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Florida, United States

Downtown Jacksonville & Southbank

Two nights on the river for the fireworks, steak dinners and San Marco. This guide pulls together 2 sights, 1 activity and 1 outdoor spot from our curated routes.

Plan Downtown Jacksonville & Southbank with friendsBrowse 8 places
Downtown Jacksonville & Southbank, Florida, United States
Places
8

2 See · 1 Do · 1 Outdoors · 2 Eat · 1 Drink · 1 Stay

Curated routes
1

Jacksonville New Year's Eve

Best season
Dec 30 – Jan 1

from our route notes

Warmest month
July

33°C / 91°F avg high

Coolest month
January

17°C / 63°F avg high

Wettest month
June

about 187 mm rain

Climate: NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages.

Things to do in Downtown Jacksonville & Southbank

8 places from our curated routes, grouped by what you will do there. Each one has its own page with the address and full notes.

See

The landmarks we would not skip in Downtown Jacksonville & Southbank across Downtown and Southbank. All 2 are free to visit.

  • St. Johns River New Year's Eve fireworks in Downtown Jacksonville & SouthbankPhoto: Quintin Soloviev · CC BY 4.0
    See

    St. Johns River New Year's Eve fireworks

    The city's free midnight fireworks over the St. Johns, launched near the Main Street Bridge and the Shipyards.

    Tip The show lasts about 12 minutes; the Main Street and Acosta bridges close from 11:45 p.m.

    • Downtown
    • Free
    • 30 min
    • Midnight
  • Friendship Fountain in Downtown Jacksonville & SouthbankPhoto: “Jonathan Zander (Digon3)” · CC BY-SA 3.0
    See

    Friendship Fountain

    Lit 1965 fountain on the Southbank Riverwalk, facing downtown across the river.

    • Southbank
    • Free
    • 30 min
    • After dark

Do

Hands-on ways to spend time in Downtown Jacksonville & Southbank in Downtown.

  • Florida Theatre in Downtown Jacksonville & SouthbankPhoto: bubba73 · CC BY-SA 3.0
    Do

    Florida Theatre

    Restored 1927 Mediterranean Revival movie palace downtown, now a concert and comedy venue.

    Tip Check the calendar for a Dec 30 or Dec 31 show.

    • Downtown
    • $$
    • 2.5 hr
    • Evening

Outdoors

Trails, views and open space in and around Downtown Jacksonville & Southbank.

  • Southbank Riverwalk in Downtown Jacksonville & SouthbankPhoto: PicoOrdinalo · CC BY-SA 4.0
    Outdoors

    Southbank Riverwalk

    Boardwalk along the south bank of the St. Johns with a straight-on view of the downtown skyline and Main Street Bridge.

    Tip Some sections can close for construction, so check before you settle in.

    • Southbank
    • Free
    • 60 min
    • Before midnight

Eat

2 places to eat across Downtown and San Marco, picked for groups who care about the food.

  • Eat

    Cowford Chophouse

    Steakhouse in the restored 1902 Bostwick Building on Bay Street, with a rooftop bar over the river.

    Tip Book early for Dec 31 and ask about the rooftop for the fireworks.

    • Downtown
    • $$$$
    • 2 hr
    • Dinner
  • Eat

    Taverna

    Mediterranean and Italian restaurant on San Marco Square, with wood-fired dishes and a long wine list.

    Tip Closed Mondays.

    • San Marco
    • $$$
    • 2 hr
    • Dinner

Drink

1 bar or café in Downtown for coffee, a round or a nightcap.

  • Drink

    Intuition Ale Works

    Local brewery on East Bay Street near the stadium, with a rooftop deck looking back at the skyline.

    • Downtown
    • $
    • 1.5 hr
    • Evening

Stay

Places to stay in Downtown Jacksonville & Southbank in Downtown.

  • Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront in Downtown Jacksonville & SouthbankPhoto: “Jonathan Zander (Digon3)” · CC BY-SA 3.0
    Stay

    Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront

    Large hotel on the Northbank Riverwalk, just east of the Main Street Bridge and the fireworks barge.

    Tip Ask for a river-view room on a high floor.

    • Downtown
    • $$$

How to fit Downtown Jacksonville & Southbank into a trip

Downtown Jacksonville & Southbank is stop 1 of 2 on our Jacksonville New Year's Eve route. Follow it as-is or lift Downtown Jacksonville & Southbank into your own plan.

Getting here and onward

Distances are straight-line estimates between destination centers, not road distances.

Downtown Jacksonville & Southbank month by month

Average daily highs run from 17°C / 63°F in January to 33°C / 91°F in July. June is the wettest month, with about 187 mm of rain. Outlined months fall in the best season on our routes.

Average daily highs, NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages. Downtown Jacksonville & Southbank weather and the best time to visit →

Near Downtown Jacksonville & Southbank

8 other destinations from our guides within about 300 km (186 mi), measured in a straight line.

Downtown Jacksonville & Southbank questions, answered

How many days do you need in Downtown Jacksonville & Southbank?

Our route notes suggest 2 nights in Downtown Jacksonville & Southbank. On our Jacksonville New Year's Eve route it is stop 1 of 2 in a 3-day trip. The listed visit times for our 8 places add up to roughly 10 hours, before travel between them, so you will need to choose.

What is Downtown Jacksonville & Southbank best known for?

Two nights on the river for the fireworks, steak dinners and San Marco. Standouts on our list: St. Johns River New Year's Eve fireworks (The city's free midnight fireworks over the St. Johns, launched near the Main Street Bridge and the Shipyards); Friendship Fountain (Lit 1965 fountain on the Southbank Riverwalk, facing downtown across the river); Southbank Riverwalk (Boardwalk along the south bank of the St. Johns with a straight-on view of the downtown skyline and Main Street Bridge).

When is the best time to visit Downtown Jacksonville & Southbank?

Our Jacksonville New Year's Eve route is best Dec 30 – Jan 1. NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages put the warmest highs in July (33°C / 91°F), the coolest in January (17°C / 63°F) and the most rain in June (about 187 mm).

What are the best things to do in Downtown Jacksonville & Southbank?

Start with St. Johns River New Year's Eve fireworks, Southbank Riverwalk, Friendship Fountain and Florida Theatre. Our guide lists 8 places in all, from 2 sights, 1 activity, 1 outdoor spot, 2 places to eat, 1 bar or café and 1 place to stay.

Where should a group eat in Downtown Jacksonville & Southbank?

Our picks: Cowford Chophouse (Downtown); Taverna (San Marco). Book early for Dec 31 and ask about the rooftop for the fireworks (Cowford Chophouse).

What is near Downtown Jacksonville & Southbank?

The closest destinations in our guides are Jacksonville Beach (about 26 km / 16 mi), Amelia Island (about 43 km / 27 mi) and St. Augustine (about 58 km / 36 mi). Distances are straight-line estimates, not road distances.

Plan Downtown Jacksonville & Southbank with your crew

Open the Jacksonville New Year's Eve route in TripsCircle, invite friends with a link, settle which of these 8 places make the cut with a quick poll, then split costs and share one packing list.

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