Just Down the Road: 3 Spots for Local Art in Jacksonville, FL

Having fun doesn't have to be expensive. There are plenty of free things to do in Jacksonville, FL, whether you're visiting the area or planning a fun staycation. And with an eco-friendly vehicle like the 2024 BMW X5, you can explore the area while reducing your environmental footprint. 5 Free Things to Do Near Jacksonville, FL Atlantic Beach Spending an afternoon at the beach is the perfect way to enjoy the warm Florida weather. Atlantic Beach is within 15 miles of the downtown area, and it runs alongside Ocean Boulevard and Beach Avenue. From swimming to sunbathing, the beach is a popular leisure spot. You can also get out of the sun and enjoy some shade at the nearby parks, including Johansen Park and Waters Park. more James Weldon Johnson Park Formerly known as Hemming Park, James Weldon Johnson Park is located at the corner of West Duval Street and North Laura Street in the Downtown area. The central fountain provides some much-needed shade on a hot day, and the mosaics and art installations make for some great photo ops. Friendship Fountain Perhaps one of the most recognizable Jacksonville landmarks, the Friendship Fountain is in St John Rivers Park between South Main Street and Acosta Expressway. The fountain and its surrounding park are a popular spot for taking a stroll in the shade and snapping a few selfies. The city is currently working on developing a light show that would illuminate the fountain in the evenings. Timucuan Preserve You can't visit Jacksonville without driving to the Timucuan Ecological and Historical Preserve located to the northeast of the city. Inside the preserve, you'll find the Fort Caroline Memorial, an area dedicated to a settlement that dates back to the 16th century. You'll also get to see the Kingsley Plantation, a historical building from the 18th century. An audio tour is available for the plantation, and you can see the inside if you visit the preserve during an open house weekend. Riverside Avondale Historic District Riverside and Avondale are two historic neighborhoods located in the southwest portion of Jacksonville, near St Johns River. If you're looking for something to do, taking a stroll through these neighborhoods is a great way to discover some unique buildings and see what life in Jacksonville is like. If you're in the area on a Saturday, don't miss the Riverside Arts Market near Riverside Avenue and the Fuller Warren Bridge. The Riverside Avondale Preservation Society also organizes some fun events, including free bike tours of the neighborhood, garden tours, live music, and more. Make your trip or staycation in Jacksonville feel even more special with these free activities! When you're done exploring the area, stop by Tom Bush BMW Orange Park to learn more about our new and pre-owned inventory!

The BMW 3 Series delivers a high-end driving experience with precision handling and swift acceleration. For a high-end dining experience you can enjoy right here in Jacksonville, FL, take a drive down to these local Japanese restaurants and check out the fantastic cuisine they have to offer you. 5 Japanese Restaurants Worth the Drive Near Jacksonville, FL 1. Sushi Zen One bite of the fresh sushi served at Sushi Zen will bring you to a state of enlightenment with the incredible flavors you'll experience. Their Out of Control Roll is one dish we came back to order again and again, with spicy cucumber and tuna topped off with yellowtail, salmon, spicy mayo, and crunch to add some texture. You can find this local gem at 731 Duval Station Road. more 2. Kazu Japanese Restaurant Fresh ingredients prepared with the utmost care create some phenomenal dishes at Kazu Japanese Restaurant. Start your meal off here with a bowl of shrimp coconut curry soup, then order some crispy chicken katsu served alongside fresh cucumber and tasty tonkatsu sauce for your entree. Authentic Japanese cuisine can be found in our area at 9965 San Jose Boulevard. 3. Wasabi Steak House The folks at Wasabi Steak House know that it takes both great food and great service to create an outstanding dining experience, and they provide both for every guest who eats here. Our favorite dish to order here is their Samurai Dinner, which gives you a powerful trio of ribeye, shrimp, and chicken to feast on. Take a drive to 10206 Rivercoast Road for a bite of what they're serving here. 4. Sushiko Japanese Restaurant High-quality food and an ambience that will make you feel right at home throughout your meal makes eating at Sushiko Japanese Restaurant a special experience. Any seafood lover out there has got to try the red snapper teriyaki served here, which comes with a vegetable medley and your choice of either rice or noodles to round off the dish. They have a seat waiting for you at 3620 St. John's Avenue. 5. Fusion Sushi Fantastic sushi at a great value can be found at Fusion Sushi, letting you satisfy all your cravings without emptying out your wallet. The pan-fried or steamed gyoza makes the perfect appetizer to wake your taste buds up with. Then try out the spicy Dynamite Roll to finish your meal with some fiery heat. Be the next guest to enjoy the flavors here when you stop in at 1550 University Boulevard West. You'll be blown away by the dishes served at each of these local restaurants, just like you'll be blown away by the outstanding customer service our dealership team provides. Visit Tom Bush BMW of Orange Park, where serving you is our top priority!

