Kayak Amelia organizes guided tours through Amelia Island's scenic marshlands, tidal inlets and creeks, giving you the chance to observe birds, marine animals and if you're lucky, a manatee or two. Experienced guides are by your side as you paddle around in their one and two-seat kayaks for half-day or full-day tours, which is one of their specialty programs. The historic Kingsley Plantation, offers you a splendid short rest on your excursion.

Jacksonville is home to Mayport Naval Station, the second largest aircraft carrier basin on the East Coast. Maritime buffs and military enthusiasts may tour the base and visit ships at no charge on weekends. The base features some of the nation's most impressive aircraft carriers, frigates and destroyers. It is located just east of downtown off Mayport Road (State Road A1A). Call for directions and to arrange your own tour.

Named in honor of the Huguenot French settlers who colonized the area for a short while in the 16th century, Huguenot Memorial Park is another one of Jacksonville's many jewels. Aficionados of our fine-feathered friends will enjoy the avian observatory tower, and nature trails, perfect for bird watching. Adventurous types can rent canoes and use the boat launch to access the waterways, while sports-lovers can rent volleyball equipment, horseshoes and bicycles for an afternoon of fun.

Adventure Landing, an all-in-one family fun center, is located between Jacksonville Beach and the Intercoastal Waterway. You can play miniature golf, ride go-carts, play laser tag and try your luck at the batting cages. The a waterpark is complete with slides, wavepool and pirate-themed play village. It is the perfect place to cool off and have a great time on a hot Florida day. Admission to the waterpark for children under the age of three is free.

Zephaniah Kingsley Plantation is known for being a significant property and attraction for many locals and tourists. Built in 1793, the place is named after Zephaniah Kingsley who leased the plantation and stayed here the longest. His house, an architectural treat, is a major attraction here. The plantation mostly catered to cotton, sugarcane, corn and citrus and was looked after by about 60 slaves. The slave houses, barns and gardens are all worth a visit.

This Arthur Hills-designed championship masterpiece was rated in 1992 by Golf Digest as the "Best New Course" in the southeast and the "Fourth Best Course" in the nation! Windsor Parke Golf Club was also selected for three national USGA qualifying tournaments including the US Open. This is a very unique course, with 18-holes and a substantial amount of fairway mounding and multi-level tees and greens. Perfectly maintained, this club is picturesque, memorable, and has a challenging layout (lots of water!). Among its other amenities is a new clubhouse. Definitely a "must-play" course! You can also host private events and parties at this venue. Check website for more details.

Atlantic Pro Dive is your all-in-one scuba center in Jacksonville, offering a wide range of products, training and diving trips. The staff can assist you in arranging diving trips through its Dive Travel Department, and can accommodate groups of up to 100. Atlantic is North Florida's largest AquaLung, Oceanic, ScubaPro and Zeagle dealer and also offers a range of classes taught by certified professionals.

Children and adults alike enjoy this quaint park and museum located in a restored railroad section foreman's house, and post office from 1903. Guided tours of these historic buildings and the Beaches' railway are available. A highlight is the lovingly restored Locomotive #7, a 28-ton steam engine built in 1911 and housed in a small glass-enclosed building-visitors can view it from the outside or close up from the inside. A gift shop is located inside the Old Railroad Depot. Admission is free but donations are encouraged.

This monument is on the north side of the city and can be reached from Spanish Pond, across St Johns Creek from Fort Caroline National Memorial Park and located on a high bluff overlooking the St Johns River. A wheelchair accessible terrace offers visitors a scenic view of the river and wetlands. Ribault and his crew landed on the First Coast in 1562 and erected the original stone monument to commemorate the first-ever landing of Protestants on this foreign soil. Admission to the monument is free.

Yellow Bluff Fort is a preserved Confederate earthen fortification and lookout tower built in 1862 to prevent Union gunboats from attacking Jacksonville. It is a labyrinth of trenches and earthworks built by Confederate soldiers and is located directly on the St Johns River. When it was built, it housed impressive cannons to ward off attacks from Union forces. Interestingly, the fort never saw any action during the Civil War but changed hands four times during that grim altercation. Admission to the fort is free.