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We love exploring the many quaint small towns dotted all over Florida's varied landscape. If you're planning a trip to get away from it all, draw inspiration from our favorite places to visit within a short drive of Jacksonville, FL. 3 Charming Small Towns You Can Drive to From Jacksonville, FL Palatka Located just over an hour from Jacksonville, Palatka is known for its thriving artistic community. For example, you can tour more than 30 murals throughout the city, all depicting aspects of county history. Palatka is also one of the state's oldest towns, established as a trading post in 1821. The downtown historic district features landmarks like the state's oldest diner and one of the oldest Dairy Queen restaurants. As a designated trail town, Palatka serves as a hub to explore the region on bike or foot. You can access the St. Johns River Blueway and hit a few of the stops on the Great Florida Birding Trail. The city also holds several fun annual events, including the Blueberry Festival, Blue Crab Festival, and Azalea Festival. more Micanopy With fewer than 1,000 residents, Micanopy is truly one of the state's smallest towns. It's also a road trip destination because of its many antique stores, and it's located less than 2 hours from Jacksonville. In addition to browsing for treasures in the many vintage shops that line Micanopy's narrow dirt streets, you can visit Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park nearby to experience the natural beauty of this rural part of Florida. We like to visit Micanopy during its annual fall arts and crafts festival during the last weekend in October. Now in its 48th year, this event features live musicians, performers, and artisans from across the region. You can even take part in an old-time auction for a chance to win items donated by the festival's vendors. Winter Park You can visit this quaint small town by driving just over 2 hours from Jacksonville. Winter Park earns day trip or weekend getaway points for its adorable downtown area, which features boutiques, restaurants, and cultural attractions like the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of Natural Art. It's also a tight-knit community that frequently holds fun family events. The town also features more than 70 parks, so it's an ideal place to grab a cup of coffee and watch the world go by from under a shady tree. Winter Park was founded as a winter resort for the wealthy in 1887, and its historic homes, cafes, and buildings give it a European flair. We recommend taking a boat tour of the chain of scenic lakes, a wonderful way to experience the area's natural and man-made beauty. You'll enjoy your next road trip even more in the redesigned cabin of the Mazda CX-9. Test drive this elegant SUV today at Tom Bush Mazda.

From parks and museums to botanical gardens, there are many great opportunities for entertainment in Jacksonville, FL. When weighing your options, you may struggle to decide due to the number of activities you can choose from. Today, we're looking at our favorite weekend activities in the Jacksonville area that we think you should make the drive over to. Drive on Over: 3 Weekend Activities Near Jacksonville, FL 1. Visiting Catty Shack Ranch One of the best things to do on a Saturday night in Jax is visiting Catty Shack Ranch at 1860 Starratt Road. Every Friday and Saturday from 6 to 7:30 PM, night feedings are held. After a brief introductory video, you can take a self-guided walking tour through the ranch. You can see the animals that live here, including foxes, bobcats, cougars, and lions. At 7 o'clock, it is feeding time! The executive director of the wildlife sanctuary will share fun facts about the animals that live here. You can also go on an enrichment tour from 1 to 3 Sunday. Typically, this self-guided walking tour takes 45 to 60 minutes to complete. more 2. Exploring Little Talbot Island State Park We also recommend exploring Little Talbot Island State Park at 12157 Heckscher Dr. There are many great outdoor activities that you can enjoy here, including surfing, paddling, and swimming. There are also hiking and biking trails that can be enjoyed. Birding is another popular activity that can be enjoyed out here. Some of the species you may be able to see include: Painted buntings Snowy owls Great-horned owls Plovers 3. Touring Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens Touring Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens at 370 Zoo Parkway is another great way to spend a Saturday in Jax. There are over a dozen exhibits housing mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, and amphibians from around the world. One of the most popular exhibits is Stingray Bay. Here, you can get an up-close look at Atlantic guitarfish, cownose stingrays, Atlantic stingrays, and bluntnose stingrays. The Land of the Tiger exhibit is also really popular. In this exhibit, you can find Malayan and Sumatran tigers. You can also find Visayan warty pigs and bluegills here. If you're a fan of birds, you can't miss the Emerald Forest Aviary exhibit. It is home to over a dozen bird species. While there are many great ways to enjoy a beautiful weekend in Jax, you need a car you can count on, like a 2023 Mazda MX-5 Miata. If you're in the market for a new car, take one for a test drive by visiting us today at Tom Bush Mazda.

Jacksonville, FL is one of the best places for taking photos because there are almost endless opportunities. No matter if you'd like a historical backdrop, a modern setting, or a beautiful natural area, you're sure to find what you're looking for. Four great photo spots are Atlantic National Bank, St. Andrew's Church, Metropolitan Park, and James Weldon Johnson Park. Photo Spots Just Down the Road: 4 Great Spots for Taking Photos Near Jacksonville, FL 1. Atlantic National Bank Do you want to capture some urban photos featuring one of the most historic buildings in the area? If so, head downtown to Atlantic National Bank. This skyscraper was constructed in 1909, so it's been around for well over 100 years. At one point, it was the tallest building in the city. Although this white marble and terra-cotta structure has now been converted to office space, it's still impressive. You can find ANB at 121 Atlantic Place. more 2. St. Andrew's Church Gothic churches are great for hauntingly spooky pictures. St. Andrew's Church is unique because it's the only big downtown church to survive the Great Fire of 1901. It was constructed in 1888, and it features stone trimmings, Florida pine woodwork, and mahogany doors. Nowadays, the church is the headquarters of the Jacksonville Historical Society. Drive your Mazda CX-30 to 317 A Philip Randolph Street and snap some photos with this unique building. 3. Metropolitan Park Drive your Mazda to Metropolitan Park & Marina and enjoy this incredible green space located on the St. Johns River. You'll be able to take some pictures at the marina, where you can admire dozens of boats and even a few yachts. The park is open every day from 7 am to dusk, and you don't have to make a reservation unless there's a concert or a football game. 4. James Weldon Johnson Park James Weldon Johnson Park is a stunning space located in the heart of the city. Aside from lots of beautiful, green areas, it features an outdoor dining area, two stages, public art projects, and a Kids' Zone. No matter what kind of picture, you'd like to take, you're sure to find the perfect spot in this historical setting. There are also plenty of live events throughout the year, so you can get unique snaps of performances and concerts. If you're looking to take exciting photos in your local area, head to Atlantic National Bank, St. Andrew's Church, Metropolitan Park, and James Weldon Johnson Park. These four locations offer ideal backdrops and stunning vistas. Once you've taken your pictures, stop by Tom Bush Mazda and have a look at our great range of Mazda vehicles. We can help you find the perfect car to take you on your next photographic adventure.