Our guide for things to do in Jacksonville on a girls trip is full of beaches, brunches, bowling, and botanical gardens in the Flip Side of Florida.

Two women in dresses pose on the beach during a Jacksonville girls weekend

Planning a girls weekend to the beach? Jacksonville might just surprise you. Stretching along Florida’s northeast coast, this laid-back city mixes coastal cool with creative energy, serving up everything from sandy beach days and artsy markets to brunch spots and boutique shopping.

We visited for a Jacksonville girls trip during the last week of summer to soak up all the sand, surfing, and sunsets – because, yes, they’re stunning on the East Coast, too.

While we were based in Jacksonville Beach, we actually ended up bopping all over the city, checking out botanical gardens, downtown art markets, state parks, museums, and more. The activities below will keep you busy for a long weekend in Jacksonville if you don’t want to just relax on the sand the whole time (though, we don’t blame you if you do).

From brunch boards and donut trails to surf lessons and dolphin watching, this guide covers all the best things to do in Jacksonville on a girls getaway that’s equal parts relaxation, adventure, and good eats.

This post is sponsored by Visit Jacksonville. All opinions are my own. This post contains affiliate links. If you click on one or buy something, we might receive a commission for telling you about it.

Things To Do on a Jacksonville Girls Trip

Two women stand with blue surfboards on Jacksonville Beach

Surf With Saltwater Cowgirls

As soon as I heard there was a female-owned surf school in town, I knew we had to take a lesson on our Jacksonville girls trip. Jacksonville’s surf legacy dates to the 1960s, and it’s a great spot for beginners to learn, with year-round breaks and spots for every skill level to practice.

We booked a lesson with Saltwater Cowgirls, a women-owned and run company that offers summer surf camps for kids as well as private and group lessons. My friend and I were both pretty rusty with limited experience, but after a quick session on the sand we were ready to hit the waves near the pier and managed to catch a few rides (I spent more time paddling and falling than standing, but we’ll count it).

A plate with a croissant sandwich and salad on the Jacksonville coffee and donuts trail

Sip Along the Coffee and Donuts Trail

Jacksonville’s “Trail Mix” is a fun way for foodies to hop around to sample the city’s specialties. There’s the “Ale Trail” for craft beer, the “Mayport Shrimp Trail” for fresh-caught Atlantic shrimp, and my favorite, the “Coffee and Donuts Trail,” with over 60 local spots for a sweet treat.

We made it to Makenu Chocolate, where I had one of the best mochas I’ve ever tasted (they use dark chocolate so it isn’t too sweet), Round Bird Coffee Shop for lattes and pastries, and Le Petite Paris Cafe for a seasonal drink and a croissant. With dozens more coffee shops around town, I have serious FOMO about the ones I didn’t make it to yet!

Sunset colors with waves rolling onto gray sand

Beach Hop to Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park

With 22 miles of beachfront, it’s easy to find a spot to relax on the sand in Jacksonville. For a chill spot with few crowds, hop over to Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park for the afternoon.

In addition to several easy-to-reach beach access points, the park has a lake for kayaking, 20 miles of hiking and biking trails, a campground, and picnic facilities. It’s the perfect spot to spend a half or full day at the beach or for adventure lovers to mix up time in the ocean with some other outdoor activities.

A woman walks between rows of palm trees toward a sandy beachfront

Shop and Dine in Beaches Town Center

A couple of miles north of Jacksonville Beach, Beaches Town Center is a hub of shopping and dining just steps from the ocean. We popped by a couple of times for lunch and dinner and browsed the boutiques and bookstores.

For breakfast or an afternoon pick-me-up, Southern Grounds and La Petite Paris Cafe are both on the Jax Coffee and Donuts Trail. For lunch and dinner you can’t go wrong with The Local for festive vibes, Salumeria 104 for Italian classics (they have cacio e pepe in a cheese wheel), and Joseph’s Pizza for dine in or to-go pies.

I can’t resist a small bookstore, so we grabbed a couple of souvenirs at Bookmark and browsed a few of the apparel, home, and gift boutiques in the plaza.

A woman stands between two bare trees on a sandy beach surrounded by driftwood in Jacksonville

Hike to Boneyard Beach at Big Talbot Island State Park

I’ve been to a lot of Florida beaches, but I can’t ever remember visiting one quite like Boneyard Beach in Big Talbot Island State Park. This stretch of coastline in Jacksonville feels totally remote and wild compared to the more popular sandy beaches further south.

It’s named for the driftwood that fills the shores, fallen and stacked in formations that will have you constantly clicking the camera. The feature is caused by shoreline shifting from deepening channels around the barrier island that causes the trees to uproot and fall. The graveyard of wood is then slowly bleached and smoothed by the sun, wind, and sand, creating the unique landscape.

We parked in the Bluff’s Scenic Shoreline parking area at Big Talbot Island and hiked about half a mile to reach the beach. It’s such a cool spot to explore, and you can walk up the coastline to see more of the spooky trees.

A woman holds a bowling ball behind her in position to throw it down a pink-lit lane

Play at Beach Bowling

Honestly, I never thought of going bowling on a girls trip, but Jacksonville Beach had a venue we couldn’t resist just a quick walk from our hotel and the waterfront. Beach Bowling offers classic lanes with different games to try, plus a whole arcade, a patio with live music, and food and drinks to enjoy while you play. We ordered some bevvies and nachos and had a blast totally sucking at bowling (like very bad, send help)!

