Jacksonville Guide
Jacksonville has more square miles than any other city in the lower 48, which means a lot of ground to cover with kids in the back seat. Here is the short list local families rotate through, outdoors and in.
The classic full-morning outing on the Northside. Go early before the heat sets in.
Jacksonville Beach, Neptune Beach and Atlantic Beach are the free default on any nice day. Just watch the afternoon storm radar in summer.
The Museum of Science and History is the go-to educational stop, best for elementary ages.
Jacksonville's park system is huge, from riverfront playgrounds to Hanna Park's trails and lake.
Our pick, and not just because it is ours: an indoor, fully air-conditioned trampoline and adventure park at 9292 Arlington Expressway, Jacksonville, FL 32225. An all-day jump pass is $29.99, spectators get in free, and it is open seven days a week until 8 PM or later. Trampoline courts, a huge freestyle trampoline area, foam pit, high dive, dodgeball, basketball slam ball, trapeze, battle beam, a gamified ninja course with warped wall, monkey bars and climbing net, rock walls including a neon rock wall, a climbable Rubik's Cube, sport court, a giant 3-story soft play with slides and ball guns, arcade and redemption games, and a full cafe, with a dedicated toddler area for the little ones.
For parties, VOLT packages from $299 include private party space, pizza and drinks. Field trips, teams and camps too.
The Jacksonville reality: outdoor plans live and die by heat and thunderstorms roughly half the year. Every family needs an indoor anchor, and that is where we come in. When the radar turns red, see our guides to rainy day activities and indoor activities in Jacksonville.
These local sites keep track of what is happening around town for families. Check them for festivals, library programs and weekend ideas.
The city's official tourism site, with an events calendar for the whole area.
A family events calendar and directory for Jacksonville and the First Coast.
A local parenting site with guides and a directory of family businesses.
Family events, classes and activities listed for Jacksonville.
Jacksonville family favorites include the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens, the beaches, MOSH, city parks, and indoor picks like VOLT Adventure Park in Arlington, an air-conditioned trampoline and adventure park with all-day jump passes for $29.99.
VOLT Adventure Park hosts birthday party packages from $299 to $599 with private party space, pizza, drinks and paper goods included. Glow and toddler party options are available.
Indoor venues work every day of the year. VOLT Adventure Park is open seven days a week, fully air conditioned, with memberships from $22.99 per person per month for families who come back often.
Trampolines, ninja course, climbing, soft play and more, all indoors. Passes from $19.99, spectators free.
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