5 Best Places to Shop in Jacksonville, Northeast Coast

This small shopping district less than a mile southwest of Downtown has new- and vintage-clothing boutiques, shoe stores, and antiques shops. It also has a growing selection of inventive and offbeat eateries and bars, not to mention some of the city's most colorful characters.

The merchandise is one of the draws at this market, held Saturday from 10 to 3; the unique location is another. It's tucked under the soaring bridge that carries I--95 over the St. Johns River, a block from the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens and a healthy walk along the Riverwalk from Downtown. Singles, couples, and families (and their dogs) all come to shop for locally created art and crafts; sample bites from food trucks and other vendors, including some excellent area restaurants; and check out street performers or the live music shows on the riverfront stage. Quality is high in every aspect—artists and vendors all go through a fairly rigorous application/audition process—and what there is to see or hear or eat varies from week to week. There's also a farmers' market, with licensed farmers and growers selling everything from just-laid eggs and local honey to salad greens that were still in the earth the day before. Because it's sheltered by the bridge, RAM goes on rain or shine. Free parking is available at adjacent businesses, and a "bike valet" service encourages people to arrive on two wheels.

More than a dozen interesting apparel, home, and jewelry stores and upscale local restaurants, set in 1920s, Mediterranean Revival–style buildings, surround the open square here.

The highlights here include upscale clothing and accessories boutiques, art galleries, home-furnishings shops, a chocolatier, local coffee shops, and trendy restaurants.

With more than 175 dining and retail establishments, this outdoor "lifestyle center" is huge, and some of its shops aren't found anywhere else in northeast Florida. Look for Anthropologie, Apple, LEGO Store, Lululemon, Nordstrom, Peleton, Sephora, and Tesla. Restaurant choices range from fast-food places to sit-down restaurants such as the Cheesecake Factory, P.F. Chang's China Bistro, The Capital Grille, and Maggiano's Little Italy.