Are you looking for a nice place to take the family for a good meal? Jacksonville, FL is a great place to be when you are searching for good family restaurants. In fact, we’ve listed a few of our favorites, so you can have a nice time with your loved ones.
3 Family Restaurants Worth the Drive Near Jacksonville, FL
1. The Table (formerly Aunt Jan’s Kitchen)
For a traditional American breakfast or lunch, visit this restaurant. Try their breakfast specials, which include pancakes, bacon, sausage, eggs, and grits. For lunch, they offer a variety of sandwiches, Southern dishes, salads, and soups. We recommend the Executive Club sandwich, the turkey club, the Camel Rider sandwich, or the Poor Boy sub, all for under $6.
Other good choices include smoked sausage with red beans and rice or country-fried steak. Vegetarians will also find a lot of choices, such as mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, okra with tomatoes and rice, and baby green limas. The kids will enjoy a grilled cheese or hamburger for under $3. Be sure to check their Facebook page for updates and specials. They are open Monday through Friday and are located at 5065 Normandy Blvd.
2. Metro Diner
When you’re craving comfort food, stop by the Metro Diner for tasty and affordable meals. For breakfast, the kids will love the cinnamon roll pancakes, the kids’ chicken and waffle, the kids’ platter, or the carrot cake waffle. The adults can enjoy the biscuits and sausage gravy, the avocado bacon scramble bowl, or the Western omelet.
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Residents of Jacksonville, FL have so many entertainment options right on their doorstep. That includes a range of amazing stadiums and sports venues where people can enjoy watching sports. Keep reading to learn more about five local favorites.
Drive on Over: 5 Favorite Stadiums and Sports Venues Near Jacksonville, FL
1. TIAA Bank Field
TIAA Bank Field is one of the largest and best-known buildings in Jacksonville and the surrounding area. This 67,000-seat stadium is home to the Jacksonville Jaguars of the NFL and also hosts college games, including the Gator Bowl.
You’ll find TIAA Bank Field on TIAA Bank Field Drive in the Downtown area. If you’re driving in the city, an efficient car like the 2023 Mazda Sedan 2.5 S Preferred is a great option.
2. Hodges Stadium
The 12,000-seat Hodges Stadium is perfect for sports fans of all kinds. Hodges Stadium hosts soccer, track, and more. The stadium is located on the Jacksonville campus of the University of North Florida.
Hodges Stadium also hosts pro soccer for Jackson Armada FC. This team plays in the North American Soccer League, and the atmosphere at their games is electric. Or, if you want to get patriotic while enjoying fast-paced sporting action, you can enjoy watching the United States National Rugby team here too.
3. VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena
VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena is the best indoor arena in Jacksonville. This 14,000-seat stadium is home to three professional sports teams, so there’s something for everyone to enjoy. The Jacksonville Sharks indoor football team and Jacksonville Icemen hockey team are both regular tenants, while basketball games and other events take place here, too.
Read the rest of this entry »Meet the 2023 Mazda MX-5 Miata
The 2023 Mazda MX-5 Miata is a joy to drive, engineered with you, the driver, in mind to ensure a seamless driving experience. With a perfect balance, advanced safety features, and cutting-edge technology, this roadster is much more than just a way to get from point A to point B. Available in Sport, Club, and Grand Touring trims, Mazda isn’t kidding when they say this car is inspired by classic 60s roadsters. It’s hard not to stare at it going down the street, and it’s as elegant inside as out.
Meet the 2023 Mazda MX-5 Miata
Vehicle Basics
The 2023 Mazda MX-5 is powered by a 181-hp, SKYACTIV®-G 2.0 DOHC, 16-valve , 4-cylinder engine with Variable Valve Timing (VVT), delivering 181 horsepower at 7,000 rpm. This powerful and efficient engine is the heart of the MX-5, providing a thrilling driving experience. Control this beast with an automatic transmission available in the Grand Touring, or with the sporty 6-speed manual standard in the Sport and Club and available on all trims.
New Features
The MX-5 Miata comes with the Mazda Connect™ Infotainment System, offering seamless connectivity through Apple CarPlay™. On the Club and Grand Touring trims, your integration will even be wireless (for compatible iPhones).
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There are so many things to do in Jacksonville, FL that it can be a little bit overwhelming choosing activities. If you love supporting local art, we’ve put together a short list of some of our favorites. Many of these spots have regularly rotating exhibits. Once you find a few you love, you’ll be set up for easy repeat visits.
