The Cool Cultural Scene in the Northern Berkshires, MA: 7+ Artsy Reasons To Go

By Jacquelin Carnegie – (Pittsfield, MA)

The Berkshires (photo: Abby Leadbetter)

Culture lovers already flock to the Southern Berkshires in Massachusetts for concerts at Tanglewood in Lenox and dance performances at Jacob’s Pillow in Becket. But venturing a few towns north--to Pittsfield and Williamstown--opens up another world of artsy possibilities. Even after summer is over, the cultural activities continue.
Taking the Pits Out of PITTSFIELD
Back in 1998, First Lady Hillary Clinton came to town on a Save America’s Treasures tour and gave a shot-in-the-arm to blighted Pittsfield. The town’s subsequent revitalization has been tied to the arts--and what an impressive transformation it is. Architecturally, Pittsfield is not a charming New England town like Lenox or Stockbridge, but it makes up for that with all its’ cultural offerings.

1st Fridays (photo: Karl Volkman)

Taking It To The Streets
First Fridays at Five

Downtown Pittsfield, MA (May-Sept, 5pm-8pm; Free)

Once a month, a big street fair jazzes up Pittsfield’s main drag in the Upstreet Cultural District. There are bands playing, a variety of food stalls, and tons of entertaining activities for young and old. In addition to what’s going on in the street, shops, art studios, wine bars, and cafés stay open late. It’s also a great opportunity to chat with the friendly locals.

First Fridays ArtsWalk

Karen Andrews Asian Fusion

Downtown Pittsfield, MA (May-Sept, 5pm-8pm; Free) -- Who knew there were some 50 artist studios in downtown Pittsfield? On First Fridays, there’s art on display not only in the galleries and studios but in all sorts of places: restaurants, bagel shops, the Berkshire Medical Center, The Lichtenstein Center for the Arts, and loads of other off-beat spots.

The Write Stuff

Arrowhead

Melville’s writing desk 

(photo: Pablo Sanchez)

780 Holmes Rd., Pittsfield, MA; Tel: 413/442-1793; www.mobydick.org (Open: May-Oct, Thurs-Mon, 9:30am-5pm, visit by Tour. Tours available off-season by appointment; Fee)

Here’s something else you might not have known--Herman Melville wrote Moby Dick, and several other works, while living here from 1850 to 1863. Melville’s former home, restored by the Berkshire Historical Society, is now a National Historic Landmark and open to visitors.

It’s Showtime!

Barrington Stage Company

30 Union St., Pittsfield, MA, Tel:
413/236-8888; barringtonstageco.org

Debra Jo Rupp, Dr. Ruth 

 ©Barrington Stage

Founded in 1995, the not-for-profit company, housed in a renovated 1912 vaudeville theatre (plus several new buildings), produces award-winning plays and musicals, and finds innovative ways to attract new audiences and introduce young people to theatre. The new productions at Barrington Stage are so terrific they often transfer to Broadway (The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, American Son), but you can see them first, right here!

The Colonial Theater - Berkshire Theater Group

111 South St., Pittsfield, MA; Tel: 413/997-4444; www.thecolonialtheatre.org

The Colonial Theater

The Colonial, designed in 1903 by noted architect J.B. McElfatrick, was a popular Vaudeville theater. After years of neglect, it’s been beautifully restored to its Gilded Age grandeur and now provides a stunning venue for top-name stars for concerts, comedies, musicals, and family entertainment all year long.

A Museum With More

Berkshire Museum

39 South St., Pittsfield, MA; Tel: 413/443-7171; www.berkshiremuseum.org 

(Open: Mon-Sat, 10am-5pm; Sun, 12pm-5pm. Fee)

Opened in 1903 by Zenas Crane as an art and natural history museum, the Berkshire Museum’s collection includes everything from fine art to fossils, an aquarium to ancient artifacts, and objects from every continent. In addition to nifty special exhibits, the museum hosts lots of creative events. 

