Drive Around Town: 3 Fun Things to See and Do in Downtown Jacksonville, FL

Thanks to its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean, there are no shortage of scenic drives in Jacksonville, FL, from gorgeous meanders down the shore-lined AIA Highway to beautiful drives into the interior of the state, where you'll find huge trees wreathed in Spanish moss. Your 2023 Mazda MX-5 Miata is the perfect sophisticated and sporty ride to get you there with exceptional driving and an integrated entertainment system. 4 Scenic Drives You Can Take Near Jacksonville, FL 1. River Road Historic District You'll find the River Road Historic District less than half an hour outside of Jacksonville in nearby Orange Park, and it's well worth the short drive. This part of Florida is full of historic buildings, lovely glimpses of the inland St. John's River, and plenty of unique old-growth southern trees. It's also a unique drive because it takes you inland to see a whole new side of the Sunshine State. more 2. Fort Clinch State Park Fort Clinch State Park, at 2601 Atlantic Avenue in nearby Fernandina Beach, is less than an hour from Jacksonville, and the scenic drive out there is absolutely stunning, especially when you get closer to the park. From the trees draped in Spanish moss to the bucolic fields and countryside, you'll see it's a lovely, peaceful drive, and you'll get to enjoy the historical fort at the end. 3. AIA Highway Arguably one of the most incredible drives in the entire state, the AIA Highway drive goes down the Atlantic Ocean, starting in Fernandina Beach and ending at Turner Butler Boulevard. Expect stunning views of the pristine ocean, windswept beaches, and candy-colored houses on your way down. If you're looking for a gorgeous slice of sand and sea, and you want to see it from your car, the AIA Highway is an excellent choice. 4. Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge Travel less than an hour away to Georgia's Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, at 2700 Suwannee Canal Road, and enjoy the best of northern Florida and southern Georgia. With plenty of ancient trees, wildlife, and beautiful nature the whole way out, the drive out to this refuge is a splendid way to spend the day. Plus, you can explore the preserve itself and see all of Georgia's incredible flora and fauna. Enjoy some of the top drives in this amazing part of the Sunshine State. You don't have to go too far to find somewhere gorgeous to go cruising, and you can even hit up a few fun hotspots on the way. To get to these four incredible drives and see the best of the state, you'll need some excellent wheels. Stop in and see us at Tom Bush Mazda and check out our great inventory today.

From tourist attractions to hidden gems, there's a lot to love about living in Jacksonville, FL. That said, we all need a break from our routine every once in a while, and there are lots of fun cities and charming towns near Jax that you can escape to. If you feel like you need a break, load your family into your 2024 Mazda CX-90, and check out one of these great weekend getaways. 3 Great Weekend Getaways in Driving Distance of Jacksonville, FL 1. Amelia Island If you are a history buff visiting Amelia Island, you need to check out American Beach at the end of Lewis Street. It was founded by A. L. Lewis in 1935 in response to the segregation laws in the state. Today, this pristine beach can be enjoyed by anyone, and it serves as Florida's Black Heritage Trail's first stop. We also love Amelia Island State Park at Florida A1A. This state park is open from 8 AM until sundown daily, and parking is free. However, there is a fee to enjoy the park. You will need to put $2 per person into the honor box before entering. One of the greatest things about this park is that it is great for birdwatching. Depending on the season, you may see such bird species as: Bald eagles Least terns Wilson's plover Osprey Pelicans Royal terns Piping plovers Black skimmers Willets more 2. St. Marys We also love visiting St. Marys. One of our favorite places to visit is Crooked River State Park at 6222 Charlie Smith Sr Hwy. In this convenient state park, you can enjoy the best of the maritime forest and Intracoastal Waterway. We recommend staying in one of the comfy, cozy cottages near the tidal river. However, you can also camp surrounded by beautiful old oaks and massive palmettos. This 500-acre park features over five dozen campsites, 11 cottages, four picnic shelters, and two group shelters. It is a great place to picnic, and it is also a great place for a wedding or vow renewal. Some things you can do here include biking, birding, boating, and fishing. 3. Daytona Beach, FL We also recommend checking out Daytona International Speedway at 1801 W International Speedway Blvd. With a Fanzone ticket, you can: Sign the finish line Look in the garage Enjoy the pre-race concert There are many great places to get away from Jax for the weekend, and you can explore them whenever you want with reliable transportation. Just make sure you stay on top of your manufacturer-recommended maintenance schedule to keep your car running smoothly. If it's been a while since your last tire rotation, contact us now at Tom Bush Mazda to schedule a service appointment.

If you're an avid reader, finding the best bookstores near Jacksonville, FL can ensure a steady supply of books to read and increase your appreciation of the various literary works available in-store. Luckily, you have many good locations to choose from, whether you love poetry, romance, mystery, fantasy, science-fiction, or other genres of literature. 3 Great Bookstores You Can Drive to Near Jacksonville, FL 1. Chamblin's Uptown Centrally located in downtown Jacksonville at 215 North Laura St., Chamblin's Uptown is a two-story independent bookstore with roughly 800,000 books available in-store. This retail location doubles as a cafe serving breakfast and lunch all day. Local coffee from Sweetwater Coffee and delicious baked goods from Old Cup Bakery are some popular menu items served. Not only is Chamblin's Uptown a bookseller-slash-cafe but a great book-buying and trading outlet, too. If you're not looking to buy a book or grab a morning cup of coffee, you can sell your used books for a profit or trade in your old collection for a new one. This store opens daily, unlike its sister Roosevelt location, which closes on Sundays. more 2. Femme Fire Books If you're a big fan of female authors, then Femme Fire Books, located at 2766 Park St. STE 1, has a carefully curated collection of books you need to read. From gripping works of fiction to works inspired by real-life stories and events, this bookstore is quite possibly one of Jacksonville's greatest celebrations of female books and literature. There's something for everyone; whether you're looking for a sci-fi novel, a food-themed travel book, or want funny books to read to your kids. A once purely online store, this brick-and-mortar store is now open from Wednesday through Sunday. Drive to this location in your comfortable Mazda CX-9 to see the great collection of female-authored books on their shelves. 3. San Marco Books Located at 1971 San Marco Blvd, San Marco Books is a family-run bookstore that opens Monday through Saturday. It offers a large selection of Jacksonville and Florida history books, children's books, teens' books, and more. To encourage a reading culture in the local community, this location runs book clubs and sells literary gifts for people of all ages. The bookstore also partners with local schools to provide learners with convenient access to summer reading resources. Knowing convenient locations for finding your favorite books can help increase your love for reading. But you don't want your car to break down when you're driving down to a bookstore close to you. Schedule a service at Tom Bush Mazda of Jacksonville to keep the vehicle in good working condition and ensure a problem-free visit to your desired book-selling, buying, or trading destination.