Just Down the Road: 4 Great Spots for Local Art in Jacksonville, FL
1. The Art Center Cooperative
The Art Center Cooperative is run by more than 25 artists from the Jacksonville area. It’s a non-profit organization with art exhibits, as well as art studios. They also have a shop where you can purchase art you like in a variety of styles.
Some of the art supported by The Art Center Cooperative (locally known as TAC) can be found at the Jacksonville Main Library as well. To visit the gallery, check out their new location at 320 E Adams St. It’s only a few blocks away from the Museum of Contemporary Art.
2. Yellow House Art Gallery
Yellow House Art Gallery features thought-provoking artwork focused on social change. The themes are sometimes on global topics but often zero in on the stories of local neighborhoods. A lot of the work is created by locals and some of it is collaborative.
Read the rest of this entry »4 Signs Your Mazda Needs New Spark Plugs
Your Mazda’s spark plugs are one of the most important parts of your engine. Without them, your entire ignition system won’t work, and your Mazda won’t be able to start. It’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with the signs of spark plug issues so that you can have them replaced as soon as you need to. Keep reading to find out when you should get in touch with your Mazda dealer to schedule a maintenance checkup.
4 Signs Your Mazda Needs New Spark Plugs
Surging Acceleration
A common sign that your Mazda is experiencing spark plug issues is if you find your vehicle randomly surging forward when you haven’t hit the accelerator. This can point to an uneven burning of fuel within the engine and is a serious safety risk since it reduces the amount of control that you have over your vehicle on the road.
If you experience surging, you should head to the dealership for a checkup right away. Even if the issue isn’t with a spark plug, it’s something that should be addressed as soon as possible.
Your Engine Has a Rough Idle
The most obvious sign of a failing spark plug is if there is a knocking or ticking sound while your Mazda is idling. This indicates that your engine is misfiring slightly, which can point to an issue with a spark plug.
Read the rest of this entry »You said yes to that first date. Now you’ve said yes to spending forever with the love of your life. Now it’s time to say yes to a location for the biggest day of your life. Here are the top wedding venues for a breathtaking ceremony and memory-making reception in Jacksonville, FL.
5 Popular Wedding Venues We Love In Jacksonville, FL
1. The Ribault Club
Located on Jacksonville’s Fort George Island, this 16-000-square-foot venue offers versatile space and timeless elegance. The property’s giant oak trees, with flowing, outstretched branches dripping with greenery, create a stunning scene for vows ceremonies. The Ribault Club is flexible for indoor and outdoor ceremonies and receptions with a veranda, french doors, terrazzo floors, and neo-classical architecture.
2. The Glass Factory
This 16,000-square-foot historic factory displays an industrial, unique aesthetic with exposed bricks, an open floor plan, and high ceilings. The space can hold both the ceremony and reception and offers a bridal lounge and groom’s room. The Glass Factory accommodations and decor is fully customizable and offers a full catering kitchen.
Read the rest of this entry »Introducing the 2023 Mazda CX-9
Mazda’s CX-9 is perfect for the family with its comfortable, three-row cabin and versatility, but doesn’t sacrifice when it comes to road-carving fun. The mid-sized crossover SUV features an exceptionally athletic chassis and gorgeous styling, both inside and out. This is your quick introduction to the 2023 Mazda CX-9!
Basics About the 2023 Mazda CX-9
Powertrain
The CX-9 offers powerful turbocharged performance from its 2.5L Skyactiv-G Dynamic Pressure Turbo inline-4, producing up to 250 horsepower and 320 lb-ft of torque. Pairing with the engine is the speedy Skyactiv-Drive 6-speed automatic transmission, which comes with manual shifting and a sport mode for extra fun and responsiveness. Plus, that fun can be had guilt-free since the vehicle achieves an impressive EPA-rated 26 highway MPG.
The standard i-Activ AWD system allows you to navigate through inclement weather with little worry as it constantly adjust power distribution to give you the maximum traction available.
Chassis
As you’re cruising the streets, the CX-9’s independent suspension soaks up road bumps to give you a comfortable ride. When making tight turns, the front MacPherson strut, multi-link rear setup, and stabilizer bars keep the vehicle steady and under your control. The well-balanced steering results in precise direction changes, and diagonal hydraulic brakes quickly bring the vehicle to a stop with the help of braking assist and electronic brakeforce distribution.
