Car Rental Jacksonville Airport (JAX)

Jacksonville City Guide

Welcoming over six million travelers through its terminals each year, Jacksonville International Airport is the perfect place to touch down, if you’re wanting to explore the adventurous offerings of one of Florida’s best tourist spots.

Jacksonville, or ‘Jax’ as it’s known to the locals, is home to a unique ecosystem of stretching sandy beaches, lush greenery, enviable fishing spots, colorful street art, and unrivaled coastal cuisine. The city has a distinctly different feel to its west coast neighbors such as Orlando, Fort Lauderdale, and Miami, due to the abundance of quirky culture and the diversity of its food and drink spots. Jacksonville is also home to the youngest population in Florida, so you can make sure to expect hipster hangouts and ale trails in abundance.

It’s been named as one of the US’s best ‘super cool cities’, in a recent Expedia survey, and Jacksonville was the only city in the whole of the US to be named in Lonely Planet’s 2018 guide to the top 10 best value destinations.

Once you’ve landed at Jacksonville International Airport, we make sure that picking up your Easirent hire car is as simple as possible; hop on the WallyPark Shuttle at bus stop one, and you’ll find our team of helpful car rental experts waiting for you just a few minutes away. Once you’ve collected your vehicle, the true adventure begins. Jacksonville’s 35-kilometer stretch of sandy beaches acts as the perfect backdrop to your road trip, as you decide between heading into the urban center of the city itself or head off to bask in the calming greenery of some of Jacksonville’s nature preserves.

From breweries to beaches, gardens to galleries – you won’t fall short of things to do when you visit Jacksonville. There’s also a wide range of motels, hotels, hostels, apartments, and accommodation available for all budgets, as well as restaurants set to tingle the taste buds of all travelers

Hotels

Red Lion Jacksonville

For a comfortable place to rest your head after a day of exploring the city’s sights in your rental car, check in to the Red Lion Jacksonville. Located a short ten-minute drive from the center of the city, the Red Lion Jacksonville is a charming hotel with an onsite restaurant and bar. Hotel guests have exclusive use of many of the hotel’s facilities, including the pool, hot tub, and fitness center, as well as being able to enjoy free Wi-Fi and cable TV throughout the hotel. This hotel is near the city’s beaches, so it’s an option to consider if you’re looking to be close to the waterfront amenities.

Aloft Jacksonville Airport

Arrived at the airport and looking for a place to stay before you set off on your rental car adventure? Aloft Jacksonville Airport is the perfect hotel, a stone’s throw from the airport, and very convenient for quick stopovers in the city. Sleek, modern and alluring, this trendy hotel has spacious rooms – each with nine-foot ceilings, a platform bed, and an outdoor pool for guests to take advantage of. You won’t be stuck for things to do at the Aloft, as there’s an onsite fitness suite, a billiards room, a sun deck and a cocktail bar – all under one roof.

Extended Stay America, Jacksonville, Lenoir Avenue West

Alternatively, if you’ve got a longer stay planned, make sure to check out the Extended Stay America, located in Lenoir Avenue West, in the heart of the city. Especially designed for longer stays, each room in the hotel is kitted out with kitchen facilities and a large bathroom; a room which welcomes guests to make themselves at home in the city. Free onsite parking for your holiday hire car is a real bonus at this accommodation, as are the free Wi-Fi and free local phone calling capabilities.

Food and drink

The Bearded Pig BBQ

You’re in the sunny sunshine state, so it’s time to take advantage of that glorious weather and fire up the barbeque. The Bearded Pig BBQ is located in the heart of the city on 1224 Kings Avenue and is the perfect marriage of beer, sunshine, barbeque, and local craft beers. Serving up sausage, brisket, ribs and more, it’s a barbeque fan’s delight.

The Black Sheep Restaurant

Fans of modern American cuisine should make sure to check out the Black Sheep Restaurant. This restaurant, which is located in the center of town, serves locally-sourced fresh produce, from growers and farmers in the area; you’re sure to taste some of Jacksonville’s finest food offerings in this contemporary restaurant. Choose from menu items such as miso-glazed duck confit, crispy skinned steelhead fish, and cardamom pancakes; there’s also a pretty good rooftop cocktail bar to relax in after you’ve finished your meal.

