Hotel at a Glance: Omni Jacksonville Hotel

Perfectly positioned in downtown Jacksonville on the banks of the St. Johns River, the 4-star Omni Jacksonville Hotel is a short walk to a world of culture. You’re blocks away from the Museum of Science and History, the Museum of Contemporary Art Jacksonville, and the Jacksonville Maritime Heritage Center. Back at the hotel, some of the comfortable deluxe rooms offer lovely views of the city.

• Go for a swim…up on the roof: Guest relax on the heated rooftop pool or catch some rays on the sun deck.
• Kids stay busy with backpacks stuffed with crayons, games, and hacky sacks, plus Twizzlers for snacking. They also get free milk and cookies on their first night.
• In-room amenities includes flat-screen HDTVs, mini-bar refrigerators, and Keurig coffeemakers. Select Guest® members also have access to complimentary WiFi.
• Get Fit Kits: If you’d rather not use the 24-hour fitness center, you can use these in-room kits, each includes two 2-pound dumbbells, a floor mat, stretch cords, a mini AM/FM headset, and a bottle of water.
• Themed lunch buffets: The onsite Juliette’s Bistro serves New Orleans cuisine on Wednesday, Italian on Thursday, and Southern on Friday. Or, nibble on bistro-inspired small plates at the J Bar Lounge.
• Get pampered at the nearby NAIWBE Spa, a primo spot for a massage.
• Heading the airport? The hotel is only a 20-minute drive from Jacksonville International Airport.

Jacksonville, Florida: Beaches, Live Entertainment, and the Scenic St. Johns River

The St. Johns River—which meanders through the middle of Jacksonville, Florida—is one of the only rivers in America that flows north. Along its banks is The Jacksonville Landing, which has been attracting residents and visitors for more than 20 years with international eateries, live-music clubs, and more than 300 special events held every year. It’s worth walking across the bright-blue Main Street Bridge to Southbank to see Friendship Fountain, which puts on a dazzling light show at night. Next door to the fountain, at the Museum of Science & History, you’ll find several aquariums filled with Floridian fish and unambitious nature documentarians.

Jacksonville sits right off the coast of the Atlantic Ocean, and its beaches are frequented by kiteboarders and surfers. More than 80,000 acres of parkland lie within the city limits—for a low-key hike or bike ride, head to one of the many state parks. Little Talbot Island State Park’s beaches are rife with sand dunes, and at Fort Clinch State Park, you can take a daily tour past Civil War reenactors or explore native wildlife on self-guided nature trails.

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