Activities in Atlantic Coast
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Southbank Riverwalk
This 1.2-mile boardwalk on the south side of the St John's River, opposite downtown and Jacksonville Landing, has spectacular views of the city's frequent firework displays. The Riverwalk connects the museums flanking Museum Circle and makes for a pleasant promenade.
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Nascar
During Prohibition, production of moonshine (corn liquor with an almighty kick) was an important part of the rural Southern economy, and young people with cars fast enough to outrun local cops handled distribution. On their time off, they tried to outrun each other; when alcohol was relegalized the races continued. The most glamorous venue was the Beach St track in Daytona, where entrepreneurial driver Bill France began promoting 'Race Weeks,' attracting thousands.
The sport took off, though it was often dismissed by other automotive enthusiasts as upstart rednecks racing cars that any mechanic could build in their own garage. France knew better, and in 1947 organized Nas…
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Sports Complex
Completed in time for the 2005 Superbowl, Jacksonville's Sports Complex encompasses the 82,000-capacity AllTel Stadium, home of the Jacksonville Jaguars, and the venue for high- profile fixtures throughout the season. In front of the stadium is the Veterans Memorial Wall tribute to local soldiers.
Also at the complex are the brand new, 16,000-capacity Veterans Memorial Arena, home to the Jacksonville Barracudas hockey team (formerly the Lizard Kings), and the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville, where the minor-league Jacksonville Suns play to a capacity crowd of 10,000.
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Daytona USA
Adjacent to the speedway, Daytona USA is a superbly flashy shrine to the sport. In addition to stock cars driven by Nascar’s biggest names, highlights include the Pit-Stop Challenge (changing a tire in 16 seconds), a 30-minute tram tour of the track and pits, a 45-minute IMAX film screening throughout the day and a motion simulator ride based on the Daytona 500. The VIP Pass ($50) gets you an extended tour, lunch and vouchers for Acceleration Alley, which is an interactive racing experience.
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Sally Corporation
If you’ve ever wondered how theme-park rides like Universal Studios’ ‘ET Adventure’ weave their robotic magic, a tour of Sally Corporation, makers of animatronics and ‘dark rides, ’ will demystify the process and explain initial design, special effects, sets, scenery, soundtracks, lighting systems and cooling technology. Free tours (reservation only) take you behind the scenes of the art and costuming, mechanical, pneumatics, and computer-programming departments.
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Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex
Houston, we have an attraction. It was perhaps inevitable that, considering its proximity to Orlando, the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex would have to come up with a ride, and thus Shuttle Launch Experience officially achieved lift-off. Reaching a top 'speed' of 17,500mph - vertically - this spookily realistic simulator ride was designed by an astronaut to feel just like taking off in a space shuttle but without all the teary goodbyes.
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Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge
You'll have a better chance of seeing something in the sky at the 140,000-acre Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, one of the country's best birding spots, especially from October to May (early morning and after 4pm). More endangered and threatened species of wildlife inhabit the swamps, marshes and hardwood hammocks here than at any other site in the continental US.
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St Augustine Eco Tours
For some truly engaging time on the water, try St Augustine Eco Tours, which has certified naturalists who take kayakers on 3-mile ecology trips. If you don’t feel like paddling, their 1½-hour boat tours explore the estuary and use hydrophones to search for bottlenose dolphins. A portion of profits go to environmental organizations.
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Surfing & Kayaking
About three blocks south of St John's Pier, the end of A St has - as Florida goes - some mighty fine waves. For the lowdown on surf conditions, or to rent or buy a board or sink into the comfy couch in the screening room for a free surf film to inspire you, make a stop at Pit Surfshop. Owner/surfer Clint Richardson also rents kayaks and skimboards.
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San Sebastian Winery
Free hour-long tours at this winery are capped with wine tastings and a video about Florida winemaking since the 1600s; there’s wine and live jazz from 7pm to 11pm at the rooftop Cellar Upstairs. If you’re around in August, join the squishy fun during the annual grape-stomping competitions.
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St Augustine Transfer Horse-Drawn Carriage Tours
Horse-drawn carriages regularly clip-clop through town to the chagrin of impatient motorists backed up behind. These actually aren't as hokey as they might seem, with knowledgeable, opinionated drivers; try St Augustine Transfer, which leaves from Av Menendez just south of the fort for a 2½-hour ride.
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St Augustine Hop-On Hop-Off Trolley Tour
3 days (Departs St Augustine, Florida)
by Viator
Sit back as the talented Old Town Trolley conductors share the history, attractions and sights of America's oldest city. Founded by Pedro Menendez de Aviles in …Not LP reviewed
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Salty Feather
For a mellower fishing experience, give kayak fishing – or yak fishing – a whirl. Sitting inside a kayak, fishing along spartina grass for mullet on a glassy tidal marsh is a postcard-perfect way to spend a day. The Salty Feather runs half-day and day trips.
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Tennis
The ATP Tour International Headquarters at Ponte Vedra Beach is, alas, for members only, but you can play tennis for free at St Augustine's four public tennis facilities at Ron Parker Park, Treaty Park, Castillo Dr and Lighthouse Park - BYO racquets and balls.
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Daytona Lagoon
Kids can burn off energy at the Daytona Lagoon, which has a tube float, tidal-wave pool and multilevel water playground, as well as arcade games, go-karts, laser tag, a climbing wall, an erupting volcano and a canon blaster firing foam balls.
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Golfing
With the PGA headquarters just down the road, and 72 courses in the greater area, there are a myriad of opportunities to tee off. You can book golf tee times online at www.visitjacksonville.com; follow the links to 'visitors', then 'golf', then 'book tee'.
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Old City Helicopters
Old City Helicopters whoosh you over downtown and beyond in the day or at sunset. They also offer after-hours flights from November through January, when the already-enchanting city glows with festive seasonal lights. Minimum two people.
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Daytona Beach
During daylight hours - tide permitting - you can still drive sections of the former race track on Daytona Beach at a top speed of 10mph. Car access to the beach costs $5 ($3 after 3pm) and is free during December and January.
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Daytona Beach Drive-in Church
In this auto-obsessed town where cars are a religion, you can pull right up for church at the Daytona Beach Drive-In Church, a former drive-in movie theater where you attach a speaker to your car to hear the sermon.
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Black Point Wildlife Dive and Village Outfitters
The best viewing is on Black Point Wildlife Drive, and Village Outfitters , which offers kayak tours for groups of four or more. Be aware that the refuge closes in the days preceding a launch.
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Victory III Scenic Cruises
The cityscape is magical from the water; tour options include Victory III Scenic Cruises offers narrated 1¼-hour cruises along the waterfront. Cruises leave from the Municipal Marina, just south of the Bridge of Lions.
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Ghosts and Gravestones - St Augustine
90 minutes (Departs St Augustine, Florida)
by Viator
WARNING... This tour is not for the faint of heart!
Embark on an adventure like no other as you journey through to the other side on the Ghosts & Gravestones Tou…
Not LP reviewed
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Anastasia State Recreation Area
Escape the tourist hordes at Anastasia Island’s recreation area, boasting a stunning beach, vibrant dunes, bike trails, a tidal salt-marsh-fringed lagoon and a campground.
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Pit Surfshop
For late-breaking surf conditions, to rent or buy a board, or to sink into the comfy couch in the screening room for a free, inspirational surf film, stop at Pit Surfshop.
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A Tiny Cruise Line
A Tiny Cruise Line runs cruises up the Halifax throughout the day and at sunset. The two-hour Midday Waterway cruise offers dolphin-spotting opportunities; BYO lunch.
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