A Fistful of Festivals
Here are a few examples:

February: 10X10 Upstreet: a contemporary arts festival. April: Pittsfield CityJazz Festival: annual jazz fest. 

Dining Options: There’s a huge selection of all kinds of restaurants, cafés and wine bars on North Street in the Upstreet Cultural District.
Spend the Night: Holiday Inn or Hotel on North.

Williamstown, MA 

(photo: Daderot)

Getting There: Drive or from New York (Port Authority Bus Terminal) take a Peter Pan bus to Pittsfield; about 4 hours, but worth it! Seasonal weekend train service: Amtrak's The Berkshire Flyer will run Fri/Sun from May to October.

WONDERFUL WEEKEND IN WILLIAMSTOWN

About a half-hour from Pittsfield, this quaint little town, home to Williams College founded in 1793, has some terrific cultural institutions you won’t want to miss. 

Must-See Art Collections

Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute

225 South St., Williamstown, MA; Tel: 413/458-2303; clarkart.edu

(Open: Tues-Sun, 10am–5pm; daily in the summer. Fee)

Sterling & Francine Clark Art Institute

(photo: Betty Sartori)

Sterling Clark, heir to the Singer sewing machine fortune, moved to Paris in 1910 and, along with his wife Francine, began acquiring an extraordinary collection of Impressionist and Old Master paintings. These masterpieces form the core of the Institute’s permanent collection. Opened in 1955, as both a museum and research center, The Clark’s original neoclassical building is now surrounded by modern additions by internationally-renown architect Tadao Ando. In addition to the artwork and special exhibits, other offerings include: live music performances, talks, and lectures. There are also walking trails on The Clark’s 140 acres of beautifully-landscaped forests and fields. (Plus a great gift shop!)

Eyes by Louise Bourgeois

 (©WCMA, photo: Arthur Evans)

Williams College Museum of Art

Rt. 2, 15 Lawrence Hall Dr., Williamstown, MA; Tel: 413/597-2429; wcma.williams.edu 

(Open: Tues-Sun, 10am-5pm; Free) 

This lovely little spot is considered one of the finest college art museums in the country with 13,000 works that cover the history of art. But, WCMA is best known for modern and contemporary art, especially its collection of American art from the late-18th century to the present.

The Stars are Out

Williamstown Theatre Festival

Rt. 2, 1000 Main St., Williamstown, MA; Tel: 413/597-3400; wtfestival.org

Blythe Danner, The Blue Deep

(photo: T. Charles Erickson) 

Every summer, for almost 70 years, the Festival brings top actors to this tiny town to perform in exciting versions of the classics and new works by gifted playwrights. It’s worth a trip to Williamstown to see a production. It’s also fun to spot big-name stars eating in the local cafés. (Sadly, no summer program in 2026 as the Festival will become biennial.)

Dining Options: Along Spring Street, in the center of town, there are lots of nice little shops, galleries, and eateries. 

Spent the Night: Plenty of charming accommodations.

Getting There: Drive or from New York (Penn Station), take an Amtrak train to the Albany station (about 2 ½ hrs, with stunning views of the Hudson River along the way). Then, a taxi or car service to Williamstown, about an hour. (Abbott Limo Service: 413/243-1645)  Also, bus connections run between Pittsfield and Williamstown.

