I'm going to Jacksonville, FL to visit a friend who just moved there. Due to his job on Saturday morning, I'll have about 8 hours to myself. Any ideas, ladies? Also, can someone recommend some great restaurants in the area for dinner.

Cindi,

I'm going to move this to the Florida forum since it's not really specific to women. Those of us who made a habit of flying to JAX during the days of $118 rts from the west coast - at least those of us who got out of the airport a few times - should be able to give you some suggestions. And I'll look for a thread for you that should help too.

The Florida forum is under Travel&Dining >> Destinations >> United States.

I'm still working on finding that old thread for you on Jacksonville. In the meantime, you might consider driving to Ponte Verde and possibly St. Augustine to see the fort there, if you're at all interested in history. There are also a few shops in St. Augustine and some nicer shops in Ponte Verde. If you golf, Ponte Verde's the place to go.

The whole area's not too exciting, but there are some day spas you might want to consider.
This one's in Jacksonville:
http://www.sublimedayspa.com/

and Dawn Dion's is in Ponte Verde - 904-285-5919

From NY Times:

http://travel2.nytimes.com/mem/trave...ates%2fFlorida

Friday

4 p.m.
1) A River Runs Through
Just before it reaches the ocean, the St. Johns River pours through Jacksonville and creates miles of breezy waterfront. Most engaging is Riverside, on the river's western bank. Settled in the mid-1800's and largely erased by the 1901 fire that destroyed much of the city, it is today one of Florida's most architecturally rich neighborhoods: neo-classical, colonial and Mediterranean Revival houses blend with Tudor and Art Moderne bungalows. Stroll down deeply shaded side lanes where long scarves of Spanish moss swirl in the breeze. At Memorial Park (Riverside Avenue at Margaret Street), you can walk the river's edge. Then head four blocks west to Five Points, a tiny bohemian neighborhood emerging, unexpectedly, from Riverside's formal homes and gardens. Hit the mod shops along Park Street between Post and Lomax Streets. Milo (1010 Park Street; 904-598-9800) has cool European shoes and soft, swishy dresses. The vintage, never-worn shoes at Violet (1007 Park Street, 904-355-4449) are the confections of the Jacksonville designer Joseph LaRose, whose clients included Joan Crawford and Jackie Kennedy. When LaRose died in 1999, he left 100,000 pairs of shoes in a local warehouse. Violet's vibrant collection is in the sweet $20-to-$60 range.


7 p.m.
2) A Fiery Escape
The fire of 1901 started in a factory that processed Spanish moss for industrial use, but the flames at Mossfire Grill (1537 Margaret Street, 904-355-4434) are strictly culinary. Start with blackened tomato and chipotle salsa with blue and yellow corn chips ($2.50) and up the heat with a Dirty Devil martini (with pepper-stuffed olives; $8) or a margarita made with one of 46 tequilas. Escape to the rooftop deck laced with lights or to the lively upstairs lounge with a granite bar and, on weekends, live music where locals savor smoked pork tacos with ancho mole and pineapple salsa ($8).

10 p.m.
3) Add More Fuel
A favorite Five Points hangout, Fuel Coffeehouse (1037 Park Street, 904-425-3835) is a copious place with a cyberspace cafe and cozy nooks. Sink into a velvet chair and try a slice of cappuccino torte or raspberry swirl cheesecake ($4.95 each). Pair it with sherry ($6 to $23 a glass).

Saturday

10 a.m.
4) The Avondale Aura
Breeze north of Riverside along St. Johns Avenue, where two miles of mansions lure you into Avondale. In 1920, the Florida architect Telfair Stockton unveiled Avondale as ''the residential ideal -- where only the correct and well-to-do people would live.'' The community still hums at a high-society pitch, with cultural luncheons and gallery openings. The center of the Avondale art universe is the R. Roberts Gallery (3606 St. Johns Avenue, 904-388-1188), which carries works by artists like the naif master Michel Delacroix. Prada, Lilly Pulitzer and Fantini are staples at the boutiques along St. Johns between Talbot and Pinegrove Avenues. When the Mississippi-born Donna Berdine opened Donna's Chic Boutique (3581 St. Johns Avenue, 904-389-1133) in October, she was politely told that ''Avondale isn't ready for you.'' Now her Nicole Bakti cocktail dresses and pink-labeled ''Donna's Chic Boutique'' bottled water (a status symbol at local gyms) only add to Avondale's aura.

