts Market each Saturday. We love shopping the local arts/crafts and buying produce from the local farmers. Each week the market hosts live entertainment – jugglers, singers, dancers and sometimes clowns too! It’s a great place to spend a Saturday morning and we always end our trip with a walk on the Riverwalk.
I could write for days about my love for my hometown…maybe I’ll tell you more one day. For now, I’m putting out the call for Tuesday Traveler guest bloggers! I want to know why your city is a great family-friendly destination. Check out this post for information on how to apply!
Comments
Jessica D Torres
I really like your idea for guest bloggers to write about the town they live in and what families can do on vacation there. My husband and I are trying to find different vacation spots to take our kids and I am hoping for some good info from Tuesdays blogs. Look forward to reading more.
Carrie with Children
Yay! That’s exactly what I was hoping to accomplish with the Travel Tuesday
series! I’m so happy to hear that it will be helpful, Jessica! 🙂
Sippy Cup Mom
I’m so jealous, Jacksonville looks amazing! I love the water!
The Giraffe Overlook is really neat and the Riverwalk sounds like a lot of fun!
Carrie with Children
You should come visit then 🙂 We have tons of water here in Florida…and
we own a boat 🙂
Lorymanriquehyland
You make Jacksonville look great – and you’re making me miss Florida!
Carrie with Children
Thanks and sorry, Lory! Would love for you to write a post about your new
home! 🙂 I think others would love to learn about it (and I would too!)
Freckles and Fudge
I would love to write about our place here in FL but Down South in Naples, the snowbirds take over and I’m ready to leave and venture back up north somewhere! I love how lovely you made this story! beaches and zoos are my fave:)
Carrie with Children
Zoos and beaches are my favorite too! Strangely, we don’t get a lot of
snowbirds here in Jax like ya’ll do.
Gina Parker
Hi Carrie , here via the Jan hop – glad to “meet” you and hear a bit about your town! It sounds lovely!! It is in my 5 (i wish 3) year plan to move somewhere warmer. My inlaws live in Sarasota and I envy their lifestyle. 🙂
Carrie with Children
Hi Gina! Thanks for stopping by! The Florida life is pretty good 🙂
Katie
I love this Carrie and I’m very exciting to send you my story!!
Mel
Glad you re-posted this blog. As a Jacksonville, FL native living in NC now, I miss the great things there are to do in Jax.
Carrie with Children
Hi Mel – Thanks so much for stopping by and reading this post! I didn’t realize you were a Jax native – me too! I love it here so much! Let me know if you ever make it back to town to visit – we can have a tweet up! 🙂
Jordan Brantley
Great post! I love living in Jacksonville. I definitely need to stop by the Riverside Arts Market more often! I really enjoyed meeting other artists last time I was there.
Glad I found your blog! I’ve been searching for local bloggers! 🙂