Guide to Jacksonville, FL

#104
#104
RockyTopVols16 said:
Thanks. Good to know. I think I can deal with the location for some nearby BBQ. Basically just going down for the game anyway.
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OK, well then check out this place. Far and away the best bbq in Jax, and its close to your hotel. Save room for desert.

GATORS BBQ | BBQ JACKSONVILLE FL | VOTED BEST BBQ

Also Potter's House is in the neighborhood, a very good cafeteria style soul food restaurant.
 
#105
#105
Lemon Bar appears to be closed for the season. Looking for a good place to hang out at the beach on New Year's Eve.
 
#107
#107
Weather channel 10 day forecast calls for a high of 56 and 60% chance of rain on the 1st. Let's hope that changes.
 
#109
#109
mdrew27 said:
99% of this board is better off not going into a place called "gators" in Florida.
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I hear ya, but if you live in Florida there are just certain things you have to deal with.

Anyway, if someone is in the neighborhood, it would be a crying shame to miss this place.

BTW, this is not a football themed bbq joint. I just think the owner like alligators.
 
#111
#111
HoptownVol said:
I hear ya, but if you live in Florida there are just certain things you have to deal with.

Anyway, if someone is in the neighborhood, it would be a crying shame to miss this place.

BTW, this is not a football themed bbq joint. I just think the owner like alligators.
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Most places in florida named Gator something has nothing to do with UF.
 
#112
#112
Not sure if it has been mentioned or not, but St Augustine is about 30 minutes south of Jacksonville, for those who would like to stay outside Jacksonville.

Lots of hotels and restaurants, as well as being the Nations Oldest City if you want to do some touristy stuff.

Dep
 
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#113
#113
I just got tickets for the game for Christmas so gotta get a hotel on short notice. Any advice on a good, affordable area to get a hotel in or around Jacksonville?

Edit:

GatorDeputy said:
Not sure if it has been mentioned or not, but St Augustine is about 30 minutes south of Jacksonville, for those who would like to stay outside Jacksonville.

Lots of hotels and restaurants, as well as being the Nations Oldest City if you want to do some touristy stuff.

Dep
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just looked at hotels in St. Augustine bc of post above and that seems to the best bet at point. Thanks!
 
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#114
#114
First trip to Jacksonville, can't decide between Crown Plaza and Homewood Suites downtown. Any advice would be great!
 
#116
#116
paradox89 said:
I just got tickets for the game for Christmas so gotta get a hotel on short notice. Any advice on a good, affordable area to get a hotel in or around Jacksonville?

Edit:



just looked at hotels in St. Augustine bc of post above and that seems to the best bet at point. Thanks!
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If you have any specific questions, don't hesitate to ask.

Dep
 
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#117
#117
utvols88 said:
Ok rednecks, here is a short poor mans guide to Jacksonville, FL for the bowl game.

Downtown - Downtown has a good section believe it or not. My recommendations are as follows:

Hotels:

1. The Hyatt - I actually had my wedding reception here. The Hyatt is massive. The rooms are nice and usually not too crazy of a price. During FL/GA though, it can get up there in price. It is on the water and in walking distance to the Jacksonville Landing which has several restaurants and I'm sure some entertainment.

2. Crowne Plaza - This is usually the more expensive hotel of the three but it is easier to get in and out of. It is also located next to the more upscale restaurants.

3. The Omni - never been. Usually the Georgia Bulldogs stay there for FL/GA so it cant be bad. Can it?

Restaurants: Downtown has places ranging from your steakhouses to hole in the wall burrito joints. RR means make a reservation.

1. Burrito Gallery - Burrito Gallery - 21 East Adams Street - Downtown Jacksonville - This place is cheap but has some awesome queso and steak tacos.

2. Ruth Chris - I think we all know what this place is. It located in the Crowne Plaza hotel. RR

3. Chart House - Chart House Seafood Restaurant On the water and can see fireworks from it during new years. It is also a pretty nifty set up. RR

4. Wine Cellar - Wine Cellar Fine Dining in Downtown Jacksonville Wine people love it. RR

5. Jacksonville Landing - Jacksonville Landing - They have a few restaurants in there as well as some entertainment on the outside. Not sure if they have anything during the Gator bowl but I dont see why not.

6. Riverside - This is more an area of Jacksonville on the other side of the river. It has a good amount of breweries and micros. I have listed some of the options below:
Intuition Ale Works - Jacksonville Brewery and Taproom
Bold City Brewery | Jacksonville, FL

Atlantic Beach

Hotels:

1. One Ocean Resort - https://www.oneoceanresort.com/ - They recently fancied this one up. Its off of the beach and has alot of decent bars around the area.
2. Seahorse Inn - Jacksonville Oceanfront Hotel - The Seahorse Oceanfront Inn - Home - This is more of a motel type but it has a local bar called the Lemon Bar connected to it.

