For an easy weekend getaway from Savannah, Jacksonville provides a multitude of opportunities for fun, within a few hours drive. Recently I had the opportunity for just such a weekend jaunt, and found Jacksonville to be friendly, entertaining, and affordable.

Leaving early on Saturday morning, we made an easy drive of a few short hours to arrive at our first Jacksonville destination: The Jacksonville Zoo. I confess: I’m a zoo snob. Perhaps out of tenderheartedness, I only go to zoos that have large, natural enclosures for the animals. I wasn’t sure what to expect. After all, I’ve been to some of the nation’s best zoos: Atlanta, San Diego, D.C. Jacksonville seemed an improbable place for a good quality zoo. I couldn’t have been more wrong. While not huge, the zoo is eminently walkable (much more so than the hilly San Diego zoo!) and easy to navigate. For those less inclined to walk (or those with small children) the zoo also features a sightseeing train. The animal enclosures are organized by geographical location, making for an interesting tour around the world. The various animals make more sense within the context of the continent they come from, and seeing these animals near other animals that they would meet in the wild provides a type of safari experience.

The newest part of the zoo is the Asian Garden, a pagoda surrounded by groomed gardens and a pond crisscrossed with bridges painted a vibrant green. The residents of this Zen-inspired space included two very large and intimidating komodo dragons, each about 6 feet in length.

I am, at heart, a cat lover (just ask my two spoiled kitties at home!). So predictably, I was drawn to the various cats in the zoo. The lions were impressive, napping in the sun like their smaller cousins in my living room window. The leopards were stunningly beautiful, and a replica Mesoamerican temple provided excellent viewpoints for watching those sleeping cats.

After several hours spent wandering through these exhibits, we checked into our hotel, and walked out the front door to go exploring. Thanks to an online hotel bidding site, I reserved an affordable and beautiful room right off of the St. John’s River, which bisects Jacksonville and provides boating and sightseeing fun. The hotel featured a gorgeous view of the city overlooking the river, easy access to pedestrian areas of town, a gym (for those who think that vacations are for exercising!), restaurants inside the lobby (for those of us who know vacations are about food!), and a fantastic rooftop pool and spa. Due to Jacksonville’s growth, there are a number of high quality hotels in the downtown area, and rooms can be reserved for very reasonable rates in the off-season.

Next to the St. John’s River is a riverwalk area, beautifully paved with brick and leading to an open air plaza surrounded by gelato shops, clothing stores, and other specialty retailers. A live band played to the dozens of people who had gathered on that clear Saturday afternoon, and children danced and ate their ice cream to the strains of the music.

Since the day was hot, we opted for a dip in the pool and a late dinner. The rooftop pool provided a lovely panorama of the city and the bridge over the St. John’s River. A languid soak later, we went in search of delicious food at a local restaurant. Being partial to Scottish and Irish pubs, some research yielded the name of O’Brothers Pub, a small restaurant and bar with live music and a large audience of locals. The service was exceptional and the food was fantastic! The plate containing my favorite meal, Bangers & Mash (sausages and potato) was artfully decorated with the name of the pub in various types of mustard.

After a filling and enjoyable meal, we headed out for a stroll around the neighborhood. This area, a revitalized part of town called Riverside, is full of haunts of the local population – bars, fun shops and quirky consignment stores with unique vintage clothing hanging in the windows. Live music emanated from multiple locations, proving that a thriving nightlife exists in Jacksonville.

The next morning, after a delicious breakfast buffet in the hotel lobby, we drove to one of Jacksonville’s several huge flea markets in search of hidden treasure. We didn’t exactly uncover a new Picasso, but the variety of wares for sale provided plenty of fun window shopping. A short drive later we were back in Savannah, rested and relaxed after a short but very pleasant visit.

So next time you’re in need of a quick weekend getaway, look no further than Jacksonville, where you can find a wide assortment of parks, museums, and fun tourist destinations, all in a friendly package. You won’t be disappointed!

Photos by Kelli Nottingham
Questions or comments? Email Editor@SavannahBest.com