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Top 5 Things to Do in Downtown Jacksonville

Last Updated on February 16, 2024

When it comes to the best things to do in Downtown Jacksonville, our friends at WUCF covered a lot of territory on their Jacksonville episode of Florida Road Trip.

Additionally, you may have read our article about the Jacksonville Urban Core where we highlight a number of interesting things to do. Now we wanted to share five other options to put on your downtown Jacksonville FL Road Trip to-do list.

Things to Do in Downtown Jacksonville

Table of Contents

    Watch a film at Sun-Ray Cinema

    Sun Ray Cinema door
    Photo source: Sun-Ray Cinema

    This small, artsy, historic independent movie house opened in 1927 and plays first-run major motion pictures as well as smaller independent art-house flicks.

    Rocky Horror Picture Show movie image

    They also host midnight showings of Rocky Horror Picture Show throughout October and on New Year’s Eve.

    Sun-Ray Cinema serves beer, wine, and house-made snacks, including some great Vegan options, along with the typical movie fare: popcorn, candy, and soda. It’s a great place to go on a date.

    Sun-Ray Cinema Pizza Cave pizza
    Photo source: Sun-Ray Cinema’s Pizza Cave

    The movie house is attached to the Sun-Ray Cinema Pizza Cave which features unique specialty pizzas. It’s the perfect place to go if you want to grab a bite before or after a show.

    Sun Ray Cinema Jacksonville mural of Creature from the Black Lagoon
    Source: Sun-Ray Cinema

    Also, be sure to post a selfie in front of the mural of the Creature from the Black Lagoon, a movie with local ties.

    Admission is $10 for adults and $6 for kids (although the pricing may vary for special events).

    SunRay Cinema Tapped Out Tuesday
    Source: Sun-Ray Cinema

    TIP: Consider purchasing your tickets online in advance to reserve your seats. They offer discounted admission every Tuesday as part of “Tapped Out Tuesday”. All shows are only $5.00 for all ages, all day long.

    Sun-Ray Cinema Address: 1028 Park Street, Jacksonville, FL 32204

    Sun Ray Cinema Drive In banner
    Source: Sun Ray Cinema

    NOTE: In 2020, due to the pandemic, Sun-Ray started showing “Drive-In” movies at various locations around Jacksonville. They now have a permanent presence at the Ramona Flea Market, located at 9700 Ramona Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32221. More info is available on the Sun-Ray Cinema website.

    Dine near the Florida Theatre

    Florida Theatre in Downtown Jacksonville
    Photo source: Florida Theatre

    If you’re looking for great places to eat in downtown Jax within walking distance of the Florida Theatre, we recommend these two restaurants that happen to share the same building.

    Indochine

    Interior Stairs at Indochine in Downtown Jacksonville
    Photo source: Indochine Downtown Jax on Facebook

    If you are in search of something a bit upscale in the downtown area, you’ll want to try Indochine. This award-winning restaurant known for its delicious Thai & Southeast Asian fare is set in a beautiful atmosphere.

    Mee krob from Indochine downtown Jacksonville
    Photo source: Indochine Downtown Jax on Facebook

    Their pad thai, curries, pho dishes, and sushi are out of this world. It’s a great place to celebrate special occasions or to have dinner before watching live music at the Florida Theatre.

    Indochine Downtown Jax Happy Hour
    Photo source: Indochine Downtown Jax on Facebook

    Indochine Downtown is open Monday to Thursday from 11 am to 9:30 pm; Friday from 11 am to 10 pm; Saturday from 5 pm to 10 pm; and Sunday from 5 pm to 9 pm. They also have a great Happy Hour with $5 appetizers between 2 pm and 5 pm.

    Indochine Downtown Address: 21 E Adams St. #200, Jacksonville, FL 32202

    The Burrito Gallery

    Burrito Gallery exterior downtown Jacksonville
    Photo source: Burrito Gallery

    The Burrito Gallery is a Jacksonville original and a favorite of the locals. This Tex Mex restaurant (or as they like to say in Jacksonville “Jax Mex”) serves burritos, tacos, fajitas, and quesadillas; all made with fresh ingredients and sold at a reasonable price (the average meal is around $10).

    taco salad on a plate.
    Photo source: Burrito Gallery

    But, this place is so much more than fat burritos and tasty drinks. The owner opened the first restaurant in 2015 with the vision of combining local art and local food.

    Front entrance of Burrito Gallery in Downtown Jax
    Photo source: Burrito Gallery

    This downtown location is the original one, but they have also opened 3 more locations around Jacksonville.