Hudson Valley: 10+ Artsy & Cool Things To Do in Peekskill, New York

By Jacquelin Carnegie 

Many Hudson Valley river towns have become so hip, they're almost unrecognizable. But so far, Peekskill has managed to remain low-key, while becoming a haven for artists and expanding its cultural scene. Much of this unpretentious renaissance is due to the presence of Hudson Valley MOCA, founded by the cutting-edge, art collectors Livia and Marc Straus, who are committed to the enrichment of the multi-cultural Peekskill community. Back in 1861, a forward-thinking, President-elect Abraham Lincoln stopped here; it's time to follow his lead.
ARTSY PEEKSKILL
Hudson Valley MOCA
1701 Main St; Tel: 914/788-0100; https://bit.ly/2Q3G6Do

Laura Kimpton, HVCCA
(photo: Sarah Connors)

Livia Straus and her husband Marc put the groove in groovy. These avant-garde, ahead-of-the-curve collectors opened this not-for-profit arts center in 2004. In addition to presenting innovative and unconventional exhibits of contemporary art, the center offers a wide range of community outreach and educational programming for local students and adults. 

Enlighten Peekskill: Hudson Valley MOCA is also the primary sponsor of this project to "light the way" from the train station to downtown with an exhibition of site-specific artwork.
Peekskill Public Art Trail: Throughout the downtown area and along the stunning Riverfront Green Park there's a great sculpture trail with artwork from past Peekskill Projects and pieces commissioned by the city of Peekskill. Download a map and go for a stroll.
Peekskill Arts Alliance - Open Studios (www.peekskillartists.org): Every June, the PAA organizes an artists' open studio weekend, highlighting local artists and galleries. Over 200 artists reside in Peekskill.
The Hat Factory (1000 No. Division St; peekskillhatfactory.com): Kind of an artsy mall; for ceramic lovers, the Peekskill Clay Studios.

GREAT ENTERTAINMENT
The BeanRunner Cafe (201 So. Division St; Tel: 914/737-1701; www.beanrunnercafe.com)

Lisa Gutkin

 - This lovely cafe in downtown Peekskill has great live music every Friday and Saturday night--jazz, blues, reggae, soca, and singer/songwriters (call to reserve seats in advance). If you're lucky, you might get to hear Lisa Gutkin, whose family has spent summers in the area for five generations.

The Paramount Hudson Valley (1008 Brown St; http://bit.ly/2czSYhH) - This restored 1930’s movie palace is now a performing arts showcase with top names in music of all genres, comedy, and more. 

Peekskill Jazz & Blues Festival (Summer) - This free, outdoor festival features world-class jazz & blues musicians.
Feel Like a Local: Head to the Peekskill Farmers Market (Saturdays, June-Nov, 8am-2pm, on Bank Street, btw Main St & Park St) & Peekskill Flea Market (Sundays, April-Nov, 8am-4pm). 

Dine in Style: The restaurant scene in town is booming thanks in part to restaurateurs Louie Lanza (The Hudson Room, Taco Dive Bar, The Hudson Creamery) and John Sharp (Gleason's and Birdsall House). Several of the restaurants also offer live music, and two coffee houses double as galleries/music venues. There's a brewery and several gastro pubs. Here's a list of Peekskill's many eateries. 

BR Nelson, Beyond, Art Trail
(photo: J. Heumann)

Where To Stay: 

Inn on the Hudson (634 Main St; Tel: 914/739-1500; www.innonthehudson.com) - Get a discount if you mention the HVCCA.

Holiday Inn Peekskill (2 John Walsh Blvd; Tel: 800/315-2621; http://bit.ly/2csiauE). Or try, Airbnb and Bed & Breakfasts.
Getting There: From New York City (Grand Central Terminal) take a train to Peekskill on Metro-North's scenic Hudson line (about an hour).

10+ Artsy & Cool Reasons To Visit Cleveland, Ohio

By Jacquelin Carnegie

Terminal Tower (photo: Lisa Chamberlain)

Often thought of as an old, industrial city, Cleveland is getting its' groove on. Cool new hotels have opened, the restaurant scene is booming, dormant neighborhoods have come back to life, and major airlines fly in from just about everywhere. The city is right on Lake Erie and the Cuyahoga River. 

All this makes for an incredibly, enjoyable stay. Plus, the locals are some of the friendliest people you'll ever meet!

