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Jacksonville

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Free activities in Jax

Check out these budget-friendly activities!

The best free things to do in Jacksonville

Fun doesn’t always come at a price, which we learned when hitting the city on a budget. We’ve scouted all the fun and free things to do in Jacksonville!

Kicker's Country Bar & Saloon

Kicker's Country Bar & Saloon brings the Nashville energy to Jacksonville, and the best part? A lot of the fun won't cost you a dime. This spot hosts free live country concerts all the time, featuring local bands and performers who know how to keep a crowd moving. Grab a spot near the boot-shaped bar, watch the bull riders take on the disco-bedazzled mechanical bull, and hit the spacious dance floor for some line dancing and two-stepping once the music kicks in. Pair it with a signature shot or two, and you've got a free night out that still feels like a full-blown country hoedown. 

Friday Mahj Club

Friday Mahj Club is the free way to spend your midday with fellow tile lovers. Every Friday from noon to 3 p.m., Mahjong in the Sun hosts complimentary open play at Really Good Beer Stop Nocatee; no registration required, just show up and play. All skill levels are welcome, so whether you're a mahjong pro or brand new to the tiles, you'll find a casual, social spot to jump in. Grab some lunch and a drink while you're at it and meet new mahj friends in a laid-back, no-pressure atmosphere. It's community game time at its easiest: free, low-key, and open to everyone. 

Walk along the St. Johns River

The Riverwalk is a great opportunity to soak in the iconic skyline of Jax, and get some exercise while you’re at it! From insta-worthy sections along the way to iconic city views and gorgeous murals, the Riverwalk is a great way to spend your day. Pro-Tip: Check out Corkscrew Park on your adventure for an awesome (and free!) place to workout.

Enjoy entertainment at JWJ

James Weldon Johnson Park always has something fun going on! From free festivals to live music, pull up a lawn chair and enjoy the afternoon entertainment. For more information and all the upcoming events, be sure to visit their events calendar for all the fun happening in downtown Jacksonville!

Take a trip to the beach

Experience the best of the First Coast with our beautiful beaches! This one might have you thinking Well, duh! but sometimes we seriously take living this close to the ocean for granted! Get out there and enjoy Florida’s beautiful year-round weather – whether it be in the hot Summer sun or mild winter breeze!

Visit a local market

Nothing says weekend fun like exploring a pop-up farmers market, and you don't have to purchase anything to have a good time! The Riverside Arts Market is our tried and true, but there are so many other amazing markets to explore for free.

Explore Chamblin Bookmine

Get lost in the Chamblin Bookmine! This amazing bookstore holds rows and rows and ROWS of novels - it's literally a maze! Browse through all your favorite genres - from fantasy to non-fiction and hunt for treasures hidden among the shelves at this iconic Jacksonville landmark!

Friendship Fountain shows

This Jacksonville staple is up and running again! When the fountain first opened in 1965, it was the world's tallest and largest fountain. Visit during the day to take in gorgeous city views or stop by at night for one of the beautiful light shows. This is a fun activity the whole family would enjoy - so be sure to stop by and observe one of Jacksonville's iconic landmarks now restored to its stunning beauty! Showtimes are 8 PM, 8:30 PM, and 9 PM nightly.

The weekend is calling

Experience Jacksonville like never before!

Get a bird’s eye view of the city

See the city from all new heights on the Jacksonville Skyway! A complimentary public transit system, the Skyway circles the city on a 2.5-mile-long elevated monorail system. Glide about the busy streets of Downtown, cross the St. Johns River and head to Kings Avenue on the Southbank. There are five stations so you can get off near some activities around the city for a day filled with cost-free adventure.

Head to Sweet Pete’s

It might be a double-edged sword to view the candy being made at Sweet Pete and not try any! At their store, you can wander through two stories of delicious candy and catch a glimpse of some of their specialty items being made. Nearly 23,000 sq. ft. of the store, this emporium of sweet delights is magical to explore (although you might have to cave and get a few pieces!).

Expand your horizons at a museum

Around the city, there are beautiful museums that are always free or free on certain days of the week! The Cummer Museum offers free days (listed below) so swing by for a tour through their art and history exhibits, science and art center, and then their stunning waterside gardens!

If you find yourself at the beach, head over to the Beaches Museum & History Park! A combination of historical artifacts local to the beaches, historic homes, and local art–this little museum makes for a free, fun, and educational exploration of the area!

MOCA is another impressive art museum with rotating and colorful interactive exhibits that are always worth a visit! Be sure to check out their free admission list, because UNF students, children under 5, and others always receive free admission.

Cummer Free Days:

  • Second and third Tuesdays, 4 to 9 PM
  • Fourth Friday of the month, 4 to 9 PM
  • First Saturdays from 11 AM to 4 PM

MOCA Free Days:

  • All visitors – Saturdays,11 AM to 5 PM

Explore the great outdoors

There are so many breathtaking natural places to see for free in and around Jacksonville, it’s hard to list them all. From the rolling sand dunes at Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park to the beautiful salt marshes in the Theodore Roosevelt Area, get a taste of Northeast Florida’s natural beauty with some of our favorite hikes in Jacksonville!

Curated by

Duval Native | Sunshine State ☀️ | Aspiring Plant Mom 🌱

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