Located at the southern tip of Jacksonville, this museum is dedicated to promoting the local history. Housed inside the historic Walter Jones general store it is an example of a one-story, crossroads country store. On display are artifacts detailing the life of Harriet Beecher Stowe, author of Uncle Tom's Cabin, who lived in Mandarin, as well as artifacts and memorabilia recovered from the Maple Leaf, a Union naval ship sunk off Mandarin Point in 1884. Admission is free.

Florida's First Coast is renowned for its "dead solid" perfect golf courses. In fact, the region has become a hub for golfers. At The Champions Club at Julington Creek, located just five miles south of I-295 in St. Johns County, golfers can compare scorecards on an 18-hole course that meanders through the woodlands. Modeled after the finest private clubs and resorts, Champions Club offers superb service, pro shop, lounge and grill. Call ahead to reserve tee times. 

St Johns County is fast becoming one of the premiere golf destinations in the nation, and this course is part of that action. Just 10 miles north of World Golf Village in St Augustine, Cimarrone ("the wild one" in Seminole), has 18 championship holes carved out of pine forests and marshland. All golfers will appreciate the natural beauty and challenging layout created by nationally recognized designer, David Postlethwait. Lagoons, sand traps and other obstacles await players. A 10,000 square feet clubhouse is available for business and social functions.

Doing Dishes is a creative venture that lets people of all ages give vent to their artistic imagination and creativity while having fun. Pick and choose pieces of ceramic that you would like to paint. Colors, brushes and staff assistance is provided and once you are done, just turn it in and pick the finished baked product a week later! Doing Dishes also teaches participants how to fuse glass. All in all, it makes for a fun thing to do at birthday parties, fund-raisers and even at the camp hosted by Doing Dishes.

Scenic, bustling University of North Florida, with a campus tucked away on a nature preserve off St Johns Bluff and Butler Boulevards, is home to the much-loved University Gallery. It can be found inside Building 002, Founders Hall, and is known for its variety of exhibitions. Works are on display from both regional and national artists, along with those showcased from the Visual Arts Department faculty and students. Admission is free and the gallery is open to the public.

This 19th Century historic landmark park called Fort Clinch State Park is named after General Duncan Lamont Clinch. On the first weekend of each moth, local volunteers dress as Union soldiers and relive many of the daily routines of the fort from the 1860s, in a living history exhibition. Visitors can take a guided tour of the fort or can wander through its many rooms on their own. Three campgrounds are available for overnight visits and a small gift shop sells souvenirs. Open daily from 8a onwards.

Sisters Creek Park is the perfect place for some wholesome family fun and fishing. With ample parking, and grills on site, you can easily make dinner right after you catch it.

When wild creatures are injured and need a safe place to recover and gain strength, B.E.A.K.S. comes to the rescue. Calling itself a "Bird Emergency Aid and Kare Sanctuary," the facility serves more than 2,000 birds and animals each year. Their amenities offer you an opportunity to get a close look at eagles, owls, seagulls and other bird species while they recuperate. Admission is free, but voluntary donations are accepted. Call for an appointment for a guided tour.

Offering more than 200 acres of natural, untouched land with beaches, salt marshes and coastal woodlands set on the southern tip of the First Coast, the park offers a variety of outdoor activities including fishing, hiking, boating, sunbathing and wildlife watching. Amelia Island is northeast of Jacksonville, seven miles north of Little Talbot Island State Park on State Road A1A and eight miles south of historic Fernandina Beach. Bring the beach towels and grab the binoculars for a great day outdoors!

This park features a breathtaking coastal habitat covered with oak, holly and magnolia, along with sea-oat covered dunes overlooking the ocean. Hiking is a favorite activity on the scenic nature trails and fishing, canoeing or swimming on the Nassau Sound shoreline is tough to beat. Rumor has it that the island is haunted, particularly in the spooky Houston cemetery and Tamaqua Burial Grounds just outside the entrance.