Restaurants/Bars -

1. Poe's Tavern - Poe's Tavern - Sullivan's Island, Charleston, SC | Atlantic Beach, Jacksonville, FL - Its a neat joint that is themed around Edgar Alan Poe. Its a good restaurant near the beach area.
2. MShack - Welcome to M Shack * |* Burgers, Shakes & More * |* Atlantic Beach, Florida * |* 904.241.2599 - Burger joint that is low key but has some great burgers like the CrossFit burger

Beach blvd (More south than Atlantic Beach) - this area has alot of bars and New Years will be interesting. I usually dont stay down by the beach but there are a couple of hotels I have been to and heard of.

Hotels:

1. Court Yard and Hampton Inn - Courtyard Jacksonville Beach Oceanfront, Florida Hotels - I linked the court yard one but they are next to each other and very similar. Off the beach and near the bars
2. Casa Marina - Jacksonville Beach Hotel Ocean Front Jax Beach Bar Penthouse Lounge - If you like an interesting place, this is it. It has a bar on the top floor that the locals go to. It can get loud but all in all, its a great time. Not a family hotel.

Restaurants/Bars:

1. Zeta - Zeta - Another brewing company located near the beach. Open bar scene and laid back.
2. Beach Blvd bars - there are many of them so I will just list the ones you should visit. Brix, Ritz, Lynches (irish pub) and Pier.

SN: DO NOT go to Mango's and Bo's ( itll change your life though let me know if you go afterwards.)

3. The Green Room - Green Room Brewing - Another brewery
4. Sneakers - Sneakers Sports Grille - Projections screens and beer with bar food. Normal sports bar. Kind pricey IMO.
5. TacoLu - TacoLu - Not beachside but off of Beach Blvd. Awesome taco joint. Long waits but WELL worth it.

Southside:

Hotels:

1. Aloft - Jacksonville Hotel | Aloft Jacksonville Tapestry Park - An interesting Green technology hotel. It has an cool bar downstairs. Also next to a starbucks, Your Pie and a NY deli. All walking distance.

2. Hampton/Mariott/etc. All in this area.

Restaurants/Bars - TC means these places are in the Town Center and can be seen in the following link:
St Johns Town Center

1. World of Beer - Southside - World of Beer | The Finest Craft Beer Experience - Neat little bar with a ton of different beers from all over.
2. Alehouse - Sports bar with cheap beer and great food. There are several in Jax.
3. The usual TGIFridays, Applebees, Hooters, etc.
4. Magianno's - FANTASTIC italian. Not bad in price either. TC
5. Pf Changs, Cheesecake factory, Teds Montana Grill, California Pizza Kitchen TC
6. Blackfin - Up-ish-scale American. TC
7. J Alexanders - Upscale American. TC
8. Capital Grille - Upscale American. TC
9. Mitchells Fish Market - Upscale Fish. TC

If there is anything else, I will add it. I can add some entertainment stuff tomorrow but there isnt much else than a zoo, the beach, museums of some sort and you can always take a 45 minute drive to St. Augustine where you can buy fake Oakley's and Medieval weapons.

Parking: Usually you can find 20$ parking along Talleyrand near Beaver St. or Albert St. or E Bay Street.
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Not sure if this has been mentioned or not but if you go to the landing a couple hours before the games, there is an awesome Hooters that looks out over the river. After purchasing a few pregame libations, they usually give you a free pass for the river ride to the stadium. It is a two story cruiser that has bars on both stories. Its about a 20 minute ride past the Hershey factory and under the bridge and drops you off right at the back of the stadium. Then, after the game, catch it back to the landing. May want to call them first and see if they are still doing it for the bowl game. I have only used it for Jags games but it was by far the easiest and most fun way to go.
 
#121
#121
tntar heel said:
We're staying N toward the airport, Anyone ever ate at Millhouse Steakhouse. And thanks for all your information ladies and gentlemen.
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I and a few other vols from volnation are staying near the airport. Lots of good restaurants and a bar or two. Trying to get some people to buffalo wild wings Jan 1 to watch the 2 playoff games and meet and greet. And possibly take alot of shots lol
 
#122
#122
OrngeJuiceJones said:
I and a few other vols from volnation are staying near the airport. Lots of good restaurants and a bar or two. Trying to get some people to buffalo wild wings Jan 1 to watch the 2 playoff games and meet and greet. And possibly take alot of shots lol
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I believe you were one of the one's staying st the Plaza Hotel and Suites. Same as we are. We plan on driving over and going to parade and the pep ralley. From there it's up in the air.
 
#124
#124
We are staying in Town Center. Anyone wanting to get together for some playoff watching on the 1st?
 
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