Family Fun & Activities

Topgolf's Jacksonville location sits near St. Johns Town Center with 102 hitting bays across three floors, a rooftop terrace, and a full food and drink menu. The tech-scored games work for all skill levels, and complementary clubs mean you don't need to bring your own. Each bay fits up to six players, making it easy to split costs for a family outing. Kids under 16 need to be supervised by someone 21 or older. The venue also has a 14-hole mini golf course inside for younger kids who aren't ready for the driving range.

PopStroke reimagined the traditional putt-putt concept with two 18-hole putting courses designed by Tiger Woods' TGR Design team at its Jacksonville location near St. Johns Town Center. The courses use synthetic turf with real breaks, bunkers, and slopes that challenge adults while staying accessible for kids. The PopStroke app tracks scores and lets guests order food and drinks delivered to them on the course. The venue also includes a full-service restaurant, an ice cream parlor, and an outdoor playground. Located on Brightman Boulevard in Jacksonville near Town Center.

This independently owned 45,000-square-foot facility on Cassat Avenue is Jacksonville's best one-stop family entertainment center. It has 32 bowling lanes (including 8 VIP lanes), Krazie Glow Golf (18 holes of blacklight mini golf with optional 3D glasses), laser tag, and an arcade with 40+ games. Cosmic Bowling runs on Friday and Saturday nights with music, fog, and laser lighting. Birthday party packages are a local favorite. The snack bar covers the basics, and prices are reasonable compared to the bigger chains.

The Jacksonville Zoo is the only walking safari in Northeast Florida, spanning over 100 acres along the Trout River. More than 2,000 animals live across exhibits like Land of the Tiger, the Africa Loop with elephants and gorillas, and Stingray Bay where kids can pet and feed rays. The 2.5-acre Play Park and Splash Ground is a lifesaver on hot days. The zoo also offers train rides, a carousel, a 4D theater, and animal feedings. Buy tickets online at least a day ahead to save $5 per ticket. Open daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

MOSH sits on the south bank of the St. Johns River in downtown Jacksonville and delivers hands-on science exhibits, a planetarium, and rotating special exhibitions that keep kids engaged across a wide age range. The museum covers everything from Florida ecology to space and physics. The Bryan-Gooding Planetarium runs regular shows throughout the day. MOSH After Dark events offer adult-only evenings with cocktails and exhibits. The downtown location makes it easy to pair with a riverwalk walk or lunch in San Marco.

Hanna Park covers 450 acres at the Jacksonville Beaches with 1.5 miles of Atlantic beach, 20 miles of mountain bike and hiking trails, a freshwater lake for fishing and canoeing, and 293 campsites. The splash park is a go-to for families with young kids during the summer. The park is operated by the City of Jacksonville with a $5 vehicle entry fee. The trails range from beginner-friendly to technical singletrack for experienced riders. Campsite reservations fill fast during spring and summer, so book early.

Amelia Adventures is Amelia Island's premier kayak and paddleboard tour operator, offering five different guided tours through salt marshes, tidal creeks, and barrier island waterways. All experience levels are welcome, and the guides handle equipment, instruction, and route planning. The Egan's Creek tour is especially family-friendly, with calm waters and regular dolphin and bird sightings. They also run kids and teen adventure camps in the summer that combine kayaking, nature education, and confidence-building skills. Book online or call 904-500-TOUR.

This family-owned operation out of Fernandina Beach specializes in guided kayak tours ranging from 2-hour local paddles to 5-hour river excursions and even overnight trips. The Cumberland Island tour is the standout, combining kayaking with a walking tour of the island's wild horses, ruins, and beaches. All tours include complimentary digital photos. Tandem kayaks are available for younger paddlers (ages 12+ for most tours). The guides are known for deep local knowledge of wildlife, tides, and area history.

Departing from Fernandina Harbor Marina, Amelia River Cruises runs narrated sightseeing tours, eco tours, and sunset cruises to Cumberland Island and along the Amelia River. The captains are local history and wildlife experts who make the narration genuinely interesting for both kids and adults. The 1-hour family-friendly sunset cruise is the easiest entry point, running daily from March through November with departure times that shift with the season. The 2.5-hour Cumberland Island tour goes deeper into the area's Civil War history, wild horses, and dolphin sightings. BYOB is welcome on most cruises.

Amelia Adventures runs a daily sunset cruise from Fernandina Beach that heads down the Amelia River past the historic waterfront and shrimp boats, around Fort Clinch, and across Cumberland Sound to Cumberland Island. The route is timed so you catch wild horses grazing on the dunes as the sun drops behind the horizon. The 30-foot Miss Amelia holds up to 28 guests with a shaded deck and plenty of room to spread out. Private charters are also available for smaller groups or special occasions. This is one of the most talked-about family experiences on Amelia Island.

Boneyard Beach is one of the most visually striking spots in Northeast Florida. Three miles of shoreline along Nassau Sound are covered with the salt-washed skeletons of live oak and cedar trees, creating a landscape that looks like another planet. Kids love climbing the driftwood giants. Beyond the beach, the park offers hiking on Blackrock Trail, the paved Timucuan Trail for bikes and strollers, kayak rentals, and picnic pavilions overlooking the water. Entry is $3 per vehicle. Open 8 a.m. until sundown daily.

Adjacent to Big Talbot, Little Talbot Island is the more traditional beach destination with white sand, designated parking, and full facilities. But it is also one of the few Florida state parks that offers hammock campsites, putting you deep in the maritime forest canopy for the night. The hiking trails have surprising elevation changes for flat Northeast Florida. Keep an eye out for white-tailed deer, marsh rabbits, and even bobcats. Bike rentals are available, and a Modi Mat at boardwalk 2 makes the main beach accessible for wheelchairs and strollers.