Grace & Jacob
Things To Do
St Augustine
St. Augustine is a short 30 minute drive just south of Jacksonville. Visit the nation's oldest city and walk St. George St., make a stop to the historic Spanish Fort- Castillo de San Marcos, visit the St. Augustine Lighthouse for unparalleled views of N. Florida, tour the nation’s first Catholic basilica, and our personal favorite, visit the Shrine of Our Lady of La Leche and see where the first Catholic Mass was celebrated in the U.S.! A carriage ride along the cobblestone streets is a great way to end your trip.
Sweet Pete's Candy
Visit Sweet Pete's Candy in the heart of downtown Jacksonville for a real life Willy Wonka experience!
Amelia Island / Fernandina Beach
Visit historic Mayport Village (founded in 1562!) and catch the St. John's River Ferry and continue 30 minutes north along oceanside A1A up to Amelia Island / Fernandina Beach. Enjoy views of the water from all sides, walk and shop their Main Street, enjoy the drive along the Avenue of the Oaks to the Ritz Carlton hotel and enjoy a drink at their beachfront bar, or maybe even enjoy a date night. We 10/10 recommend.
Big Talbot Island State Park
On your way to Amelia Island, take a stop at Big Talbot Island State Park. Famous for its Birchwood Beach, it's a great sunset spot!
Fort Caroline National Memorial
If you enjoy history as much as we do, you'll want to visit Fort Caroline National Memorial. Just a mile from the bride's childhood home, you'll be able to see the exact location where the French first landed in the United States. Plus, it was one of our first date stops.
Riverside / Avondale
Voted as one of the country’s Top 10 Great Neighborhoods, and listed in the National Registry of Historic Places, the Riverside/Avondale district offers stunning historic homes, great rooftop restaurants, bars, and beautiful views of the River City. Here you can walk the famous Jacksonville Riverwalk under the Main St. Bridge, visit Friendship Fountain, and walk along the canals that weave all throughout the area. We recommend checking out the Cummer Museum & Garden, Five Points, and Memorial Park- another 1st date spot :).
Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens
Ranked as the 18th best zoo in the U.S., Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens lies right along the St. Johns River and is always a good time! Visit Grace's favorite animal and feed the giraffes in the Africa exhibit.
Beaches Town Center
Head over to Jacksonville Beach and catch a sunrise over the Atlantic, enjoy great restaurants and bars, visit Jimmy Buffet at Margaritaville Beach Hotel, and maybe, just maybe, you'll spot the allusive "Florida Man". Rumor has it there's multiple, and they're all over the beaches.
Cumberland Island
Just a quick drive north over the St. Mary's River is famous Cumberland Island. Home of some of the last wild horses in America, you can routinely spot them running along the beach. It's and a former vacation spot of the Carnegie's and Kennedy's and is well worth the trip.
Jekyll Island
Travel a little further north past Cumberland Island and visit beautiful Jekyll Island. Coincidentally, the groom worked here in college, and the bride's family made this their favorite vacation spot. Well worth the hour and 15 minute drive!