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JACKSONVILLE
NEIGHBORHOODS
METRO CITIES
TO HOME
Located 12 miles from the ocean, Downtown Jacksonville boasts spectacular modern skyscrapers and pedestrian riverwalks on both sides of the river. Water taxis and a futuristic Skyway monorail transport pedestrians from one side to the other, along with the brilliantly illuminated Main Street and Acosta bridges, two of the seven iconic spans that cross the St. Johns River in Jacksonville.
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Centrally located between the Main Street and Acosta bridges on the Northbank (north bank of the river) is the Jacksonville Landing, a collection of restaurants, clubs and shops that also serves as the city's focal point for special events and holiday celebtrations.
Two blocks north of the Landing on Laura Street are two of the city's newest first class cultural institutions: the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) Jacksonville and the new main library. MOCA Jacksonville occupies multiple stories of a historic building and showcases impressive collections of modern artistic expression. Next door, the main library, the largest in the state of Florida, occupies a five-story building with unique features that include an elevated center courtyard, a gift shop, a cafe and an impressive collection of antique maps.
The Northbank Riverwalk actually begins at the edge of the city's historic Riverside/Avondale district with a free parking lot under the Fuller Warren (I-95) bridge. The landscaped path follows the curvature of the river and offers the best, expansive, unobstructed views of the St. Johns and both of Jacksonville's downtown skylines. Just before reaching the Landing, the riverwalk makes a steep incline, allowing pedestrians and bicyclists to actually pass over the tracks at the foot of the railroad bridge before spiraling back down to earth underneath the Acosta Bridge. The path then passes by the Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts, home of the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra, before fronting the waterside eateries of the Landing. The Omni Hotel is also located a block from here. After the Landing, the riverwalk continues underneath the Main Street Bridge, passing the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront, the largest hotel in Northeast Florida, before ending in front of a new residential tower. The Florida Theatre, home stage of the Florida Ballet and site of many concerts, is located two blocks north of the Hyatt.
Directly across the river from the Landing on the Southbank Riverwalk is Friendship Fountain. This fountain is the largest of its kind in the United States and its jet sprays are illuminated nightly in a brilliant array of ever-changing colors. Right next door to Friendship Fountain is the Museum of Science and History (MOSH). MOSH features permanent exhibits depicting local history and marine animals, as well as rotating exhibits that spotlight dinosaurs, trains, and other interestng topics. The museum also has hands-on science exhibits for children and is the site of the Alexander Brest Planetarium, which features stargazing programs as well as special laser light show concerts.
The Southbank Riverwalk connects Friendship Fountain and MOSH with the Crown Plaza Hotel, the Radisson Riverwalk Hotel, and a few waterfront restaurants. Speaking of restaurants, the Southbank area offers several high-end establishments that include Morton's of Chicago, Ruth's Chris Steak House, the Chart House, and the two-story River City Brewing Company, site of the 2005 Super Bowl Playboy party. New highrise condos are also going up in the Southbank, making this neighborhood a hot address for those seeking the upscale urban lifestyle experience.
Jacksonville's sports complex is located just east of the central business district on the Northbank. Here, football fans flock to ALLTEL Stadium to catch the NFL's Jacksonville Jaguars in action or a special college football game. Adjacent to ALLTEL is the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville, home of the Suns baseball team. Across the street, the Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena hosts a variety of major concerts and special sports events in addition to serving as home ice for the Barracudas hockey team.