ENTERTAINMENT - FROM ROCK TO BACH & BEYOND
Hear everything from great rock and jazz in music clubs around town to the world-renowned symphony orchestra; in addition, there's marvelous theater.

(photo: Rock & Roll Hall of Fame) 

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame (1100 East 9th St.; www.rockhall.com) - Why is this museum here? Cleveland's famed radio disc jockey, Alan Freed, is credited with inventing the term, "Rock and Roll." Music fans prepare to have your mind blown by the extraordinary collection of rock music memorabilia. There are also concerts and special events. Plan to spend several hours here, if not the whole day (there's a cafe, so you can stop and recharge)!
Edwins (12387 Cedar Rd; www.edwinsrestaurant.org) - Since this delightful, French restaurant is now in the former, famous Nighttown Jazz Club space, Live Music has been added to the menu! 

(photo: Nighttown)

Cleveland Orchestra (www.clevelandorchestra.com) - Delight in their classical repertoire, plus collaborations with pop and jazz singers, and other creative programming.
Playhouse Square (www.playhousesquare.org) - Enjoy some great entertainment in the second-largest theater district in the country (10 stages within beautifully-renovated historic buildings). See touring Broadway shows, concerts, comedy, opera, dance, and children’s fare.

THE ARTS - MUSEUMS GALORE & MORE
Cleveland's University Circle neighborhood is a treasure trove of more than 20 cultural venues including: the Museum of Contemporary Art, Cleveland Museum of Natural History, Cleveland Botanical Garden, Cleveland Institute of Music, and Severance Hall (where the Cleveland Orchestra plays). All are worth a visit, but be sure to go to the Cleveland Museum of Art (www.clevelandart.org) - a lovely art collection in a stunning building. Have lunch is the atrium cafe. Admission is free!

(photo: Cleveland Museum of Art)

78th Street Studios 

1300 W. 78th St; 78thStreetstudios.com - Located in a sprawling, funky, former warehouse in the Gordon Square Arts District, 78th Street Studios has a cool collection of galleries and artists' studios. On THIRD FRIDAYS, there's a lively Open House. Check out: HEDGE Gallery and work by fabulous, local artist Gloria Plevin.
Waterloo Arts Fest (Sept) - Explore local galleries & enjoy indie, music bands at this annual event in the artistically-vibrant Waterloo Arts & Entertainment District in Cleveland's lakeside Collinwood neighborhood. 

Gloria Plevin, Inky Contemplating Green Asparagus  

DRINKING & DINING - A CULINARY SCENE

A handful of top-notch, local chefs started the current, hot restaurant scene: 

Mabel's BBQ (www.mabelsbbq.com) - Locals love this spot from Iron Chef & James Beard Award-winner Michael Symon. 

Edwins (www.edwinsrestaurant.org) - Clevelanders flock to this French brasserie from James Beard Award-winner Brandon Chrostowski that also offers an extensive, culinary training program to the formerly-incarcerated. 

Another great dining spot in the Flats East Bank entertainment district: Alley Cat Oyster Bar (www.alleycatoysterbar.com) - the cuisine is surf & turf with great views of the Cuyahoga River and super-friendly waiters.

Heinen's Salad Bar

But, you can have a great meal at almost any spot in town such as Zaytoon (1150 Huron Rd; www.zaytoonlebanesekitchen.com) serving the most delicious Lebanese specialties or even at the salad bar in Heinen's Downtown Grocery Store (900 Euclid Ave; http://bit.ly/2zyVoe1). The building, the former 1908 Cleveland Trust bank, is amazing as is the Garfield Building, former National City Bank, that now houses the swanky Marble Room Steak & Raw Bar (623 Euclid Ave; www.marbleroomcle.com). To discover even more groovy places to dine, check out the Cleveland Dining Guide.

