Your Jacksonville Bucket List: From A-Z

A - Ale Trail

There are way too many great breweries in Jacksonville to choose just one! That’s why we love to ‘hops’ on the Jax Ale Trail to try them all! You can even scoop up a Brewery Passport to get stamped at each brewery as you travel around the city in search of your perfect ale! 

We suggest picking out four breweries on the ale trail to hit up to win your own Jax Ale Trail koozie!

B - BrewHound Dog Park + Bar

Get your pooch in on the fun at BrewHound Dog Park + Bar! We absolutely love making friends while our dogs do to in this combo dog park and bar! Our dogs can run around safely with all of their new friends – with a separated small and large dog park – while we can chill at the bar with a cold drink in hand!

Don’t have a dog? That’s okay! The bar is still a great bar to hang out and who doesn’t love watching doggos run around all night!

C - Chamblin Bookmine

Book lovers, this one is for you! Lose yourself in a labyrinth of books at Chamblin Bookmine, an independent bookstore with a huge and ever-growing inventory of books!

You can find just about any book ever imagined here, with an expansive selection of genres of both new and used, collectible and out-of-print novels. They also offer a book trading service, where you can “sell” your old books for store credit!

D- Dreamette

You can’t be considered a true Jacksonville native until you’ve tried a delicious ice cream cone from Dreamette, which is why we put it on our Jacksonville bucket list! This Duval original has been serving up soft-serve since 1948!

They offer chocolate, strawberry, and vanilla ice cream, but you can enhance the tastiness by dipping your cone in one of the many amazing flavors they offer! The original location is still open on Post Street in Murray Hill, but they have opened several other locations around town, which makes this an easy bucket list item!

Pro-Tip:  If you plan to visit, make sure to bring cash because most of their locations don’t accept card!

E - European Street

Another local favorite, European Street Cafe was founded in 1980 as a German deli and restaurant called Mr. Dunderbak’s, located in the Regency Square Mall! Today, it has transformed into a 3-store franchise found in Riverside, San Marco, and Jacksonville Beach. They are known for their delicious sandwiches, and have an entire menu section dedicated to Rubens! Get a taste of Germany, and other delicious European cuisines, at this award-winning deli and restaurant.

F - Fish from the Jacksonville Beach Pier

What’s more Florida than hanging out with your fishing rod and the sounds of waves crashing into the beach? Nothing, there really is nothing more Florida than taking a day to fish at the Jacksonville Beach Fishing Pier!

We love going to the pier after a long day of work and letting out line do the work while we watch the sun go down over the horizon!

G - Get Up and Go Kayaking

Jacksonville is surrounded by water – from the St. Johns River and the beach to the beautiful natural springs just a day trip away! It would be a shame if you didn’t experience part of what makes Florida so beautiful and unique! With Get Up and Go Kayaking, you can experience some of the clearest water in the state at some of the prettiest springs in our area! Get out, and get exploring!

H- Hamburger Mary’s

Hamburger Mary’s is the most Florida of Florida burger shops and it is a must visit on your Jacksonville bucket list! We love having our own Hamburger Mary’s right in town to stop at for big juicy burgers and all of their drag queen events!

Pride is year round at Hamburger Mary’s and that’s just how we like it with with weekly drag queen revue’s and bingos to enjoy! Make sure to keep an eye on their event schedule so you can get the full Jacksonville and Hamburger Mary’s experience!

I - Ice Skate at Community First Igloo

Lace up those skates for a totally unique Florida activity! Many people don’t associate ice skating with Florida but the team at Community First Igloo have made it one of Jacksonville’s most lovable activities! 

We love having a cute and cozy date night with the bae at Community First Igloo, holding hands around the rink and then grabbing some hot chocolate to warm back up to Florida temps!

Pro tip: check out their awesome weekly specials for family fun nights and how to get free rentals!

J - Jaguars Game

Here in Jacksonville, we are super proud of our professional sports teams and we love spending fall Sunday’s cheering on the Jaguars! We love our team, and the crazy fans we get to see and meet during games! 

But the best part is totally tailgating with friends before the game! We love filling up on burgers and dogs and then heading into the stadium ready to cheer our heads off!

We suggest a game later in the season to take advantage of that crispy December temperature!

K- Kanine Social

L - Le Dream

One of the newest spa’s in town, Le Dream is a must go destination to relax and get pampered! This spa is luxurious and has so many services to create your perfect dream spa day! From your typical manicure to micro blading and even lip blushing, you’ll come out feel refreshed and better than ever!

We love pampering ourselves with our besties in tow and booking a whole party to enjoy with friends!

M - Murals

What better way to appreciate Jacksonville and its patrons than touring all the murals? We love our local artists and all of the great Jacksonville icons that inspire their work! Jacksonville is full of murals that honor some great Jacksonville views and animals and promote businesses throughout downtown! 

We suggest packing a bag full of water and renting a bike to explore all of the Jacksonville murals on display! This is definitely one of the most fun free things to do in Jax!

N - Nailed It DIY

Looking to get crafty? Nailed it DIY Studio is a fun way to build your own unique creations!

Located in the St. Johns Town Center, this studio is the perfect spot for those who want to get creative! Hand-build, with instruction from their experts, home decor for your home! Plus, they offer private events and take-and-make projects so everyone can create their own masterpiece!

O - Old Town Cycle Cruise

Even though it’s in St. Augustine, we still put this on our Jacksonville Bucket List because it’s just THAT fun! The peddle boat parties never stop on the Jacksonville area water with Old Town Cycle Cruise! This is one of our favorite cycle cruises because it’s so customizable and even easier to have fun with friends! 

