The city of Jacksonville was founded in 1822. The town is named after then, General Andrew Jackson who went on to become the 7th President of the United States. Jacksonville grew rapidly in the late 1800s as a shipping port and rail terminus. Modern day Jacksonville is fueled by an impressive downtown commercial district and is still a busy shipping point. Jacksonville is Florida’s largest city in terms of area. It spans the St. Johns River. With so much on the ball, there are plenty of sites to visit in Jacksonville:

1. The Museum of Science and History is a rapidly expanding collection of exhibits and offers an excellent guide to local history. One of the more impressive exhibits features the local Timucua Indians. Their culture goes back 12,000 years and the exhibit features descriptions along with tools, arrowheads, and pottery. The museum also offers the Alexander Brest Planetarium which features a 3-D laser show on Fridays and Saturdays. Located at 1025 Museum Circle. Telephone (904)396-7062.

2. The Museum of Contemporary Art Jacksonville is located square in downtown Jacksonville. This museum offers five galleries and is the collection of modern and contemporary art in the southeast. Located at 333 North Laura Street. Telephone (904)366-6911.

3. Jacksonville Zoo & Gardens is situated north of the downtown district. The zoo features over 1,000 animals with lions, zebras, crocodiles, and kudu in their natural environments. Along with a Florida Wetlands exhibit, the zoo also features the largest collection of Jaguars in the United States. There is a fun 15-minute miniature train ride which loops through half of the 89 acre site. Located at 8605 Zoo Parkway. Telephone (904)757-4463.

4. Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens is located on the southwest side of downtown Jacksonville just off the St. Johns River. The museum has a series of amazing gardens that lead down to the waterfront. The Cummer Museum has twelve galleries which feature sculptures ranging from classical to pre-Columbian periods, Renaissance paintings, a collection of American Impressionists, and the Wark Collection of early Meissen porcelain. Located at 829 Riverside Avenue. Telephone (904)356-6857.

5. The Jacksonville Jaguars are one of three National Football Leagues teams located in the state of Florida. The Jaguars were born into the NFL in 1995 as an expansion team and play in the AFC Central Division. They were the first expansion team to make the playoffs in three of their first four seasons. Training camp is frequently open to the public. The Jaguars play in Jacksonville Municipal Stadium which is located right in downtown along the St. Johns River. Located at One Stadium Place. Telephone (904)633-6100.

6. The Jacksonville Landing is a nice shopping and dining complex which is a nice place to check out when you find you need some sunglasses and a bite to eat. Located on the north bank of the St. Johns River in downtown jacksonvilee.

7. Adventure Landing is a nice place to find family entertainment. It can be found at Jacksonville Beach and offers miniature golf, laser tag, arcades, and in the summer it opens the water park. Located at 1944 Beach Boulevard. Telephone (904)246-4386.

8. Jacksonville Beaches. Starting roughly twelve miles south of downtown and extending northward, Jacksonville offers twenty-eight miles of white sand beaches. Starting at the southern end, Ponte Vedra Beach is known for its golf and other sporting facilities. Heading north, Neptune Beach and Atlantic Beach are a little more serene and popular with families. Perhaps the nicest beach is found at Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park. Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park has one and a half miles of white sand beach, fishing in a freshwater lake, wooded trails, picnic, and camping areas. Located at 500 Wonderwood Drive. Telephone (904)249-4700.