West Side Market (1979 West 25th St.; www.westsidemarket.org) - Built in 1912, you usually only see great, indoor markets like this in European cities, with 100+ booths selling fresh produce, meats, baked goods, and ethnic delicacies, it's a mouth-watering adventure. And, lots of cute little eateries have opened up in the neighborhood, so do some culinary exploring.

(photo: Marble Room)

Have a Brewski - There are more than 70 breweries in the greater Cleveland area. Head out on your own craft-beer experience or come for Cleveland Beer Week (Oct).

EXPLORE THE NEIGHBORHOODS
Terminal Tower - Observation Deck (Open seasonally: April-Aug; Sat & Sun, 12-4pm. Tks: $6; https://bit.ly/2THFtnx) - Start your visit to Cleveland with a panoramic view of the city, lakefront, etc. from the Tower's 42nd floor. Then, head out to explore below!

East 4th Street

 

There's a lively scene on East 4th Street (www.east4thstreet.com) with a plethora of shops, bars and restaurants. The Flats East Bank (www.flatseastbank.com) district on the Cuyahoga River has become a dining and entertainment mecca. Beyond the Downtown area, there's lots of artsy and cool things going on in various neighborhoods. Check out Shaker Square (www.shakersquare.net), Collinwood (https://bit.ly/2R9KrHU), and Little Italy (clevelandlittleitaly.com) with all its' Italian eateries. There's so much to discover in Cleveland that these suggestions just scratch the surface!

FUN FACT: Lots of cool people came from Cleveland such as:

Paul Newman

actors/comedians - Paul Newman, Halle Berry, Terrance Howard, Bob Hope, Drew Carey; athletes - too many Hall of Famers to name; musicians - Joe Walsh, Tracy Chapman, Henry Mancini, Kid Cudi & may other rappers; writers - Langston Hughes, Toni Morrison; and millionaire John D. Rockefeller.

Where To Stay:

Hyatt, The Arcade

A number of new hotels have opened up Downtown in cool, historic buildings, to name a few: 

Drury Plaza Hotel Cleveland Downtown in the former Beaux Arts-style Board of Education building.
Kimpton Schofield Hotel in the former Euclid Ninth Tower designed by architect Levi Schofield in 1902.
Hyatt Regency Cleveland at The Arcade, the first indoor shopping center in America opened in 1890.
For something thoroughly modern, try the Hilton Cleveland Downtown (100 Lakeside Ave. East; http://bit.ly/1t6vbNg) - it's a convention hotel but with lots of charm: stunning local artwork, a very helpful staff, a nice pool, great views, and lots of dining options.

The Beatles, Chance Foreman, Hilton

Or, get to know the locals through Airbnb; rent a place to stay from a local poet in Shaker Square!

Getting Around: The RTA has buses, trolley loops & rapid transit lines (Red, Blue & Green) that can get you almost anywhere in town. Plus, taxis, ride share, bike share, etc. 
Getting There:
At least 10 major carriers such as American, Delta, & United have flights to Cleveland. Even Aer Lingus flies here from Dublin. So, you have no excuse to stay home; head to CLE today!  

20+ Artsy & Cool Reasons To Visit Jacksonville, Florida

By Jacquelin Carnegie - (Jacksonville, FL)

Miami gets all the glory but Jacksonville, on the shores of the St. Johns River in North Florida, is well worth discovering. What makes it exciting is all the entrepreneurial activity from new restaurants & breweries to artists-run galleries and unique, cultural events. And, of course, there's the beach! So, come on down to meet the super-friendly locals and explore "Jax."

