Southbank Travel Guide

Jacksonville

View of the Jacksonville skyline from across the St. John's River.
View of the Jacksonville skyline from across the St. John's River.
Never get tired of the sunsets in Jacksonville:)
Got to see some dolphins, just a few feet from the edge! What a pretty city:)
Friendship Fountain is a large fountain located in St. Johns River Park (also known as Friendship Fountain Park) at the west end of Downtown Jacksonville's Southbank Riverwalk attraction. The world's largest and tallest fountain when it opened, it has been one of Jacksonville's most recognizable and popular attractions.

The fountain and park were designed by Jacksonville architect Taylor Hardwick in 1963 and opened in 1965. The fountain's three pumps could push 17,000 US gallons (64,000 L) of water per minute up to ten stories in height. Friendship Fountain remained one of Jacksonville's signature attractions through the 20th century, but severe corrosion and deterioration to the equipment resulted in periodic closures in the 2000s. In 2011 the city completed a $3.2 million renovation to the fountain and the surrounding park.

Popular places to visit

Things to do


Top hotels in Southbank

Southbank Hotel by Marriott Jacksonville Riverwalk

Southbank Hotel by Marriott Jacksonville Riverwalk

3.5 out of 5
1515 Prudential Dr Jacksonville FL
The price is ฿3,607 per night from 29 Jan to 30 Jan
฿3,607
฿4,094 total
29 Jan - 30 Jan
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Jacksonville. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,638 reviews)
Did not get a chance to have a meal in their restaurant. Did order some appetizers at the bar they were very good. The beds were very comfortable. The young lady at the reception desk could have been a little more friendly but overall I was very satisfied with the room. One drawback was the $16 charge ...

Reviewed on 18 Jan 2026

Southbank Hotel by Marriott Jacksonville Riverwalk
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Jacksonville Riverfront

DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Jacksonville Riverfront

4 out of 5
1201 Riverplace Boulevard Jacksonville FL
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is ฿3,542 per night from 1 Feb to 2 Feb
฿3,542
฿4,020 total
1 Feb - 2 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Jacksonville. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 2 restaurants and 2 bars/lounges. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular ...
6.6/10 (1,553 reviews)
In in

Reviewed on 19 Jan 2026

DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Jacksonville Riverfront
Hampton Inn Jacksonville-Downtown-I-95

Hampton Inn Jacksonville-Downtown-I-95

2.5 out of 5
1331 Prudential Dr Jacksonville FL
The price is ฿3,210 per night from 31 Jan to 1 Feb
฿3,210
฿3,643 total
31 Jan - 1 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Jacksonville. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular attractions ...
7.8/10 Good! (1,000 reviews)
The staff was so very friendly and accommodating. The front desk staff and breakfast staff were especially kind!

Reviewed on 13 Jan 2026

Hampton Inn Jacksonville-Downtown-I-95
Extended Stay America Suites Jacksonville Riverwalk Conv Ctr

Extended Stay America Suites Jacksonville Riverwalk Conv Ctr

2.5 out of 5
1413 Prudential Dr Jacksonville FL
The price is ฿2,237 per night from 26 Jan to 27 Jan
฿2,237
฿2,539 total
26 Jan - 27 Jan
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Jacksonville. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the clean rooms in their reviews. Popular attractions ...
6.2/10 (1,003 reviews)
The hotel facilities were excellent, clean, and well maintained. The staff were extremely friendly, professional, and always ready to help, which made the stay very comfortable.

Reviewed on 15 Jan 2026

Extended Stay America Suites Jacksonville Riverwalk Conv Ctr
Margaritaville Jacksonville Beach

Margaritaville Jacksonville Beach

2.5 out of 5
715 1st St N Jacksonville Beach FL
The price is ฿4,166 per night from 25 Jan to 26 Jan
฿4,166
฿4,729 total
25 Jan - 26 Jan
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this beach hotel in Jacksonville Beach. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a beach locale and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (3,507 reviews)
Friendly staff, clean rooms and great atmosphere!

Reviewed on 19 Jan 2026

Margaritaville Jacksonville Beach
Hyatt Regency Jacksonville

Hyatt Regency Jacksonville

4 out of 5
225 E Coastline Dr Jacksonville FL
The price is ฿5,779 per night from 31 Jan to 1 Feb
฿5,779
฿6,625 total
31 Jan - 1 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Jacksonville. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 3 restaurants and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,424 reviews)
Very clean and comfortable room.

Reviewed on 18 Jan 2026

Hyatt Regency Jacksonville
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Southbank

Downtown Jacksonville which includes skyline, a city and a river or creek

Downtown Jacksonville

2.5/5(4 area reviews)

Florida Theatre and Jacksonville Museum of Modern Art are top sights in Downtown Jacksonville, and you should be sure to explore the stunning river views. Hop aboard the metro at Riverplace Station or Kings Avenue Station to see more sights in the area.

Downtown Jacksonville
Beautiful aerial view of the St Augustine, the oldest town in USA. the castle of San Marcos National Monument, Flagler College and the Matanzas Bay

San Marco

Visitors to San Marco enjoy its bars, and if you want to do some exploring, Theatre Jacksonville is worth a stop.

San Marco
Beauty

Urban Core

While you're in Urban Core, take in top sights like Jacksonville Museum of Modern Art or Florida Theatre, and hop on the metro to see more of the city at Rosa Parks Station or James Weldon Johnson Park Station.

Urban Core
Aerial View Over Highways Downtown City Jacksonville Florida

Riverside

Riverside is noteworthy for its restaurants, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens and 5 Points West Shopping Center.

Riverside
Aerial view of Friendship Fountain in Jacksonville, Florida, highlighting its circular design, water jets, and surrounding park area in Duval County.

Southside

If you're spending some time in Southside, St. Johns Town Center and Orange Park Place Shopping Center are top sights worth seeing.

Southside
Edward Waters College was founded in 1866 by the African Methodist Episcopal Church (AME) for the education of newly freed slaves. Located near downtown Jacksonville, Florida, the college currently sits on 23 acres and houses Centennial Hall (a nationally registered historic structure), the school’s oldest building which was constructed in 1916. A historically black college, Edward Waters College is currently a private, Christian, liberal arts college, is the oldest black college in Florida. It is a member of the United Negro College Fund.

Edward Waters College initially opened its doors as Brown Theological Institute. The school was forced to close for most of the 1870s due to financial difficulties, but re-opened in 1883 with an extended educational program. It also adopted its current name which honors the third bishop of the AME church. The college was destroyed in Great

Northwest

While visiting Northwest, you might make a stop by sights like Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens and Jacksonville-Baldwin Rail Trail.

Northwest


Southbank Travel Guide