Jacksonville Sights

  1. Alexander Brest Planetarium

    Admission to the Museum of Science & History is also good for the Alexander Brest Planetarium , which uses light-hearted humor in astronomical shows that attempt to unlock the mysteries of the universe. For an extra fee, take in a Cosmic Concert of rockin' laser-light displays, backed by surround soundtracks of anything from '80s tunes (ouch) to the full score of Pink Floyd's Wish You Were Here and Dark Side of the Moon .

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  2. Anheuser-Busch Budweiser Brewery

    Exhibits at the Anheuser-Busch Budweiser Brewery show how hops are grown and display examples of Americana, but what really inspires (apart from the free beer samples, if you're over 21) is the sight of 950 bottles of Bud per minute rattling through machinery that would look at home in a nuclear power plant. Free tours depart on the hour. Take I-95 exit 360 at Busch Dr and follow the billboards.

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  3. Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens

    Northeast Florida's best collection of art is housed in this beautifully appointed museum surrounded by spectacular gardens. Inside the Southern Tudor building you'll find woodcuts by Albrecht Dürer, Rubens' The Entombment of Christ , and George PA Healy's famous and untitled portrait of President Andrew Jackson when close to death.

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  4. Fire Museum

    A favorite with kids is the Fire Museum, which teaches them fire safety and houses an Ahrens Fox steam pumper that's believed to have fought the city's Great Fire of 1901.

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  5. Fort Caroline National Memorial

    This memorial is the administrative headquarters of the Timucuan Ecological and Historical Preserve, a confederation of federal, state and local parks working with private landowners to maintain the St John's River ecosystem.

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  6. Jacksonville Landing

    Across the river from Southbank Riverwalk, the northern bank unfurls at the foot of downtown's high-rise business district. Its most visible landmark is Jacksonville Landing. Under its roof are about 40 mostly touristy boutiques as well as a better-than-average food court with outdoor tables, and regular, free live entertainment.

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  7. Jacksonville Maritime Museum

    For an insight into how maritime history intertwines with this port city, this not-for-profit museum has an array of nautical artifacts and shipping logs.

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  8. Jacksonville Museum of Modern Art

    At Hemming Plaza, the focus of the Jacksonville Museum of Modern Art extends well beyond painting: you'll see lots of sculpture installations, prints, photography and film in excellent rotating exhibits of post-1945 creations.

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  9. Jacksonville Zoological Gardens

    Northeast Florida's only major zoo which opened in 1914 with one deer, today has over 100 exotic species. Don't miss the jaguars prowling around replicated Mayan temple ruins. Other highlights are the wetlands of Wild Florida, with rare Florida panthers, the Australian Adventure and an elevated viewing platform that brings you face to face with the giraffes.

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  10. Kids Kampus

    East along the northern bank to the peninsula brings you to the Jacksonville Sports Complex and Metropolitan Park, a sprawling outdoor space that adjoins the terrific 10-acre educational playground, Kids Kampus. Here, littlies under six can ride bikes through Safe City's 'streets' dotted with mini road signs and city landmarks.

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  12. Metropolitan Park

    East along the northern bank to the peninsula brings you to the Jacksonville Sports Complex and Metropolitan Park, a sprawling outdoor space that adjoins the terrific 10-acre educational playground, Kids Kampus. Here, littlies under six can ride bikes through Safe City's 'streets' dotted with mini road signs and city landmarks.

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  13. Museum of Science & History

    The MOSH is an outstanding museum. It has great exhibits about Jacksonville's pre-Colombian history and Spanish, French and US settlements, as well as the natural history of the St John's River system. Extra attractions include a planetarium and the Cosmic Concerts, a synergy of lasers and music.

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  14. Ritz Theatre & La Villa Museum

    This refurbished 1929-built grande dame incorporates a museum and 400-seat theater. Both showcase the La Villa area's African-American cultural heritage, which in its heyday saw it dubbed the 'Harlem of the South'. The museum's newest permanent exhibition, Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing, is an animatronic tribute to the district's native son James Weldon Johnson, composer of the slave freedom anthem of the same name. Performances at the Ritz range from choral to jazz as well as stage productions.

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  15. Sally Corporation

    If you've ever wondered how theme-park rides like Universal Studios' and 'ET Adventure' weave their robotic magic, a tour of Sally Corporation, makers of animatronics and 'dark ride' characters, will demystify a process that spans the initial design, special effects, sets, scenery, sound tracks, lighting systems and cool technology.

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