The inexpensive/free things to do in NE FL thread... (Jacksonville: purchase, camping)

[GadgetRick]

If you're like me and my family, you may have experienced a bit of a financial crunch recently with everything that's happened with the economy. Anyway, we moved down here (partially) due to this and we're always looking for inexpensive/free things to do with the family in the area. Figured it might not be a bad thread to start as we can get some good ideas.

Only criteria are: inexpensive/free to do, within 2 hours drive of (general) Jacksonville area.

I'll add some I know of, copy the previous list in the thread and add your ideas! We've only been here about 7 months so my list is short. Looking for more ideas!

1. Beaches and more beaches! Obviously, this is something we can do easily from many places in FL but there are some nice beaches in the area. We go (mostly) to Atlantic Beach but are always finding others.
2. St. Augustine--ok, you may have to pay for parking (about $5) if you aren't patient enough to find on-street parking but it's close (30-45 minutes), it's a nice drive (down A1A if you go that way) and doesn't cost anything to walk around Old Town or the (outside) of the fort.
3. Fernandina Beach--we like to go into town and just walk around a bit.
4. Amelia Island--been trying to check out the various parks/beaches. Still trying to find access to drive on the beaches with my truck.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

[ssclulow]

If you're like me and my family, you may have experienced a bit of a financial crunch recently with everything that's happened with the economy. Anyway, we moved down here (partially) due to this and we're always looking for inexpensive/free things to do with the family in the area. Figured it might not be a bad thread to start as we can get some good ideas.

Only criteria are: inexpensive/free to do, within 2 hours drive of (general) Jacksonville area.

I'll add some I know of, copy the previous list in the thread and add your ideas! We've only been here about 7 months so my list is short. Looking for more ideas!

1. Beaches and more beaches! Obviously, this is something we can do easily from many places in FL but there are some nice beaches in the area. We go (mostly) to Atlantic Beach but are always finding others.
2. St. Augustine--ok, you may have to pay for parking (about $5) if you aren't patient enough to find on-street parking but it's close (30-45 minutes), it's a nice drive (down A1A if you go that way) and doesn't cost anything to walk around Old Town or the (outside) of the fort.
3. Fernandina Beach--we like to go into town and just walk around a bit.
4. Amelia Island--been trying to check out the various parks/beaches. Still trying to find access to drive on the beaches with my truck.
5.St. Augustine free concerts every Thurs @ 7pm (June - Aug) Schedule of performers can be found If you're like me and my family, you may have experienced a bit of a financial crunch recently with everything that's happened with the economy. Anyway, we moved down here (partially) due to this and we're always looking for inexpensive/free things to do with the family in the area. Figured it might not be a bad thread to start as we can get some good ideas.

Only criteria are: inexpensive/free to do, within 2 hours drive of (general) Jacksonville area.

I'll add some I know of, copy the previous list in the thread and add your ideas! We've only been here about 7 months so my list is short. Looking for more ideas!

1. Beaches and more beaches! Obviously, this is something we can do easily from many places in FL but there are some nice beaches in the area. We go (mostly) to Atlantic Beach but are always finding others.
2. St. Augustine--ok, you may have to pay for parking (about $5) if you aren't patient enough to find on-street parking but it's close (30-45 minutes), it's a nice drive (down A1A if you go that way) and doesn't cost anything to walk around Old Town or the (outside) of the fort.
3. Fernandina Beach--we like to go into town and just walk around a bit.
4. Amelia Island--been trying to check out the various parks/beaches. Still trying to find access to drive on the beaches with my truck.
5. St. Augustine free concerts in the square every Thurs @ 7pm (June - Aug) schedule at City of St. Augustine, Florida: Concerts In The Plaza
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

[JBtwinz]

Amelia Island beach access for vehicles:

South end of island on the right after the bridge (heading north)

American Beach

Peters Point, just after the Ritz (heading north)

Not sure about out of county vehicles, might need permit. We just came back from a nice drive on the beach with the twins, things are really changing here as the beach access with parking are filling up early and the traffic on the beach is getting crowded. I think we are getting a lot of newcomers.

[Robyn55]

Annual family membership to the JAX zoo.

How old are your kids? Robyn

[KatrinaR]

Zoo and gardens are greate!
Also we like go to the Cummer museum of art & gardens. There is a lot's of activities for kids.Tuesday 4-9 p.m is free!The Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens

[bobsim]

We do have some nice beaches in the area but don't forget we also have the largest urban park system in the country! Many have access to the river, restroom facilities and picnic shelters.

We spent yesterday hiking, bicycling and geocaching in the newly renovated Tiger Point Preserve. A great day with the only reservation being I forgot to bring a fishing pole! I believe this is the newest gem from the Preservation Parks dept. another We frequent is Reddie Point Preserve in Arlington with literally miles of trails and a child friendly fishing /observation pier.

I would suggest the next time you travel to Fernandina stop and check out Fort Clinch State park, You also mentioned St. Augustine, a little farther south are Princess Place and Faver Dykes. Both are beautiful areas to spend some family time.

If you like the water many parks offer low cost canoe/kayak rental, and I should also mention the great folks at Kayak Amelia on Simpsons Creek off A1A.

Are you good with your hands? with minimal skills you can build a canoe or kayak. We have a wooden skiff, one kayak and a second on the way. Hands down the best way to see Florida is by paddling down a tidal creek.

There are so many places close to town to get out and play in the woods/water.... most low cost many free. Grab some water and bug spray (this is Florida) and find you're favorite.

[blueridgerider]

Only criteria are: inexpensive/free to do, within 2 hours drive of (general) Jacksonville area.

1. If you go south, past St. Augustine on A1A is Fort Matanzas (not the big one in St. Aug). You take a "free" ferry ride across the Matanzas Inlet to visit this remote outpost. Free tourist attraction, kids & adults like it.

2. Princess Place Preserve in Flagler County is free. 1100 acres you can take a tour of the Lodge & surrounding buildings, has first artesian in ground pool built, beautiful oak trees & grounds, trails, fishing & kayaking.

[missnic]

Keep an eye on Groupon. I recently purchased half price tickets for the new pirate museum and a pub tour in St Augustine. We happened to go down on the free national park day and spent the day - did the museum, the fort, and the pub tour. Throw in a restaurant.com certificate, and it was a pretty cheap day.

There's also Itchetucknee Springs down near Ocala. Its a bit of a drive, but for like $5 for a tube rental, you can spend all day on the spring. We usually go camping for the weekend when we do this.

[GadgetRick]

Originally Posted by JBtwinz

Amelia Island beach access for vehicles:

South end of island on the right after the bridge (heading north)

American Beach

Peters Point, just after the Ritz (heading north)

Not sure about out of county vehicles, might need permit. We just came back from a nice drive on the beach with the twins, things are really changing here as the beach access with parking are filling up early and the traffic on the beach is getting crowded. I think we are getting a lot of newcomers.

Thanks for the specifics. I kept hearing about general areas to head to gain access before. I'm not clear on whether I need a permit or not. I saw (on the Web) I need to purchase a permit but others have said I just need to pay a day use fee...

[GadgetRick]

Originally Posted by Robyn55

Annual family membership to the JAX zoo.

How old are your kids? Robyn

That's on our list of things to do. My boys are 8 and 5 and love zoos. Just haven't gotten around to making to the zoo yet.