At 840 square miles, Jacksonville is the largest city in the continental United States granting endless experiences as widespread as the city itself.  Opportunities abound as the region's natural beauty compliments the metropolitan skyline, and water, the most defining element in Jacksonville, provides a breathtaking front seat.

The St. Johns River, divides Downtown Jacksonville in two panoramic districts giving way to gorgeous views from riverside restaurants, nightlife hotspots, theaters and galleries.  Surf, fish, swim or simply soak up the rays on over 20 miles of wide, pristine beaches along the Atlantic Ocean.   Spend time kayaking, spotting wildlife and hiking in our marshes and national parks before setting sail on a Caribbean voyage from our cruise terminal...

Perhaps a different kind of recreation is what stimulates you? Retail therapy in Jacksonville is available at your fingertips from chic and trendy boutiques in historic neighborhoods to major shopping meccas.  Dance under the stars at one of the many genres of music festivals held annually.  Or challenge yourself on the greens at one of Northeast Florida's 72 golf courses.  Sporting events reign supreme in Jacksonville, from the NFL Jacksonville Jaguars and collegiate showdowns to root, root, rooting for the hometown baseball team and rugby club.  The possibility for an unforgettable experience is waiting.

Jacksonville and her beaches are located on the Atlantic Ocean of Northeast Florida.  With a moderate temperature year-round, the destination is the perfect spot for a romantic getaway, family fun, meetings and conventions and anything in between.  Home to numerous festivals, national and international sporting events, beautiful beaches and world-class art and culture, make our slice of Florida yours.

Unpretentious metropolitan style meets stunning natural beauty… Jacksonville captures the essence of a lifestyle and landscape reflecting the real Florida. Discover the heart of the city and endless stretches of pristine beaches, while exploring the region’s unique shopping, numerous dining options and warm Southern hospitality. Make plans to get to know Jacksonville. Where Florida Begins.

Location: Situated along the east coast in North Florida — Jacksonville is a hub of activity and travel. Interstate 10 and Interstate 95 form a crossroads in Jacksonville, creating a gateway to Florida. With Amelia Island to the north and historic St. Augustine to the south — the city of Jacksonville is “Where Florida Begins.”

Accommodations: With nearly 16,000 guest rooms conveniently located throughout the city, visitors to Jacksonville will have a comfortable place to lay their heads after a full day of sightseeing. Whether seeking upscale resort settings, luxury Downtown hotels, motels or historic bed & breakfast inns, the Jacksonville area has lodging options to suit every taste and budget.

Airport: Jacksonville International Airport (JIA) supports travel to and from Northeast Florida with non-stop flights to more than 30 cities. Many regional air carriers have added service out of Jacksonville, expanding flight service to popular cities in the United States.

Fast Facts About Jacksonville:

-Jacksonville is 840 square miles, making it the largest city in the continental United States.
-Jacksonville was once the “Hollywood” of the silent-film era, with more than 300 silent movies made here in the early 1900s. The first-ever Technicolor film, The Gulf Between, was filmed in Jacksonville in 1917.
-Singers Pat Boone and Rita Coolidge were both born and raised in Jacksonville. Other music notables with Jacksonville connections are famed Southern rockers Lynyrd Skynyrd, .38 Special, Marcus Roberts, Slim Whitman and modern rockers Limp Bizkit and Yellowcard.
-Jacksonville was named one of the top five “Up and Coming” cities in the country by Good Morning America in 2006.
-Jacksonville was home to Super Bowl XXXIX in 2005 with a match up between the Philadelphia Eagles and the New England Patriots.
-With 111,669 acres of parks, including the 46,000-acre Timucuan Ecological & Historic Preserve, Jacksonville boasts the largest urban park system in the country, taking pride in protecting the natural beauty of the area for all residents and visitors to enjoy.
-Northeast Florida is home to more than 70 golf courses, the World Golf Hall of Fame, PGA Tour headquarters and host of THE PLAYERS Championship.
-Jacksonville has been a homeport for Carnival Cruise Lines since 2004.
-Jacksonville was named for Gen. Andrew Jackson, the first military governor of Florida who, incidentally, never visited Jacksonville.
-The Great Fire of 1901 sparked from a chimney and ignited a fiber factory crippling the heart of the city. In its aftermath, the fire destroyed 446 acres and 2,368 buildings and left 8,677 residents homeless.
-Famed architect Henry John Klutho designed many buildings in Jacksonville following the Great Fire including the St. James Building in 1912 which served as a department store. Jacksonville’s City Hall now calls this building its home. Many of his buildings in Jacksonville are currently on the National Register of Historic Places.
-In the early 1900s, the Ostrich Farm, located on what is today’s Southbank of Downtown, was the city’s biggest tourist draw.
-Jacksonville native Bob Hayes is the only man to win an Olympic gold medal and a Super Bowl ring.
-Built in 1997, Jacoby Symphony Hall is the only true orchestra hall in Florida and is home to the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra.
-The Florida Theatre was home to Elvis Presley’s first indoor concert in 1956. A local judge sat through the performance to ensure Presley’s body movements would not become too suggestive.
-The Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens, founded in 1914, began its animal collection with one red deer fawn. Today, the zoo is home to more than 2,000 animals and over 1,000 unique plant species.
-Pete’s, the oldest bar in Duval County, was featured in the John Grisham novel The Brethren.