Take the road from Jacksonville, FL, in a luxurious BMW X5 to go on adventurous weekend getaways to astonishing destinations. Wander through the oldest fort in the state, stick your toes in the sand along the Gulf of Mexico, and escape to an island bordering the pristine wilderness of the Everglades' Ten Thousand Islands. 3 Great Weekend Getaways in Driving Distance of Jacksonville, FL 1. Discover St. Augustine's Fascinating Spanish History Just over 40 minutes from Jacksonville, St. Augustine, commonly called the "Nation's Oldest City," has a delightful European flavor. Visit the impressive Castillo de San Marcos with its imposing gray towers and impenetrable stone walls, Florida's oldest fort, built by the Spanish in the 17th century to defend the Atlantic trade route, on the shores of Matanzas Bay at 11 South Castillo Drive. The fascinating Pirate and Treasure Museum, next to the fort, is a treasure trove of ill-gotten booty and displays the most extensive authentic collection of pirate artifacts and treasures in the world. If you feel adventurous, zipline over the St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park on Anastacia Island at 999 Anastasia Boulevard. It's the only place on earth where you can see every species of alligator and crocodile. more 2. Uncover the Beauty of Englewood's Beaches and Untouched Wilderness Take a four-hour drive to Englewood, famous for its beautiful beaches, including the sandy Manasota Beach at 8570 Manasota Key Road. Here, you can laze the day away on the beach, canoe or kayak on the azure blue waters of the Gulf of Mexico, and even search for shark teeth! For a more active adventure, hit the trails through the black mangrove forest in the breathtaking 210-acre Lemon Bay Park and Environmental Center at 570 Bay Park Boulevard. Another must-see destination is the incredible Myakka State Forest at 2000 South River Road, which runs along the Myakka River and stretches over untouched pinelands, wetlands, hammocks, and prairies. Explore this vast expanse of wilderness on 40 miles of hiking, biking, and horseback riding trails and paddle along Myakkahatchee Creek that flows into the Myakka River. 3. Explore the Mangrove Jungles of the Everglades around Chokoloskee Island The quaint Chokoloskee Island, just over five hours from Jacksonville, also sometimes called "Florida's Last Frontier," borders the Thousand Islands and the Gulf of Mexico and is not only renowned for its breathtaking beauty and outstanding outdoor activities in the mangrove jungles of the Everglades but also for having more ghosts than living souls that make nocturnal visits to the historic Ted Smallwood's Store. Get settled in the motel, one of the chalets, or the campground at Chokoloskee Park and Marina at 1150 Hamilton Lane and explore the awe-inspiring Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge at 12085 SR 29 South in Immokalee. The refuge stretches over 35,000 acres of fresh and saltwater marshes and mangrove islands, home to manatees, loggerhead turtles, dolphins, and otters. Go on an unforgettable road trip to amazing destinations and discover Florida's fascinating history and unique beauty. To safely get where you want to go, call Tom Bush BMW Orange Park today for a maintenance appointment, and the qualified BMW technicians will ensure your vehicle runs perfectly.