Hotel at a Glance: Omni Jacksonville Hotel

The Omni Jacksonville Hotel is perfectly positioned downtown on the banks of the St. Johns River. A short walk can transport visitors to a world of culture, as the Museum of Science and History, the Museum of Contemporary Art Jacksonville, and the Jacksonville Maritime Heritage Center are just blocks away. Back at the hotel, some of the comfortable deluxe rooms offer views of the city.

• Go for a swim in 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.
• Get Fit Kits: Available for in-room use, 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.

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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