Top 20 Places to Take Kids in and around Jacksonville - 2019
2019 Best Places for Kids in the Jacksonville region!
The best places to take kids in Jacksonville, based on KidsOutAndAbout's annual reader survey. But there is LOTS more to do in Jacksonville! Get great ideas here! What is listed below are far from the only opportunities for family fun and learning; they're just what was voted this year.
Jacksonville Zoo
Escape to the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens for the only walking safari in Northeast Florida.
Conner's A-Maize-Ing Acres
Thanks for your vote! Conner's A-Maize-Ing Acres is a family owned & operated farm with lots of "farmtastic" fun for all ages during the Fall & Spring Seasons. Load up the family and come on out to the country and make some special memories that will last a lifetime! We can't wait to see you!
Catty Shack Ranch Wildlife Sanctuary
The mission of Catty Shack Ranch Wildlife Sanctuary is to provide a safe, loving and forever home to endangered big cats and to educate the public about their plight in the wild and in captivity. They offer both Daytime Tours and Night Feeding Tours of their facilities where visitors can see the animals of Catty Shack Ranch Wildlife Sanctuary. Their current residents include tigers, lions, pumas, leopards, lynx, foxes, and coatimundis (the last two species being “honorary cats”).
Museum of Science & History
The Museum of Science & History (MOSH) inspires the joy of lifelong learning by bringing to life the sciences and regional history. Within the walls of MOSH are three levels of exhibits that make science, history and innovation accessible for all. From interactive, award-winning favorites like Currents of Time and Atlantic Tails to the Florida Naturalist’s Center, which houses animals native to northeast Florida, there is something for all ages to discover. Indulge your imagination with a live science show, animal encounters, or explore distant galaxies in one of our planetarium programs. When visiting Northeast Florida’s only science and history museum, there is no limit to what you can discover!
Amazing Grace Crop Maze
Amazing Grace Crop Maze provides family fun on the farm in Clay County! You can enjoy hayrides, cow train, duck races, corn crib, barnyard ball zone, and so much more! The Fall Festival in October is a month of fun that you won't want to miss.
St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park
The St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park is one of Florida’s oldest and most treasured attractions. Since 1893, it has provided visitors with exciting and educational opportunities to interact with a wide range of crocodilians, reptiles, mammals and birds! Located on Anastasia Island in St. Augustine, The Alligator Farm features natural exhibits, wildlife shows and educational demonstrations.
My Local Library
Of course, the libraries in the Jacksonville area are not really ONE place, but MANY places... but it's important to emphasize how valuable libraries are for family learning and fun. The libraries in our area are wonderful about posting their events to the KidsOutAndAbout calendar so you always can get ideas for free things to do with your kids that celebrate education and imagination. KidsOutAndAbout.com takes this opportunity to salute the wonderful children's librarians who serve our community with such dedication. They're proud that locals voted them to the list of the best places to take kids this year!
Flight Fit N Fun (Velocity Air Sports)
Flight Fit N Fun’s premier family entertainment venues provide family fun, fitness and exciting sports.
Alhambra Theatre & Dining
Opened in 1967, The Alhambra Theatre is the nation's longest continually running professional dinner theatre! With a complete renovation in 2009, it's the Alhambra like you've never seen, heard or tasted before! The Alhambra also offers summer camps and celebration packages for birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, group events, and more.
Adventure Landing
Adventure Landing offers affordable family fun. We are a family entertainment center that features: miniature golf, go-karts, laser tag and a mega arcade! If you are looking to hold a birthday party, a company or corporate event, a church event, school event or a holiday party, look no further! Adventure Landing will make sure that everyone at your event has a blast.
The Island Theater
The Island Theater produces quality live theatrical events and supports charitable organizations connected to the arts. They aim to facilitate social awareness in the community and give theatrical education to participants in their workshops and adult acting classes. The Island Theater also hosts youth and teen summer camps where kids can learn more about acting and theater, and put on a show of their own!
Jacksonville Arboretum & Gardens
With a mission to cultivate a unique environment for recreation, education and inspiration, Jacksonville Arboretum & Gardens, a 120-acre urban woodland full of trails and gardens, is open every day of the year for you to explore and enjoy.
Tree Hill Nature Center
Tree Hill Nature Center promotes environmental stewardship to the community through quality, hands-on educational programs and low-cost access to natural areas.
Amelia Island Nature Center
Join one of our naturalists and explore Amelia Island, one of Florida’s natural wonders! Stop by the fully stocked retail shop, complete with top-of-the-line binoculars and field guides, to fulfill all your exploring needs. Or visit with our local rescued critters, chat with our naturalists, rent a fishing pole, or sign up for a tour or camp.
St. Marys Railroad
Re-live history as you ride the rails with entertainment all along the way. At the midway point, watch the locomotive make a turnaround and enjoy even more entertainment. A great excursion for people of all ages. The perfect melding of adventure and serenity as you journey into yesteryear.
Riverside Arts Market
The Riverside Arts Market is a weekly market hosted on Saturdays from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., rain or shine. RAM is a place where our community comes together! During the week, the space is a parking lot, but on Saturdays, it houses hundreds of artists, farmers, artisans, nonprofits and other community organizations and small businesses!
Pump It Up Jacksonville
Pump It Up of Jacksonville is too much fun to save it just for birthday parties. See our Bounce Schedule, which lists all the bouncing good times like Parents' Night Out and Open Jump, happening throughout the week.
Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts
Our three venue facility accommodates events from Broadway touring shows to symphony orchestras, from corporate general sessions to community recitals, from unique receptions to intimate dinners. Truly a masterpiece, our riverfront cultural showcase offers the finest performance venues in Jacksonville. Our size, versatility, and location coupled with our talented staff provide all the tools for making every event into an amazing experience!
Chuck E. Cheese's
Come in for an outing of family fun center games, in-store show entertainment, and pizza! Kids will be delighted by our wide variety of stand up, multi-player, and interactive games. Parents and kids will be excited to try our fresh menu options, including salad, sandwiches, and wings.
The Escape Game Jacksonville
We make the most accessible and immersive escape games. We’re guest-obsessed, so our adventures are more exciting, more inviting and everyone contributes to the action. Everyone gets a chance to save the day. Enter one of our immersive worlds and recover a priceless work of art, find lost gold or break out of prison. Your team will have one hour to complete your mission and escape.
Winners in Special Categories
In the second part of our survey, we asked readers to select their favorites in six categories. Here were their choices.Favorite Arts Education
Alhambra Theatre & DiningOpened in 1967, The Alhambra Theatre is the nation's longest continually running professional dinner theatre! With a complete renovation in 2009, it's the Alhambra like you've never seen, heard or tasted before! The Alhambra also offers summer camps and celebration packages for birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, group events, and more.
Favorite Sports/Physical Education
First Coast YMCAThe Y is dedicated to building programs for youth development, for healthy living and for social responsibility that promote strong families, character values, youth leadership, community development and international understanding. The Y makes accessible the support and opportunities that empower people and communities to learn, grow and thrive by providing supportive and inclusive environments that nurture the potential of every youth and teen, improve the nation's health and well-being, and provide opportunities to give back and support neighbors.
