Cheap Breaks on Runways:  Downtown Jacksonville

Enjoy a few days and nights exploring downtown Jacksonville, centered on the beautiful St. Johns River (you know, the other famous river that flows north!).  With the Jacksonville Transportation Authority's new AirJTA service, getting to downtown from Runways at Jacksonville International Airport is quick, easy, and cheap (just $1.50 each way effective August 25, 2008).  There is a lot to do, but be sure to walk the River Walk (there is one on the North Bank that takes you into the historic Riverside neighborhood, and a shorter one on the South Bank that goes by several restaurants) and take a Water Taxi ride.

36 Hours in Downtown Jacksonville

Day 1

bullet

6:15 PM  Arrive on Runways' trip 6 at Jacksonville International Airport
 

bullet

6:50 PM (6:20 PM Saturdays and Sundays)  Depart on JTA's NS-33 AirJTA to  downtown Jacksonville.  Trips leave from JTA's stop near the Pre-Arranged Ground Transportation booth, located on the lower (Arrivals) level outside of baggage carousel 1.  Visit www.jtafla.com or call (904) 630-3100 for specific schedule information.
(Fare:  $1.50 per person effective August 25, 2008 - exact change)
 

bullet

7:45 PM  Check into hotel. 
There are several to choose from, all within a short walk of an AirJTA stop, including:

Crowne Plaza Jacksonville Riverfront, 1201 Riverplace Blvd.
Extended Stay America Jacksonville Riverwalk, 1413 Prudential Dr.
Hampton Inn Jacksonville - I-95 Central, 1331 Prudential Dr.
Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront, 225 East Coastline Dr.
Omni Jacksonville Hotel, 245 Water St.
Wyndham Jacksonville Riverwalk, 1515 Prudential Dr.
 

bullet

  8:00 PM  Dinner in downtown Jacksonville (South Bank) at BB's,
                      1019 Hendricks Ave., (904) 306-0100
 

bullet

10:00 PM  Go dancing in downtown Jacksonville at The Jacksonville Landing at 2 Independent Dr., at one of two nightclubs:
 
                       The Twisted Martini
                        Maverick's Rock N' Honky Tonk

Day 2

bullet

9:00 AM  Late breakfast at the Worman's Bakery & Deli,
                      2204 Broad St., (904) 354-5702 (closed Sundays)
 

bullet

10:30 AM  Explore Hemming Plaza, Jacksonville's "Living Room" and visit the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA), 333 North Laura St., (904) 366-6911.
 

bullet

1:00 PM  Lunch at The Burrito Gallery,
                        21 East Adams St., (904) 598-2922
 

bullet

2:30 PM  Spend the afternoon exploring the St. Johns River, walking both the North and South Bank River Walks.  On the South Bank, visit  the Jacksonville Historical Center, 1015 Museum Circle #1, (904) 398-4301, and the Jacksonville Maritime Museum, 1015 Museum Circle #2, (904) 398-9011.  These museums are on either side of the Main Street (blue) Bridge on the South Bank River Walk, and are both quick visits.  Admission to both is free!

Raining or just getting too hot?  Stop in MOSH (Museum of Science and History), on the South Bank River Walk at 1025 Museum Circle, (904) 396-MOSH.  Not only does it have fun science exhibits and a planetarium, it also has a great exhibit on the history of Jacksonville, including the 1901 fire (started from a mattress factory -- not the cow from Chicago!).

No visit to the St. Johns in downtown Jacksonville would be complete without a ride on a Water Taxi.  The pontoon boats will take you across the river between the North and South Banks, or anywhere along the river between the Acosta Bridge and Jacksonville Municipal Stadium (home of the NFL Jacksonville Jaguars). Call (904) 910-1227.  Regular adult fares are just $3.00 one way per person.
 

bullet

7:00 PM  Dinner at River City Brewing Company
                        835 Museum Cir., (904) 398-2299

Day 3

bullet

7:30 AM  Breakfast at the Hotel and Check-Out
 

bullet

9:25 AM  (8:20 AM Saturdays and Sundays)  Walk to nearest JTA NS-33 AirJTA stop to Jacksonville International Airport.  Visit www.jtafla.com or call (904) 630-3100 for specific schedule information.
(Fare: $1.50 per person effective August 25, 2008 - exact change)
 

bullet

10:25 AM (9:15 AM Saturdays and Sundays)  Arrive at Pre-Arranged Ground Transportation at Jacksonville International Airport -- weekdays please head immediately to Runways' trip 5 for an on-time departure.
 

bullet

10:30 AM  Depart Jacksonville International Airport on Runways' Trip 5.

For more information on everything there is to see and do in downtown Jacksonville, please visit:

www.downtownjacksonville.org

Getting There on Runways:  Runways' operates five daily round trips service between Orlando International Airport, Gainesville and the University of Florida, Macclenny, Baldwin, and Jacksonville International Airport (JAX).  From JAX, take JTA's express NS-33 AirJTA to downtown Jacksonville (visit www.jtafla.com or call JTA at (904) 630-3100 for schedule and fare information).

Remember to make your reservations for travel on Runways either on-line at www.rnwy.com, or call us toll-free at 1-800-578-6929. 

#  #  #