Resort - Ana Florentina

Jacksonville Travel Guide

The city of Jacksonville had always been at the top of my list of cities to visit in Florida! Jacksonville has 22 miles of beaches, beautiful historic neighborhoods, parks, museums, outstanding golf courses and fantastic local restaurants.

We drove down to Miami to visit my family during the holidays, and on our way back to New York we enjoyed an amazing week in the city of Jacksonville!

I was invited by Jacksonville Florida Tourism to explore the city and share my favorite activities. We visited during the third week of January, and the weather was amazing. It was breezy at night, and we had plenty of sunshine during the day.

Keep reading to find out where we stayed, where we ate and what we enjoyed the most!

the-ultimate-jacksonville-travel-guide — One Ocean Resort & Spa

Where To Stay in Atlantic Beach FL

There are so many different experiences to have in Jacksonville. This time around we were looking to explore the fun things to do in town, relax by the ocean, and enjoy long walks on the beach. One Ocean Resort & Spa in Atlantic Beach was perfect for doing all of that.

Located about 25 miles south of the Georgia state line and 350 miles north of Miami, Jacksonville was the first stop we made after leaving Miami. We were escaping the snow, so spending a few more days by the beach was exactly what we were looking for.

One Ocean Resort & Spa is a luxury resort that features guest rooms with floor-to-ceiling views of the Atlantic Ocean. We stayed in one of their Deluxe King Rooms, which offered a breathtaking view of the ocean. Upon arriving, we opened the windows, and my husband noticed that we could hear the waves crashing from inside the room, he was so impressed! The guest rooms feature deluxe beds custom-designed for the hotel, and our bed was one of the most comfortable beds we’ve ever slept on. The hotel’s oceanic-inspired décor, combined with ocean views create an incredibly soothing experience for its guests.

See One Ocean Resort’s rooms and reviews here.

jacksonville-travel-guide-by-ana-florentina — One Ocean Resort & Spa

What To Do in Jacksonville

In Jax, as the locals call it, you will discover that this perfectly positioned city along the Atlantic Ocean in northeast Florida, has something for everyone! If you are looking to explore the coast, Atlantic Beach, Ponte Vedra Beach and Amelia Island are all within an hour’s drive from downtown Jacksonville. If you enjoy staying active or spending time outdoors, Jacksonville offers hiking and biking trails that will definitely get your adrenaline going.

Art lovers can enjoy an afternoon at the Cummer Museum & Gardens (my favorite place!), or at the Museum of Contemporary Art. Finally, did you know that Jacksonville is home to the World Golf Hall of Fame, The Players Championship, PGA Tour and Champions Tour, as well as home to world-class golf courses?!

cummer-museum-jacksonville-florida — *Cummer Museum & Gardens*

SHOP: Cozy Long Cardigan

Where To Eat in Jacksonville

Southern Grounds & Co. – Quickly became one of our favorite breakfast spots in Jacksonville! Their gluten-free blueberry muffins are so delicious! I loved their cute indoor area, if you are ever in town, check it out!

Address: 1671 Atlantic Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32207

Whit’s Frozen Custard – This is one of the most delicious cold desserts! Whit’s Frozen Custard is located across the street from The One Ocean Resort so it was easy for us to grab a frozen custard every single day! The flavors that I ordered the most were: mint, banana & raspberry, and the last one was my favorite.

Address: 38 Ocean Blvd, Atlantic Beach, FL 32233

The Local on Neptune Beach – The Local is a fun place with a cool atmosphere and live music every night! We grabbed dinner here one day and had such a great time. Their fresh lemonade is one of the best I’ve ever had.

Address: 301 Atlantic Blvd, Neptune Beach, FL 32266

Flying Iguana Taqueria & Tequila Bar – Tacos & margaritas? Yes, please! This restaurant has an entire menu that is gluten free, how amazing is that?! My husband and I both love Mexican food so we had to try it out!

Address: 207 Atlantic Blvd, Neptune Beach, FL 32266

Azurea at the One Ocean Resort – We enjoyed one of the best fine dining experiences here! Azurea is a beautiful restaurant located inside the One Ocean Resort that offers a seafood-centric American menu. We loved the mussels as the appetizer, the seabass as the main course, and the brownie for dessert! The seabass for dinner is a must-have! It was probably the best fish I have ever eaten.