A wooden cutting board topped with pancakes, waffles, and other breakfast foods.

Go Out for Brunch

Brunching is one of my favorite activities on a girls trip, and Jacksonville definitely delivers when it comes to morning munching and mimosas. First, there’s the official Jax Coffee and Donuts Trail that I mentioned above, but we wanted to chow down on a bigger brunch, too.

Enter Tulua Bistro and their charcuterie-style “breakfast boards” that you can fill with your favorite brunch foods. You can pick from a chef-selection, or build your own with options like mini pancakes, chicken and waffles, cheddar grits, French toast, acai bowls, lox bagels, and so much more. We split a small board between two people and got to try about six different dishes. The restaurant is also known for its bottomless mimosas!

We also dined at La Petite Paris for brunch one day and tried the seasonal lattes and delicious croissant sandwiches (mine had eggs, brie, and prosciutto). The French-style cafe has a few locations around Jacksonville, including one right by Beaches Town Center.

Two women pose in front of a green pond at a botanical garden

Explore the Jacksonville Arboretum and Botanical Garden

If you want to spend some time outdoors away from the beach, we loved going for a walk at the Jacksonville Arboretum and Botanical Garden. The 136-acre property packs in all the classic Florida scenery – Spanish moss, oak and cypress trees, ferns, ponds, and tropical flowers.

You can follow the simple and paved Lake Loop for a short walk with beautiful views, or try one of the more challenging trails through ravines and wetlands for some exercise. The garden hosts special events throughout the year, including light displays during the holiday season.

Two women stand in front of the Pickle Factory store eating pickles on a stick

Try a Pickle on a Stick at the Pickle Factory

Pickle fans, you don’t want to miss this one! The Jacksonville’s Pickle Factory is packed with dills, olives, relish, sauces, and all sorts of seasoned goodies. You can grab pickle fan apparel and home gear (think scented candles, earrings, and sweatshirts) and snack on pickles on a stick.

Two women pose in front of a fountain under trees during a Jacksonville girls trip

Stroll and Shop in San Marco

San Marco was our favorite spot to explore near downtown and perfect for an afternoon of shopping and dining on a Jacksonville girls trip. The boutiques, bistros, bookstore, and wine bars here ring a central square with a pretty gazebo and fountain.

Shop the Riverside Arts Market

If you spend the weekend in Jacksonville, head downtown on Saturday morning for the Riverside Arts Market. Held under the Fuller Warren Bridge, the market has food trucks, a performance stage, and vendors selling everything from plants and produce to jewelry, art, ceramics, and other hand-made goods.

A green lawn with a fountain in the middle and river behind it a the Cummer Museum in Jacksonville

Browse Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens

The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens is an absolute must for a girls weekend in Jacksonville. We visited on a Saturday after the Riverside Arts Market, as it’s just a short stroll away. The interior of the museum has several rooms with a collection of over 5,000 artworks, while outside, several beautiful Italian and English-style gardens line the riverfront.

A woman in orange sits on a boat bench on a girls trip to Jacksonville.

Ride the River Taxi Tour

We hopped on a ride with St. Johns River Taxi and Tours for a guided boat trip around downtown. The woman-owned company offers taxi service to various points along the river, private charters for celebrations and events, and specialty cruises like sunset sailings and dolphin-watching tours.

We booked the Downtown Sightseeing Cruise, where we got an overview of Jax history, culture, nature, and art. My favorite parts were seeing the hidden public artworks you can only view from the river and watching the dolphins play around the boat.

Watch the Light Show at Friendship Fountain

Once the world’s tallest and largest fountain when it opened in 1965, Jacksonville’s Friendship Fountain is a beautiful landmark of the city along the waterfront downtown. It sprays up to 120 feet high and runs from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. It connects to the Southbank Riverwalk right by the Museum of Science and History.

Stop by after dark to see the light show on the water at 7, 8, and 9 p.m. What better spot to end your Jacksonville girls trip than a Friendship Fountain!

A hotel room bed with white bedding against a blue wall in Jacksonville

Where to Stay in Jacksonville

For our Jacksonville girls trip, we stayed at the Element Jacksonville Beach, which was about a three-minute walk from the oceanfront. This hotel is perfect for a girls getaway! We especially loved the spacious room with a mini kitchen, the weekday happy hours with free wine and snacks, the coffee bar that was always open (and espresso drink maker), and the free breakfast that included freshly-prepared hot dishes. There were also fun extras like bikes you can borrow and an outdoor pool.

I’ve also stayed at the Salt Air Inn & Suites in Atlantic Beach. This is one of those classic renovated Florida beach motels just a short walk from the sand and from Beaches Town Center with an outdoor pool and hammocks. The room I stayed in was small, but the hosts were super friendly and accommodating and provided free snacks, breakfast goodies, and coffee. It's a pretty budget-friendly option for how close it is to the beach!

For something a little different, you can also book a campsite or camping cabin at Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park. My family did this for a birthday weekend reunion a few years ago, and it was a great way to stay right by the beach for super cheap and have everyone close by. We hit the trails in the park, flew kites on the sand, and rented one of the pavilions to gather and eat.

14 Fun Things To Do in Jacksonville on a Girls Weekend