Things to do in Jacksonville FL for sports and arts lovers

Jacksonville is the most populous city in the state of Florida, and is also the largest city (by geographical area, not by population) in the Continental United States. This lovely city typically has mild temperatures year-round, with the exceptions of hot, humid summers. A relatively temperate climate and spacious landmass make Jacksonville, FL a great tourist city with a lot of things to do. Let’s explore this majestic metropolis and find out what some of the best tourist attractions are.

A Golf-Lover’s Dream City

If you are fond of the sport of golf, then Jacksonville, FL is the place to be. The city and its nearby areas are home to over fifty golf courses, with thirty-two of them being open to the public. This means that you can stay in Jacksonville for a month, play at a different course every day, and still not be able to play on all of them.

If you would prefer not to hit the links yourself and watch the professionals play instead, then you will be happy to know that the PGA Tour is headquartered in the Ponte Verda Beach suburb. The Players Championship is an annual professional golf tournament held in May of every year at TPC Sawgrass. Since the course is public, you may also want to give it a try after you watch the pros.

Other Sports

If golf isn’t your favorite sport, then there are still several other sporting venues in Jacksonville, FL. Fans of American football will know that the NFL’s Jaguars claim the Florida city as their home, but it should also be noted that college football is very popular here as well. The annual game between regional rivals, the University of Florida and the University of Georgia is held at EverBank Field. The city is also home of the Gator Bowl (now known as the TaxSlayer Bowl), and two NCAA Division I university teams.

Aside from the traditional gridiron, Jacksonville hosts a minor league baseball team, semi-professional basketball team (in the American Basketball League), a rugby team, arena football team, and soccer (association football) team. This plethora of sports teams is sure to keep sports fans satisfied year-round.

Arts Festivals

Springing the Blues is an annual blues festival held in Jacksonville Beach on the first weekend in April. If you enjoy live music, especially old fashioned Southern blues, then you owe it to yourself to make it to the festival at least once within your lifetime.

Every Memorial Day weekend (the weekend before the last Monday in May), the city hosts the Jacksonville Jazz Festival. The entire downtown district comes alive with live music performances, vendors, and events. Past performers include remarkable artists such as Miles Davis, Kenny G, Harry Connick Jr., and more. Aside from VIP areas, admission to the Jacksonville Jazz Festival is free.

If you prefer the cinema to music, then you can visit the Jacksonville Film Festival. Held each year in May, this festival features films from all over the world. Here you can support local indie filmmakers, take in a movie from halfway across the globe, or maybe even run into a celebrity!

This is just a taste of what this awesome city has to offer and there are many cheap hotels in Jacksonville, FL to stay in. Sports, arts, and adventure await!

Photo by James Willamor