Southbank Riverwalk

1001 Museum Cir, Jacksonville, FL 32207, United States

Hours

Open 24/7

Cost

Visiting Southbank Riverwalk is free! However, you may need to pay to park.

904-630-2489

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About

A worthwhile downtown landmark to visit on a Jacksonville getaway is the Southbank Riverwalk. The 1.25-mile walkway was completed in 1985 and linked the riverfront hotel, dining, and retail complex to Friendship Fountain and a restaurant west of the Main Street Bridge. The paved promenade offers unparalleled cityscape views of the city set against the St. Johns River, making it one of the top things to do in Jacksonville.

However, the grand opening was lackluster because the city could not provide the promised amenities. Sadly, the Southbank Riverwalk fell into disrepair and didn’t attract visitors like city officials had hoped.

Thankfully, the area was revitalized in 2015, transforming the ill-fated walkway into one of the city’s most visited urban landmarks. Currently, the city is improving the walkway, extending it into Bridgeview Park, and connecting it to West Bank Street. The new promenade will consist of pavers to match the existing trail, along with benches to relax.

With its urban setting, the Southbank Riverwalk is close to other top attractions like MOSH (Museum of Science and History) and the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens. Such convenience enables visiting multiple attractions in a day.

Adding the Southbank Riverwalk to your vacation itinerary will introduce you to the city’s beauty and diverse landmarks.

Southbank Riverwalk: Fun Facts & Cool Features

The best feature of the Southbank Riverwalk is the views of the St. Johns River. The pathway hugs the shoreline and juts out over the water in key locations. Hiking along this stretch of walkway offers peaceful river views, and benches are conveniently located to sit and relax.

The designers incorporated art and creative architectural elements into the Southbank Riverwalk to enhance a visit. One standout is the round fountain featuring a sculpture of a sailor, which reminds visitors of Jacksonville’s role as a port. Another feature is a decorative tile mural, while unique canvas awnings offer shade for the benches.

The central location downtown allows planning a sunset stroll on the walkway followed by a delicious meal at nearby dining spots like Restaurant Orsay. Or take a short morning jog followed by a trip to the North Beaches Art Walk to explore the crafts, artwork, and home goods created by local artists.

The Southbank Riverwalk can accommodate pedestrians, cyclists, and those with mobility needs. The path is peppered with green spaces and palm trees that bring the urban area to life. At night, the glow of the city lights reflecting off the St. Johns River adds another dimension to a visit.

The Southbank Riverwalk blends leisure and the arts with picturesque views of the skyline and river, making it a popular destination when vacationing in Jacksonville.

Getting There

Here are step-by-step driving directions to Southbank Riverwalk from Jacksonville:

Head northwest on FL-228 W/ Forest St toward Park St.
Use the right two lanes to turn slightly right onto Riverside Ave.
Continue onto Broad St/I-95 S ramp to Miami.
Take exit 350B for San Marco Blvd.
Use the right lane to turn right onto San Marco Blvd.
Continue onto Palm Ave.
Turn right onto Prudential Dr.
Continue straight onto Riverplace Blvd.
Southbank Riverwalk will be on your right.
Address: 1001 Museum Cir, Jacksonville, FL 32207

Local Tips

Arrive early in the day for a quieter experience.
You can see the USS Orleck Naval Museum from the walkway.
Sunsets offer picturesque views of the river.
Consider renting a bike for a fun way to explore the area.

Location

1001 Museum Cir, Jacksonville, FL 32207, United States

Frequently Asked Questions

What's a recommended one-day itinerary in Jacksonville Beaches?

Start the day off along 3rd St. at Jax Beach Brunch Haus for everything from basic breakfast favorites to hearty brunch options and tasty brunch-tails that go way beyond mere mimosas. From JBBH it’s a short hop over to the Jacksonville Beach Golf Course for those looking to spend a day on the greens.

On the north side of 3rd St., step into Maple Street Biscuit Co. for coffee and their self-proclaimed biscuits that wow. After breakfast, walk to Jacksonville Beach’s extended pier. Enjoy a stroll out over the Atlantic Ocean, or watch anglers casting their fishing lines. This is a great way to enjoy fishing in the area, especially if you don’t have enough time to go out on a boat. If surfing is more your style, be sure to hit the waves. Atlantic Beach to the north is more apt for novice surfers, while swells near the Jacksonville Beach Pier can be more challenging as this is the area’s high-tide break.

For lunch, savor the region’s fresh seafood as restaurants in Jacksonville and across the First Coast proudly serve fresh Mayport shrimp. Take in the view at Dockside Seafood restaurant to satisfy your shrimp cravings. Or, try Palm Valley Fish Camp in Ponte Vedra south of Jacksonville Beach after visiting the famed TPC Sawgrass golf course.

Many people who visit Jacksonville Beach are simply asking, where can I go to relax? Consider Neptune Beach to the north, a less crowded beach with calmer waves and plenty of space to spread out. A stroll through Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park is also a calm way to spend the day. If visiting downtown Jacksonville, the Riverwalk along St. John’s River provides ample walking space and benches to relax on while enjoying the view.

Wrap up the evening in Jacksonville Beach with the warm and elegant setting of Eleven South. This award-winning restaurant provides an exquisite fine dining experience to top off your day. For more casual fare, stop by TacoLu for fresh baja tacos and tequila with the essence of Florida.

Why is Jacksonville known as the First Coast?

People often refer to this part of northern Florida hugging the Atlantic Ocean as the “First Coast” (sometimes called the “Historic Coast”). Today, the First Coast moniker has come to represent it as the first coast in Florida that tourists visit when traveling southbound along the Atlantic seaboard. The name initially represented this area as the first part of Florida colonized by Europeans in the 16th century. Both the French and the Spanish settled into this part of northern Florida on lands of the Mocama and the Timucua. Further down the coast, St. Augustine was Florida’s first European settlement.

What are the biggest main events around Jacksonville Beach?

Jacksonville Beach welcomes visitors throughout the year to enjoy its wonderful weather and prime events. Each March, The Players Championship attracts golf aficionados from across the globe to our beckoning beaches.TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra has been home to The Players Championship of the PGA Tour since 1982.

If pigskin is more your style, Jacksonville is home to the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars, so it’s easy to catch a game in season. Another highlight, though up in the sky over Jacksonville’s Naval Air Station, is the NAS Jax Air Show. Birthplace of the Blue Angels, the NAS Jax Air Show generally takes place mid-October each year (check the event site for upcoming dates and program changes).

Back on land, or rather in the waves, the Super Girl Surf Pro also hits Jacksonville Beach in the fall. Held at the Jacksonville Beach Pier, this is the world’s largest women’s surf, lifestyle, and music festival.

When your vacation plans include an adventure to Jacksonville Beach, you can be certain there’ll be plenty to see and do!