Trip Back On! Need suggestions-Norheast FL to Olando

[huntforjulia]

Flying in to Jacksonvile on March 14th, need ideas of what to do until rest of party arrives evening of March 16th. Can't be more WDW days
Will be 4 adults, 2 boys 7 & 4. Cheapest airfare this late was to Jacksonville.
Thought of driving coast,stop at Daytona Beach and maybe Blue Springs state park the 15th. Any thoughts on 16th? Need Florida/Orlando sightseeing type things, as other kids in party arriving later can't be left out of theme parks. Thought of just going to check out some of the resorts. Any suggestions appreciated!

 

[wiserabbit]

Have you ever been to St. Augustine? - that's a great place to explore for a day - lots of history and you can visit the "Fountain of Youth" and get a drink from the well, explore old town and the fort - good food too - or you could chill at the beach........

 

[huntforjulia]

Thanks! I'll look into that.

 

[JKLLady]

There are plenty of things to do in both Jax & St. Augustine!
In Jax: the Zoo (check their website for coupons; this weekend is BOGO on admission), the Cummer Museum, the MOSH (Museum of Science & History, and it has a planetarium), and of course the beach. For non-chain dining, there's the Metro Diner (3 locations) for breakfast & lunch, and Culhane's Irish Pub (both were on Diner's, Drive Ins & Dives), Fionn McCool's (2 locations), Salt Life Seafood Shack (very family friendly with fish tanks) and Al's Pizza (also has dinners, not just pizza & has 5 locations).

Take A1A for Jax to St. Augustine through Ponte Vedra and gawk at the seaside mansions.

In St. Augustine: park at the Visitor's Center and go to the Castillo de San Marco, stroll along St. George Street, and have lunch at the Florida Cracker Cafe, Pizza Alley, or the Bunnery. You can get ice cream or candy for dessert at Kilwin's and head onto King Street to Flagler College. At Flagler take the tour of the main bldg, which was Henry Flagler's grand hotel (incredible Tiffany glass, all original), and then go across the street to the Lightner Museum. By car, head down King Street to Whetstone Chocolates and take their chocolate making tour. Head across the Bridge of Lions (just recently restored) and you can go onto the Lighthouse and the Alligator Farm.
Continue on A1A to route 312, and head inland to the Black Molly (in the Cobblestone Shopping Center, over the intra-coastal & across Route 1; it's family friendly) or La Cocina Mexican Restaurant (on Route 1, south of 312) for dinner.

Hope some of these suggestions help!

 

[huntforjulia]

Thank You! The college sounds great, and who can resist choclate? Your response is greatly appreciated!