GET TO KNOW JAX
Jacksonville's "Top to Bottom" Walking Tour
Tel: 904-827-1845; www.AdLibTours.com (Tues 10am)
Start your visit with a walking tour that turns a history lesson into a fun trek of discovery. Local historian Gary Sass and his friendly guides give a great introduction to Jacksonville's history and the arts & culture scene. If you don't feel like walking, take a lovely Art Bike Tour.
DISCOVER JAX'S HISTORIC NEIGHBORHOODS
While the downtown architecture leaves something to be desired, it's surrounded by charming neighborhoods such as Springfield, Riverside, and San Marco with lovely, historic homes. Check them out on house tours:

Springfield

 

Springfield Historic Home Tour

www.sparcouncil.org (May & Dec)
The Springfield neighborhood has beautifully-restored, turn-of-the-century homes: grand Victorians, charming bungalows, & historic family mansions. Plus, such friendly neighbors, you won't want to leave!
Riverside-Avondale Tour of Homes www.riversideavondale.org (April) This picturesque neighborhood with oak-lined streets has over 5,000 historic buildings. Along with million-dollar, waterfront homes, it also has hip hangouts such as Five Points (shopping & nightlife) and Kings Street (gastropubs & breweries). If you can't make the homes' tour, explore on your own. Enjoy First Friday events and, the first weekend of every month, ride around on the Riverside Trolley.

EXPLORE JAX'S ARTSY SIDE
Art Walk jacksonvilleartwalk.com (Monthly, 1st Wed, 5-9pm)
On the first Wednesday evening of each month, Downtown Jax is a whirl of artsy activities. The festivities include live music, arts & crafts vendors, street performers, food trucks, beer tents, and lots of family activities. Also, Downtown Jax's cultural venues stay open late and nearby restaurants and bars offer specials.

Museums It's worth a trip to Jax just for these museums:
Museum of Contemporary Art
333 North Laura St; www.mocajacksonville.org
In the heart of Downtown Jax, MOCA's wonderful collection and exhibits rival major, world-class institutions. In addition to the stunning, contemporary artwork, MOCA has top-notch events such as talks with renowned artists and delightful concerts. 

Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens
829 Riverside Ave; www.cummermuseum.org
This lovely museum in Riverside not only has an impressive art collection, spanning the ages from 2100 B.C. through the 21st century, it has an amazing garden overlooking the river and a nice café.
Museum of Science & History (www.themosh.org) - For both kids & adults. The exhibits are made to inspire interest in the sciences & regional history.

Galleries To start a gallery scene, local artists have taken matters into their own hands:

X. Nihilo

Southlight Gallery 
1 Independence Dr., #113; southlightgallery.com
This collaborative gallery features exceptional, local artists with international acclaim. Check out work by: Tony Wood, Enzo Torcoletti, Pablo Rivera & Grant Ward. Monthly openings coincide with ArtWalk. 

The Art Center & CoRK Arts District (corkartsdistrict.com) - Artists' studios in funky, repurposed warehouses. Jax also has a very active Cultural Council that supports all kinds of artsy special events & spotlights gifted young artists such as Dimelza Broche, Franklin Ratliff & Thony Aiuppy. 

ENJOY JAX'S FABULOUS FESTIVALS
Jacksonville Jazz Festival http://on.fb.me/1Mjqw0S (May)

(artist: Russ Wilson)

The festival kicks off with the Jacksonville Jazz Piano Competition, then free concerts by world-renown musicians. VIP packages for preferred seating and other perks are also available.
Jax PorchFest 

‪jacksonvilleporchfest.org (Nov)
This music fest is such a delightful concept: different singers and bands perform on the porches of various homes in the historic, Springfield neighborhood. Stroll along, enjoy the music, admire the historic houses, and grab a tasty snack from food trucks. PorchFest is the brainchild of Christina Parrish--attorney, serial-house-restorer (she's done 30), and former, unofficial "mayor" of Springfield.
Riverside Arts Market riversideartsmarket.com (Sat, 10am-3pm) Every Saturday is a festival at RAM in Riverside, under the Fuller Warren Bridge. Check out local crafts--paintings, jewelry, and handmade goods--plus a farmer’s market, and music!

