Mackenzie & Andrew
Things To Do
Biscottis
A small bistro-style restaurant and bar specializing in eclectic American cuisine infused with Southern charm, craft cocktails, and some of the best desserts Jacksonville has to offer! We always love to end our date nights grabbing a slice of cake to go!
River & Post
This rooftop bar offers the best views of downtown Jax at night, and a full restaurant downstairs. Head here for classic seafood and American fare for dinner, and the migrate upstairs to the top floor to grab a drink and look out over the city. The roof will be covered with heaters placed around the deck if the weather is chilly, so this is a great late night option even in the spring!
Black Sheep Restaurant and Rooftop Bar
Black Sheep is a self-described Modern American restaurant. This popular dinner spot is known for its ambience as much as its varied menu. For olive lovers, don’t neglect to order the fried green olives as a starter. The real pull of this restaurant is its rooftop bar. After dinner, head up the flight of stairs to enjoy a unique cocktail and a nighttime view of the St. John’s River.
Cowford Chophouse
Local, modern, sophisticated steakhouse in a 1902 bank. It has a beautiful rooftop bar overlooking the iconic Main Street Bridge. You can't go wrong here whether you have a full course dinner or just rooftop drinks.
Lemon Bar
For a classic beach hangout, look no further than Lemon Bar in Atlantic Beach. This casual bar and grille serves up an ocean view and a full bar of tropical favorites. Their menu also includes casual food like burgers and tacos between-drinks snacking. Grab a drink (or a few!) here and then walk right out onto the beach for a couple of hours in the sun.
Hawkers Asian Street Food
Hawkers is a funky, Pan-Asian spot in the heart of Five Points. Described as Asian Street food, their plates range from curries to noodles to finger foods. Their signature item is their Roti Canai, a soft Malaysian flatbread served with curry sauce -- order more than you think you’ll eat! Go here for a full belly and for fun cocktails but be prepared to wait. You can join the waitlist online at https://waitlist.getwisely.com/location-search?g=hawkers.
13 Gypsies
A cozy tapas place that oozes casual European style. With plenty of Spanish influence on the menu, 13 Gypsies calls itself a “peasant kitchen”, which really just means plenty of elevated finger food for sharing. Don’t miss the crispy potatoes, the gnudi and the homemade ricotta. Reservations are a necessity from Thursday to Sunday -- snag one on the OpenTable app.
Blue Fish Restaurant and Oyster Bar
If you are in the mood for fresh and local seafood, Blue Fish is the spot. This upscale, coastal restaurant boasts a rotating menu of seasonal seafood. Pick your catch and its preparation style, or order the oysters for a Gulf treat. After dinner, grab a custard next door at Whit’s or a piece of cake from Biscotti's and stroll around the surrounding neighborhood of Avondale.
Southbank Riverwalk
This scenic walk offers a river view and an opportunity to spot the five bridges that span the St. Johns river in downtown Jacksonville. The walk is paved and shaded at some points, also making this a perfect spot for a morning run. The pathway is only a few steps from the Hilton Garden Inn on the Jacksonville Riverfront. For those staying at the Hyatt Regency, walk or run across the blue Main Street Bridge to reach the Southbank Riverwalk.
Riverside Arts Market
The Riverside Arts Market is Jacksonville’s own farmers and arts market. Walking around the stalls is a perfect way to spend a Saturday morning. Pick up a coffee from Pura Bean Coffee Company truck before heading over to the artist’s rows to browse candles, craft goods and plants. The RAM is located under the Fuller Warren Bridge, giving it shade from the sun and shelter from the rain. It takes place every Saturday from 10am to 3pm.
Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens
The Jacksonville Zoo offers an afternoon’s diversion for any lovers of flora and fauna. It offers a wide array of exhibits, from the classic large cats display to the more unique Japanese garden and interactive birdhouse. The Jacksonville zoo exhibits over 2000 animals and over 1000 plant species. As a little girl, Mackenzie went to visit the zoo monthly with her Aunt Kelly. The Zoo currently requires advance online tickets which can be bought at https://www.jacksonvillezoo.org/guidelines. It is located on the Northside of Jacksonville, so be sure to plan for a longer drive from downtown if you decide to visit.
St. Augustine
Stroll around historic St. George Street, see the fort, and grab a bite to eat at our favorite restaurants: Harry's Seafood Bar and Grille and the Ice Plant Bar/Distillery. Stanley family favorite dessert: Claude's chocolate (Address: 6 Granada St, St. Augustine, FL 32084)