Address: 1 Ocean Blvd, Atlantic Beach, FL 32233

JACKSONVILLE AND ATLANTIC BEACH FLORIDA MAP

How is the weather in Jacksonville, Florida?

The average annual temperature of Jacksonivlle is 70 degrees, with an average high of 78 and an average low of 62. You can expect year-round sunshine, chilly nights during the winter months, and temperature in the 80s during the summer months. Jacksonville’s coldest month is January!

Where is Jacksonville located?

The city of Jacksonville is situated in the northeastern corner of Florida, 350 miles from Atlanta, Georgia, and 350 miles from Miami.

Save this post, and plan a quick getaway to Atlantic Beach soon!

And be sure to check out Visit Jacksonville to see why Jax is the perfect destination year round.

WHAT TO PACK FOR YOUR JACKSONVILLE FLORIDA TRIP

Have you visited Jacksonville? What was your favorite spot?

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See all Jacksonville area hotels and reviews here.

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LUXURY IN MIAMI:

ACQUALINA RESORT SUNNY ISLES

I recently made my way over to the Acqualina Resort & Spa in Sunny Isles Beach, for a highly recommended Himalayan Salt Stone Massage at their spa – Acqualina Spa by ESPA! It was truly what I needed, a few hours of relaxation to unwind from my non-stop work weeks. I had an amazing time and walked out feeling relaxed, balanced, rejuvenated, and full of joy. We are so lucky to have one of the premier spas in the world right here in South Florida! Keep scrolling to see more photos and read about the Himalayan Salt Treatments!

Himalayan Salt Stone Treatment

I am a huge believer in ‘meditation,’ ‘self-care,’ ‘self-healing,’ and taking time off to recenter & reconnect with ourselves. To be the best version of ourselves, we must set time aside to bring our mind, body, and spirit, into balance. Treatments like the Himalayan Salt Stone Massage are one of the biggest trends right now. That is because the healing benefits include: reducing inflammation, soothing away accumulation of stress, tension, and pollutants, and improving sleep. The salt stones used during this massage are heated, so they work your joints and muscles deeply. Another interesting aspect of these salt stones is that they produce negative ions and increase the alkalinity of your body. Himalayan salt stones are also antimicrobial and offer over 80 minerals that are essential to the body.

What feels the best about this innovative healing technique is the use of warm salt crystal stones that are placed on your back to ground and balance your body’s electromagnetic field, central nervous system, and meridians. The temperature of the stones stayed consistently warm, and at no point did I feel the risk of being burned. The massage therapist will oil your body before using the warm stones to gently glide them on your body while soothing away tension and stress.

When I was given the option of choosing an aromatherapy oil I opted for the eucalyptus oil… because it reminded me of my childhood. There used to be a huge eucalyptus tree in my grandparent’s patio, and another in front of our country home’s main entrance – so it felt like home! Once the massage was finished I walked away feeling a new sense of serenity in my mind and body.

After the massage, I tried the ESPA Spa’s Signature European Heat Experience Areas: a Finnish sauna, a crystal steam room, ice fountains, and a shower with cool arctic and warm Caribbean mists. I spent a few minutes inside each one – these were truly awesome! Keep scrolling to see me by the ice fountain.

acqualina resort ana florentina miami blogger — Acqualina Hotel Miami

After spending the morning at the ESPA Spa, I continued over to Costa Grill, one of three restaurants at this elegant oceanfront luxury resort. I had freshly squeezed pineapple juice, ceviche, and branzino with grilled vegetables while enjoying the ocean breeze and the early afternoon sunshine.

As the Acqualina Resort & Spa is part of the Leading Hotels of the World, a 5 Diamond Resort and a 5 Star Luxury Spa, it is no surprise that all of their amenities are a world-class destination. Acqualina’s exceptional attention to detail and the superb service of the resort’s staff, make it a fine example of luxury at its very best. Your visit to the Acqualina is sure to be as unforgettable as mine.

Luxury in Miami: Acqualina's ESPA Resort Spa

The exquisite 20,000-square-foot ESPA Spa is an indulgent retreat for relaxation and rejuvenation, if you are in Miami, or coming here soon, I highly recommend you treat yourself to one of their therapeutic full-body massages. I think it’s always a great idea to help our bodies relieve stress from the mind and body. So definitely give this one a try!

See Acqualina Resort’s rooms and reviews here.

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Jacksonville & Where To Stay in Atlantic Beach Florida