Jacksonville is the largest city in Florida and southeastern United States. It is located between the Atlantic and St Johns River, about 40 km south of the border and Georgia. It is the seat of Duval County. Jacksonville has an area of 2,264.5 km2 and a population of more than 820,000 called Jacksonvillians. Here are the places of interest characteristic of this city: Castaway Island Preserve For almost 50 years, Castaway Island Preserve has worked to create the largest urban park system in the United States to protect the most vulnerable lands in northern Florida. The Timucuan Trail of public parks originates from these lands. Thanks to a multitude of partnerships between conservation agencies, the water management department and the National Park Service, the urban park system has grown from 12,000 hectares to 32,000 hectares. The parks are undeniably beautiful and offer lots of things to see, telling an unbelievable story and culture. From forests to ponds, the trails take visitors through a variety of vegetation. Castaway Island Preserve is perfect for nature lovers and will impress all hikers, families and children. This unspoilt natural landscape offers a different view of the American continent than any other metropolis. Little Talbot Island State Park A great attraction for all visitors, Little Talbot Island State Park contains marshes, a beautiful beach and well-preserved areas. Campsites are a favourite because they offer immediate access to lush vegetation. The peaceful setting gives the impression that man never colonized it, and it is one of the cleanest campsites ever seen. The sandy beach is full of sea stars, limes and sharks in the water. It's a great place to cycle or hike with friends and family; Little Talbot Island State Park is picturesque enough for a wedding or an important event that requires a beautiful setting. The spacious park is a bit off the beaten track, but that only adds to the picturesque atmosphere. A small entrance fee of $5 offers access to the numerous picnic tables and barbecues, ideal for a camping destination. Little Talbot State Park Cummer Museum of Arts and Gardens The Cummer Museum of Arts and Gardens is located near the Jacksonville Parkway. A hidden treasure, this museum south of downtown Jacksonville features regional artists who capture the imagination of visitors. The gardens and surrounding areas are breathtaking in spring and summer. Statues, paths, ponds and more awaiting visitors to capture picturesque photos in the very heart of the city. The views of the water are amazing and really worth it. The gardens are well maintained and interesting, with a surprise at every turn. The fountains and paths present various monuments and statues. This type of place is ideal for anyone interested in local history or simply looking at the water from a unique perspective. Fort Caroline This fort recalls the short French presence in Florida in the 16th century. Territorial, religious and arms disputes are the central theme of this site's history, which highlights the first contact between Amerindians and Europeans. Surrounded by greenery, the walls of the fort overlook the ocean to keep the invaders away, but this is not what happened. The French colonies who wanted religious freedom settled here before moving to central America, and were welcomed by the Amerindians when they arrived. A museum and a children's programme are available on site to inform visitors about the full history of the colony, which often surprises tourists by its extent over time. Walk along the shaded paths and visualize what the French have stayed for instead of returning to their homeland. Museum of Science and History The Jacksonville Museum of Science and History (MOSH for Kids) is full of unique, state-of-the-art exhibits. MOSH offers a revolving tour of travelling exhibitions such as the Shipwreck exhibition, which contains more than 500 artifacts from famous shipwrecks over time. Exhibitions on space and energy are the main exhibitions, as well as exhibitions on local history. The entrance fee varies from 6 to 10 dollars, not expensive for the wide variety of knowledge offered at MOSH. Scouting camps and workshops for girls and boys are open all year round to ensure that children interact socially while learning. Local artists present their work in the museum, offering a local exhibition of the region's top talent. Perhaps the most intrusive exhibition is' The Body Within', where visitors enter an open mouth to discover the interior of the human body's digestive system. Jacksonville Jazz Festival Every spring, during the Memorial Day weekend, Jacksonville organises a musical show without any other similar event. The Jacksonville Jazz Festival welcomes international musicians on several stages for 4 days. Music lovers should visit Jacksonville at the same time as the festival, which features jazz celebrities in addition to other events such as a piano competition, jazz brunch, an outdoor craft fair in downtown and the popular Jazz After Dark, jazz concerts that last until 2am. Best of all, most of the festival events are free! The Jazz Festival has long been one of Jacksonville's greatest festivals, so join the celebrations and the rhythm to have a great time. Catty Shack Ranch Wildlife Sanctuary This wild sanctuary shelters many felines saved and cared for on the spot. Pumas, leopards, lynx and foxes are some of the species found on site. In addition, 25 Siberian tigers (most of them are adorable little ones) are taken care of with some African lions. Although the wild sanctuary of Catty Shack Ranch has been open for 30 years, it was not allowed to open its doors to the public until 2004. An on-site medical facility provides care for these animals through a group of dedicated veterinarians and dentists. Cat lovers can participate in the adoption program: donations donated to the sanctuary directly finance the care and feeding of the animals. The sanctuary's mission is to educate children about the dangers of possessing and attempting to domesticate wild cats, so we can assure you that Mike Tyson did not visit this sanctuary when he was young.
