Day Trippin' › Florida › From Jacksonville › Best small towns
Our picks for the best small towns within 3 hours of Jacksonville: 12 places, 2 under an hour away, 4 between 1 and 2 hours and 6 between 2 and 3 hours, counted by road time from ZIP 32202.
We put first the places with a real photo, a well-known name, a family-friendly note and an official site, then list the rest by drive time. The closest is Fernandina Beach, 42 min northeast of Jacksonville.
Under 1 hour 1 to 2 hours 2 to 3 hours
Photo: Ebyabe, CC BY-SA 3.0
#1 · Small town · 1 hr 30 min southwest
A tiny, very old town with antique shops and moss-draped oaks near Paynes Prairie.
Heads-up: Small shops keep short hours.
Photo: Ebyabe, CC BY 2.5
#2 · Small town · 2 hr 14 min south
A hilly lakeside town with antique shops, festivals and lake views.
Heads-up: See downtown parking info on the city site.
Photo: John Trainor, CC BY 2.0
#3 · Small town · 2 hr 30 min west
A Victorian town with a brick downtown and big rose festival.
Heads-up: Pair with Pebble Hill.
Photo: Jake N., CC BY 2.0
#4 · Family fun · 1 hr 29 min southeast
The World Center of Racing. Tours take you to the track and garages.
Heads-up: Tours change on race days.
Photo: Gamweb, CC BY-SA 3.0
#5 · Small town · 1 hr 41 min southeast
Surf beach town with shops on Flagler Avenue and art on Canal Street.
Heads-up: Busy on weekends.
Photo: Ebyabe, CC BY-SA 3.0
#6 · Small town · 2 hr 10 min south
Park Avenue shopping and a one-hour scenic boat tour through lakes and canals past grand homes.
Heads-up: Boat tours leave on the hour.
Photo: Connor J Williams, CC BY 2.0
#7 · Family fun · 2 hr 35 min southeast
An 800-foot pier with food, bars, an arcade, live music and surf lessons.
Heads-up: Busy on weekends.
#8 · Small town · 42 min northeast
A Victorian seaport on Amelia Island with a walkable downtown, shrimp boats and about 13 miles of beach.
Heads-up: Seaside Park has lifeguards and a boardwalk.
#9 · Small town · 42 min north
A small waterfront town that is the gateway to the Cumberland Island ferry.
Heads-up: Pair with the island ferry.
#10 · Small town · 1 hr 10 min southeast
A laid-back beach town on A1A with a fishing pier, surf and small cafes.
Heads-up: Check beach flags before swimming.
#11 · Small town · 2 hr 26 min southwest
An old fishing village on the Gulf known for clams, seafood, birdwatching and sunsets.
Heads-up: Long drive on two-lane roads. Low-lying streets can flood in storms.
Photo: The Bushranger, CC BY-SA 4.0
#12 · Family fun · 2 hr 31 min west
Downtown Tallahassee science center with an IMAX dome screen and a planetarium.
Heads-up: See the showtimes page before going.
Our top picks are Micanopy (1 hr 30 min), Mount Dora (2 hr 14 min), Thomasville (2 hr 30 min), Daytona International Speedway (1 hr 29 min) and New Smyrna Beach (1 hr 41 min). The page lists 12 places in all.
12: 2 under an hour away, 4 between 1 and 2 hours and 6 between 2 and 3 hours, by road from ZIP 32202.
Fernandina Beach, about 42 min northeast of Jacksonville.
7 need no pass or fee, including Mount Dora, Fernandina Beach and Flagler Beach. Fees change, so check each place.
9 of the 12 list themselves as open year-round. Places with a season say so on their card; check hours before you go.
Drive times are by road on a typical day from ZIP <class 'zip'> (OpenStreetMap data with the OSRM route planner); places under 25 minutes away count as in town. Facts checked against official sites; passes and hours change, so check before you go.