| Jacksonville is one of my favorite cities in Florida | | | | commercially as well as leisurely. The Port of |
| because while it is very cosmopolitan it still has | | | | Jacksonville is a major seaport for cargo and |
| the same laid back feel as the rest of Florida. | | | | cruise ships as well as the Mayport Ferry, a ferry |
| Jacksonville is the first major city in the Sunshine | | | | that takes cars and people across the river. The |
| State, just 25 miles inside the boarder from | | | | railways are also a big part of the transportation |
| Georgia. It's the county seat of Duval County and | | | | hub here, they work their way through |
| is constantly in a fight with Miami for ranking as | | | | Jacksonville picking up people and goods for |
| Florida's largest city; it was named for Andrew | | | | deposit all over the country. |
| Jackson who was the first military governor of | | | | The St. John's River is also a favorite place for |
| the Florida territory. | | | | the people of Jacksonville to spend a day, sailing, |
| Jacksonville is a major banking, financial and | | | | fishing or roaming up and down on their jet ski. If |
| transportation hub which gives it that hip edge, as | | | | you don't have a boat or water craft follow the |
| does the beautiful architecture of the city. The laid | | | | crowd to Huguenot Memorial Park. On sunny |
| back Florida feel comes from the St. John's River | | | | weekends this place gets full to capacity. You can |
| that runs almost through the middle of the city | | | | park right on the beach, in the surf, here which |
| which is nice because you can see boats, both | | | | many people do. You'll see cars and trucks all lined |
| private and commercial; floating along from a | | | | up with their tailgates down, dogs tied up to the |
| window should you work in a high rise office in | | | | back, music playing, food spilling put of coolers, |
| some downtown building. There is also the | | | | footballs and Frisbees flying through the air and as |
| beautiful Blue Bridge that spans the river in the | | | | of that wasn't enough, the ocean. It's a great |
| downtown area near the popular shopping; dining | | | | place for a family to spend a day. |
| and night spot Jacksonville Landing. Jacksonville is | | | | Just off the coast of northeast Florida mere miles |
| also home to the NFL's Jacksonville Jaguars | | | | from the boarder with Georgia is fabulous Amelia |
| football team, when they have a good season | | | | Island. 15 minutes off I-95 and 20 minutes from |
| they are quite a draw. On game day the stadium | | | | northern Jacksonville, this island has 13 miles of |
| downtown has a big tailgating crowd partying until | | | | beautiful beaches, including Fernandina Beach and in |
| the final whistle blows. Jacksonville is becoming a | | | | 2008, Conde Nast Traveler's reader's voted it |
| major vacation destination too with the help of | | | | number 6 in the Top 10 North American Islands in |
| nearby, Amelia Island. | | | | their Reader's Choice Awards. This was the |
| Jacksonville is becoming major player in the | | | | second consecutive year Amelia Island has been |
| financial field and in other industries; in Expansion | | | | the highest ranked island destination in Florida and |
| Management Magazine's annual poll, Jacksonville | | | | in this state, that's saying something. Amelia Island |
| has been consistently rated one of the "Hottest | | | | has world class resorts and spas, quaint bed and |
| Cities in America" for business expansions and | | | | breakfast inns, and many other places to stay. |
| relocations. It's been the only city to have taken | | | | While there you can explore historic Fort Clinch or |
| the number one spot three times, and has been | | | | catch one of the many local festivals and events. |
| in the top 10 for six straight years. Inc. Magazine | | | | If you're an outdoor enthusiast you can enjoy |
| ranked Jacksonville 11th on its list of "Best Cities | | | | pristine golf courses, hiking, biking, fishing, kayaking |
| for Doing Business" in 2006. | | | | horseback riding on the beach or take a sunset |
| The city has a great skyline, the Wachovia and | | | | sail. |
| Sun Trust buildings are very prominent in it; the | | | | Jacksonville is a great city to visit, live, to start or |
| unique design of the Modis building is very eye | | | | relocate a business or just spend a day. The |
| catching and adds to the skylines architectural | | | | architecture, landscaping and river make this one |
| character. Jacksonville itself is beautiful; they have | | | | Florida's most beautiful cities. They have sports, a |
| parks with palm trees dotted here and there all | | | | great downtown area, an excellent transit |
| over. The Friendship Fountain at the Museum of | | | | system, museums, parks and a fantastic little |
| Science and History is another example of the | | | | island just off the coast what more could a |
| city's beauty. | | | | person ask for, Jacksonville truly has it all. |
| The St. John's River is a vital part of Jacksonville | | | | |