Jacksonville, FL Brings the Heat and the Chill in Summer 2020
Jacksonville, FL
Hit the action-packed jackpot in Jacksonville, Florida this summer. Renowned for enviable golf attractions, plentiful shoreline and green spaces, Jacksonville makes the perfect adventure. This major port city has an expansive metropolitan setting and rich history, making it a desirable destination year-round. Be sure to plan any trip with health codes and restrictions in mind, as well as personal and public health safety.
Stay
In the spirit of escape, we recommend taking some space and heading to Omni Amelia Island Resort located about an hour from downtown Jacksonville. Accommodations at the hotel resort are CDC certified initiative and the hotel offers flexible cancellation policies under the current circumstances. While the spa is currently closed, other amenities are available such as modified dining and pool access. Omni’s key amenity is their championship caliber golf course on Oak Marsh, open daily.
Play
With the largest urban park system in the United States, Jacksonville is the perfect summer destination in 2020. Parks can be found in 337 locations across the metropolitan area, occupying over 80,000 acres of land. Many parks offer water access as well, making play possibilities literally endless.
Jacksonville’s beaches can be a relaxing day trip or an action-packed adventure. Summer is the perfect time to try surfing, as the currents are generally more tame in the summer than the winter months. Popular surf spots include Atlantic Beach, Huguenot Park, Mayport Poles at Hanna Park and Jacksonville Beach Pier. Dive even deeper into the waves by taking to the boat — whether your personal vessel or charter — and wrangle some serious fish including mahi, tarpon, wahoo, snapper, flounder and more.
Many of Jacksonville’s visitors come to the area for one thing: world-class golfing. TPC Sawgrass is the first course of its kind. As the home of THE PLAYERS, it is the first stadium-style course. The infamously challenging layout is created so that no two consecutive holes follow the same direction; be sure to take care on hole No. 17.
Learn
Unfortunately, many of the national monuments and state parks in Florida are closed due to COVID-19 restrictions. However, inquisitive visitors in the city should conduct their own tour of some of the exciting architecture that Jacksonville has to offer. While we spend a lot of time inside buildings, this is the perfect opportunity to admire structures from the outside. Check out this list of 14 must-see historic and architectural gems in Jacksonville.
Explore
Normally, Timucuan Preserve is the best place to experience protected marsh and wildlife along with the historic Kingsley Plantation and Fort Caroline; however, this national park is closed for the time being due to the novel coronavirus.
Little Talbot Island offers a five-mile stretch of pristine shoreline and coastal forest terrain inhabited by a diverse wildlife population. This island offshoot allows for independent exploration and adventure: hike the Dune Ridge trail or paddle Simpson Creek.
Just north of the Talbot Islands is Amelia Island, which is under an hour away from Jacksonville by car and offers an enchanted escape from downtown. Whether as a day trip or a stay-cation, there are plenty of outdoor activities and accommodations to add charm and tranquility to summer 2020. Participate in activities ranging from kayaking, sailing, hiking and golfing — a pleasant, laidback change of scene in northern Florida.
