A Quick Jaunt in Jacksonville
After exploring southern Florida for four months, our time there had come to an end. We wanted to get a taste of the northern end of the state before making our way up the east coast. We decided on Jacksonville as one of our stops on our way up to our summer home in Charlottesville, VA.
Highway A1A
Coming from Naples, we decided to drive mostly east first before heading too far north so we could hit the scenic Highway A1A right along the Atlantic coast for our last bit to Jacksonville. We hopped on this highway through St. Augustine and took it all the way up to the east side of Jacksonville. It was fun to get a mix of beaches and nice, colorful houses along the way.
Driving over the Intracoastal Waterway to get to Highway A1A.
Ponte Verde Beach right along Highway A1A between St. Augustine and Jacksonville.
Driving over the Intracoastal Waterway to get to Highway A1A.
Ponte Verde Beach right along Highway A1A between St. Augustine and Jacksonville.
Mayo Clinic Jacksonville
There are three main Mayo Clinic campuses across the country. Adam and I spent three years studying in the extensive libraries, wandering the tunnels, and exploring our profession at the main campus in Rochester, MN and we briefly drove by the Phoenix, AZ location when traveling out west, but we hadn’t been to the third sibling yet in Jacksonville, FL. The Jacksonville campus is smaller than the Rochester campus, but has significantly more room for parking! It was nice to see another cluster of world-class facilities in yet another corner of the country. Some of the building and street names overlapped from the Rochester campus, so it was fun to reminisce.
Mayo Clinic Jacksonville
More of the Mayo Clinic campus.
Mayo Clinic Jacksonville
More of the Mayo Clinic campus.
Intuition Ale Works
Per usual, we had to check out a brewery while in a new place! We chose Intuition Ale Works which is right by the TIAA Bank stadium where the Jaguars play. This was a nice brewery with solid beer and food options, but we thought the rooftop was the best part!
Intuition Ale Works in downtown Jacksonville.
Tasty food options to go along with their beers!
A nice rooftop overlooking the TIAA Bank Field where the Jaguars play.
Intuition Ale Works in downtown Jacksonville.
Tasty food options to go along with their beers!
A nice rooftop overlooking the TIAA Bank Field where the Jaguars play.
Neptune Beach
You can’t go to a city this close to the coast without checking out the beach, so our next stop was Neptune Beach! This is a pretty happening and touristy area, but it is very nice and there are several restaurants to choose from. We were impressed by the soft white sand our feet enjoyed while briefly walking Neptune Beach. Right on the beach is a well-known outdoor bar called the Lemon Bar. It’s a laid-back bar with a fun vibe. We ordered some delicious beachy drinks such as their signature drink, the Lemon Bar Freeze, and the Coco Rita while we listened to some live music accompanied by the waves rolling in. After enjoying some beach time, we headed a block or so inland to meet up with our PT school friend, Jana, for some dinner at the Flying Iguana. They make their own guacamole right in front of you! Jana works at Mayo Jacksonville now, so it was fun to catch up over a good meal!
Neptune Beach
Lemon Bar
Got to meet up with a PT school friend in Neptune Beach!
Guac cart at the Flying Iguana
Neptune Beach
Lemon Bar
Got to meet up with a PT school friend in Neptune Beach!
Guac cart at the Flying Iguana
This was a pretty quick visit for us in Jacksonville, but it was fun to get a taste of what northeastern Florida had to offer!