Page 81 - 2024-2025 Travel Guide to Florida

BEACHES AND OUTDOOR GEMS
Outdoor gems are abundant in Northeast Florida. Whether you want to take a dip in the Atlantic Ocean, fish in the St. Johns River or take selfies at a park, there are plenty of options.
Southwest of St. Augustine, Putnam County is known as the “Bass Capital of Florida” and is home to three of the top fisheries in the state. The county is also the trail hub of Northeast Florida and offers ample hiking, biking and paddling trails. Be sure to check out Ravine Gardens State Park, created in a natural steephead ravine.
Marineland Dolphin Adventure in St. Augustine teaches visitors about the beauty of dolphins and provides interactive attractions such as a meet and greet or dolphin swim program.
When you’re ready to chill with some beach time, you can’t go wrong with a visit to St. Augustine Beach—a popular destination which continues to receive impressive accolades.
One of the best places to kayak in Northeast Florida is on a guided tour that allows you to paddle the backwaters of the Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve in the Ponte Vedra area.
The city of Jacksonville actually has the largest urban park system in the U.S. So, plenty of natural adventures await you in Northeast Florida, be it in a city or rural area.
Jacksonville boasts 22 miles of spectacular beaches. If you’re visiting this area, consider using its free Beach Buggies. Get around Atlantic, Neptune, Jacksonville and New Smyrna beaches and the neighbourhood of San Marco to easily explore all of the beachy neighborhoods and attractions.
For more picturesque adventures on the water, Amelia Island offers Amelia River Cruises and Charters or a privately chartered sunset cruise with Windward Sailing. If you’re looking to reel in fish, Amelia Island Boat Club & Rentals provides rentals for fishing, cruising or sightseeing.
ENTERTAINMENT
In the mood for family fun? Foodie finds? History? Northeast Florida has something for everyone. For instance, you can dine at Florida’s oldest diner, Angel’s Dining Car, in Putnam County. In St. Augustine, foodies
GUANA TOLOMATO MATANZAS NATIONAL ESTUARINE RESEARCH RESERVE • FLORIDASHISTORICCOAST.COM/GEORGE KAMPER
5 MUST-SEE ATTRACTIONS
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nps.gov/casa floridastateparks.org/fortclinch
JACKSONVILLE ZOO AND GARDENS
jacksonvillezoo.org
GUANA TOLOMATO MATANZAS NATIONAL ESTUARINE RESEARCH RESERVE
gtmnerr.org
ST. AUGUSTINE HISTORIC DISTRICT
floridashistoriccoast.com
CASTILLO DE SAN MARCOS, ST. AUGUSTINE
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2 FORT CLINCH STATE PARK, AMELIA ISLAND
2024-25 TRAVEL GUIDE TO FLORIDA 79