Northwest Travel Guide

Jacksonville

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 (Jacksonville) Fire of 1901, the largest urban fire in southeast United States.  Three years later in 1904 the AME church began rebuilding the college.  For the majority of the College’s years of operation, the AME Church also raised money to clear the school’s debt and construct most of the buildings on the College’s campus.
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 (Jacksonville) Fire of 1901, the largest urban fire in southeast United States.  Three years later in 1904 the AME church began rebuilding the college.  For the majority of the College’s years of operation, the AME Church also raised money to clear the school’s debt and construct most of the buildings on the College’s campus.
Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens which includes art as well as a family
Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens which includes art
Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens featuring art and interior views as well as a couple

Popular places to visit

Things to do


Top hotels in Northwest

Apm Inn and Suite

Apm Inn and Suite

2 out of 5
510 Lane Ave S Jacksonville FL
Stay at this hotel in Jacksonville. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their ...
6.6/10 (1,036 reviews)
Nothing like the pictures I saw online. They left a used soap on the back of the toilet. Looks like homeless people were living there. I won’t be back. I hope I get my 50 back soon.

Reviewed on 8 Mar 2026

Apm Inn and Suite
Sleep Inn & Suites Jacksonville West

Sleep Inn & Suites Jacksonville West

2.5 out of 5
6535 Ramona Blvd Jacksonville FL
The price is ฿2,492 per night from 5 Apr to 6 Apr
฿2,492
฿2,829 total
5 Apr - 6 Apr
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Jacksonville. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Popular attractions Merrett Park and Normandy Lane Plaza ...
7.6/10 Good! (581 reviews)
First the positives... the bed was comfortable to my liking, although this differs from person to person. Pillows and comforter were very nice. Location was convenient for me, staff at the front desk were friendly as well. Not so positives.... The carpet in the room was well used. Although I'm sure ...

Reviewed on 9 Mar 2026

Sleep Inn & Suites Jacksonville West
Margaritaville Jacksonville Beach

Margaritaville Jacksonville Beach

2.5 out of 5
715 1st St N Jacksonville Beach FL
The price is ฿5,422 per night from 5 Apr to 6 Apr
฿5,422
฿6,154 total
5 Apr - 6 Apr
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 ...
9/10 Wonderful! (3,753 reviews)
This place was nothing short of AMAZING!! We got the suite for our anniversary and it was HUGE! A beautiful location with a balcony and a gorgeous view of the ocean..

Reviewed on 9 Mar 2026

Margaritaville Jacksonville Beach
Hyatt Regency Jacksonville

Hyatt Regency Jacksonville

4 out of 5
225 E Coastline Dr Jacksonville FL
The price is ฿4,877 per night from 3 Apr to 4 Apr
฿4,877
฿5,590 total
3 Apr - 4 Apr
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 ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,538 reviews)
Great stay! They upgraded the room to river view for free! Super friendly, short walks to bars, restaurants, and nights out. Loved our stay!

Reviewed on 9 Mar 2026

Hyatt Regency Jacksonville
Wyndham Garden Jacksonville

Wyndham Garden Jacksonville

3 out of 5
4660 Salisbury Road Jacksonville FL
The price is ฿2,682 per night from 15 Mar to 16 Mar
฿2,682
฿3,044 total
15 Mar - 16 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Jacksonville. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a fitness centre. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
7.8/10 Good! (1,829 reviews)
Room was dirty, hair all over the bathroom and floor, mold on curtains. Absolutely would not stay here again. Property is old and beat up.

Reviewed on 9 Mar 2026

Wyndham Garden Jacksonville
Hampton Inn Jacksonville Beach/Oceanfront

Hampton Inn Jacksonville Beach/Oceanfront

3 out of 5
1515 1st St N Jacksonville Beach FL
The price is ฿5,724 per night from 5 Apr to 6 Apr
฿5,724
฿6,496 total
5 Apr - 6 Apr
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this beach hotel in Jacksonville Beach. Enjoy free breakfast, 2 outdoor pools and a beach locale. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in their ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (2,665 reviews)
Good

Reviewed on 9 Mar 2026

Hampton Inn Jacksonville Beach/Oceanfront
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 Northwest

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
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
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
Empty Docks on the River

Westside

While visiting Westside, you might make a stop by sights like Jacksonville Equestrian Center and Normandy Lane Plaza Shopping Center.

Westside
Radical flower

Northside

3/5(3 area reviews)

While visiting Northside, you might make a stop by sights like Oceanway Community Center and Anheuser-Busch Brewery.

Northside


Northwest Travel Guide