Jacksonville is more than a city ... it’s a gateway to some of Florida’s most soulful escapes. Within just a few hours’ drive, you can find yourself on driftwood-strewn beaches, paddling through spring-fed rivers, or wandering beneath moss-draped oaks. These day trips aren’t just about checking off destinations ... they’re about slowing down, tuning in, and letting the landscape reshape your sense of time. Whether you’re craving salt air, freshwater springs, or a walk through history, these nearby getaways offer a chance to reconnect with nature, and maybe even yourself.
Best Day Trips from Jacksonville:
Savoring slow time on Amelia Island - About 1 hour by car from Jacksonville
There’s a softness to Amelia Island that caught me off guard. Maybe it was the way the wind moved through the live oaks, or how the pastel homes downtown looked like they’d been dreaming in place for a century. I wandered the quiet streets of Fernandina Beach, each turn revealing a new little bakery, a faded mural, a glimpse of the harbor. The salt air was thick with stories. I remember thinking, "This is the kind of place that doesn’t ask for anything but your presence."
What I Loved Most: Standing barefoot at the water’s edge on Main Beach, the sand cool and firm beneath me, the horizon endless, and a heron slicing across the sky like punctuation on a quiet thought.
My highlights? Lunch at Timoti’s Seafood Shak, where I had the blackened shrimp basket with hush puppies and slaw. I sat under the shade of a big oak tree, peeling shrimp, sipping sweet tea, and letting the moment stretch as far as it wanted to. It tasted like summer and stillness.
Plan your day trip:
- Drive Time from Jacksonville: ~45 minutes north
- Vibe: Coastal, historic, slow-paced
- Highlights: Fernandina Beach, Fort Clinch State Park, galleries, seafood shacks, sunset cruises
- Best Time to Visit: Spring or fall for warm breezes and fewer crowds
- Cost: Free to explore town; Fort Clinch admission ~$6 per vehicle
- Hours: Shops 10am–6pm, beach and parks open sunrise to sunset
Salt air and stillness at Anastasia State Park - 1 hour 10 minutes
I didn’t expect to find so much peace just a few miles from the crowds of St. Augustine. But Anastasia State Park was different — wilder, quieter, more elemental. The wind hummed through the dunes like a lullaby, and I walked the shoreline with my shoes in hand, letting the surf chase my toes. The light seemed to dance across the tidal pools, and for a while, I forgot everything else. I remember thinking, "This is what it feels like to finally exhale."
What I Loved Most: Watching the shorebirds hunt in the shallows while I sat on a driftwood log, sun-warmed and salt-slick, letting time stretch with the tide.
My highlights? After the beach, I headed into nearby St. Augustine for lunch at The Floridian — I had their pickled shrimp salad with citrus vinaigrette and a side of fried green tomatoes. Everything tasted bright and Southern, and the flavors lingered like the ocean breeze still tangled in my hair.
Plan your day trip:
- Drive Time from Jacksonville: ~1 hour south
- Vibe: Natural, coastal, restorative
- Highlights: Beach walks, kayaking, birdwatching, shaded hiking trails
- Best Time to Visit: Spring or early fall for mild temps and fewer crowds
- Cost: $8 per vehicle park entrance
- Hours: 8am–sunset daily
Walking through driftwood dreams on Big Talbot Island State Park - just 40 minutes
Big Talbot Island felt like stepping into another world — where the trees don’t just fall, they stay, weathered and silvered like sculptures carved by time. I wandered along Boneyard Beach, where massive driftwood limbs lay tangled against the sand like ancient bones. The hush of the waves mixed with the creak of branches in the wind. It wasn’t beautiful in a polished way — it was wild, raw, and honest. I remember thinking, "This place doesn’t want to be tamed, and that’s exactly why it speaks."
What I Loved Most: Climbing onto a giant, sun-bleached tree trunk and sitting for an hour, watching the tide pull in like a secret unfolding.
My highlights? A rustic lunch at Sandollar Restaurant overlooking the St. Johns River — I had the fried flounder basket with coleslaw and hush puppies, washed down with a cold Arnold Palmer. Pelicans skimmed the water as I ate, and everything felt timeless.
Plan your day trip:
- Drive Time from Jacksonville: ~45 minutes northeast
- Vibe: Rugged, surreal, photogenic
- Highlights: Boneyard Beach, Blackrock Trail, birdwatching, tidal marshes
- Best Time to Visit: Winter to spring for cooler weather and dramatic skies
- Cost: $3–$5 per vehicle depending on access point
- Hours: 8am–sunset daily
Floating through wonder at Blue Springs State Park - About 1 hour and 45 minutes by car
The first thing I felt was the cold — that crystal-clear, 72-degree spring water wrapping around me like truth. It startled and refreshed me in the same breath. I floated gently down the run, looking up at cypress trees draped in Spanish moss, their reflections blurring with the sky. The manatees kept their distance but made their presence known — serene, silent, like underwater monks. I remember thinking, "How can something this wild feel so gentle?"