Hawkers Asian Street Fare

Hawkers Asian Street Fare is the place to go if you’re looking for a good quality Asian feast. On offer in this Singapore-themed chain restaurant are curry duck noodles, flaky flatbreads with dipping sauce and noodle soup. The extensive menu on offer means that there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

The Casbah

With prices for main courses ranging between $8 and $15, the Casbah is an affordable Middle Eastern eatery in the center of Jacksonville. With a lively atmosphere, guests can expect Moorish decor, camels and more at this authentic restaurant which serves up delicious Middle Eastern fare. With plenty of music, belly dancing, hookah, and entertainment, the restaurant is a favorite with the locals, and that’s always a good sign to look for when choosing a place to dine in a new city.

Shopping

Clear the trunk of your Easirent hire car in preparation for a unique Jacksonville shopping experience. Indulging in a little retail therapy is easy in the city, as there are plenty of outlets to satisfy the savviest of shoppers’ whims. From vintage emporiums to boutique retail experiences, upscale malls and high street brands – Jacksonville has it all.

World-class malls can be found throughout Jacksonville, amongst the favorites are St. Johns Town Center, the Avenues, and the river city marketplace and it’s in these shopping meccas that you’ll find many of the upscale brand names and designer wear. The malls are – of course – more than a simple shopping experience, and many people flock to them to meet friends for a bite to eat or a glass of wine after work, as well as dabble in a little bargain hunting on the side.

Jacksonville has plenty of farmers markets, and these are some of the city’s best (or worst) kept secrets. Laden with beautiful fresh produce and locally sourced handmade jams, pickles, and preserves, Jacksonville’s Farmers Market has over 200 vendors and is one of the oldest outdoor operating farmers markets in the whole of Florida. First opened in 1938, this farmers market serves up fresh seafood to a backdrop of live music – it’s definitely the place to go if you want the ultimate local shopping experience.

Alternatively, hop in your Easirent hire car and head downtown, where you’ll find a unique thrift shop shopping experience. There’s plenty of vintage and historic shops, all independently owned and have served the local population for decades. Shoppers can expect to find lots of unique gems here, including contemporary artwork, prints, books, and home accessories.

Culture and Attractions

There are activities aplenty in Jacksonville; from exploring the great outdoors, to soaking up some culture in one of the city’s many museums and galleries.

Catty Shack Ranch Wildlife Sanctuary

Fans of wildlife (and especially cat-lovers) should head to the Catty Shack Ranch Wildlife Sanctuary, a big cat haven in the heart of Jacksonville, which is home to many species of endangered big cats. As a conservation center, the Catty Shack Ranch holds educational visits to teach both locals and tourists about the plight of some of the world’s most endangered species of big cat. This non-profit organization provides the forever home for many threatened big cat varieties, and visitors can expect to find tigers, lions, cougars, bobcats, foxes, leopards and coatimundis. Make sure to check the sanctuary’s website before you visit, as it is only open to the public on certain days of the week; last admittance is 45 minutes prior to closure – so make sure to arrive with plenty of time if you want to make the most of your visit.

Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens

For an inspiring day of art activities and engaging museums, hop in your Easirent hire car and head to the Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens. Located near the riverbank, adjacent to the Fuller Warren Bridge, you’ll find this little gem of a museum, which is called so after its namesakes, Arthur, and Ninah Cummer. Originally opened in November 1961, this museum houses pieces of art from the Cummer’s personal collection, and through it, the couple’s legacy of inspiring through arts, gardens, and education lives on. The museum is open seven days a week, but make sure to check the opening times before you arrive, as they vary slightly day to day.

Florida Theater

Thespians delight at the Florida Theater, which is located on 128 E Forsyth Street, in the heart of Jacksonville. An intimate and attractively-decorated venue, this theater puts on a wide range of shows of different genres. Check the website for the most up to date line up of shows, and prepare for an evening of entertainment, in a historic venue with excellent acoustics.