    First Wednesday Artwalk in Jackonville

    Don’t miss Taco Tuesdays. All tacos are half-priced all day long. This is a staple stop on the monthly Downtown Jacksonville Art Walk, held the first Wednesday of every month.

    The Burrito Gallery is open Tuesday to Saturday from 11 am – 10 pm (and until 11 pm on Tuesdays). They have a cool Happy Hour, too.

    TIP: You can park for free in the large lot at the corner of E. Adams and E. Monroe.

    Burrito Gallery Downtown Address: 21 E. Adams St., Jacksonville, FL 32202

    Shop at Cool Stuff Vintage & More

    Cool Vintage colorful plates and other items

    If you like unique vintage and antique stores, you won’t want to miss Cool Stuff Vintage on King Street, Jacksonville’s most unique vintage and antique warehouse. The name says it all.

    Cool Stuff Vintage puzzles

    This store has everything imaginable when it comes to vintage items: toys, jewelry, home décor, signage, furniture, clothing, movie memorabilia and so much more. If it’s funky and vintage, you’ll find it here.

    Cool Stuff Vintage painting mannequin and zen sculpture

    They are open Thursday to Saturday from noon to 6 pm and Sunday from noon to 4 pm.

    Coole Stuff Vintage swan statue

    TIP: They have high-end antiques as well as fun, funky cheap thrift store buys. Kids (and adults) love the 2 for $1 bin. If you are looking for something specific, just ask them!

    Cool Stuff Vintage Address: 646 King St., Jacksonville, FL 32204

    Stop at The Donut Shoppe

    The Donut Shoppe in Jacksonville front entrance

    If your travels bring you to Norman Studios and the Arlington area, you won’t want to miss The Donut Shoppe, a true Jacksonville institution since 1962.

    Ugly Apple Fritters at the Donut Shoppe in Jacksonville

    They have a large selection of donuts, but their claim to fame is their perfect, sweet & light-glazed donut. Most Jacksonville natives will tell you that The Donut Shoppe blows Krispy Kreme out of the water!

    Locals also love “The Ugly” which is the best apple fritter you’ll ever taste.

    Donut making at the Donut Shoppe in Jacksonville

    Kids are given a free glazed donut hole, plus it’s fun to watch the bakers prepare the donuts through a glass window.

    The Donut Shoppe in Jacksonville donut man sculpture

    TIP: It opens at 5 am every day and closes at 1 pm. Make sure you get there early since that’s when they are still warm, plus they sell out quickly. It’s cash only, so be sure to hit the ATM before arriving.

    The Donut Shoppe Address: 1535 University Blvd. N, Jacksonville, FL 32211

    Visit the MOSH – The Museum of Science and History

    MOSH in Jacksonville exterior with dinosaur
    Photo source: MOSH (Museum of Science & History) in Jacksonville

    Located just a short drive from Treaty Oak, this is the only science and history museum in Northeast Florida. At MOSH, there is always interesting something to see and explore across three levels of exhibits.

    MOSH offers a permanent collection and installations including a walk-through Jacksonville history and historical sites. There’s also a great dinosaur exhibit.

    Oscar the Owl at MOSH Museum of Science and History in Jacksonville
    Photo source: MOSH (Museum of Science & History) in Jacksonville

    You’ll want to check out the area’s indigenous species including turtles, owls and armadillos. They also offer a really cool daily Extreme science show.

    Cosmic Concerts at MOSH Museum of Science and History in Jacksonville
    Source: MOSH (Museum of Science & History) in Jacksonville

    Remember Cosmic Concerts from back in the 1970s and 1980s? The Bryan-Gooding Planetarium offers them on the weekends. It’s one of the best places to visit in the hot summer months or on a rainy day.

    Astronaut wall at MOSH Museum of Science and History in Jacksonville
    Photo source: MOSH (Museum of Science & History) in Jacksonville

    The MOSH hours are Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 10 am to 5 pm, Saturdays from 10 am to 6 pm, and Sundays from noon to 5 pm. The museum is closed on Tuesdays and the following holidays: New Year’s Day, Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

    Ice DinosaursPromotional Graphic.
    New Exhibit: Voyage of the Deep at MOSH

    TIP: Admission is only $5 on Fridays. Be sure to check their website for special events and new exhibit information.

    Museum of Science & History Address: 1025 Museum Cir., Jacksonville, FL 32207

    Future plans for MOSH 2.0 in Jacksonville
    Rendering for MOSH 2.0

    Interested in even more cool places and things to do near Jacksonville, the largest city in Florida? Here are more recommendations:

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