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With its status as one of the largest Southern cities, Jacksonville, FL, offers so much to see and do. When you want to refresh your routine with some new weekend activities, check out this list of our three local favorites. 3 Weekend Activities You Can Drive to Near Jacksonville, FL Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens You can spend a whole day encountering thousands of plants and more than 2,000 animal species at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens, which has been one of the city's best attractions since it opened in 1914. View exotic and rare creatures from all over the world, including Sumatran and Malayan tigers, poison dart frogs, giraffes, elephants, rhinos, black bears, turtles, bald eagles, and many more. In addition to acres of plants and animals, you'll find other family fun attractions like a carousel and train ride. The zoo is located at 370 Zoo Pkwy, and you can visit seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. General admission costs $29.95 for adults, $24.95 for kids ages 3 to 12, and $27.95 for seniors when you buy tickets online in advance at the official Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens website. more Little Talbot Island State Park Take a day trip or camp for the weekend at this Florida state park, located right here in Jacksonville. Little Talbot Island State Park is one of the region's few remaining natural barrier islands, completely free of commercial and residential development. You can bike or hike on 3 miles of trails or just relax on the untouched beaches. The park also allows kayaking on Myrtle Creek, swimming, surfing, fishing, picnicking, and birdwatching. The park has rentals of both bikes and canoes for your convenience. While you're here, you can spot migrating birds, bobcats, marsh rabbits, river otters, and many other species. Little Talbot Island State Park is open from 8 a.m. to sunset every day of the year. Admission costs $5 per vehicle. The park is located at 12157 Heckscher Dr. Check the official calendar to learn about educational events, such as ranger-led hikes. Morning Yoga at the Riverside Arts Market Jacksonville's weekly Riverside Arts Market hosts free community yoga with a different volunteer instructor every Saturday morning from 9 to 10 a.m. through the end of November. After the class, you can browse the market for artisan goods like handmade jewelry and enjoy food from local vendors as well as live entertainment. Riverside Arts Market takes place at 715 Riverside Ave. It's open rain or shine from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. You'll love exploring Jacksonville's many attractions in a sleek, stylish BMW 530i sedan. Test drive this luxury car today with the team at Tom Bush BMW Orange Park.

No doubt about it, Jacksonville, FL is an amazing place to live. But sometimes it's nice to get out of the big city and experience something a little more relaxed. Let's take a look at some amazing small towns within easy driving distance of the big city. 5 Charming Small Towns in Driving Distance of Jacksonville, FL 1. Baldwin Baldwin has something for everyone. It has great places to eat, like Everybody's Restaurant, and historic sites like the Old Jail. Take a walk around downtown and enjoy the laid-back atmosphere. Baldwin is located about 20 miles west of Jacksonville. It's only a 20-minute drive from Jacksonville, so it's perfect if you want to get out of the city for a while but don't want to spend too much time on the road. If you have time, stop for a stroll along the Jacksonville Rail Trail. more 2. St George, GA Visiting the Peach State is fun, too. St George is a small Georgia community with a big heart. Home to only a few thousand people, it has a friendly cafe and tree-lined streets, while the St Marys River is close by. This quaint town can be found just over the Georgia border. It should take you around 45 minutes to drive here from downtown Jacksonville. 3. Flagler Beach Want to enjoy the Florida coastline away from the crowds? Flagler Beach might be the place for you. This small, retro town has restaurants and cafes overlooking the ocean, along with golden sands and a fishing pier. Flagler Beach is just over an hour's drive from Jacksonville. If you're making the journey down, the BMW iX can get you there with amazing efficiency! 4. Lake Butler In the warm Florida weather, it's pleasant to spend time by the water. If you want to enjoy time by the lake, the town of Lake Butler might be the place for you, since there is easy access to the water via its Lakeside Park. You can also enjoy exploring the town's historic buildings and friendly businesses. It's under an hour's drive from Jacksonville to Lake Butler. If you're a fan of cycling, bring a bike along and take a cycle on the Palatka-:Lake Butler State Trail. 5. High Springs A town of just over 3,000 people, High Springs is an ideal spot for shopping fans and nature lovers alike! Downtown is packed with small art galleries, antique stores, and other independent businesses. Nearby attractions include the Santa Fe River and Gilchrist Blue Springs State Park, offering lots of opportunities for outdoor activities. High Springs is located close to Gainesville. Driving there from Jacksonville should take you around an hour and 20 minutes. Along the way, you'll pass by other small settlements like Baldwin and Lake Butler. With a comfortable, reliable vehicle, you can enjoy the best of Florida. Come on down to Tom Bush BMW Orange Park today and check out our selection.