Noon
5) A River Brew
A 10-minute drive across the Acosta Bridge brings you to the River City Brewing Company (832 Museum Circle; 904-398-2299). Set in a yacht basin and decorated with knotty ships' ropes and tall outriggers, the Brewing Company offers spirited preparations of fresh fish and a 325-bottle, can't-miss wine list, as well as home-brewed ales. Pair a Riptide Porter ($3.25) with a smoked salmon appetizer ($8.95) and jambalaya crowned with rice and melting Vermont white cheddar ($8.95) while relishing the view of downtown.

1:30 p.m.
6) The San Marco Scene
After Avondale, the elite hit San Marco to stroll, shop and linger over espresso alfresco. The eight-square-block neighborhood is graced with gas lamps and scrolled iron benches. Design houses, yoga salons, antiques shops and art galleries keep multiplying. Celebrities have taken notice of places like 5 Sisters Boutique (1949-2 San Marco Boulevard, 904-399-1004), which stocks the latest by Sue Wong, Parameter and Walking Art. Art collectors steer to Stellers Gallery (1409 Atlantic Boulevard, 904-396-9492) for traditional, abstract and expressionist works.

7:30 p.m.
7) Aix Marks the Spot
San Marco swarms with high-end restaurants, though none is more sought after than Bistro Aix (1440 San Marco Boulevard, 904-398-1949), where the vigorous fare gets a French twist and is shaped according to what's in season. You may encounter a warm salad of duck confit ($9) or an oak-fired fish of the day on organic mizuna with goat cheese potatoes and blood orange vinaigrette ($24). The dining room is alluring with its mosaic-inlaid globe chandeliers, curving black banquettes, and windows dressed with crushed green velvet.

9:30 p.m.
8) The After-Dinner Scene
From Aix, stroll to Simon's Wine Bar (1004 Hendricks Avenue, 904-396-8088), above, for smooth wine and jazz on Thursday through Saturday nights starting at 8:30. Ensembles play in a space with lustrous wood floors and a glass-walled cellar holding 5,000 bottles of wine. After midnight, clubbers head for Endo Exo (1224 Kings Avenue, 904-396-7733) for martinis and dancing. With cubist furniture and silk-covered beds by the bar, Endo feels more South Beach than San Marco. Depending on who is playing, there may be a cover charge.

Sunday

10 a.m.
9) Brunch at Biscottis
Avondale's shops are shut tight on Sunday, but Biscottis (3556 St. Johns Avenue, 904-387-2060) serves brunch at sidewalk tables or in the high-ceilinged, brick-walled brasserie. Don't miss the smoked salmon and scrambled egg crepes au gratin with baby spinach and sundried tomato fondue ($7.95).

Noon
10) For the Love of Art
Nearby is the intimate Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens (829 Riverside Avenue, 904-356-6857). The galleries are filled with American paintings and Meissen porcelain, but everyone comes for the century-old formal gardens that run along the river. Ten minutes away in downtown (and on the way to the airport), the newly restored Jacksonville Museum of Modern Art (333 North Laura Street, 904-366-6911) has works by masters like Picasso and Mir�, though the focus is on exuberant, post-1945 works by emerging and established artists.

THE BASICS
Visiting Jacksonville


Jacksonville International Airport is 15 minutes from downtown Jacksonville. It's best to rent a car.

In Riverside, the Inn at Oak Street (2114 Oak Street, 904-379-5525), built in 1902 and renovated in 2002, has six guest rooms, some with whirlpool tubs and wine refrigerators. Massage and facials are offered in a new spa room. Rooms are $105 to $165 and include a full breakfast.

Also in Riverside, the Riverdale Inn (1521 Riverside Avenue, 866-808-3400), which opened last weekend after a two-year rejuvenation, is a three-story, 1901 Queen Anne house. Four of its eight guest rooms have pink Italian tile hearths. Each room has a linen-covered table for two, perfect for ordering from the inn's first-floor restaurant, the Row. Rooms are $130 to $175, including a full breakfast.

The Omni Jacksonville (245 Water Street, 904-355-6664) has 354 rooms from $89 to $179. Its heated rooftop pool overlooks the St. Johns River.

I grew up in Jacksonville, and I have to say I concur with the suggestions mentioned in the NYT article. I would focus on the areas around the River (Riverside/Five Points, Avondale, Downtown, San Marco) for restaurants, shopping, and museums (esp. the Cummer). You can stroll up and down the river on the Riverwalk, which is on the side of the river opposite The Jacksonville Landing.

