Northeast Coast

We’ve compiled the best of the best in Northeast Coast - browse our top choices for the top things to see or do during your stay.

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  • 1. Arts on Douglas

    In a warehouse that has been converted into a stunning 5,000-square-foot, high-ceiling art gallery, Arts on Douglas has a new exhibit of works by a Florida artist every month. Representing more than 50 Florida artists, the gallery holds an opening reception every first Saturday of the month from 4 to 7 pm.

    123 Douglas St., New Smyrna Beach, Florida, 32168, USA
    386-428–1133

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: Free, Closed Sun. and Mon.
  • 2. Atlantic Center for the Arts

    With exhibits that change every two months, the Atlantic Center for the Arts has works of internationally known artists. Mediums include sculpture, mixed materials, video, drawings, prints, and paintings. Intensive three-week residencies are periodically run by visual-, literary-, and performing-master artists.

    1414 Art Center Ave., New Smyrna Beach, Florida, 32168, USA
    386-427–6975

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: Free, Closed Sun. and Mon.
  • 3. Beaches Museum

    This charming museum has exhibitions on the history of the beach communities, the St. Johns River, the fishing and shrimping industry, and the area's early settlers. Its gift shop is a good place to find Florida souvenirs of every variety, from tasteful histories of the area to pure kitsch. The adjacent historical park features a 1911 steam locomotive, railroad foreman's house, and the Mayport Depot. An on-site beaches visitor center is open Thursday through Saturday.

    381 Beach Blvd., Jacksonville Beach, Florida, 32250, USA
    904-241–5657

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: Free (donations accepted), Closed Mon.
  • 4. Fort Caroline National Memorial

    Spread over 130 acres along the St. Johns River 13 miles northeast of Downtown Jacksonville (via Route 113), this site is part of the vast Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve, which has both historical and recreational options. Exhibits explore first contact between the Timucua people and Europeans, and the waterways and shady paths offer hikes and pristine beaches. The original fort was built in the 1560s by French Huguenots, who held what may have been the original Thanksgiving on the site. They were later slaughtered by the Spanish in the first major clash between European powers for control of what would become the United States. An oak-wood pathway leads to a replica of the original fort—a great, sunny place to picnic (bring your own food and drink), stretch your legs, and explore a small museum. There's a 1-mile, self-guided nature trail and wayside exhibits between the visitor center and the fort.

    12713 Fort Caroline Rd., Jacksonville, Florida, 32225, USA
    904-641–7155

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: Free, Closed Mon. and Tues.
  • 5. Kingsley Plantation

    Built in 1792 by Zephaniah Kingsley, a landowner who produced Sea Island cotton, citrus, sugarcane, and corn with the aid of about 60 slaves, this is the oldest remaining cotton plantation in the state. Take a self-guided tour of a barn and 23 tabby (a concretelike mixture of sand and crushed shells) slave houses to learn about the lives of the people who labored here. Weekend open-house hours are available, yet limited from 10 am to 12 pm and 1 pm to 4 pm to protect the structure.

    11676 Palmetto Ave., Fort George Island, Florida, 32226, USA
    904-251–3537

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: Free, Closed Mon. and Tues.
  • Recommended Fodor’s Video

  • 6. Main Beach Park

    Of all Fernandina Beach beach access points, this is likely to be the most crowded—but it's also the most fun for kids and teens. Not only are there shaded playgrounds, sand volleyball courts, a beachfront playground, picnic tables, and a multipurpose court at the park itself, but there's old-school fun to be had at the adjacent skate park and vintage miniature-golf course, whose concession stand sells cold drinks, ice cream, and snow cones. A casual restaurant and bar are right on the beach. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards (seasonal); parking (no fee); showers; toilets. Best for: swimming.

    32 N. Fletcher Ave., Fernandina Beach, Florida, USA
  • 7. Peters Point Beach

    At the south end of the island, this beach allows you free access to the same gorgeous sands used by vacationers at the nearby Ritz-Carlton. It has a large parking area, a picnic area, barbecue grills, and three lifeguard towers. Amenities: lifeguards (seasonal); parking (no fee); showers; toilets. Best for: sunrise; surfing; swimming; walking.

    4600 Peters Point Rd., Fernandina Beach, Florida, 32034, USA
  • 8. Seaside Park Beach

    Like Main Beach to the north and Peters Point to the south, Seaside Park allows limited beach driving if you have a permit, but beware—vehicles here frequently get stuck and have to be towed. There are several pavilions with picnic tables and dune walkovers to the beach. It's a great place to fish or to ride bikes at low tide. Bikes and other beach equipment can be rented at The Beach Store and More, right across from the park. Also nearby, Sliders Seaside Grill is a venerable oceanfront restaurant where you can enjoy food and drinks inside or at the tiki bar overlooking the beach, often with live music. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards (seasonal); parking (no fee); showers; toilets. Best for: surfing; swimming; walking.

    Sadler Rd. at S. Fletcher Ave., Fernandina Beach, Florida, 32034, USA
  • 9. St. Augustine Distillery

    The first commercial block ice in Florida was made in this building over 100 years ago. Today, the structure has been transformed into a craft distillery that makes small batches of bourbon, rum, gin, and vodka using locally sourced ingredients. A self-guided tour takes you through the distilling process and provides insight on the operation's partnerships with small area farms. Samples during the tour include cocktails such as the Florida Mule and New World gin and tonic. A gift shop sells bottles of spirits as well as bar gadgets and accessories.

    112 Riberia St., St. Augustine, Florida, 32084, USA
    904-825–4962

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: Free
  • 10. St. Peter's Episcopal Church

    Founded in 1858, the church is a Gothic Revival structure with Tiffany-glass-style memorials and a turn-of-the-20th-century L.C. Harrison organ with magnificent hand-painted pipes.

    801 Atlantic Ave., Fernandina Beach, Florida, 32034, USA
    904-261–4293

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