Tom Bush BMW Jacksonville

The state of Florida is packed with history, from that of native groups to French and Spanish colonial influences.  If you live in Jacksonville, FL, there are plenty of great historic sites perfect for a quick drive. Keep reading to learn about some of the best historical attractions close to the city.

Drive on Over: 5 Historical Attractions Near Jacksonville, FL

1. Kingsley Plantation

Kingsley Plantation allows you to step back in time, experiencing how plantation owners, workers, and slaves lived during the 18th and 19th centuries. Today, you can roam the grounds and tour the house.

Admission is free for all visitors. This site is located on 11676 Palmetto Ave, on Fort George Island. The journey from Downtown Jacksonville ought to take around 40 minutes.  

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The 2023 BMW M3 has entered the marketplace with the thrilling performance enthusiasts have always loved from this model. The infotainment system gets a few noticeable upgrades this year with a larger touchscreen and easier access to Apple CarPlay. Read on to learn more about why this high-performance car is so popular.

3 Things to Love About the 2023 BMW M3

1. The Thrilling Performance

This is really a car for drivers who can get excited about how beautifully the vehicle handles corners. The standard M3 is equipped with a turbocharged 3.0-liter six-cylinder that delivers up to 473 horsepower and 406 lb.-ft of torque. Test drives of this vehicle with its six-speed manual transmission have gone from 0 to 60 MPH in just 3.9 seconds. The M3 comes with rear-wheel drive, sending its torque to the rear wheels for excellent tail-outs if you’re so inspired.

The M3 Competition comes with an even more powerful engine that delivers a maximum of 503 horsepower and 479 lb.-ft of torque. There’s an optional all-wheel drive system, which can be disabled for rear-wheel drive when you prefer. The M3 Competition with its eight-speed automatic transmission has managed test drives of 0 to 60 MPH in 2.8 seconds. Both of these trim levels have excellent grip as the car handles corners, especially with the optional all-wheel drive system.

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Jacksonville, FL is one of the most picturesque and lovely cities in Florida, but if you want to get away in the more rural parts of the state, these nearby small towns are excellent bets. Enjoy the trip in your sleek and sophisticated BMW 4 Series, with its incredible city and highway MPG, Apple CarPlay, and satellite radio to keep you entertained for the whole ride.

4 Charming Small Towns in Driving Distance of Jacksonville, FL

1. Fernandina Beach

Just about 45 minutes from Jacksonville, Fernandina Beach is an easy day trip away and well worth the visit. Located on Amelia Island right near the border of Georgia, Fernandina Beach is about as far north as you can get in Florida and is a historic and charming spot right on the Atlantic ocean. Fernandina Beach has a charming Main Street, many dining options, and plenty of hiking on Amelia Island itself.

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The BMW 7 Series provides drivers with a luxury experience from beginning to end. As an experienced BMW dealer, we get an exciting close-up look at the new models. Check out our guide below to learn more about this sedan’s plush interior, advanced technology, and smooth performance.

At a Glance: What Your BMW Dealer Loves About the BMW 7 Series

The Interior Choices

BMW has elevated the 7 Series for 2023 with plush heated seats, a panoramic moonroof, and soft-closing doors. The leather upholstery is complemented by stainless steel, wood, and glass trim accents that seamlessly set a luxurious tone. The automatic climate control has four zones and can be controlled using the touchscreen or physical buttons below.

Upgrading to the 760i xDrive trim level adds ventilated front seats. An available executive package will add ventilated front seats to the 740i model. Additionally, this package adds massage functions to either trim level. Many people choose this package for the comfortable, heated armrests, and automatic opening doors.

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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
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If you’re in the market for a luxury midsize SUV that’s sure to turn heads, you can’t go past the 2023 BMW X6. There’s no lack of style and swagger when it comes to this car, thanks to a fastback-style roofline, a commanding grille, and sleek doors. Inside, enjoy an upscale cabin full of creature comforts and impressive technology, plus a powerful ride that will ensure you never want to pull over. Here are a few of our favorite features.

Meet the 2023 BMW X6

Power at Every Trim Level

Get ready for serious oomph. The base model comes with a turbocharged 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine with 335 horsepower and gets to 60 miles per hour in just 5.3 seconds. If you think that’s neat, the 4.4-liter V-8 gets you 523 horsepower and shoots to 60 miles per hour in just 3.8 seconds. Both pair with eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. For even more might, the Competition Package gets the V-8 to 617 horsepower.

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The BMW 2 Series is a modern vehicle that offers you all the essentials of a superior driving experience. You’re getting the entire package – upgraded technology, an expanded drivetrain, and plenty of style to go around. At your local BMW dealer, a representative can explain why this vehicle is right for you.

Your Guide to the 2023 BMW 2 Series From Your BMW Dealer

Power, Performance, and Efficiency

With the new 2 Series from BMW, you’ll enjoy the incredible performance of the vehicle’s engine. This is one of the most powerful compact sports cars on the market! The TwinTurbo engine technology comes offers you up to 382 horsepower!

The 8-Speed Automatic Transmission also ensures that you can commute to work or travel the country with ease and efficiency. Furthermore, the 50/50 weight distribution of the 2 Series offers you impressive handling for a sports coupe. The M240i models even allow you to reach 60 mph in 4.1 seconds!

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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.

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Wind in your hair, the countryside rolling by, and your tunes playing on the radio. Nothing beats a scenic drive, no matter which time of the year it is. Read on as we discuss four spectacular routes you can take in and around Jacksonville, FL.

Four Wonderful Scenic Drives in the Jacksonville, FL Area

Cruise Down the A1A Ocean Islands Trail

Looking for a beach-side drive that takes you along some of Florida’s incredible eastern seaboard? Look no further than the famous A1A, an up-to-31-mile stretch that conducts you across some of the best beachfront spots like South Jacksonville Beach and Fernandina Beach. Along the way, this route treats you to marshes, woodlands, and all the wildlife within.

There are plenty of pit stops along the way, too; you’ll find no end to waterfront dining. And if you want a bit of history to top things off, consider taking the Saint Johns River Ferry–one of the oldest in Florida, and in continual operation since as far back as 1874.

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Known for its splendid beaches and hospitality, Jacksonville, FL, is one of the top cities in the Sunshine State. It’s also an excellent place to find some engaging reading material. These three best bookstores are right within the city limits and have tons of different books for every taste. Your 2022 BMW X7 xDrive40i Sports Activity Vehicle with parking assistance and a powerful navigation system can get you safely and quickly to all of them.

3 Great Bookstores You Can Drive to Near Jacksonville, FL

1. San Marco Books and More

San Marco Books and More, at 1971 San Marco Blvd., has a wide selection of different reads, regular author visits, and amiable staff. You can sometimes find signed copies of your favorite tomes and special author events with refreshments. Plus, it’s centrally located right next to a park, so you can grab your book and take in a few chapters while relaxing in nature.

San Marco Books and More is a true Jacksonville treasure frequented by locals, so it’s a great place to visit to find a like-minded community of book lovers.

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