20 Free Things to Do in Jacksonville Florida with Kids

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From museums to concerts and art walks, you’ll find plenty of free things to do in Jacksonville, Florida. This river city also has beautiful beaches and an extensive parks system for an array of outdoor family fun on the cheap.

Located in northeast Florida, Jacksonville has an ideal year-round climate for outdoor family fun. The river city has both ocean beaches and river walk attractions along the St. Johns River. Fun fact: The St. Johns River is a unique river that flows north.

Our list of 20 free things to do in Jacksonville, Florida offers a wide range of family-friendly activities. Plus, if you have your own kayak or bike you’ll find plenty of places for kayaking and biking – all free if you bring your own equipment. Find more free things to do in St. Augustine, a short drive away. And, if you’ve got some cash to spend, there are lots more fun things to do in Jacksonville that aren’t free.

SheBuysTravel Tip: In these uncertain times, opening days and times can change without notice. Always call ahead or check the website for the most up-to-date info so no one is disappointed!

1. Hit the Beach

Social distancing is easy on the wide open Jacksonville Beaches — One of the top free things to do in Jacksonville: hit the beach. Photo credit: Sarah Gilliland

Our family fun always starts at the beach. Spend the day on the white sand at Jacksonville Beach. Little Talbot Island State Park and Big Talbot Island State Park also have prime beaches.

2. Outdoor arts and Culture

The Riverside Arts Market, held every Saturday, is like a farmers market on steroids. In addition to fresh produce and prepared foods, the market features musicians and local artisans. Spend the day enjoying the live entertainment along St. Johns River.

SheBuysTravel Tip: Every November, children receive free admission at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens, Catty Shack Ranch Wildlife Sanctuary, the Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens, the Museum of Science and History (MOSH), and more.

3. Trees and Flowers

Look for birds at the Jacksonville Arboretum & Gardens. Photo credit: Jacksonville Arboretum & Gardens

Jacksonville Arboretum and Gardens requests a donation, but you can visit without paying and explore nature and hiking trails. This is a great place for bird watching.

4. History Time

Beaches Museum explores Jacksonville’s growth from fishermen to pioneers to its heyday as a “gilded-age seaside resort.” It offers free admission to all.

5. Kingsley Plantation

Visit Kingsley Plantation, the oldest Plantation house in Florida. The site, operated by the National Parks Service, includes slave quarters, a barn, waterfront, the plantation house and kitchen house, and a garden. There is also a free audio tour available daily.

SheBuysTravel Tip: Pets are allowed, except in buildings.

6. Live Music

The Jacksonville Jazz Fest, held in fall, includes four days of live entertainment from world renowned jazz musicians.

7. Hike the Nature Trails

Hiking trails at Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve, one of the fun things to do in Jacksonville. Photo credit: NPS

The 46,000-acre Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve includes a visitors center and hiking trails through diverse ecosystems. The area is also one of the last unspoiled coastal wetlands on the Atlantic Coast.

8. Take Another Hike

The Sawmill Slough Preserve has several short hiking trails, from one along a boardwalk with interpretative signs, to nature trails through swamps and woods. You can also hike to see a giant Cypress Tree that is over 600-years-old.

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SheBuysTravel Tip: Bring bug repellent. You’re welcome.

9. Tour a Brewery

Take a tour of the Budweiser Brewery and enjoy a free beer tasting afterwards. Bring ID showing you are over 21. Kids can come on the Budweiser Experience, but they can’t sip the beer. The Budweiser Experience is temporarily closed due to COVID-19.

10. First Saturdays

The Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens has free admission on the first Saturday of each month. You can enjoy interactive art-making activities for all ages in the gardens, live music, and a guided tour at 2 pm. The riverfront museum features art from 2100 B.C. to the 21st Century, with masterpieces by Peter Paul Rubens, Winslow Homer and Norman Rockwell.

11. Art Walks

The Jacksonville Downtown Art Walk, on the first Wednesday of the month, includes over 40 open galleries. The Museum of Contemporary Art Jacksonville offers free admission. On the second Tuesday of the month, the Jacksonville Beach Art Walk includes galleries and live music. Both events are 5 – 9 pm.

12. Ride the Monorail

The 2.5-mile Jacksonville Skyway connects Jacksonville Landing in downtown Jacksonville on the Northbank to the Southbank’s Museum of Science and History and Friendship Fountain. You can get on and off, cross the St. Johns River, and get an elevated tour of the city.

SheBuysTravel Tip: The Jacksonville Skyway runs Monday – Friday only, with weekend service during special events.

13. Jax River Jams Concert Series

In April, enjoy live entertainment every weekend. The four-week concert series, at Riverfront Plaza, includes food trucks.

14. See a Fort

At Fort Caroline National Memorial, explore a replica fort built by the first European settlers. The Timucuan Preserve Visitor Center has artifacts from the Timucuan Indians.

15. Animatronics and Dark Rides

If you or your kids are afraid of clowns, watch out on the Sally Tour. Photo credit: Sally Dark Rides

Tour Sally Corporation, the makers of animatronics and dark rides. The free tours are offered hourly on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 – 1 pm. There are no tours June through August. Advance reservations are required.

SheBuysTravel Tip: Minimum age is 7.

16. Oldest Florida Market

Browse over 50 booths with fresh produce, ethnic and specialty food at The Jacksonville Farmers Market. The daily market, the oldest farmers market in Florida, is a great place to pick up a low cost lunch to eat outdoors.

17. Take a Selfie

The Friendship Fountain on the Southbank of downtown is a perfect spot day or night for a family selfie. This is also where you can view July 4th fireworks.

18. Urban Parks

Jacksonville has the largest outdoor urban park systems in the United States, with over 80,000 acres of parks. Jacksonville has three national parks, seven state parks and over 400 city parks, so spend your getaway exploring the outdoors.

Checking out the pumpkins at the Jacksonville Farmers Market. Photo credit: Jacksonville Farmers Market

19. Story Time

The main branch of the Public Library, in downtown Jacksonville, has story times for kids. These are paused due to COVID-19. The library also features an atrium with a fountain.

SheBuysTravel Tip: The library is closed on Sundays.

20. Sculpture Walk

Take a self-guided sculpture walk through Jacksonville’s outdoor museums, with art around the city.