Others might suggest shopping on the southside, but I really don't find anything there that's different from shopping in other cities - the ambiance of the communities around the river are much more appealing, and offer a broad range of independently-owned establishments.

My only other thought would be to take a trip out to Jax Beach - particularly Atlantic Beach/Neptune Beach, where local eateries and shopping are more eclectic, with some upscale places. Some long-time favorite restaurants in the area are Ragtime and Sun Dog Diner. I've always been partial to Sliders, which is an oyster bar (and this is a good time of year for oysters!.

As some have mentioned, there is upscale shopping/dining in the Ponte Vedra area, a short drive south from Jax Beach.

Feel free to PM me with any questions.

Enjoy - Jax is an undiscovered community on the upswing!

I've lived in the area for about 10 years now - and would also be glad to answer any questions. I'd add the zoo (if you like zoos - or even if you don't like zoos and it's a nice day - the new Land of the Jaguar exhibit just won a prize as the best new zoo exhibit in the US last year). And definitely a day trip to St. Augustine (via A1A if possible).

One thing to consider is - believe it or not - cultural events/concerts (everything from classical to country to hard rock). E.g., we have tickets to the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra at the University of Florida and a pipe organ concert in the Times Union Center this weekend. Check out what may be playing when you're in town.

There are also some fun outdoors/sports events (e.g., we have a minor league baseball team with a brand new stadium). As well as "do-it-yourself" sports (the prime ones being golf and tennis). Try the new fishing pier at Jacksonville Beach for a stroll on a nice day. Or some kayaking (there are several good places to do that). Or birding.

Or - if you have the time and the money - perhaps an executive health workup at the Mayo Clinic (but people come here all the time for that).

The restaurant scene changes all the time - and the area is huge geographically. I'd be glad to recommend restaurants in particular neighborhoods if anyone has any questions.

Nevertheless - this is not a major metro area. Don't expect to find what you'd find in a place like New York or London (e.g., shopping would be particularly low on my list of things to do). Robyn

Some of our favorite restaurants...Vito's (Italian) Baymeadows Rd and San Jose Blvd about 8 miles south of San Marco...Pom's (Thai) upstairs at Cafe on the Square in San Marco (southbank)...Blue Bamboo (Asian Fusion) Southside Blvd near the Tinseltown Center...Sekisui (Japanese) University and San Jose about 3 miles south of San Marco.

If I have 8 free hours to wander our fair region, I'm headed to St. George Street in St. Augustine...Galleries, boutiques, food, hand made music, history...

Enjoy!

Paul

My friend and I went to the Jacksonville Beach are for a day of fun and Picasso Day Spa was the right choice. We'd like to go back soon. www.picassospa.com

Months behind but I figured I'd chime in for future reference. I just started a consulting gig so have explored a little.

I've been to riverwalk in downtown and I'd recommend it too. I've also eaten at Blue Bamboo and enjoyed the Dim Sum.

For a strange recommendation, about 30 minutes SE of the airport just off route 9A is St Johns Town Center. Outdoor style shopping center that is a sure way to use some time. Took Mrs 900AT 4 hours to get from one end to the other. I'm sure there is a web site for anyone curious.

Have not made it to the outlets north of St Aug yet but will check it out one of these days.

For pure peace and quiet, just south of St Aug on A1A is Matanzas. I was there a while back and for a few dollars ($3 when I last visited) you can drive your car right up to the ocean on the hard packed sand and watch the world go by. FYI, don't fall asleep if you like being near the waves ;-)

It's been a while since I posted in this thread. Just FWIW - Blue Bamboo is an Asian fusion restaurant which has been around for perhaps 3 years. Bamboo Creek is a new Chinese restaurant which serves dim sum from carts during lunch hours. They are relatively close to one another (in the Southside/Tinseltown area) - and both pretty good (especially in terms of Asian food in Jacksonville) - but different kinds of restaurants.

The town center mall is relatively new - large - and still growing. Everything from Target to Louis Vuitton.

There are 2 factory outlet malls at the St. Augustine exit of I-95. One is in the process of being redone - with a new "Saks Off Fifth".

The zoo has a new giraffe exhibit - on a boardwalk - which allows you to look a giraffe in the eye. Great new exhibit.

For golfers - the new clubhouse at the TPC at Sawgrass (75,000 sf) in Ponte Vedra is finished - and the Stadium Course has been renovated. Must play course for serious golfers - and the food at the new clubhouse (open to the public) is really good. Robyn