Cornej1

Hi Everyone,
New to the site. I'm taking the family on a cruise out of Jacksonville, FL in early April for spring break. We're driving from Michigan. At the end of the cruise I have an extra night and I'm wondering what to do. I think my basic options are stay in Jacksonville or maybe drive north to Charleston or Savannah or someone in-between. Does anyone have a recommendation on Jacksonville? I'm thinking maybe a hotel near the beach. It probably goes without saying that I DON'T want to drive south. Thanks.

Jason

munchkins261

I grew up in the area. You have basically 3 nice choices depending on the time of day you disembark, St. Augustine, Jacksonville Beach, or Amelia Island (Fernandina Beach).
1. St. Augustine is a SHORT 28 mile drive south on I-95 to St. Augustine, Oldest City in the Continental US. Get a hotel downtown or close to downtown, to walk around. It really is a nice place.

2. Jax Beach is a 20 min drive east to Jax Beach where there are several hotels on the beach and a number of decent restaurants and bars including Lynard Skynard's FreeBird Cafe. Children are OK until the music starts.

3. Fernandina Beach (old Downtown)/Amelia Island is a quaint little fishing village NE of Jacksonville. Recommend you stay at one of the several bed and breakfasts, or at the hotels all downtown for easy walking to the numerous GREAT restaurants and port facilities. Boat sightseeing tours are also available.

Of the above locations, St. Augustine has the most sites to see if you have the time, Jax Beach is the quickest for a walk on the beach, but Fernandina Beach is my favorite quick getaway and it's north and a reasonable distance (30-45min) to I95. For the record, I grew up in a little country town south of Jacksonville but spent 20 years in the Navy.

Littleman

Munchkins........Thanks for your dedication to our great nation with the Navy. You may have been on a ship with my son who was a Marine for 4 years and spent 3 deployments with the Navy. He was on the Asheville one trip.

I second your suggestion for Amelia Island. Fernadina Beach is a great town and there are nice restaurants and shops there. Semper Fi.

rascat

I drive between Central Florida and Charleston at least once a month. Jacksonville is just slightly south of the midpoint on my 6 1/2 to 7 hour drive. So you'd be looking at driving at least 3 hours each way for a one night trip. I'm from Michigan originally, and I know we Michiganders love to drive, but that's a bit much, even for me!

Savannah is closer (just over 100 miles), but one night won't give you much time to explore.

munchkins261 had given you some great ideas. Jacksonville has some wonderful places just outside the city. Not sure if this is your first cruise, but many people feel a bit rocky afterward. A nice relaxing day at the beach might be perfect. Check with your agent, or the cruise line to see if they can book a hotel night for you as part of the cruise package. Sometimes they have a lower rate than you can get on your own.

SAnParis2

Amelia Island is your best bet. A plethora of fine restaurants, a great beach & a historic downtown. I'd rather stay there than go on a cruise but that...is me.