As life gets busy, it gets more and more complicated to make time for your girlfriends. Responsibilities, significant others, children — they all look to you, but sometimes you need a weekend to yourself. So call up your girls, pack a bag and hit the road because Jacksonville is calling your name! Check out the best way to have a girl’s weekend in the Bold City.
Where to Stay for a Girls’ Getaway in Jacksonville
What better location than to stay right on the beach for a weekend in Florida? One Ocean Resort overlooks Atlantic Beach and is conveniently located near some great shopping and dining. One Ocean has unparalelled concierge service, so you’re treated like royalty the whole visit. Plus, they’ve got the area’s only oceanfront spa with beach-inspired treatments. Plan for at least half a day of luxuriating!
Right down the street, the Beaches Town Center connects the Atlantic and Neptune Beaches where you can find some delicious restaurants like Coop 303, Flying Iguana Taqueria and Tequila bar, and many others. There are also tons of boutique shops to check out for trinkets and souvenirs.
Related: Historic Hotels in Jacksonville
Where to Eat and Drink on a Girls’ Getaway in JAX
Best Bars for Girls’ Weekend in JAX
Riverside/Downtown
Check out River and Post for a cocktail and skyline views from the rooftop bar. Then head to the Volstead for a speakeasy feel or Dos Gatos across from the Florida Theatre for a hipster vibe. If you’re feeling especially crazy, check out Five Points to go bar hopping.
Beaches
Bars like the Shim Sham Room and the Wreck Tiki Lounge are a short Uber ride from One Ocean. There is just something about that salty night air that radiates pure bliss.
See also: 10 Best Rooftop Bars in Jacksonville
Best Brunch in Jacksonville
Booking a brunch is the best way to slow things down and reminisce over the awesome weekend events that just happened. The brunch at Casa Marina is a buffet filled with the freshest seafood, pasta, desserts and more. Not to mention the best part of the brunch here is the view of the ocean. An alternative option includes the delicious Beach Diner where everything is made fresh daily, and you can order items such as Eggs on the Bayou that combines breakfast and seafood for one perfect dish, yum!
Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth
If you have a sweet tooth, check out Sweet Pete’s Candy Shop located in a historic mansion in the heart of downtown. You can even book a tour for just 5 dollars that takes you on a behind-the-scenes look of the facilities and shows the candy making process. The best part? At the end, you get to create your very own chocolate bar made exactly how you want.
Fun Things to Do with the Gals in Jacksonville
Events and Sports in Jacksonville
Jacksonville always has something fun going on, from Jacksonville Jaguar games at TIAA Bank Field to Broadway shows at the Times Union Center and comedians at the historic Florida Theatre. Planning your girls’ weekend or bachelorette party around a big concert or festival is a popular reason to visit.
Shopping in Jacksonville, Fl.
Nothing says girl’s weekend like shopping and Jacksonville has no shortage of places to do just that. From outdoor malls to boutiques and markets, there is something for everyone’s taste. The Riverside Arts Market is held weekly on Saturdays and features local artists and vendors. In between the beach and downtown, St. Johns Town Center offers all the name brand stores you could think of in an outdoor shopping center.
Spas in Jacksonville
The Spa at Ocean One has everything from facials and nails to their own signature experiences. Their spa is the area’s only oceanfront spa offering over 40 ocean and marine-inspired treatments. Try the Seashell Massage; a beachy alternative to the traditional hot stone massage.
Another spa option just 20 minutes south of One Ocean Resort is the Spa at Ponte Vedra Inn. The 30,000 square foot spa has 100 different treatments ranging from the Watermelon-tini Pedicure to the Sea C Spa Facial. There’s even a hydrotherapy grotto in the outdoor pool.
Best Beaches in Jacksonville, Florida
You can’t experience Jacksonville fully without checking out at least some of the 22 miles of shoreline on offer – the most of any city in the country. Atlantic, Neptune and Jacksonville Beach are all within walking distance of One Ocean. For your girls’ getaway in Jacksonville, make sure you factor in ample time for sunbathing, surf lessons and picnics on the sand.
While all fabulous girls’ weekends must come to an end, the memories will last forever. Make sure to tell us the best part about your girl’s weekend!