Imagine the exhilaration of free-falling from thousands of feet above, diving deep into history with an immersive adventure or experiencing the electric atmosphere of a professional sports event – these moments are just a taste of what a well-crafted bucket list can offer.
Bucket lists can contain life goals from all sorts of categories! No matter if you are more of thrill seeker, wanting to try something new or just looking to take the next step in your life, a bucket list is a fun way to put all your dreams and goals out into the universe.
From daring activities to must-see sights, Northeast Florida is home to multiple attractions that are the perfect for all types of bucket lists. Need help planning? Here is a list of different activities and attractions to create your perfect JAX bucket list:
Attention all adventure seekers! If jumping from a plane, plummeting around 10,000 feet at 125mph sounds fun to you, check out Skydive Amelia Island. Not only will this once-in-a-lifetime attraction give you a rush of adrenaline, but you will also get the chance to take in the beautiful views of Amelia Island. This skydiving team is made up of many trained and skilled instructors, so you will definitely be in good hands.
Photo Credits: @SkydiveAmeliaIsland
Take on the thrill of a challenge and try to nail a bullseye at Stumpy’s Hatchet House Springfield! Axe throwing might seem intimidating, but before you do any throwing, you will be assigned a coach that will help you nail down the basics. After that, you and your friends will get to give it a go! If you think you have good aim, make sure to add this to your bucket list.
Parasailing gives you the perfect mix of sight-seeing and adventure as you glide high above the water with the wind in your hair. St. Augustine Parasail lets you and up to two others soar through the sky over water. During your ride, you will get the chance to take in the breathtaking views of the ocean and the St. Augustine skyline. This activity is perfect for a group, and it will definitely make your day memorable. (Please note: the minimum age for this attraction is 5).
Columbia Restaurant is known as Florida’s oldest restaurant and, here in JAX, we are home to one of their locations. The restaurant is located in the heart of St. Augustine and offers many different Spanish/Cuban dishes. This restaurant is not only tasty, but the décor is absolutely stunning and makes your experience even more enjoyable.
A tip from Find Your JAX: order one of their famous tableside sangria pitchers and enjoy a vibrant, refreshing mix of fruit and wine!
Located in Jacksonville Beach, Taco Lu is known for their amazing food, drinks and atmosphere. From their Sangria-rita to their bangin’ shrimp taco, this restaurant has great Mexican cuisine dishes and drinks. Taco Lu also has a beautiful outdoor seating area, so you can enjoy JAX’s amazing climate year-round while eating your food.
Fun Fact: Taco Lu is home to a ghost named Alpha Paynter. Make sure to ask your server about her, whenever you visit!
Photo Credits: @TacoLuJaxBeach
One of the many things JAX prides itself on is seafood… and if you haven’t been there already, make sure to add Safe Harbor Seafood to your bucket list. Located right on the water in Mayport, this restaurant offers a wide variety of tasty dishes. They also catch their fish daily, which makes their food even more delicious.
A tip from Find Your JAX: this restaurant also has a seafood market located across the street if you want to try your hand at crafting a mouth-watering dish with fresh fish!
St. Augustine is home to many different historical landmarks that are must-sees. Get a glimpse into St. Augustine’s past with an immersive, historical experience at the oldest masonry fort in the United States: Castillo de San Marcos National Monument. The construction for this fort began in 1672 and now you can go inside and take a tour – perfect for all ages!
For a list of even more landmarks in the nation’s oldest city, click here.
If you love all things nature, then this is the perfect JAX landmark to add to your bucket list. Washington Oaks Gardens State Park is located in Palm Coast and is home to multiple different plant species. Outside of just taking in the beautiful scenery that this park offers, you are also able to bike, fish and hike. This park also hosts events, so make sure to keep an eye out on their website.
Riverside & Avondale is a must-see area in JAX due to its charming blend of historic architecture, multiple shops, restaurants and vibrant culture. This neighborhood will give you that historic vibe while still offering fun and lively attractions! Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens is just one of the few activities in this area that everyone will enjoy.
If you’re a JAX local, you must attend at least one Jaguars home game in your life (but really, we mean at least one per season!). This is a great way to dive into your community, support your home team and meet other Jags fans. Located in Downtown Jacksonville at Everbank Stadium, these home games are lively and exciting! Make sure to keep an eye out on this team’s schedule to see when they will be playing here.
A tip from Find Your JAX: tailgating in Jacksonville is a beloved tradition – from grilling out at the fairgrounds to supporting local breweries and restaurants at the block parties around the stadium, there’s no shortage of ways to get pumped before the game!
Photo Credits: @Jaguars
The Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens is home to many different animals and plants, which makes this attraction so amazing to see. From Komodo dragons to manatees, they really have it all. You can also take your visit up a notch by booking an exclusive behind-the-scenes experience with some of the animals!
All throughout JAX, there’s tons of places to enjoy the water and kayak. North Guana Outpost, however, offers many different types of kayak tours. One of the tours they offer is a bioluminescent tour – you’re able to set out on the water during the night and experience kayaking like never before. This tour will definitely be something to remember and is great to do with a group! (Please note: this tour is not recommended for young ones under the age of 5).
No matter if you’re a long-time local or just moved to the area, a JAX bucket list is a fun way to explore and try new things in the region. Northeast Florida offers a wide variety of activities and attractions, so no matter what you are looking for, JAX has you covered.
What are you most excited to add to your JAX bucket list?!