RAM

 

RELISH JAX'S RESTAURANT SCENE

There's an incredible restaurant scene in Jax. In fact, each neighborhood has its' hip, hot spots:
Downtown: The Elbow (Bay St-Adams St/Main St-Liberty St) - Considered Downtown's "entertainment district," the area is known for its eateries & cool cocktail lounges/whiskey bars: Dos Gatos (123 E. Forsyth St; www.dosgatosjax.com) & The Volstead (115 W Adams St; thevolsteadjax.com) 

Street Art, Dos Gatos

Riverside: Boldbean (869 Stockton St; www.boldbeancoffee.com) - Great coffee & pastries. King St gastropubs: Kickbacks and Goozlepipe & Guttyworks.

San Marco: The dining district is a date-night destination and a great way to explore the lovely San Marco neighborhood. Popular spots: 

Taverna (1986 San Marco Blvd; taverna.restaurant) for Italian & Maple St Biscuit Co. (2004 San Marco Blvd; maplestreetbiscuits.com) for southern comfort food.

Springfield: 
Uptown Kitchen & Bar (1303 N. Main St) - Inventive American for breakfast, lunch & dinner. 

LET JAX ENTERTAIN YOU
Music: Jacksonville has a long history with great music. Elvis Presley gave his first indoor concerts here in 1956, and the bands Lynyrd Skynyrd & The Allman Brothers were born here. 

Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts (300 Water St; http://bit.ly/1Kf1hK7) - Three stages for concerts, musicals, dance recitals, comedy shows, & the marvelous Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra.
Florida Theatre (128 East Forsyth St; floridatheatre.com) - Great entertainment since 1927 (Elvis performed here in 1956); contemporary pop, jazz, rock, country & blues, plus opera and ballet. 

Ritz Theatre & Museum (829 No Davis St; www.ritzjacksonville.com) - Great jazz venue with a fascinating African-American history museum.
Theater: Theatre Jacksonville (2032 San Marco Blvd; www.theatrejax.com) - The oldest community theatre in the country, open since 1938.
Movies: Before "Hollywood," Jacksonville was the Winter Film Capital of the World. Explore this fascinating history, then catch a movie at Sun-Rays Cinema (1028 Park St; www.sunraycinema.com) in the Five Points section of Riverside. Sadly, the historic San Marco Theatre just closed after 84 years.

HEAD TO THE BEACHES
Just a half hour from Downtown, Jax's three main beaches--Jacksonville Beach, Neptune & Atlantic--share a splendid strip of sand. There are seaside dining options, cute shops, and some artsy activities: an Arts Market and even a museum!

Morning Surf, Lois Newman

Where To Stay:

Downtown: Marriott (245 Water St) - A wonderful spot right near everything in Downtown Jax; very friendly, helpful staff, plus nice rooms & a pool. The same goes for the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront (225 E. Coastline Dr).

The Beaches:  

Marriott's Courtyard Jacksonville Beach Oceanfront (1627 N. 1st St; https://tinyurl.com/y4qg2c53) - Perfect spot midway between all the beaches. Wonderful, friendly, super-helpful staff & outdoor heated pool right on the ocean.

Other options: The Hilton's Hampton Inn; One Ocean Resort & Spa; the new Margaritaville; Casa Marina - Famous for its Sunday brunch, etc. 

Getting There: JetBlue offers great, frequent, friendly on-time service. 

Dawn Patrol, J. Seward Johnson

Getting Around: Everyone drives, but there's a very reliable public transit bus system, JTA. (Get a STAR card.) JTA Hotline: 904-630-3100, ext. 4 (Mon-Fri, 5:30am-8:30pm; Sat, 8am-5pm) - Info on bus lines, bus stops & schedules or get the MyJTA App. Skyway monorail runs Mon-Fri, 6am-9pm; Free. In San Marco & at the Beaches, free rides are offered (certain times, Thurs-Sun) by Beach Buggies, download the App. There's the Riverside Trolley (1st weekend of month). And, just for fun, take a river taxi across the St. Johns.