With its year-round balmy weather, Northeast Florida is a bonanza for sports enthusiasts. Enjoy football frenzy with the home team in the fall when the Jacksonville Jaguars take to the field. In addition, each year Jacksonville hosts college match-ups such as the Florida/Georgia game and the Toyota Gator Bowl. Jacksonville has also been home to the ACC Championship Game for the last two years and the NCAA Basketball Tournament in 2006.
Be one of the many fans cheering the Jacksonville Suns when they play 70 home games a year in their red brick Camden Yards-style park. The first coast is also the site for the Bausch and Lomb women's professional tennis tournament held each spring on Amelia Island. And, with water everywhere, you'll find excellent fishing and water sports of every kind.
Follow golf greats at the Tournament Players Championship held annually at Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach. With almost 60 courses and 1,100 holes in the seven-county area, the First Coast is a golfer's paradise. Florida has more golf courses than any other state and its reputation is grounded in two key factors: The Tournament Players Club at Sawgrass is home to the PGA Tour headquarters, and the World Golf Hall of Fame in St. Johns County is a destination attraction. And, not only do golf legends live and play here, they design some of the best golf amenities we offer. Arnold Palmer (“The King”) and Jack Nicklaus (“The Bear”) designed the signature hole of the King & Bear course at World Golf Village.
Since its start in 1974, the Tournament Players Championship (TPC), now known as the PLAYERS, has been an important golf event. Golf greats Jack Nicklaus, J.C. Snead, Jerry Pate, David Duval, Tiger Woods and last year's winner Fred Funk, are just a few to take a swing at what some say is a “diabolical” course.
At the end of the 2006 The PLAYERS, the signature course received a face lift that includes new irrigation, new drainage, new grass types and tree replacement. But, this famous course, renowned for its difficulty and island, 17th hole, will essentially remain unchanged in character and landscape. A new, $17 million clubhouse is also part of the renovations.
The area offers the perfect climate for tennis buffs. There are many clubs as well as private and public teams throughout Northeast Florida. The Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) is headquartered here and the ATP Tennis Club sponsors two tournaments each year.
Ranked one of the best cities for runners by Runner's World , Jacksonville hosts the Gate River Run , the official USA 15K National Championship each year in March, attracting nearly 8,000 runners who compete for the $10,000 first prize.
Water Sports
From the St. Johns River to the Intracoastal Waterway to the miles of beaches, there are many places to enjoy your favorite pastime, whether it's boating, sailing, kayaking, surfing, canoeing or fishing.Northeast Florida is an angler's dream, and there are many spots to throw out your line. Jacksonville's urban ponds are scattered throughout the city and feature bank fishing for freshwater fish like bream, bass and catfish. For salt-water fishing, the Nassau Sound Pier is a great spot. The world record, a 20-pound, 9-ounce flounder, was caught on the pier.
Drop your line from the bow of your boat at one of the growing number of boat ramps at area parks throughout the city.
If it's deep-sea fishing you seek, charters are available at Fernandina, Mayport and St. Augustine, as well as from some marinas along the Intracoastal Waterway and the St. Johns River. The charter boats make it easy to enjoy offshore fishing — the boat, captain, license, tackle and bait are part of the package. Cast your line for grouper, snapper, amberjack, cobia, beeliners and sea bass.
Fishermen throughout the region get hooked during the annual BellSouth Greater Jacksonville Kingfish Tournament held at Sisters Creek Park in July along with the Seafood and Music Festival.
From boats, bridges, shore or surf, there are plenty of opportunities to catch the big ones. But you will need a fishing license. Call the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission at (888) 347-4356 for details and fees. All licenses are available from the county tax collectors' offices and sub-agents located at tackle shops, fish camps, hardware stores and sporting goods stores.
The Northeast Florida region is rich with a great sports tradition. As home of the NFL Jacksonville Jaguars, the Konica Minolta Gator Bowl and the annual Florida-Georgia football game, the area took the international spotlight in 2005 as host of Super Bowl XXXIX. Besides football, Jacksonville also hosts national golf, tennis and baseball events throughout the year. The region has over 70 public and private courses to choose from including 1,224 holes of golf. Unique sporting adventures await thrill seekers with surfing, kayaking and skateboarding opportunities throughout the area. Combine our sporting assets with our warm climate and Jacksonville and the beaches is a sportsman's paradise.
