About Our Riverwalks
Jacksonville’s Riverwalks are a dynamic set of scenic pathways connecting public spaces along the St. Johns River in DTJax. Stretching nearly three miles along both the Northbank and Southbank of the St. Johns, these linear parks blend nature, recreation, public art and urban vitality to provide residents and visitors alike with a picturesque escape from the hustle and bustle of city life.
The Northbank and Southbank riverwalks are connected and accessible by pedestrian pathways along the Main Street and Acosta bridges. Future Riverwalk expansions will connect the Southbank Riverwalk to the Shared Use Path over the Fuller Warren Bridge, as well as link the Northbank Riverwalk from Brooklyn all the way to Downtown Jacksonville’s Sports and Entertainment District.
Things to Do Along The Riverwalk
Riverside Arts Market
Discover this vibrant community market held every Saturday under the Fuller Warren Bridge. Rain or shine, immerse yourself in the sights, sounds, and flavors of local artisans, musicians, and food vendors. Learn more.
Sip & Stroll Presented by PNC
Stroll the stunning Southbank Riverwalk every Third Thursday of the month. Spanning from Friendship Fountain to Chart House, enjoy live music, food vendors, bars and a picnic area – all with a picturesque sunset backdrop. Learn more.
St. Johns River Taxi Cruises
Offering a unique and convenient mode of travel, the river taxi provides a scenic way to enjoy and explore the St. Johns River, whether you’re looking for a quick crossing, a game day commute or specialty cruise. Learn more.
Riverfront Family Fitness & Fun
Enjoy the Jacksonville riverfront with unique and fun weekend activities for youth and families. Friday evenings and Sundays are at Ford on Bay field next to the Hyatt, Saturdays at Sydney Geffen Park near the YMCA. Learn more.
Open Container Riverwalk To-Go Cup Program
Next time you purchase a drink from a participating restaurant or bar, ask for a Riverwalk To-Go Cup and take it for a stroll along the river.
Participating Locations:
- Chart House
- DoubleTree by Hilton: St. Johns Provision Co. and Lounge
- Hyatt Regency: SHOR Seafood Grill & Tavern
- Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts (during events)
- Morton’s The Steakhouse
- Riverside Arts Market (during select events)
- Southbank Hotel: Southbank Johnnie’s
- St. Johns River Taxi (during select events)
Open Container Hours:
Friday – Saturday 11:00 a.m. – Midnight
Sunday – Thursday 11:00 a.m. – 10 p.m.
How Does It Work?
The Riverwalk Specialty Center is a legally designated, geographically defined open container area. Within this area, businesses adjacent to the Northbank and Southbank Riverwalks that are licensed to sell alcohol can allow patrons to exit their premises onto the Riverwalk with an alcoholic beverage in hand during program hours. Riverwalk cups are provided by participating business or events when a drink is ordered and/or upon request prior to leaving the premises.
To qualify, alcoholic beverages must be in the officially branded 16 oz. Riverwalk to-go cup and may include beer, wine or spirits. You can have a maximum of two Riverwalk cups (or drinks) at any one time.
Please see the FAQ Section below for additional information.
The City of Jacksonville passed City Council Resolution 2023-863-E on January 23, 2024, which allows for open contained speciality zones on the Downtown Riverwalk. The Downtown Investment Authority helped create the program, which is in the Downtown Riverwalk public parks managed by the City of Jacksonville Parks Department. Downtown’s non-profit Business Improvement District, Downtown Vision is helping implement the speciality zone, including the cup program. Visit Jacksonville, the non profit convention & visitors bureau (CVB) for Jacksonvillle, is a sponsor and supporter of the program.
Sponsored By:
Program Partners:
Frequently Asked Questions – Riverwalk Cup Program
What is a Specialty Center?
A Specialty Center is a designated area where any organization/business in the area licensed to sell alcohol, can allow their patrons to exit their wet zoned area with a beverage in hand. Exiting a wet zoned area is prohibited by state law if not in a Specialty Center.
What is an open container area?
An open container area is an area that an individual can legally walk around with an alcoholic beverage in hand.
Can I go anywhere I want in the Specialty Area with a drink?
No. A person with an alcoholic beverage can only exit a licensed premise to an open container area, which is defined as the boundaries of the Riverwalk. It does not allow you to walk anywhere within the Specialty Center except the Riverwalk.
Can I enter the waterfront parks with a drink?
No. Open containers in public parks is not allowed. However, if there is an event within a waterfront park that is properly permitted by the City of Jacksonville which allows alcoholic beverages within the Specialty Center, then you can do so for the duration of the event.
Can I buy a beverage in the open container area?
The open container area has nothing to do with selling alcohol. That can be done only from a business that has a state-licensed to sell alcohol. Every licensed premise has a specified wet zone that the customer is free to walk around in. The open container area only allows one to legally consume a beverage in the area.
How will I know where the open container area is?
It is along the Riverwalk, which is a 15-foot walkway along the water’s edge, and associated areas like waterfront parks, as detailed by the map above.
Can I bring in alcohol from outside the Specialty Center?
No. The only alcohol that can be legally consumed in the open container area is that sold from licensed businesses within the Specialty Center.
What types of alcohol can I drink along the Riverwalk?
All types – beer, wine and liquor, as long as it is in the specialty cup. No other containers are allowed in the Riverwalk open container area.
What is the specialty cup?
The specialty cup is a 16 oz. specially designated container and has special marking and color.
Why do I have to drink from the specialty cup?
The specialty cup is necessary to allow police officers to know if alcohol has been purchased from licensed premises within the specialty center. If sold there they will use the specialty cup if you desire to walk along the Riverwalk.
How will enforcement know I bought the drink from a licensed premise inside the Specialty Center?
The beverages will be sold and provided in a special cup. There may also be wristbands that help identify who have legally purchased the beverage at a licensed event along the waterfront.
How will I get to the Riverwalk from non-collocated licensed premises?
All the businesses that can allow their patrons to exit their premises are on or immediately adjacent to the Riverwalk. There will be a designated path from the licensed premise to the Riverwalk. Each premise will be able to show patrons these pathways.
Can I enter a licensed premise with a drink?
Although it is legal to exit a licensed premises, no one can enter one with a beverage. The beverage must be consumed or poured out before entering the premises.
How many drinks can I carry at one time?
A person can have a maximum of two drinks at any one time.
When can I walk along the Riverwalk with my beverage?
The hours are set by City of Jacksonville Parks Department. Riverwalk cups are allowed on the Riverwalk on Fridays and Saturdays between 11 a.m. and midnight and on Sundays through Thursdays between 11 a.m. and 10 p.m.
What happens at the end of the open container hours?
Prior to the end of the open container hours, you must consume all beverages or pour them out. Please check the City’s JaxParks site for updated hours.
When the park is designated as an open container area, can I still walk on the Riverwalk?
Yes, during the hours above.
How will patrons know they can walk along the Riverwalk with a beverage?
The licensed premises within the Specialty Center will help the city inform the patrons that this is acceptable.