The Joys of Jacksonville

By Ben Brown
   
  The Jacksonville Museum of Modern Art is a great gathering place for arts-oriented events.
  • Take a stroll down the riverwalk--one of downtown's largest recreational areas. Come June 11-13, head to the downtown riverfront for the 2004 Sail Jacksonville (904-630-3690; www.sailjacksonville.com), a tall ship festival on the banks of the St. Johns River. There will be several water events, including a Parade of Sail and a Pirate Battle, along with landside demonstrations, a boat-building contest, and more. You'll also enjoy live entertainment, children's activities, and performance artists.


  • Stay downtown and check out the view of the city from the middle of Main Street Bridge. While you can't stop and picnic here, it's a great place to take beautiful photographs of the city's span.


  • Located at the base of the bridge is the Jacksonville Historical Center (1015 Museum Circle, Unit 1; 904-398-4301; www.jaxhistory.com), where you can see artifacts and pictures that tell of the city's past. For another great learning experience, swing by the Jacksonville Maritime Museum (1015 Museum Circle, Unit 2; 904-398-9011; www.jaxmarmus.com). The facility houses marine artifacts from Florida's past as well as ship models, including one of the Sarasota, which is 22-feet long and 2 1/2 feet tall.


  • Later, when you need to grab a bite, drop into Eclaté (331 East Bay Street; 904-354-8833) a tapas bar and jazz club, which has featured musical renditions from the likes of the Bob Reynolds Quartet.


  • If you're in the mood for a world of flavor, stop by the International Café (219 North Hogan Street; 904-665-3262). Each day, they serve up cuisine inspired by global dishes from Spain, Italy, Nicaragua, Cuba, and more.


  • You'll find the urban after-work crowd at the London Bridge Pub (100 East Adams Street; 904-359-0001). And for more upscale dining, there's La Cena (211 North Laura Street; 904-633-9255).


  • Downtown boosters offer a variety of informal entertainment, festivals, and special events to attract folks at lunch time and after work.


For more on Jacksonville, visit these Web sites.

  • www.downtownjacksonville.org. Get a listing of citywide events or check out information on local attractions.
  • www.jaxcvb.com The convention and visitors bureau site offers information on Jacksonville and the Beaches.
  • www.cummer.org View exhibit schedules and learn about the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens.

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