Read the rest of this entry »Your Guide to the 2023 Mazda3 Hatchback
The 2023 Mazda3 hatchback is an excellently priced sedan that can compete with other premium vehicles on the market and excel. The 3 hatchback is handsome and agile, ensuring that cornering is a blast. In addition, the sporty turbo engine has punchy acceleration and pairs well with Mazda’s all-wheel-drive system. Read on to learn more about the excellent features of the Mazda 3 hatchback.
Check out the 2023 Mazda3 Hatchback
The ’23 Mazda3 takes on the road with authority. The hatchback is perfect if you are looking for aggressive acceleration. The available and responsive Skyactiv-G 2.5L turbocharged powertrain delivers 250 horsepower and up to 320 pounds per foot of maximum torque. All-wheel drive Mazda3 models have a six-speed automatic transmission. However, if you choose a front-wheel-drive Mazda3, you can opt for a six-speed manual transmission in your hatchback.
Upgrades in 2023
Mazda has removed the base 2.0L four-cylinder engine from the 3’s lineup this year. Instead, the new entry-level powertrain is the 2.5L four-cylinder that upgrades the available horsepower in this hatchback to 191. This more modern engine includes cylinder deactivation technology which ensures that your Mazda3 is more fuel efficient than previous models. Additionally, the Carbon Edition model is now available in all-wheel-drive.
Read the rest of this entry »Whether you’re jonesing for some freshly steamed Chinese dumplings or a big plate of Korean BBQ, there are many options for Asian restaurants to choose from in the Jacksonville, FL area. Of course, you’ll want the best, so make sure to save these places to your Mazda CX-5’s easy-to-use navigation system!
3 of the Best Asian Restaurants in Driving Distance of Jacksonville, FL
1. Hawkers Asian Street Food
Hawkers on 241 Atlantic Boulevard is unique for enabling diners to enjoy street food-style dishes from a variety of Far Eastern cuisines, from Singapore and Malaysia to Korea and Japan. Dim sum fans can enjoy soup dumplings, BBQ pork baos, and crispy golden wontons filled with shrimp, chicken, and mushroom. Their noodle dishes, such as yaki udon and beef haw fun, boast deep and smoky flavors thanks to the high-temperature wok.
For dessert, don’t miss out on Hawkers’ banana spring rolls topped with spiced honey and accompanied by a scoop of vanilla ice cream, berries, and raspberry sauce.
2. Kusina
Located at 4190 Belfort Road, Kusina is a Filipino café, bakery, and family restaurant all rolled into one. If you’re coming in for breakfast, the restaurant offers a selection of silog, the Philippines’ famous plate of garlic fried rice, eggs, and your choice of meat or fish. The café menu’s Quiche Bites and Kusina Kicker breakfast sandwiches are offered as quick bites for when you’re in a hurry.
Items on the family-style menu come in insanely large portions, so they’re perfect for feeding large groups. It includes classic Philippine dishes like pancit palabok covered in shrimp gravy and dinuguan, a savory and spicy pork stew. No matter which dish you order, you can be sure to enjoy high-quality ingredients and strong flavors.
Welcome to fun-filled Jacksonville, FL. When you’ve got a good tan at the beach and are ready to enjoy the air conditioning inside, bowling is always a good choice. Check out one of the following local bowling alleys for an evening of entertainment.
Drive on Down: 4 of the Best Bowling Alleys Near Jacksonville, FL
1. Freedom Lanes
This newly remodeled establishment at Bldg. 609 Gillis St. has 16 lanes, friendly staff, and some of the best pizza and French fries around. Come celebrate a birthday with the whole family. The adults can enjoy a beer while the kids practice their bowling skills with automatic scoring and bumpers. There’s also an arcade room and pool tables. And they keep everything clean. Please drink responsibly and in moderation, and do not drink and drive.
2. Pinz Bowling Center
Pinz is a modern facility with excellent amenities and entertainment at affordable prices. Go at night for a disco-style bowling experience. They have specials for groups and families, such as $50 for a 2-hour bowling session with up to 4 people. The food is very good, so order wings, a pizza, and sodas and get ready for a great time. You can even join a league at your skill level. They are located at 244 Baltimore St. and are open Tuesday through Saturday.
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