Top Rated Attractions in Jacksonville

Opened in 1961, this museum and art education center has handsome gardens with fragrant blooms, and peaceful, winding walkways. The permanent collection at Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens focuses on the history of art with exhibits spanning the eras from ancient times to the 21st century. Temporary exhibits are also presented throughout the year. The museum is located approximately five minutes away from downtown Jacksonville.

Touted as the longest continuously running community theater in the United States, Theatre Jacksonville brightens the historic San Marco District with its funky, art-deco facade of cool purples and neon lights. Since 1919, Jacksonville Theatre has been engaging audiences with live plays and musicals. Today's current troupe, consisting primarily of volunteer talent, has recently performed such plays as "Once Upon a Mattress" and "Spinning into Butter."

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Florida Theatre was originally designed for both stage shows and motion pictures, and is now host to concerts, dance, plays, opera and film, as well as community-sponsored events such as lectures, private parties, conferences and corporate meetings. The theater reflects the theme of a Moorish courtyard at night, with stars overhead, balconies, and trickling fountains. The building was restored in 1983 with state of the art technical equipment and seats approximately 1900 people.

The Cinemark Tinseltown in Jacksonville is a 20-screen multiplex complete with stadium seating and high quality digital sound. With 20 screens, there is room for everyone, whether you're going with your friends, your family or by your lonesome. While the movie projector rolls away, you can enjoy the sandwiches, hot dogs and pizzas bought at the counter.

Located off Main Street in Downtown Jacksonville, Karpeles Manuscript Library is billed as the world's largest holding of historical documents on literature, medicine, science, music and anthropology. Rare books and documents, some a century old, are on display here for the public to survey. This library has several locations throughout the country, so it frequently rotates its historical exhibits before returning them to the archive. You can visit again and again without seeing the same documents twice.

This small but informative 25-year old museum celebrates both the history and culture of daily life in the South during the 19th century. At the Museum of Southern History there are artifacts and memorabilia from the Civil War, and from everyday Southern life, politics and fashion. Friendly staff can assist visitors who are interested in tracing the genealogy of Southern families, leading you through the extensive research library that features more than 6,000 volumes.