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Drive on Over to These Top 4 Tourist Attractions in Jacksonville, FL

Drive On Over

When taking a trip to Jacksonville, FL, there's no shortage of piers and beaches with oceanside views. It can be overwhelming to make an itinerary with so many options in this great city, so we've created this list of our top tourist attractions worthy of your travel planner.

Drive on Over to These Top 4 Tourist Attractions in Jacksonville, FL

1. Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens

Whether you're going on a family adventure or searching for a creative date idea, the art exhibits and charming gardens at 829 Riverside Ave are a must-see. Indulge your inner child with an interactive art gallery that brings the past to life, with a 30,000-year timeline featuring an innovative self-portrait component. We love that the Cummer Museum is wheelchair accessible even in the gardens, and the front desk provides wheelchairs on a first-come basis.

What makes the gardens so magical is their century-old narrative, which includes some of the leading creators in landscape design and horticulture. The artwork within the museum contains over 5,000 masterpieces spanning 2100 B.C. through the 21st century.

2. Riverside Arts Market

While you're in the area, the Riverside Market is only a 3-minute walk from the Cummer Museum at 715 Riverside Ave. This vibrant gathering held every Saturday is a lively conglomeration of local artists, small businesses, and food vendors, all tucked safely under the Fuller Warren Bridge. The Riverfront Amphitheater seats 350 people and provides entertainment through live music and performances while you browse baked goods, produce, jewelry, and more.

3. The Catty Shack Ranch Wildlife Sanctuary

For a dangerously cute walk on the wild side, drive your 2022 BMW X5 over to 1860 Starratt Road and sign up for a tour of this big cat sanctuary, home to rescued tigers, lions, and pumas. The Catty Shack is passionate about educating the public on these beloved endangered cats and shining visibility on the devastating plight of poachers and captivity. 

For an even more audacious trip, reserve tickets to the night feeding where you're guaranteed to hear fearsome roars from the hungry lions and tigers!

4. MOSH (Museum Of Science & History)

Located on the Southbank Riverwalk at 1025 Museum Circle, MOSH is the most-visited museum in the city and specializes in local history and science, with award-winning interactive exhibits that will amaze any age group. Favorite exhibitions include Atlantic Tails: Coastal Creatures of Northeast Florida, which brings the splendor of the Atlantic Ocean to your fingertips with life-sized sculptures, a touch-and-feel tank, and more hands-on activities. When you've watched the wonder alight in your kiddo's eyes at mind-blowing science and you've found the perfect handmade trinket, visit us at Tom Bush BMW Jacksonville and test drive the new BMW 7 series to experience luxury at its finest!

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3 Favorite Weekend Activities You Can Drive to Near Jacksonville, FL

There is plenty of fun and relaxation to be had in Jacksonville, FL every day of the year. There are so many choices that it can be hard to decide how you want to spend your weekend. If you feel overwhelmed by all your options, we recommend hopping in your 2024 BMW X5, picking up your friends, and checking out one of the best weekend activities in the area. 3 Favorite Weekend Activities You Can Drive to Near Jacksonville, FL 1. Touring Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens We highly recommend spending a day at Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens at 370 Zoo Pkwy if you are looking for something fun to do over the weekend. By visiting this zoo, you support dozens of animal and plant conservation programs globally. You also support one of seven zoos in the country with a dedicated animal wellness team to ensure that the animals are well cared for. Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens features 14 exhibits, and you can see mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish. We love the Emerald Forest Aviary and River Valley Aviary. If you prefer mammals over birds, you may be more interested in visiting the Africa Loop exhibit. It features such animals as the African elephant, African lion, and greater kudu. The Wild Florida exhibit is also popular, featuring such species as the: Alligator snapping turtle American alligator Bald eagle Burmese python more 2. Visiting Tree Hill Nature Center We also love spending the day at Tree Hill Nature Center at 7152 Lone Star Road. This nature preserve ensures the preservation of over 51 acres of land, and it features roughly 3.3 miles of trails. There is plenty to explore here, including hummingbird and butterfly gardens. This nature preserve is also home to a wide variety of fish, birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians, including: Barred owls Green tree frogs Pygmy goats Black rat snakes Bluegill sunfish 3. Exploring MOSH When you need a break from the heat, you should strongly consider going to MOSH (Museum of Science & History) at 1025 Museum Circle. Some of the most popular exhibits include HEALTH IN MOTION, ATLANTIC TAILS, and JEA POWERPLAY. You also don't want to miss checking out the Bryan-Gooding Planetarium. Unless you are a member, you will need to pay $5.95 per program, but it is well worth the price. There is no shortage of things you can do in Jacksonville over the weekend, and you can go at your leisure with reliable transportation. To maintain the reliability of your vehicle, you need to stick to the maintenance schedule laid out by BMW. Contact us today at Tom Bush BMW Jacksonville to schedule a service appointment if it is time for an oil change or tire rotation.

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Make the Drive: 3 Picnic Spots Near Jacksonville, FL

The city of Jacksonville, FL is full of tourist attractions, historical buildings, excellent museums, and a world-class gastronomic scene. Besides its main landmarks, though, Jacksonville is also home to plenty of beautiful green areas and popular parks where locals and visitors can enjoy a picnic with friends and family. Here are three of the best picnic spots you can find within driving distance of downtown Jacksonville. Make the Drive: 3 Picnic Spots Near Jacksonville, FL 1. Riverside Park Established in the 1890s and covering an area of just over 11 acres, Riverside Park is the second oldest park in the city and a well-known gathering spot among residents of the Five Points and Brooklyn neighborhoods. This beautiful green area is located at 753 Park Street and can be reached in less than 10 minutes by car from downtown Jacksonville via Riverside Avenue. Open to the public every day between 7:00 am and 7:00 pm, Riverside Park is a place where you can spend an entire day with your friends, have fun, and enjoy nature without leaving the city. Some of the amenities you can find in this popular recreation area include playgrounds, walking and biking trails, picnic tables, a fountain, a basketball court, and a duck pond. more 2. Memorial Park Located at 1620 Riverside Avenue and right along the banks of the St. Johns River, Memorial Park is another fantastic local landmark that can be reached in less than 10 minutes by car from the Jacksonville city center. Open to the public every day between 6:00 am and 10:00 pm, this public park opened its doors to the public in 1924 and quickly became the most popular attraction in the city's historic Riverside neighborhood. Added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2017, Memorial Park is a wonderful place to have a picnic with your friends or simply spend the day enjoying the outdoors. This beautiful park features a sprawling lawn where you can always find people sunbathing, reading, tossing Frisbees, and playing ball games. 3. Boone Park Open year-round from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm, Boone Park is another excellent spot for a picnic within driving distance of downtown Jacksonville. Located in the Avondale neighborhood at 3700 Park Street, this beautiful green area can be reached in just 10 minutes by car via Roosevelt Boulevard. Some of the amenities you can find here include picnic tables, public restrooms, multiple playgrounds, tennis courts, and nature trails. With the latest safety and driver assist technologies in the industry, as well as a spacious and comfortable cabin, the 2023 BMW iX xDrive 50 is a fantastic SUV to take your family on fun trips and memorable adventures all over Florida. Drop in by Tom Bush BMW Jacksonville and get to know the features of this and other wonderful models in our inventory.