What I Loved Most: Watching the manatees glide just beneath the surface, their movements slow and poetic, reminding me to move through life with more ease.
My highlights? A late lunch afterward at That One Spot Burgers in Orange City — I had their signature bacon avocado burger with truffle fries and a cold peach tea. It was messy and perfect, eaten with damp hair and a spring-fed glow still lingering on my skin.
Plan your day trip:
- Drive Time from Jacksonville: ~1.5 hours south
- Vibe: Refreshing, wild, slow-paced
- Highlights: Manatee viewing (winter), tubing, kayaking, boardwalk trail, swimming
- Best Time to Visit: Winter for manatees, summer for swimming
- Cost: $6 per vehicle park entrance
- Hours: 8am–sunset daily
Stepping back in time on Cumberland Island - About 45 minutes to the St. Marys ferry terminal
Cumberland Island doesn’t just ask for your attention — it takes it, slowly and completely. From the moment the ferry pulled away from the Georgia mainland, I felt the noise fall away. What remained was wild space and stillness. I walked for hours under twisted live oaks, their limbs draped in moss like old secrets. Wild horses grazed near the Dungeness Ruins, unconcerned with me or time. I remember thinking, "I don’t know what century this is — and maybe that’s the gift."
What I Loved Most: Reaching the untouched beach after the long walk across the island — just me, the dunes, the wind, and miles of uninterrupted shoreline.
My highlights? A packed picnic from Southern Roots Filling Station in Jacksonville before the trip — a rosemary focaccia sandwich with herbed goat cheese, tomato, and arugula, plus fresh fruit and cold brew in a mason jar. I ate beneath a tree, barefoot, with sand still between my toes.
Plan your day trip:
- Drive Time from Jacksonville: ~1 hour north to St. Marys, GA + 45-minute ferry ride
- Vibe: Untouched, mystical, historic
- Highlights: Dungeness Ruins, wild horses, marsh trails, beaches, maritime forest
- Best Time to Visit: Spring or fall for fewer bugs and mild temps
- Cost: ~$40 round-trip ferry + $10 park fee
- Hours: Ferry departs morning; last return around 4:45pm — plan carefully
Family Day Trips from Jacksonville:
Finding quiet brilliance in Gainesville - 1 hour and 45 minutes
Gainesville felt like a place that doesn’t rush to reveal itself — you have to walk slowly, look closely, and listen a little longer. I wandered the shaded trails at the Sweetwater Wetlands, where sandhill cranes called across the reeds and gators lazed in the sun like statues. Later, I ducked into the Harn Museum of Art and sat in front of a single painting for what felt like forever. I remember thinking, "There’s more depth here than people give it credit for — and I’m lucky to feel it."
What I Loved Most: Walking through the bat house area just before dusk, the sky fluttering with thousands of wings as the sun gave way to stars. It was wild and weird and unforgettable.
My highlights? A cozy brunch at Curia on the Drag — I had their vegan breakfast bowl with roasted sweet potato, black beans, spicy aioli, and fresh greens, plus a strong cold brew with oat milk. It was earthy, energizing, and eaten with good people at a picnic table beneath string lights.
Plan your day trip:
- Drive Time from Jacksonville: ~1.5 hours southwest
- Vibe: Academic, artsy, nature-focused
- Highlights: Sweetwater Wetlands Park, University of Florida campus, Harn Museum, bat houses
- Best Time to Visit: Fall or spring for festivals and wildlife activity
- Cost: Mostly free or low-cost
- Hours: Parks open sunrise to sunset; museums typically 10am–5pm
Let the Road Lead You Back to Yourself
Each of these day trips from Jacksonville offered more than just a change of scenery — they offered a shift in perspective. From the hush of ancient forests to the rhythm of waves on a quiet shore, these places reminded me that sometimes, the best way to move forward is to step away for a while. Whether you’re seeking adventure, reflection, or just a really good meal with a view, the road from Jacksonville is rich with possibilities. All you have to do is follow it.
More Resources for Planning Florida Adventures
- Cedar Key Beaches – Explore the tranquil charm of Cedar Key's beaches, perfect for kayaking and wildlife watching.
- Things to Do in Daytona Beach – Discover top attractions and activities in Daytona Beach for a fun-filled day trip.
- Florida Day Trips – A comprehensive guide to the best day trips across Florida, from natural springs to historic towns.
- Family Beach Vacations in Florida – Find the perfect family-friendly beach destinations for your next getaway.
Jump to a Spot...
- • Savoring slow time on Amelia Island - About 1 hour by car from Jacksonville
- • Salt air and stillness at Anastasia State Park - 1 hour 10 minutes
- • Walking through driftwood dreams on Big Talbot Island State Park - just 40 minutes
- • Floating through wonder at Blue Springs State Park - About 1 hour and 45 minutes by car
- • Stepping back in time on Cumberland Island - About 45 minutes to the St. Marys ferry terminal
- • Finding quiet brilliance in Gainesville - 1 hour and 45 minutes