Our favorite? The sunset tour so we can see the St. Augustine skyline in all of its glory in the shimmering pinks and reds of the sunset! We suggest a midweek sunset tour to add a little Jacksonville fun to your week!

P - Porchfest

Experience Jacksonville’s oldest original front porch neighborhood in a truly unique way. Located in Historic Springfield, Porchfest is a fun event for the whole family! This free live music festival allows participants to stroll through the beautiful streets of this iconic Jacksonville neighborhood and venture from porch to porch to listen to local musicians.

Walk through booths of local vendors offering food and drink, and arts and crafts! This year, Porchfest will take place at the beginning of November, so be sure to mark your calendars now and add it to your Jacksonville bucket list!

Q - Q-Cup Boba Tea

Enjoy authentic Vietnamese food and delicious sweet boba teas from Q-Cup! They offer a wide variety of Vietnamese cuisine, from Bahn Mi sandwiches to savory Pho. They also have tons of boba tea flavors to satisfy any sweet tooth! Add Q-Cup to your bucket list if you’re looking to broaden your cultural cuisine horizon! Be sure to stop here for an excellent dining experience and amazing food!

R - Rage Room

Okay, we know we have said so many times how unique Jacksonville businesses are, but what can we say, we just have some of the best places to go! The Rage Room at Break a Room is one of the coolest places we’ve been! 

Even when we’ve spent the week all angry, it’s hard not to have fun and giggle when smashing anything and everything in sight in a Rage Room! These rooms were designed to get your anger out in a fun and safe environment! This is what to do in Jacksonville, Florida if it’s raining outside!

If you’re a little less rage-y, they also have paint rooms and axe throwing rooms!

S- Sherwood's

While this bar has been a Jacksonville staple since 1968, Sherwood’s is new and improved! After severe flooding from Hurricane Irma and having to close due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this bar and lounge is finally back to its full form.

From arcade games to pool, beer pong to darts, this bar has so much to offer! They also have special events during the weekdays, like karaoke and trivia, and live music on the last Friday of every month. Also, look out for a new mural by local artist Jason Tetlak, who painted the Bill Murray Mural in Murray Hill, which will brightly color Sherwood’s outside wall. Sherwood’s is definitely a spot you’ll want to check out the next time you’re going out with friends!

T - Tiger Records

Tiger Records is a must visit when you’re crossing off items on your Jacksonville bucket list! This new and used record store in Jacksonville will have you thinking of easier times. Their wide selection has your dads favorite artists all the way up to some of the new hits like Twenty One Pilots! 

We could spend hours rummaging through their old records, finding the one that speaks to us and we know you’ll find your new favorite record here too!

U- U Pick Sunflowers

Immerse yourself in beautiful blooms at Conners A-Maize-ing Acres for their biannual U-Pick Sunflower fields! They plant these cheerful flowers in the Summer and Fall, so be sure to plan a day trip to the farm during one of these seasons. Visit for beautiful golden hour photos and pick a beautiful bouquet to bring home! There are also adorable farm animals to meet during your visit and plenty of other fun activities the whole family will love!

V- Valhalla Axe Throwing

Want to bring out your inner Viking? Visit Valhalla Axe Throwing in Fleming Island! Bring friends and family, and compete head-to-head to see who’s aim is the best! Don’t know how to throw? Don’t worry! They can help you learn!

Pro-Tip: Wear comfy clothes so you can throw to your full potential!

W- Waterfall at Bulls Bay

Nestled in 1,222 acres acquired by the City of Jacksonville as part of a conservation easement for mitigation, Bulls Bay Preserve buffers the Jacksonville-Baldwin Rail Trail. Located from Imeson Road to Bulls Bay Hwy, this preserve consists of mostly wetlands with tributaries to the Ortega and Trout rivers. Hiking Bulls Bay Preserve is an easy 2 miles of trails at the Old Plank Road trailhead. You can also stroll down the northern swamp path and pass by giant live oak trees, beautiful lily ponds, and abundant nature. The variety of slight elevation changes makes this trail a fun North Florida hike.

Pro Tip: Snap a selfie at the waterfall!

X- Xtreme Wings Sports Grille

Looking for a spot to watch sports with the whole family? Or an awesome spot to grab a bite with friends? With four locations across Jacksonville, Xtreme Wings Sports Grille is the perfect place for you!

Known for their amazing wings, Xtreme Wings Sports Grille, offers so much more. We recommend to try the Scuff Potato Skins, the Saucy Wedge Fries, and the Chicken Salad Melt!

Y- Yoga with Goats at Little Peeps Farm

Downward dog…more like downward goat! While this isn’t your traditional yoga studio…it’s still something you should DEF check out. Little Peeps Farm invites you and all of your fellow yogis to Goat Yoga! All of the goats, including the babies, are extremely friendly and love having visitors. Plus, when they’re feeling crazy, they might even perform some crazy jumps. If you’re looking for a one-of-a-kind experience, Goat Yoga is a must add to your Jacksonville bucket list!

Z- Jacksonville Zoo

Last, but certainly not least, we have the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens! This iconic Jax attraction is perfect for the whole family! With interactive and educational experiences and award-winning exhibits, the Jacksonville Zoo is a must-do! This is one of the most fun activities Jacksonville Fl has to offer, in our opinion!

With unique exhibits that allow you to lay under penguins as they swim, walk next to tigers as they roam, and feed stingrays, the Jax Zoo is a one-of-a-kind experience that everyone should have.