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.