Only minutes away from the urban sophistication of Jacksonville's vibrant city center, a natural wonderland awaits observation and discovery. A testament to the untouched beauty of the region and a reflection of the unique authenticity of the Northeast Florida experience, the abundant expanse of park land and ecological preserves in Jacksonville provide an unforgettable opportunity to escape the confines of city life and relax in nature's playground. With over 111,600 designated acres, including the 46,000-acre Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve , Jacksonville proudly boasts the largest urban park system in the country.
Jacksonville: e2ride bike tours
If you are an avid cyclist or just remember how to ride a bike, this is a great tour. Away from traffic. Full of scenic back roads and cool neighborhoods with interesting architecture and history. You just show up and they have everything ready to go. Even though they supply the bikes, you may bring your own for a discount.. Make sure you have a reservation in advance.
Jacksonville: Riverside Arts Market
Spice up you Saturdays at the Riverside Arts Market, an exciting new weekly market located next to the St. Johns River under the canopy of the Fuller Warren Bridge. It features amazing artists, a farmer's market, terrific food options and free live entertainment, as well as a Children's Creativity Corner. There's ample parking, and the market is located on the edge of the beautiful Riverside Avondale Historic district, which is well worth a stroll.
Here's a cute piece about the market that appeared in our local paper, the Times-Union:
"Here's what you can expect to find at the new Riverside Arts Market, which is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. every Saturday until Dec. 19th under the Fuller Warren Bridge at Riverside Avenue;
Necklaces, bracelets, baubles and rings,
People carrying bags full of things,
Tomatoes, peppers, teas and honey,
Plenty of ways to spend your money,
Drummers and singers and improv groups,
A lady dancing with Hula-Hoops,
Kettle corn, candy and chicken pie,
A cute little onesie in tie-dye,
Labs, Dalmatians, spaniels, Scotties,
Real restrooms (no Porta Potties),
Paintings and sculptures, teas and cheese,
Lots of shade and a river breeze,
Orchids, eggs, pecans and candles,
Pickles, pots and flip-flop sandals,
Bird feeders, beads, a huge silk rose,
Bows for your hair, rings for your toes,
Scores of artists, each under a tent,
A fine Saturday, very well spent."
If you want more info, go to riversideartsmarket.com.
Jacksonville: Nightlife
The nightlife in Jacksonville provides ample selection of bars, music venues, and nightclubs.
Downtown Jacksonville offers a plethora of nightlife venues. Twisted Martini, Deep Blue, and Maverick's are all located inside the Jacksonville Landing . 331, Mark's, Dive Bar, and TSI are located just a short walk away. For the adventuresome types head down to Springfield and check out the eclectic Shanty Town or the Pearl.If you prefer to mix it up with 15,999 other people in an arena, get tickets to a show at the Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena. This performance venue gets national caliber entertainment and it also is the home of the sports hall of Fame for athletes from Jacksonville. Also check out the Florida Theater for great shows and concerts year round. For the more syphisticated sound visit the Times Union Center of Performing Arts and hear the Jacksonville Symphony or catch a broadway show.
For the spoken-word buffs or punk rock shows, check out the music at Fuel Coffeehouse in Historic Five Points. Or, if dancing on top of the bar is your thing, then go to Harmonious Monks where you will be encouraged to dance on top of the bar by the wait staff. Perhaps you just want to watch a sports game after spending the day soaking up the rays at the beach. In that case, you'd best go to the bar that is right on the Jacksonville Beach and has eighty televisions: Sneakers Sports Grille. If you prefer theater over beer, watch a show at the oldest continuously operating community theater is located in Jacksonville (Theater Jacksonville). For live Jazz, check out Heidi's Jazz Club. For comedy, the Comedy Zone and Atlantic Theaters are two options.
For more about the nightlife in Downtown Jacksonville, check out www.downtownjacksonville.org
