By Ethan Plotkin, Downtown Vision Marketing Intern
Hey there, folks! Father’s Day is just around the corner. If you’re in Downtown Jacksonville, you’re in luck because this city is bursting with awesome activities. From cool attractions to mouth-watering bites, here’s a guide to help you plan a great Father’s Day weekend Downtown.
Explore the Riverside Arts Market
Photo by @RiversideArtsMarket
Start the weekend off with a bang this Saturday at the Riverside Arts Market, located under the Fuller Warren Bridge. The Riverside Arts Market is a fantastic destination for shopping locally, supporting talented artists, and indulging in delicious food. This Father’s Day, RAM is bringing the excitement to a whole new level with a real JFRD Fire Truck stationed at the Riverside Arts Market. The arts market is a great first stop in the Father’s Day festivities as a celebration of local talent and community spirit that you and your dad will thoroughly enjoy.
Get A Taste of Manifest Distillery
Photo By @ManifestDistilling
Manifest Distilling is our local distillery and makes everything from vodka to gin to whisky. While the Distillery is closed on Sunday, this is a perfect stop for those families that like to celebrate Father’s Day “weekend”. Offering two-hour tours for groups of up to five, you can see how the spirits are made and even get to try some for yourself!
Chow Down on Local Cuisine
Alright, let’s get down to the most important part – the food! Downtown Jacksonville is a foodie’s paradise if you know where to look.
If you’re the type to want a big hearty breakfast to start your day off right, you need to try Village Bread Cafe. Open 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. this cute riverside cafe has everything you need from omelets to skillets. And if that doesn’t sound good, you can even build your own breakfast feast!
Photo By @VillageBreadCafe
Looking for a good lunch spot? Bread and Board has you covered. Open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday. Bread and Board’s sandwiches and- you guessed it- boards are a must-try. It also helps that kids eat free with the purchase of an adult entree. With a beautiful interior, great service, and even better food, you won’t regret stopping by.
Photo by @AmyRobb
Catch a Jumbo Shrimp Game
Photo by @JamesBrady
Come down to 121 Financial Ballpark to watch the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp take on the Memphis Redbirds. Join the cheering crowd as you support the home team with your dad. Watching live sports is a fantastic way to create new family memories. Immerse yourselves in the electric atmosphere, indulge in ballpark snacks, and have fun! Find tickets here.
Visit the Museum of Science and History (MOSH)
Photo by @BobMack
Calling all science nerds and history buffs! MOSH is the place to be. It’s like stepping into a time machine that takes you through Jacksonville’s incredible scientific and cultural journey. From space exploration to dinosaur fossils, this interactive museum has it all. And don’t forget to catch a show at the planetarium – it’s out of this world!
This weekend, visit Beyond King Tut at the NoCo Center! You’ll explore some of the greatest archaeological discoveries of all time- like the Temple at Karnak, the Great Sphinx and the Pyramids of Giza. Through the use of photography and multimedia technology, a time traveling adventure awaits your whole family.
Don’t Forget to Grab a Gift
Let’s face it, shopping for your dad can be the hardest part of Father’s Day but we’re here to help. If you’re the type to just buy a gift card and call it a day, consider a DTJax gift card this year. Valid at over 30 locations in Downtown Jacksonville this gift is worth its weight in gold.
Happy Father’s Day Weekend, Downtown! Remember to tag us at #DTJax for a chance to be featured on our socials!