Jacksonville, the largest city by area in the United States, floods the banks of three bridges with twinkling skyscrapers. While this Floridian leviathan is known as a business mecca, there are plenty of other experiences here to draw you back again and again.
Glittering riverside piers and parks, a vast and innovative food scene, vintage shopping and interplanetary musings are just some of the attractions that lodge Jax firmly in the hearts of its visitors.
It's incredibly easy to organise flights to and hotels in Jacksonville. Flights from Dublin to Jacksonville run regularly, as do flights from Cork. The time difference between Jacksonville and the UK is five hours (Jacksonville is behind), and the currency is, of course, the US dollar.
Between March and May and September and November are the most pleasant times to visit Jacksonville. During this time, the weather is balmy and the visitor numbers are low. Hotter temperatures tend to attract a colony of beach fans to the city and bump up prices. Prices drop with the temperature.
Chill out at one of Jacksonville's numerous beaches. Some of the most picturesque are to be found in Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park. Generally free from the seething crowds of summer Jax-comers, this 2.5 mile stretch of sand is immaculate. Spanish moss flourishes on the banks of the dunes, feeding into the forest. Kick back and watch the gulls soar and flutter overhead.
Contemplate your position in the universe at the Museum of Science and History, or MOSH as it's colloquially known. The collection charts the history of Jacksonville, culminating in one of the largest single lens planetariums in America. It's the perfect place for familial days of discovery.
Make the pilgrimage to Treaty Oak – whereas it looks like several trees, its vast branches stem to a single trunk. The oak throws out an expanse of shade, which is perfect for picknicking under. It's the oldest living thing in the city, dating back almost 300 years.
Jacksonville's vast metropolitan expanse is wound with rivers that afford stunning views. Here are the very best of them:
Southern fried chicken isn't the only culinary delight awaiting you in Jacksonville. The Floridian city with the mostest doesn't skimp on edible delights. Try fish-shaped waffles at Five F(x), doughnut burgers at M Shack, and homemade pop tarts at Vagabond Coffee.
If some local hospitality is what you're after, come to Southern Charm, which looks like a gas (petrol) station by the side of the road. Don't be fooled. Art Jennette serves vast portions of southern soul food, including pork chops, collard greens and fried green tomatoes. Why not take a free tour of the celebrated Anheuser-Busch Budweiser brewery? You can see the brewing process, learn the secrets that make this brand so widely enjoyed, and even pull a pint of free beer for yourself.
If you enjoyed your time at Jacksonville's premier brewery, why not return home with a few glasses from the brewery to completely enjoy your next beverage? There are plenty of exciting varieties of brew here to take away with you, too. For vintage clothing, handmade products and local delicacies, make your way to Vintage Market Days. The market teems with passionate vendors ready to enthrall you with their wares, and provides a unique shopping experience that will surely become a treasured memory of package holidays in Jacksonville.