There are plenty of tourist attractions in Jacksonville, FL that are enjoyed by tourists and locals alike. However, there is a lot more to Jacksonville than just tourist attractions. If you know where to look, there are several hidden gems that are just as enjoyable. Here are a few of our favorites. Just Down the Road: 3 Hidden Gems in and Around Jacksonville, FL 1. Jacksonville Arboretum & Botanical Gardens One hidden gem worth visiting is Jacksonville Arboretum & Botanical Gardens (JABG) at 1445 Millcoe Road. There is a $3 admission fee for anyone over the age of 3, but it is well worth paying. JABG is often referred to as Northeast Florida's hidden jewel, and it features seven natural trails that wind through over a dozen ecosystems. If you are trying to restore your fitness after an illness, the Lake Loop Trail will likely be one of the best trails for you. It is a 0.3-mile long loop that offers stunning views of a two-acre man-made lake, and there is only a 25-foot elevation change. If you don't mind a moderate hike, we highly recommend checking out the Live Oak Trail. This half-mile trail features a live oak tree, pine flatwoods, and Pinxter Azalea. more 2. Chamblin Bookmine Chamblin Bookmine at 4551 Roosevelt Boulevard is another hidden gem that you should make time to check out. This bookstore sells a wide range of books including books covering cooking, poetry, and UFOs. If you can think of a book genre, you can probably find it here. You can also find books pre-dating the 19th century, so we strongly recommend checking out this bookstore even if you are looking for a collectible. However, you should keep in mind that they are only open from 10 to 6 Monday through Thursday and 10 to 9 Friday and Saturday. If you need to find a book on Sunday, there is a second store at 215 N. Laura Street called Chamblin's Uptown. This two-story bookstore features a cafe with plenty of vegan options and hosts several events. 3. Fort Caroline Nature lovers and history buffs alike will feel at home at Fort Caroline at 12713 Fort Caroline Road. We recommend walking down Spanish Pond's boardwalk and trail if you feel your life is too hectic. We also recommend inspecting the Ribault Monument between 9 and 4:45 Wednesday through Sunday. There are several hidden jewels in Jacksonville, but you need a reliable vehicle, like a 2024 BMW iX, to get to them. If you are ready to upgrade your current vehicle, visit us at Tom Bush BMW Orange Park to check out what we have in stock and take your favorite car for a test drive.

North Florida is a popular tourist destination, but if you live in or near the Jacksonville, FL, area, you may be looking for a different way to spend your next weekend or day off that doesn't involve tourist attractions. There's no better way to pass some time than to embark on one of the many scenic drives through the area. On your drive, you'll see white sand beaches, exquisite architecture, and natural beauty that will give you a better appreciation of Florida. Jacksonville, FL Day Trips: Three Amazing Scenic Drives You Can Take in North Florida 1. A1A Ocean Islands Trail The A1A Ocean Islands Trail is one of the most popular scenic highways in the Jacksonville area. This highway spans 39.7 miles and passes through forests, waterways, and cobbled streets. It's lined with shops, restaurants, and hundreds of historic sites where you can stop and explore along the way before you head back home. If you want to turn your day trip into a road trip and keep exploring, make sure you have a safe, comfortable, reliable, enjoyable, and, of course, luxurious vehicle. The new BMW M4 is the perfect vehicle for beach driving. You'll be able to enjoy all the benefits of driving of convertible, taste that salty ocean air, and feel the wind in your hair on all of your North Florida drives. more 2. Riverside and Avondale Historic Homes The Riverside and Avondale historic homes are located in the heart of Jacksonville. You'll find majestic mansions lining the area's streets, making it the perfect area for a leisurely drive. As you drive through the area, you can learn more about the history and will appreciate the exquisite architectural details that uniquely make each mansion its own. 3. 30A 30A is an area that's been quickly growing in popularity and has become a go-to vacation destination for those who live both in and outside of Florida, and for a good reason. Located approximately four hours west of Jacksonville, this stretch of highway doesn't have a touristy name, but it's anything but basic. 30A is a scenic 24-mile highway corridor in northwest Florida along the Gulf of Mexico. As you explore the area, you can stop at different public beach access points along the corridor, including a state park, explore the beachside communities known for their unique shops and architecture, and eat at one of the local restaurants. A luxury vehicle will make all your road trips and daily commute much better. If you're ready to upgrade to a BMW, it's a choice that you'll never regret. Visit us today at Tom Bush BMW Orange Park to browse all our luxury vehicles, test drive your favorite model, and take home your next new vehicle.